Thursday, November 06, 2008

Can the US Government now hack my computer?

Okay so I've decided (for once) to get ahead of the game and register with the new big brother system that will allow me to travel into the US, something that you have to do in advance now

The warning popup is quite a sight
This Department of Homeland Security (DHS) computer system and any related equipment is subject to monitoring for administrative oversight, law enforcement, criminal investigative purposes, inquiries into alleged wrongdoing or misuse, and to ensure proper performance of applicable security features and procedures. As part of this monitoring, DHS may acquire, access, retain, intercept, capture, retrieve, record, read, inspect, analyze, audit, copy and disclose any information processed, transmitted, received, communicated, and stored within the computer system. If monitoring reveals possible misuse or criminal activity, notice of such may be provided to appropriate supervisory personnel and law enforcement officials. DHS may conduct these activities in any manner without further notice. By clicking OK below or by using this system, you consent to the terms set forth in this notice.


The highlight is mine. Does this mean that in order to go to the US I must allow the US government to hack my computer?

The other good bit is that the dialogue only has an OK button, you can't even cancel and get out.

I just thought "you can't do that" then suddenly remembered what the response will be "yes we can".

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3 comments:

Anonymous said...

"THIS Department of Homeland Security (DHS) computer system... "

"... and stored within THE computer system."

so, this<-the.

Its not your computer, its the DHS´s. (I hope) cheers /john

Richard Veryard said...

The Network is the Computer

Steve Jones said...

Its the phrase about in anyway they want that worries me. Clearly they can look at their computers but what about my browser (is that part of the "system").

Overly paranoid probably, but I've never had a pop-up like that before.