FBI Concerned About Implications of Counterfeit Cisco Gear

SpicyBrownMustard writes "An FBI PowerPoint presentation provides details about a criminal investigation into counterfeit CISCO hardware originating from China, and sold by Gold/Silver partners to numerous US government, military, and intelligence agencies. The concern of the article's author and the FBI is that the counterfeit equipment may be state-sponsored to aid in accessing otherwise secure systems (slides 46+47). Says the article author: 'The threat is real. Compromised hardware of potentially hostile foreign origin sits within secure networks of the US government, military, and intelligence services. And as you now see, the FBI has been concerned about it.'" We've mentioned the seizure of some of this equipment before, but this presentation adds quite a bit of detail, and highlights the FBI's concern of Chinese government involvement.

The FBI Followed Up With

[neoform]

It's not fair, if people are using the Chineese pre-wiretapped routers, we can't get people to use OUR specially pre-wiretapped routers!

Solution

[Anonymous Coward]

Only use network gear that was built in the US. *snicker*

Re:Nightmare

[neoform]

The solution: Buy a router from every major router maker, then use them all chain-linked together. That way you get super-ultra firewall protection.. and unless the Chinese AND the NSA are working together, you can't be hacked! FLAWLESS VICTORY!

Uhhh...

[Kingrames]

Who cares about counterfeit Disco gear?

Re:Time for state-sponsored fablabs

[Lonedar]

Ah, yes. A robotic factory would be a great solution to this problem indeed.
In order to cut the costs to a bare minimum I recommend we order the robots from China.

Oh No!

[UncleWilly]

I also suspect my Lenovo/Thinkpad..whenever I'm in the room it seems to be...watching me.

Re:Nightmare

[neoform]

I trust neither Cisco nor the FBI.

On an unrelated note, ever since the NSA started giving me free Cisco routers, I can't help but think they're just honest guys trying to help out regular Joes like me.

Re:FUD

[TheVelvetFlamebait]

Yeah? And I think you're a CHINESE SPY!
 
;)

Re:Uhhh...

[everphilski]

Disco Stu only buys the genuine article. Oh yea, baby...

Re:Nightmare

[TheLink]

The grey hairs are because even your very DNA is being subverted and counterfeited.

That's what you get with cheap clones.

Just wait till Monsanto and friends catch up with you. Unauthorized reproduction and all that.

Re:Nightmare

[Anonymous Coward]

is... your real name Kissinger?