Carnivore Can Threaten Internet Privacy Abstract: In 1999 the FBI launched a new tool, Carnivore, to help it conduct Internet surveillance of suspected criminals . The systems, installed directly on the Internet Service Provider networks, process and filter all data communications in transit. This is alarming to privacy advocates. The FBI now has the ability to monitor email through a network snooping scheme known as "Carnivore"i. Carnivore can be used as a surveillance mechanism in investigations by intercepting data packets sent over the Internet. These data packets include private emails exchanged between unsuspecting criminals, but can also include ordinary law-abiding citizens. Privacy advocates have not hesitated to publicly express their fear that Carnivore will give the FBI unlimited, unrestricted access to everyone's emails. At the moment, Internet eavesdropping is not controlled by law, as it is not specifically prohibited or permitted. Carnivore works as an Internet eavesdropper, typically installed directly on Internet providers' networks. The system has been nicknamed Carnivore for its ability to get to the "body" of what would otherwise be a huge amount of data. Like previous wiretap methods, it intercepts all digital communications and records sent to or from the target of an investigation. Carnivore's specialty is that it can filter out irrelevant data such as online banking and web browsing, leaving only specific types of communications such as emails. Additionally, Carnivore only scans identifying addresses in the "to" and "from" fields, not the entire contents of electronic messages. The FBI likens it to looking at the front of an envelope. Carnivore......center of paper......politics/0,1283,37470,00.html 3:00am July 12, 2000 PDTvii "ACLU Needs a Fix for 'Carnivore'" by Chris Oakes Hotwired Magazine http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,37470,00.html 3:00 am July 12, 2000 PDTviii "ACLU Needs 'Carnivore' Fix" by Chris Oakes Hotwired Magazine http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,37470,00.html 3:00 am July 12, 2000 PDTix "Telecoms miffed at FBI Meddling" by Declan McCullogh Hotwired Magazine http://www .wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,37448,00.html 3:00 am July 8, 2000 PDTx "ACLU Needs a 'Carnivore' Fix" by Chris Oakes Hotwired Magazine http://www.wired. com/news/politics/0,1283,37470,00.html 3:00am July 12, 2000 PDTxi "FBI System Secretly Searches Email" by Neil King Jr. and Ted Bridis, WSJ Interactive Edition. http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1005-200-2245549.html July 11, 2000 6:01 am PT