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Men in Black develop spying virus

'It looks like you're typing a password...'

By John Oates

Published: 21 November 2001 12:25 GMT

The FBI has developed a virus that can snoop on users' encryption passwords.

The software is called Magic Lantern. It uses "keylogging" - recording individual strokes on the keyboard, according to MSNBC. Instead of breaking encrypted documents, the software records the password used to start the encryption programme. With this, agents can get access to an individual's encryption key.

Magic Lantern is part of the FBI's 'Carnivore' programme.

The technology first came to light last month in the Nicodemo Scarfo mobster case. FBI agents admitted installing software on Scarfo's PC which picked up his passwords.

Magic Lantern can now be sent as an email giving the 'men in black' remote access to machines.

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