Former spy trick adopted by ISIS suspect in India: Cloud service and draft codes

The arrest of Shahnawaz Alam highlights the need for enhanced digital surveillance and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and tech companies to combat the evolving tactics of extremist groups. In a chilling case mirroring past espionage tactics, Delhi Police have uncovered an Islamic State operative using a clandestine communication technique: draft messages in a shared cloud account . This method, eerily similar to one employed by a former CIA director and a Canadian spy, raises concerns about the sophistication and adaptability of extremist networks.

Shahnawaz Alam, a mining engineer by profession, was arrested three months ago. Investigators discovered he wasn’t using standard emails, but cloud-based services like Mega to connect with fellow ISIS members. The twist? They used a single shared account with a “common ID and password.

” Instead of sending emails that could be intercepted, they wrote messages and saved them as drafts. Their accomplices would then access the same account, read the drafts, and leave their responses hidden within. This clever maneuver, according to Alam, eliminated any trace of internet protocol addresses, making it difficult to track their online movements.

What is Mega cloud service used by ISIS operative Mega is a New Zealand-based cloud service accessible through both web and mobile. Sharing a single account with a “shared ID and password,” these operatives turned drafts into their secret handshake. “MEGA is a cloud storage service that offers file hosting, sharing, chat, and meetings.

It’s accessible through web browsers and mobile apps, and offers end-to-end encryption,” says description of the cloud service. MEGA can be used on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. It also offers a cloud-based synchronization tool called MEGASync, which allows users to customize and optimize their storage and sync files to any device.

Here’s how it worked: * Alam would pen a coded message as a draft in the shared Mega account. * His comrade-in-arms, accessing the same account, would find the message lurking in the draft folder. * A reply would be drafted in return, completing the covert exchange.

* This clever method offered a double layer of secrecy, according to Alam and the police report. No emails were actually sent, eliminating the trail of traditional IP addresses that could be tracked by authorities. Furthermore, the draft folder served as a hidden inbox, accessible only to those with the shared credentials.

The arrest of Shahnawaz Alam serves as a stark reminder of the evolving tactics employed by extremist groups. It underscores the need for continued vigilance, enhanced digital surveillance, and closer collaboration between law enforcement agencies and tech companies to combat the growing threat of online radicalization and clandestine communication. About the Author TOI Tech Desk The TOI Tech Desk is a dedicated team of journalists committed to delivering the latest and most relevant news from the world of technology to readers of The Times of India.

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