The US National Security Agency has masqueraded as Google in order to spy on web users, leaked documents show.In order to pose as Goggle and fool web users, the NSA used the man in the middle (MITM) hack attack, a technique through which the US spy agency circumvents encryption by redirecting users to a copycat site which passes on all the data entered by users to NSAdata banks.
The leaked document was among data released by Brazilian TV network Globo News based on classified information provided by whistleblower Edward Snowden, RT reported.
The Brazilian network showed slides from an NSA presentation made in 2012, which demonstrated how the agency intercepts data and re-routes it to NSA headquarters.
MITM hack attack is frequently used by expert hackers since it helps them avoid having to break through encryption while intercepting Internet communications.
Using the technique, NSA operatives can log into a router used by an Internet service provider and divert target traffic to a copycat MITM site, where all the data entered is relayed to the NSA.
In June, Google and Microsoft asked a federal court for permission to release statistics about government requests they receive for customer data following Snowdens revelations about the NSAs PRISM, a program that accesses information from the two companies and other Internet giants.
Under PRISM, US technology companies hand over user data pertaining to all people across the globe after they receive orders from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
According to the law, US telecommunications companies are required to comply with lawful surveillance orders, including the FISA court orders and national security letters.
By Press TV
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