Computer and Internet Protocol Address Verifier
The Computer and Internet Protocol Address Verifier (CIPAV) is a secret data-gathering tool that the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uses to track and gather location data on suspects under electronic surveillance. The software operates on the target computer much like spyware, where as it is unknown to the operator that the software has been installed and is monitoring and reporting on their activities.
Although used as a surveillance tool, the CIPAV has been ruled to not require a wiretap warrant for use because it does not capture the content of communications. [1] As it works, it captures location-related information, such as: IP address, MAC address, open ports, running programs, Operating System and installed application registration and version information, default browser, and last visited URL. [2]
The CIPAV recently made headlines when its use was exposed in open court during an investigation of a teen who had made bomb threats against his high school. [3]
References
- ^ "Appeals Court Rules No Privacy Interest in IP Addresses, Email To/From Fields". Wired Magazine. 2007-07-06.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "United States vs. Forester" (PDF). United States District Court
for the Southern District of California. 2007-07-06.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); line feed character in|publisher=at position 29 (help) - ^ "FBI's Secret Spyware Tracks Down Teen Who Made Bomb Threats". Wired Magazine. 2007-07-18.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
Stubs
 | This Internet-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
 | This government-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |