| Recurring |
unknown |
<Article 22269> reports on a software failure incident related to the National Security Agency (NSA) tracking Tor users through ad networks like Google's and Tor's own entry and exit nodes on the Internet. This incident involves the NSA using cookies in ads to identify Tor users despite their attempts at anonymity. The article mentions that a hacking group previously published embassy passwords from Tor exit nodes, indicating a vulnerability in the Tor network [22269].
Regarding the options provided:
(a) The incident mentioned in the article does not specifically indicate a similar software failure happening again within the same organization (NSA) or with its products and services.
(b) The article does not mention a similar incident happening again at other organizations or with their products and services.
Therefore, based on the information provided in the article, there is no direct evidence of a similar software failure incident happening again at either one organization or multiple organizations. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The software failure incident related to the design phase can be seen in the article where it is mentioned that the NSA has been able to track some Tor users by using ad networks like Google's and Tor's own entry and exit nodes on the Internet. This tracking is possible due to the way Tor operates and how users can be differentiated from other web users, allowing for their identification despite using Tor for anonymity [22269].
(b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is evident in the article where it is explained how the NSA uses tracking ads placed on networks like Google's AdSense to identify Tor users. By placing cookies on users' browsers through these ads, the NSA can track users even when they are using Tor for anonymity, thus compromising the operational security of the system [22269]. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
The software failure incident described in the articles can be categorized as both within_system and outside_system:
(a) within_system: The failure within the system is related to the vulnerabilities and tracking methods used by the NSA to identify Tor users. The NSA utilized cookies planted through ads on networks like Google's AdSense to track users even when they were using Tor for anonymity [22269].
(b) outside_system: The failure outside the system is attributed to the external surveillance and tracking methods employed by the NSA, which exploit the inherent design of the internet and tracking ads to identify and monitor Tor users [22269]. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions, human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
The software failure incident described in the articles is primarily related to the NSA's use of tracking ads and cookies to locate and identify Tor users. This failure is not due to contributing factors introduced by human actions but rather by the inherent design of the web and the way tracking ads function. The NSA's method of using cookies to track users even when they are using Tor is based on exploiting the standard functionality of the web, rather than introducing new factors through human actions [22269].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
The failure in this case can also be attributed to human actions, specifically the actions of the NSA in utilizing tracking ads and cookies to spy on Tor users. While the failure itself is not directly caused by human error or mistakes, the decision to employ such tactics for surveillance purposes is a deliberate human action that contributes to the software failure incident [22269]. |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to hardware issues [22269].
(b) The software failure incident discussed in the articles is related to software vulnerabilities and tracking methods used by the NSA to identify Tor users despite their attempts to remain anonymous. The failure originates in the software's design and the way it interacts with the Internet, allowing for tracking and surveillance [22269]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious |
(a) The software failure incident described in the articles is malicious in nature. The National Security Agency (NSA) has been using ad networks and tracking techniques to follow Tor users, despite Tor's aim to provide anonymity and privacy protection [22269]. The NSA's actions involve buying ads on networks like Google's AdSense and using cookies to track users even when they are using Tor for anonymity [22269]. This deliberate tracking and surveillance of Tor users by exploiting the design of the Web to spy on individuals indicate a malicious intent to undermine the privacy and security features of the Tor network. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
unknown |
The articles do not provide information about a software failure incident related to poor decisions or accidental decisions. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
accidental |
(a) The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to development incompetence.
(b) The software failure incident mentioned in the articles is related to accidental factors. The incident involves the NSA using tracking ads on the Tor network to identify and track users, exploiting the design of the web and the use of cookies to de-anonymize Tor users [22269]. This accidental exploitation of the web's functionality for surveillance purposes can be considered a software failure incident caused by accidental factors. |
| Duration |
temporary |
The software failure incident described in the articles is more aligned with a temporary failure rather than a permanent one. This is because the failure was due to specific contributing factors introduced by certain circumstances, such as the NSA's tracking methods using cookies and ads on networks like Google's AdSense to identify Tor users [22269]. The incident does not suggest a complete and permanent breakdown of the software but rather a targeted exploitation of certain vulnerabilities and design features to track users temporarily. |
| Behaviour |
omission, value, byzantine, other |
(a) crash: The articles do not mention any specific instance of a system crash where the software completely loses state and fails to perform any of its intended functions.
(b) omission: The articles discuss how the NSA was able to track Tor users by using ad networks like Google's and seeding cookies around Tor's access points. This tracking was possible because Tor users' information was omitted or not protected, allowing the NSA to identify them despite using Tor for anonymity [22269].
(c) timing: There is no specific mention of a timing-related failure where the system performed its intended functions but at incorrect times.
(d) value: The failure described in the articles is related to the system performing its intended functions incorrectly, leading to the compromise of user anonymity despite using Tor for privacy [22269].
(e) byzantine: The behavior of the software failure incident can be categorized as a byzantine failure. The NSA's tracking of Tor users by exploiting the design of the web and using cookies to identify users despite their use of Tor for anonymity can be seen as an erroneous and inconsistent interaction between the users and the surveillance system [22269].
(f) other: The other behavior observed in the software failure incident is the exploitation of the inherent design of the web and tracking mechanisms to compromise user privacy. The NSA's use of tracking ads and cookies to identify Tor users despite their efforts to remain anonymous showcases a failure in the system's ability to protect user data and privacy [22269]. |