BBS - Text

[reformedsinner]

From: Li Tieguai
Date: Jan 13 2017

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Good evening. As many of you know, I teach at a renovated building in the Western District. I'm looking for someone who can help with computer and technology classes. While I can handle beginner level lessons, I'd appreciate help with any more advanced topics -- even if you are not interested in teaching, I could use someone to answer my questions, particularly on network security and programming issues.

If you're interested, please contact me.

On a personal note, I'm also interested in hiring an artist to produce a portrait from a verbal description. Details to be discussed privately. Cost is no object.

Comments

Private | Text

[unlucky7]

I don't think I can do much on the teaching side, but I know some basic things about network security? It depends what you need.

SMS, five minutes later

[reformedsinner]

I'm wondering if you could answer some questions about how to get around it.

Hypothetical ones, of course.

[unlucky7]

Sure, I'll answer some hypothetical questions about getting around a hypothetical security system.

[reformedsinner]

If someone were, for instance, trying to get access to surveillance camera records to pick out frequent visitors to a certain area by car... what would they need to consider?

[unlucky7]

It depends on the surveillance camera. If it's one with data stored to a card or built in hard drive, you can open it up and copy the data to a laptop or other device.

If it's cloud or networked into a computer, accessing the computer depends on where it is and how it's secured. Cloud is tricky, but not impossible to social engineer passwords.

Calling the manufacturer and pretending to be a vendor who needs reset information can work. Or inversely, pretending to be a representative from the camera's manufacturer out auditing their system if you need to talk to a building owner.

Hypothetically speaking.

[reformedsinner]

And "social engineering" passwords-- correct me if I'm wrong. That means convincing people to give you their password, or using information about them to guess it?

It sounds as though most of these techniques wouldn't take too much technological skill at all.

And, hypothetically, if I needed to access government surveillance systems...?

[unlucky7]

Correct. A security system is only as good as its weakest link and people are easy to crack. That's also assuming the owner even changed the password off the default.

If you know the model of a camera, it's not hard looking up the manual online. That'll tell you everything you need to know to proceed.

Confidence, clipboard, suit or security vest. Act like you know what you're doing, ask the right questions. People don't tend to question authority, especially if they aren't paid enough.

[reformedsinner]

Thank you, this has been very helpful.

Would you mind talking to an acquaintance of mine about these strategies?

[unlucky7]

Depends. What are you and your acquaintance planning?

[reformedsinner]

Hmm, it would be a bit complicated to explain here. Are you free right now?

[alphinerd]

I am an artist of sorts. I'd be happy to show you examples, if you like.

[reformedsinner]

If you do have examples, I'd like to see them.

[alphinerd]

I do not have too many examples here with me, but I will forward a few photographs of the ones I do have.

[After a few minutes, Hakkai will receive an attachment featuring a few sketches of people that aren't here, all in relatively the same style

private, text

[reformedsinner]

[There's a pause of about a quarter hour before Hakkai responds, message set to private.]

These are beautifully done. How do you feel about working from a verbal description?

What I'm hoping to get is a picture of someone I know, who isn't here and who I don't have photographs of.

private, text

[alphinerd]

Thank you very much!

I should be able to work well enough off of a verbal description if given enough details, though I can just as easily ask for clarification on things, I suppose.

[reformedsinner]

I should be able to give details. And clarify, of course, if you need that.

How much would you want for a job like that? I know it's a little unusual.

[alphinerd]

I'm not sure. I've never really done anything like this on commission before, but I can look into rates and see what sounds fair.

For clarification purposes, I suppose it would be easier to do this in person. I can sketch fairly quickly, so it shouldn't take too much of your time. When would be the most convenient for you?

[reformedsinner]

Yes, I suppose that would help.

I'm free tonight, in fact, and could drop by. If that doesn't work, I have most evenings available.

[alphinerd]

Tonight would be perfect. My schedule is clear for the evening, so I'll make arrangements for some tea, if you would be amenable.

Text

[pure_radiantics]

Oh wow I thought you were talking about something else before I read what the actual questions were about. I'm so used to talking to shinki who don't even know what their phones are, I thought it would be more, uhm... simple.

I hope someone can answer them for you!

[reformedsinner]

Ha ha, yes, I've had a little luck so far!

The simple questions I think I've been here long enough to handle myself, thankfully.

[pure_radiantics]

I knew you were smart enough to have figured out the basics already! I'm still figuring out some of these phone buttons too. I wasn't used to having one I can just carry around and do all of these fancy things on it. I thought they were supposed to hang on a wall somewhere! So even I'm learning lots of new things when anyone else asks a question.

[reformedsinner]

Oh, if you're interested, I have a guide I found. It's for a slightly different model, but it's a good framework for understanding what this sort of device can do.

[pure_radiantics]

Sure, I'd love to read it! I'll check it out the next time I see you at the school.

[reformedsinner]

I'll put it aside for you, then.