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.

[unlucky7]

Give me half an hour?

[reformedsinner]

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

[reformedsinner]

Absolutely. Text me and let me know where you'd prefer to meet.

[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

[unlucky7]

I can stop by your temple or wherever is convenient for you.

[reformedsinner]

I'm at the school at the moment if you'd like to meet me there, but I can teleport, so really, please pick the spot for your own convenience....

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.

[unlucky7]

[That moment when two polite people don't want to inconvenience each other.]

I can head there, it's perfectly fine!

[And in about thirty minutes time, Ginia shows up at the school, searching out Hakkai's classroom for information on possible crimes. She can't help it, she's intrigued.]

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]

[As long as they eventually end up in the same place, it's a success, right? Hakkai looks up from a book to smile at her, waving to the chair sitting next to his desk.]

Ginia, hello! Please, have a seat.

To be honest, it's related to some things that came up at that meeting.

[You know, the one where his shinki exploded at her and there was a fight... it's fine, really. Mostly fine.]

That person called 'Sensei'... if he's actually human, then he has to be getting to the forest to meet with her somehow, doesn't he? That's a remote forest. Unless he hikes a dozen kilometers each way, he'll need a car, and if he's driving there regularly, he ought to be on traffic surveillance cameras.

Theoretically. But for that to be useful, I'll need to be able to review surveillance footage, and probably to check license plate registration, too.

[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.

[unlucky7]

[Ginia takes the seat, appreciating the fact he gets straight to business. Ah yes, the meeting that turned into a mess at the end, but at least a lot of good information came out of it ultimately.

Hakkai makes a point she hasn't considered too much and feels foolish for overlooking it. However, the information is only helpful if they have a critical bit of information.]

Do you know what Sensei look like? Or your acquaintance?

[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]

Not at all -- and I don't even know for sure that he visits by car, or that traffic cameras would catch his face if he did.

I'd be looking for a regular visitor with a license plate from some other area. Someone has to be bringing that girl food and clothes, so I'd expect him to visit no less than twice a month.

I doubt there's going to be just one car that fits those criteria, of course, but it's something he might not have thought to hide.

[With a faint quirk of a smile, he adds:] The Heavens don't seem to know much about mortal means of tracking people down.