NSA: NSA — Untangling the Web: A Guide to Internet Research

A mega piece from the NSA on web search.  Spies R Us.

NSA — Untangling the Web: A Guide to Internet Research

http://fulltextreports.com/2013/05/13/nsa-untangling-the-web-a-guide-to-internet-research/

Via Full Text Reports

Untangling the Web: A Guide to Internet Research (PDF)
Source: National Security Agency
Last updated 2/28/07. Recently released via FOIA request. From FCW:

The National Security Agency just released “Untangling the Web,” an unclassified how-to guide to Internet search. It’s a sprawling document, clocking in at over 650 pages, and is the product of many years of research and updating by a NSA information specialist whose name is redacted on the official release, but who is identified as Robyn Winder of the Center for Digital Content on the Freedom of Information Act request that led to its release.

It’s a droll document on many levels. First and foremost, it’s funny to think of officials who control some of the most sophisticated supercomputers and satellites ever invented turning to a .pdf file for tricks on how to track down domain name system information on an enemy website. But “Untangling the Web” isn’t for code-breakers or wire-tappers. The target audience seems to be staffers looking for basic factual information, like the preferred spelling of Kazakhstan, or telephonic prefix information for East Timor.”

Stephen