I want to download the CIA documents from Wikileaks. Should I?
March 8, 2017 8:03 AM Subscribe
I try to keep my level of paranoia to a minimum, but I can't help thinking "they" will keep track of people who download this information. So, no problem using my home computer? Go to the library and save it to a stick? Something else?
I had put the thing up at a website I run. What, me worry? I am 87+
posted by Postroad at 8:27 AM on March 8, 2017 [47 favorites]
posted by Postroad at 8:27 AM on March 8, 2017 [47 favorites]
Another option would be downloading it over public wifi to a cheap android reader (You can get really cheap tablets under $50 that're more than capable of reading text files and pdfs). Use the tablet to set up a brand new Google account that isn't connected to your own.
I didn't realize in my last post that it's like 8800 pages. At maybe 3-8cents per page, you're looking at a hell of savings in buying a cheapo android tablet.
Just take care of it-- they usually all have non-standard power adapters, and that'll be the first thing to break with just a little negligence or misfortune.
posted by Sunburnt at 8:28 AM on March 8, 2017
I didn't realize in my last post that it's like 8800 pages. At maybe 3-8cents per page, you're looking at a hell of savings in buying a cheapo android tablet.
Just take care of it-- they usually all have non-standard power adapters, and that'll be the first thing to break with just a little negligence or misfortune.
posted by Sunburnt at 8:28 AM on March 8, 2017
Or, download it to that USB Drive, take it over to your local copy/print shop
Once you've accessed it at the library, you'll more than likely be able to print it right there. (Depending on the library, you may also be able to use their computers with a guest account, so not even your library card would be tied to it.)
posted by darchildre at 9:18 AM on March 8, 2017
Once you've accessed it at the library, you'll more than likely be able to print it right there. (Depending on the library, you may also be able to use their computers with a guest account, so not even your library card would be tied to it.)
posted by darchildre at 9:18 AM on March 8, 2017
Oops, also didn't realize the size. Library printing probably isn't feasible, then.
posted by darchildre at 9:19 AM on March 8, 2017
posted by darchildre at 9:19 AM on March 8, 2017
"They" already know you wrote this AskMe. Just download to your home computer and be done with it.
posted by Rob Rockets at 9:32 AM on March 8, 2017 [18 favorites]
posted by Rob Rockets at 9:32 AM on March 8, 2017 [18 favorites]
It's not unlikely the fact you downloaded the document could be recorded by the government. But, by the time downloading that sort of material is used for any ill purposes (assuming you're in the US and, if you're extra paranoid, not applying for jobs with a security clearance or government background checks in the near future), this will probably be the least of your problems.
If you're really paranoid and you have a laptop, grab a copy of tails, load it onto a usb key, and head to your local library / Starbucks / McDonalds to access the document. Or you can be lazy and use it from home, but know that doing so will probably make you (among hundreds of thousands of others) even more suspicious to your ISP and the government than accessing the document you're actually interested in downloading. But, at least, they won't know exactly what nefarious activity you're up to.
posted by eotvos at 12:30 PM on March 8, 2017 [2 favorites]
If you're really paranoid and you have a laptop, grab a copy of tails, load it onto a usb key, and head to your local library / Starbucks / McDonalds to access the document. Or you can be lazy and use it from home, but know that doing so will probably make you (among hundreds of thousands of others) even more suspicious to your ISP and the government than accessing the document you're actually interested in downloading. But, at least, they won't know exactly what nefarious activity you're up to.
posted by eotvos at 12:30 PM on March 8, 2017 [2 favorites]
I might turn on private browsing mode, but that's more about keeping wikileaks' cookies out of my primary home Firefox installation.
Seriously, millions of people have/will download this. What do you think a nefarious actor would do with this long list?
There's no right answer, but you may also enjoy reading about threat models and attack surfaces and risk assessment.
For me this calculus all reduces to "I don't give a fuck and don't think anyone can/will go through any effort against me because of this download". But only you can decide what's right for you. If you are a public figure or you know the CIA is already interested in you or you are already evading punishment for extant known crimes, then obviously the calculus of risk changes.
I'm gonna download it from a hospital wifi in minute, just to console/cloak you further :)
posted by SaltySalticid at 12:34 PM on March 8, 2017 [2 favorites]
Seriously, millions of people have/will download this. What do you think a nefarious actor would do with this long list?
There's no right answer, but you may also enjoy reading about threat models and attack surfaces and risk assessment.
For me this calculus all reduces to "I don't give a fuck and don't think anyone can/will go through any effort against me because of this download". But only you can decide what's right for you. If you are a public figure or you know the CIA is already interested in you or you are already evading punishment for extant known crimes, then obviously the calculus of risk changes.
I'm gonna download it from a hospital wifi in minute, just to console/cloak you further :)
posted by SaltySalticid at 12:34 PM on March 8, 2017 [2 favorites]
« Older Using credit card for Canadian phamacy order? | Do you also like spas? I want to know about all... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Or, download it to that USB Drive, take it over to your local copy/print shop, and pay them to do the thing, or print it yourself. Electronically, you've only connected the Library to the Print Shop (whose copiers/printers are probably networked).
posted by Sunburnt at 8:25 AM on March 8, 2017