Computer Passwords

We all have problems remembering passwords and access codes, so we all do what we're not supposed to - write them down. And when it all turns to custard .....


London Sunday Times reported last week that the SAS is facing a serious security breach after Libyan rebels discovered that soldiers captured during a bungled operation were carrying on scraps of paper the usernames and passwords for secret computer systems.

 The Libyans seized a store of sensitive communications equipment when the MI6 and SAS mission went wrong nine days ago.

The rebels found personal details needed to access the computers on notes among their captives’ belongings.

“It is so inept, it is unbelievable,” one expert said.

The rebels tapped the usernames and passwords into the confiscated computers. One system opened with a screen that read “Sunata deployed”. It appeared to be a program for accessing a secure military network. A rebel source said: “It takes you right into the MoD system in the UK.”

Asked whether the rebels had accessed the system, he said: “Yes we did. We were, of course, curious. But as a courtesy to the UK we wil l not divulge all, but just enough to let them know that we know. It’s a good thing this hasn’t fallen into enemy hands.”

The rebels said much of the equipment was marked “Secret: UK eyes only.” One rebel with military experience said: “Some of the communications systems they carried is the stuff that you only see in the movies.” He described it as “espionage equipment”.

The haul included five laptop computers, six GPS trackers, two “Bgans” — said to be “broadband global area network” systems, eight satellite telephones and shortwave radios, plus lithium batteries and solar panels for recharging.

The Libyans seized maps marking “Suluk” as a landing location in red and “Gaminis” as an extraction point in yellow; passports, including three from different countries in the name of one man; and a fistful of credit cards, mostly from Barclays.

Components for explosives, “portable welding machines”, office equipment and five guns were also taken.

A source confirmed that two sophisticated communications systems had been seized. The source claimed this did not leave MI6’s systems vulnerable, and that the captured MI6 computer was “clean”. The Ministry of Defence denied that its main network could be accessed.