On January 23, 2006, the Russian FSB accused Britain of using wireless dead drops concealed inside hollowed-out rocks ("spy rock") to collect espionage information from agents in Russia. See also: Short-range agent communications There is also the risk that a third party may find the material deposited. Counterintelligence can then use the dead drop as a double agent for a variety of purposes, such as to feed misinformation to the enemy or to identify other operatives using it or ultimately to booby trap it. If one of the operatives is compromised, they may reveal the location and signal for that specific dead drop. While the dead drop method is useful in preventing the instantaneous capture of either an operative/ handler pair or an entire espionage network, it is not without disadvantages. Alternatively, the signal can be made from inside the agent's own home, by, for example, hanging a distinctively-colored towel from a balcony, or placing a potted plant on a window sill where it is visible to anyone on the street. Signaling devices can include a chalk mark on a wall, a piece of chewing gum on a lamppost, or a newspaper left on a park bench. The spike is water- and mildew-proof and can be pushed into the ground or placed in a shallow stream to be retrieved at a later time. It has been used since the late 1960s to hide money, maps, documents, microfilm, and other items. Any hidden location could serve, although often a cut-out device is used, such as a loose brick in a wall, a (cut-out) library book, or a hole in a tree.Ī dead drop spike is a concealment device similar to a microcache. The location and nature of the dead drop must enable retrieval of the hidden item without the operatives being spotted by a member of the public, the police, or other security forces-therefore, common everyday items and behavior are used to avoid arousing suspicion. The operatives may not necessarily know one another or ever meet. Although the signal and location by necessity must be agreed upon in advance, the signal may or may not be located close to the dead drop itself. Spies and their handlers have been known to perform dead drops using various techniques to hide items (such as money, secrets or instructions) and to signal that the drop has been made. This method stands in contrast to the live drop, so-called because two persons meet to exchange items or information. By avoiding direct meetings, individuals can maintain operational security. Ames would place a horizontal chalk mark about 3" long above the USPS logo.Ī dead drop or dead letter box is a method of espionage tradecraft used to pass items or information between two individuals (e.g., a case officer and an agent, or two agents) using a secret location. This (replacement) mailbox is identical to the one, and in the same location that convicted spy Aldrich Ames used to signal his Russian counterparts.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |