In the
world of espionage, one of the most important tools for a spy is information,
and with the proliferation of digital data, thumb drives, also called USB flash
drives, have become an increasingly popular means of carrying top secret info. But
how do spies manage to smuggle these small devices past security checkpoints?
One common method used by spy agencies is
to hide thumb drives in everyday objects such as pens, watches, and keychains.
These objects are small and innocuous, making them easy to carry without
arousing suspicion.
In 2010, a Russian spy named Anna Chapman
was arrested in the United States as part of a high-profile espionage case.
Among the evidence presented against her was a flash drive hidden inside a
seemingly innocent ballpoint pen. The pen was found in her possession and
contained sensitive information that she had collected while operating
undercover in the U.S. The incident highlighted the effectiveness of hiding thumb
drives in everyday objects and underscored the need for heightened security
measures to prevent such covert activities.
Pens seem to be popular among spies to
hide thumb drives. In 2019, like Anna Chapman, a Chinese national named Ji
Chaoqun was arrested in Chicago and charged with spying for China. Ji had been
recruited by Chinese intelligence officers while studying in the U.S. and had
been tasked with identifying and assessing potential intelligence sources. He hid
a USB flash drive containing sensitive information inside a mechanical pencil
and had attempted to pass the information on to his handlers in China.
Another method is to use hollowed-out
objects, such as fake coins or screws, to conceal the thumb drive. These
objects can be easily inserted into a bag or pocket, and the thumb drive can be
accessed by unscrewing or prying open the object. This method is particularly
effective because it is difficult to detect using X-ray scanners or metal
detectors.
In 2018, a Chinese national named Yanjun
Xu was arrested in Belgium and extradited to the United States on charges of
economic espionage. Xu had attempted to steal trade secrets from U.S. aviation
companies by recruiting insiders and convincing them to provide him with
sensitive information.
As part of his operation, Xu was given a
carved-out Supermicro server as a means of secretly transferring stolen data
back to China. The server contained a hidden compartment in which a thumb drive
was concealed, allowing him to download sensitive information quickly and
easily without being detected.
Some CIA operatives use even more creative
methods, such as embedding thumb drives in the soles of their shoes or hiding
them in the bindings of books. These methods require more effort and resources
but can be highly effective in situations where other methods are likely to be
detected. I enjoyed watching the movie “The Bourne Ultimatum” with Matt Damon's
character, Jason Bourne, who hid a thumb drive containing sensitive information
in a hollowed-out book binding. It allowed him to keep the information hidden
in plain sight and avoid detection.
If you want to hide your thumb drive like
a CIA operative, you, too, can disguise your thumb drive as a common object
that you carry with you daily. Take your pen, a lipstick tube, a keychain, a stick
of gum, whatever, and remove the outer casing of it. Then, hollow it out, and
insert the thumb drive inside. This way, the disguised thumb drive will blend
in with your other everyday objects and won't attract any attention.
This idea of hiding your thumb drive in
plain sight by attaching it to something you regularly carry with you is a good
strategy. After all, Edward Snowden fooled the cybersecurity wizards at the
NSA. He disguised his thumb drive in order to secretly, in 2013, leak classified
files about the NSA's global surveillance programs to journalists, avoiding detection
by hiding it in a Rubik's cube!
In the MISSION
OF VENGEANCE spy thriller, Russian spies hid a thumb drive that stored top
secret information inside a green parrot tie clasp. The thumb drive listed the
locations of Russian Spetsnaz sleeper cells stationed throughout the Caribbean
nations. The spy novel highlights how spies use everyday objects to smuggle
information, and it underscores the importance of remaining vigilant against
espionage threats.
As the world becomes increasingly digital,
the threat of espionage looms larger than ever before. Hiding thumb drives in
everyday objects has become a common tactic among spy agencies, allowing them
to transport sensitive information across borders undetected. The examples of
Anna Chapman, Ji Chaoqun, Edward Snowden, and Yanjun Xu serve as reminders that
this method of espionage is not limited to foreign countries but also occurs
inside the U.S.
To combat this threat, security personnel must remain vigilant and develop new methods to detect hidden devices. But as the battle between spies and security forces continues, it is likely that both sides will continue to innovate and adapt to stay ahead. The MISSION OF VENGEANCE spy thriller showcases the need for heightened security measures to prevent such espionage. It is up to all of us to remain vigilant and protect our national security.
Robert
Morton is a member of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers (AFIO)
and enjoys writing about the U.S. Intelligence Community. He authors the Corey
Pearson- CIA Spymaster series. Check out his latest spy
thrillers: MISSION OF VENGEANCE.
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