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Blog Last updated : October 22, 2024 1054 The Puppet Master Why Smart Plug Is Dangerous For Darknet Market Admins Darknet market admins are always susceptible to getting caught by the LE or Law Enforcement Agencies . The dark web markets are not like the usual markets and that is the reason why the dark web vendors and the darknet market admins need to stay safe while operating their markets and vendor shops. With the inclusion and massive usage of the smart appliances, and other tech-advanced systems, these people always find new methods to keep their work concealed. One such thing that has attracted a lot of people in improving OpSEC for the darknet market vendors is the use of a “ Smart Plug ”. In this article, we will discuss what smart plugs are, how they are being advised to be used by the darknet vendors and market admins. Additionally, the main focus of the article would be to explain why smart plug is dangerous for the darknet market admins . Table of Contents What Is A Smart Plug? Often Advised: Using A Smart Plug As A Quick Fix Why Using Smart Plugs Is Potentially Dangerous For The Darknet Market Admins The Safe Alternative: USBKill And Various Other Self-Hosted Options Expert Opinions And Real Case Studies Security Comes First! What Is Operational Security? What Does Operational Security Mean? Bottom Line What Is A Smart Plug? Smart plugs are an easy way to make your home smarter by automating your wired devices. To get started, plug your smart plug into an outlet, connect it to the Wi-Fi, and then follow the instructions in the compatible application on your smartphone or tablet. Plug any wired appliance, such as a lamp or fan, into the smart plug , and you can control them from anywhere on your phone. You can also use your smart home hub (Amazon Echo, Google Home Hub) to connect the Google Home smart plug to your smart home hub. This allows you to enable voice commands such as "Alexa turn on bedroom fan." In addition to talking to your home and getting it to respond with actions, smart plugs can also help you save on your energy bills. By using the scheduling feature in your smart plug’s app, you’ll be able to set things like your lights to turn on only when you’re home, so they’re not wasting energy. Smart plugs can also help protect your home against fire hazards. For example, if you use your heat-powered appliances on a daily basis, such as your curling iron and clothes iron, you can plug them into your smart plug when you use them. That way, you won’t have to worry about turning them off in the middle of the night when you rush out of the door. Often Advised: Using A Smart Plug As A Quick Fix An individual discovered an easy solution to the issue of LE finding DNM admins with their computer open, which they have not encountered before. The solution is none other than the use of a smart plug. The following are the things that has been discussed or advised with the use of smart plugs : If you haven’t already, encrypt your computer or any sensitive information. If you are looking for a "smart plug" search on Amazon ( Amazon smart plug ). Buy one with wifi connectivity and support for Apple home app or Google assistant if using Android . Connect your computer to the smart plug and connect the smart plug to your wall outlet. (Computer -> Smart Plug -> Wall Outlet). Say “Setup - Lights”, “Oven”, or “TV” (anything that isn’t a computer or related to the computer you want to turn off). If police arrest you/take you into custody, if you have your phone in your pocket/nearby, all you have to do is say “Hey Google, turn off my lights” and your computer loses power. All the information that was encrypted will be re-encrypted (unless you have stored it as plain text for a reason). In America, this creates a gray area that has yet to be resolved because all you have to say is “turn off my light” and it would take them a long time and most likely cost a lot to decide whether or not freedom of speech is applicable in this situation. You could also claim that you didn’t want to turn off your computer and “configured the application incorrectly” and/or that your lights plug/computer plug “confused”. This is clearly a last resort and should be considered as such. Why Using Smart Plugs Is Potentially Dangerous For The Darknet Market Admins The above advice seems easy right? Well, it might be. However, this can potentially cause detriment to the dark web market admins, even with the best smart plugs . First, let’s look at the smart plug proposal. The concept is that you can control your computer’s power supply with your voice using a smart plug, allowing you to quickly turn off your computer in the event of a raid. However, this is a flawed approach for several reasons: 1. Privacy Invasion: All smart home devices (including smart plugs ) are connected to central systems that record usage information. This information could be shared with law enforcement, which could compromise privacy and operational safety. For instance, in an Arkansas murder investigation in 2016, evidence was obtained from a connected smart home device. 2. Reliability Concerns: There is no guarantee that voice commands will be interpreted correctly or executed on time in a high-pressure situation such as a police raid. 3. Legal Gray Areas and Federal Crime Risks: Using a smart plug to interfere with a law enforcement raid (shutting down your computer) could result in serious criminal charges (additional YEARS/ DECADES) if interpreted (it will damn well be) as an act of intentional destruction of evidence. This could be prosecuted as a federal offense, especially under obstruction of justice laws. As courts become more tech-savvy, these types of actions are more likely to be caught and prosecuted. For example, in the United States, you can be charged with obstruction of justice for destroying any document, including digital files, that may be used in a formal proceeding. In this case, shutting down your computer during a raid would be viewed as an obvious attempt to obstruct justice and leave you open to additional charges beyond the scope of the original investigation. This is even if they find nothing else! 4. Network Dependency: Smart plugs need a reliable network. If your network isn’t working properly or is unstable, your smart plug won’t be able to answer your voice commands. 5. Voice Command Recognition Issues: One of the biggest issues with voice assistants is that they don’t always understand what you’re asking them to do. This is especially true if you’re in a noisy environment or if your voice has an accent. In these cases, the command might not be executed at the right time. 6. Data Logging by Smart Device Providers and Legal Access: Manufacturers of smart home devices often keep detailed records of user interaction and device activity. These records can include data such as time stamps, usage frequency, and even specific commands entered into smart devices. This information can be used by law enforcement agencies to request or subpoena information in investigations. For instance, in 2015, Bentonville police in Arkansas requested Amazon Echo data as part of a murder investigation. They believed the device may have recorded important evidence. Smart device data has also been used in various legal cases, including a divorce proceeding in which they were cited to prove the presence of people in a home using smart thermostats. These examples highlight the vulnerability of utilizing smart home devices, such as smart plugs, in sensitive situations where their data logging capability can inadvertently give law enforcement incriminating evidence. 7. Delayed Execution: Some voice commands may take a while to execute. This delay may not allow you to terminate the system in a timely manner to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data. 8. Potential for Hacking or Remote Access: Smart plugs can be hacked. If a plug is hacked, it can compromise operational security. IoT device hacking incidents, such as Mirai, are a prime example of this vulnerability. 9. Specific Legal Risks of Evidence Tampering: In this section, we specifically focus on the consequences of tampering with evidence when a smart plug is used to turn off a computer in a police raid. This is different from the broader consequences of obstruction of justice in that it focuses directly on the destruction or concealment of evidence in the course of an investigation. Many jurisdictions consider tampering with evidence to be a crime and can result in separate charges independently of the initial investigation. For instance, according to U.S federal law, 18.C. § 1519, intentionally damaging or concealing an object with the intention of obstructing an investigation can be subject to severe penalties, including fine and imprisonment. The use of a smart plug in a police raid is viewed as an immediate reaction to the law enforcement operation and directly interferes with the gathering of evidence which can worsen legal circumstances and lead to additional criminal charges. 10. Over-Reliance On Technology: Using a single smart device for essential security purposes poses serious risks because technology is inherently unreliable. This unreliable nature can manifest itself in many different ways. Power Outages: When the power goes out, a smart plug stops working. For example, during the Texas power outage in 2021, a lot of smart home devices stopped working, showing how environmental factors can stop smart home devices from working. Hardware Malfunctions: It’s no secret that smart devices are vulnerable to hardware failure. In fact, according to a recent study conducted by Michigan University and Microsoft, almost 30% of all smart home device malfunctions were hardware-based. This statistic speaks to the danger of relying on smart home devices for critical security functions. Software Glitches: Bugs or glitches in the software in smart devices. A good example of a bug in a smart device is Nest. In 2016, a software error caused the Nest to drain the battery and turn off its thermostat. This caused a lot of users to have to turn off their heating systems during the winter. Firmware Updates: Automatic firmware upgrades can turn off the device temporarily or unexpectedly turn it on or off. For example, in 2015, an update for Philips Hue's smart bulbs unexpectedly limited third-party bulbs' compatibility, demonstrating how firmware updates can change the device's behavior without your knowledge. Network Dependence: Smart plugs rely on your home’s Wi-Fi network. Unfortunately, Wi-Fi in your home can be unreliable or can be affected by interference. In fact, Wi-Fi problems are so common that 90% of people reported problems with their Wi-Fi in their homes, according to a survey conducted by the wireless giant Wi-Fi alliance. Security Vulnerabilities: Smart devices can be hacked or compromised, as seen...