Tactics Used By The NSA's Elite Hacking Unit Revealed

This National Security Agency complex in San Antonio, Texas, located in a former Sony chip factory, is one of the central offices of the intelligence agency's Tailored Access Operations, the NSA's top operative unit. It's something like a squad of plumbers that can be called in when normal access to a target is blocked.

Inside TAO: Documents Reveal Top NSA Hacking Unit -- Spiegel

The NSA's TAO hacking unit is considered to be the intelligence agency's top secret weapon. It maintains its own covert network, infiltrates computers around the world and even intercepts shipping deliveries to plant back doors in electronics ordered by those it is targeting.

In January 2010, numerous homeowners in San Antonio, Texas, stood baffled in front of their closed garage doors. They wanted to drive to work or head off to do their grocery shopping, but their garage door openers had gone dead, leaving them stranded. No matter how many times they pressed the buttons, the doors didn't budge. The problem primarily affected residents in the western part of the city, around Military Drive and the interstate highway known as Loop 410.

In the United States, a country of cars and commuters, the mysterious garage door problem quickly became an issue for local politicians. Ultimately, the municipal government solved the riddle. Fault for the error lay with the United States' foreign intelligence service, the National Security Agency, which has offices in San Antonio. Officials at the agency were forced to admit that one of the NSA's radio antennas was broadcasting at the same frequency as the garage door openers. Embarrassed officials at the intelligence agency promised to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, and soon the doors began opening again.

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More News On Tactics Used By The NSA's Elite Hacking Unit

NSA 'hacking unit' infiltrates computers around the world – report -- The Guardian
Report: NSA intercepts computer deliveries -- Washington Post/AP
NSA's elite hacking unit intercepted computers ordered online and installed Spyware to steal data from their toughest of targets -- Daily Mail
The Tao of the NSA: Specialized Hacking Team Gets the ‘Ungettable’ -- Time
German magazine claims NSA hacking unit uses powerful methods to obtain data -- FOX News
NSA reportedly planted spyware on electronics equipment -- CNet
NSA can reportedly bug computer equipment before it reaches buyers -- Endgadget
NSA reportedly intercepting laptops purchased online to install spy malware -- Verge
Elite NSA Group Intercepts Computer Deliveries, Laughs at Microsoft's Expense -- Katie Long, Slate