Canada: The Return of Promis/Son of INSLAW

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Canada Probing Alleged Computer Spying 

By David Ljunggren (Reuters)

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadian police said on Friday they were investigating
allegations that unknown agents had used rigged computer software to hack
into Canada's top secret intelligence files and thereby endanger national
security.

The Toronto Star said police were probing whether Israeli and U.S. spies
were making use of a so-called software `trap door'' allowing them to access
files used by the Mounties and Canada's spy service to co-ordinate secret
investigations.

Police spokesman Sergeant Mike Gaudet confirmed that a probe was underway
but gave few details.

`We are conducting an investigation. To date we have no indications that
national security has been breached. Our investigation is continuing,'' he
told Reuters.

`There are allegations that certain software may have come to Canada which
could compromise computer systems,'' he added, but declined to give further
details and would not confirm whether U.S. or Israeli agents might be
involved.

The Star said the probe revolved around Promis, a software program first
developed to assist prosecutors in the United States Department of Justice
which was the center of a U.S. scandal a decade ago.

`That could include economic intelligence on trading partners, detailed
information on the whereabouts of terrorism suspects in Canada or strategic
information on the positions Canada intends to take in international
relations,'' it said.

Spokesmen for both the U.S. and Israeli embassies said they knew nothing
about the story.

Promis was developed by U.S. company Inslaw Inc., which alleged in the late
1980s that the U.S. government had stolen their software and -- working with
Israel -- pedaled pirated versions to intelligence agencies around the
world. The case was eventually thrown out of court.

The Toronto Star said the Mounties had interviewed a number of people linked
to the Promis affair to see whether there might have been a breach in
Canadian national security.

Canada's national counterintelligence agency said in a June report that
friendly nations were making concerted efforts to steal sensitive technology
and information.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service said outsiders were particularly
interested in aerospace, biotechnology, chemicals, communications,
information technology, mining and metallurgy, nuclear energy, oil and gas,
and the environment.

(c) Reuters, Friday August 25 5:10 PM ET
 
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