NSA uses Windows crash reporting system for “passive” spying

According new revelations, the NSA is able to intercept crash reports from certain Windows-based machines in order to better understand how to exploit a computer with spyware. The NSA tactic reportedly uses the agency’s high-tech spying tools to access a machine being used by someone targeted in an NSA investigation. The tools allow NSA agents to receive notifications when the target’s computer crashes.

Agents with the U.S. National Security Agency are able to intercept crash reports from specific Microsoft Windows-based machines to better understand how to exploit a computer with spyware, according to the latest revelations about the U.S. government’s electronic surveillance program, published this weekend by Der Spiegel newsmagazine.