back to article Badass Russian techie outsmarts FSB, flees Putinland all while being tracked with spyware

A Russian programmer defied the Federal Security Service (FSB) by publicizing the fact his phone was infected with spyware after being confiscated by authorities. Kirill Parubets was detained in Russia for 15 days after being accused of sending money to Ukraine, during which time the man was beaten and subjected to aggressive …

  1. KittenHuffer Silver badge

    In Soviet Russia phone owns you!

    1. DS999 Silver badge

      "severe risk of compromise"

      You don't need to be a state actor to install spyware on an Android phone you have physical possession of and the password to. But that would also render it more easy for him to hack his own phone to remove said spyware (if he hadn't already fled the country and could treat the phone as a museum piece of that time)

  2. Pascal Monett Silver badge

    "Always keep a second passport"

    I would venture that, in every country that delivers passports, having a second one is against the law.

    Of course, in democratic, civilized countries, you most likely don't need one unless you are a foreign agent (aka spy) or a hardened criminal. In Russia, however, I fully understand that perfectly innocent citizens might need one other magic want to ensure the safety that the Kremlin does not.

    Now, I'm glad that this guy got out with his wife - very happy for both of them. It's good that he was techno-proficient. The ham-fisted way his phone was compromised speaks volumes about how poor the FSB is in true technical ability. Gosh, I guess Tom Clancy was wrong about a few things.

    But saying that you should no longer trust your phone if it has been confiscated by a tyrannical regime is like saying brush your teeth before going to bed.

    Duh, man. That thing is burned. Throw that shit away and get another one.

    1. Guy de Loimbard Silver badge

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      I'm with you Pascal, the device is compromised.

      Get a new device, SIM, IMEI etc. No point in keeping the old one, unless you want to use it for research purposes in a sandboxed environment.

      1. Blazde Silver badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        If it's been near the Israeli security services make sure it's a large sandbox well out of the way of anything not shrapnel proof

        Spyware is kinda the 'nice' way to have your device compromised these days

      2. PhilipN Silver badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        Definitely keep - and use - the old one. As soon as it is offline the Dark Forces know you are going AWOL.

      3. Paul Hovnanian Silver badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        "No point in keeping the old one"

        It would be very handy to have right up to the point at which you make your escape. At that point, clip it to a collar on a stray dog.

        1. Bill Gray

          Re: "Always keep a second passport"

          I think I'd leave it in a taxi or bus or train, suitably placed so it wouldn't be found too soon. You want something that makes it look as if you're still moving around the way a human would, which doesn't really resemble the way in which a stray dog moves.

      4. Roland6 Silver badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        Given the report, getting the phone into a safe sandboxed environment was tricky: apartment most probably compromised, phone reporting its location, so can assume abnormal behaviour being monitored, hence a visit to a know First Department location would have (or should have) tripped warning bells…

        I presume First Department will have handled the “life as usual” usage to provide some cover whilst Kirill and his family left Russia. What is not clear is whether Citizen Lab now possess he device (ie. It was also off-net transported out of Russia) or if all of its analysis was done remotely.

    2. Martin Summers

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      This guy is probably best off using paper cups and string at the moment.

      1. Benegesserict Cumbersomberbatch Silver badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        Not to mention being very sure of what is in his tea.

        1. katrinab Silver badge
          Black Helicopters

          Re: "Always keep a second passport"

          And being very careful around windows [of both the software and physical variety]

    3. Doctor Syntax Silver badge

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      My wife, children, grandchildren and brother- and sister-in-law are all entitled to both UK & Irish passports. I'm only entitled to a UK one.

      1. Test Man

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        Ha, that sounds familar! :D

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        Do you fear they'll leave you behind if they have to flee to a democratic country?

      3. CrazyOldCatMan Silver badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        One of my brothers has a UK and US passport - he's a dual-citizen

        (I think the western European countries are the only ones that the US allows dual citizenship for but I could be wrong)

    4. Art Slartibartfast

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      In the Netherlands it is possible to get a second passport for business use with twice the regular number of pages. Often for obtaining visa the passport has to be given to an embassy for several days and this prevents you from traveling during that time. The second passport allows you to travel anyway. Also useful if you need to travel to conflicting countries.

      Apart from that, many countries allow dual citizenship, and some countries, such as Morocco, make it just about impossible to get rid of Moroccan nationality. Which means as a Moroccan you can naturalize to a new nationality but not denounce your original citizenship. And the you have two passports.

      1. Pomgolian

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        These days I have both a UK and an NZ passport, quite legally. Using the NZ one is preferable when traveling through places such as Dubai. We've noticed that UK passport holders seem to get extra security checks but they couldn't give a rat's about New Zealand. Of course when we arrive at Gatwick the UK passport comes out and it's no questions asked.

        1. Roland6 Silver badge

          Re: "Always keep a second passport"

          Seem to remember (1990s) the NZ passport was second to the Irish passport for getting through difficult places without hassle.

          1. I ain't Spartacus Gold badge

            Re: "Always keep a second passport"

            My friend got into North Korea on his Irish passport. Almost all the people on his tour group who tried to get in on their British ones failed - as did all the US passport holders.

            I wonder if the Dubai thing is because Mossad carriied out an assassination there using forged British passports a few years ago? If so, it's definitedly a case of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, as if they want to do it again, they'll forge some different ones instead.

            1. John Jennings

              Re: "Always keep a second passport"

              They used (at least 1) Irish passport - it caused a bit of a rumpus at the time

      2. CrazyOldCatMan Silver badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        In the Netherlands it is possible to get a second passport for business use with twice the regular number of pages

        After my Dad did a business trip to Israel many years ago he was allowed a second passport in order to visit Muslim countries that would routinely deny access to anyone with an Israeli visa stamp in their passports.

    5. Dave@Home

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/additional-passports/additional-passports-accessible

      UK citizens can hold two passports

      US citizens can hold up to four

    6. Hans Neeson-Bumpsadese Silver badge

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      I would venture that, in every country that delivers passports, having a second one is against the law.

      Not at all. It's quite valid to have an extra passport, and I know some people who do. Visa applications can require you to send in your passport as part of your application, so people who travel on visas a lot will have spare passport(s) so that they can always have one to travel with when other passports are away with visa applications.

      A friend of mine has used this to his advantage by carrying both his passports on a trip to the other side of the pond - he used one for getting in and out of Cuba and the other one for subsequent entry to the USA...much easier than showing up at USA immigration with a Cuban stamp in the passport. Similar use cases exists for travelling between some middle-eastern countries.

      1. I ain't Spartacus Gold badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        I know some missionaries (bible translation) who used to have 2 British passports. For getting in and out of Sudan - who were very cautious about what other countries you've been to. Also very useful if you want to go to Israel and many other countries in the Arab world who won't let you in if you've got an Israeli entry stamp on your passport. The same is also obviously useful for the USA and Cuba.

    7. Boothy

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      Quote 'I would venture that, in every country that delivers passports, having a second one is against the law.'

      Can't comment on other countries, but certainly in the UK you can have more than one British passport, these are known as 'additional passports' and you have to provide a valid reason for wanting one.

      Valid reasons include things like being a frequent business traveller, if you need visas, as often you need to send your passport to a embassy or consulate to get the visa, and this can take time, several weeks, meaning no passport for that time, and if you travel every week or two, or even just monthly, this can be impossible without a second passport.

      Another reason is incompatible countries, having stamps for some countries can make it difficult to get into others. A friend of mine years ago was a language teacher, and did volunteer charity work overseas, sometimes to countries that were not all that friendly with each other, or the West in general. The charity suggested getting a second passport, and to use his original one for the West and West friendly nations, and the second one for some of the less friendly ones. This wasn't just a case of getting into the other countries easier (as it was obvious where he'd come from of course), but more about getting back into places in the West, such as the USA, without having a passport full of visas and stamps from places like Libya etc.

      1. Jellied Eel Silver badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        Another reason is incompatible countries, having stamps for some countries can make it difficult to get into others. A friend of mine years ago was a language teacher, and did volunteer charity work overseas, sometimes to countries that were not all that friendly with each other, or the West in general.

        Yep. I had two British passports for doing work in the Middle East and Israel. So some countries would deny entry if you have an Israeli visa or entry stamp. I'm also entitled to an Irish passport, and for the rich & shameless, I think it's still possible to buy Maltese ones and claim multiple citizenship.. But I think Russia doesn't permit dual nationalities, or that might only apply to some office holders.

        1. Version 1.0 Silver badge
          Pint

          Re: "Always keep a second passport"

          So Jellied Eel, you would remember the original joke, "Other people have a nationality. The Irish and the Jews have a psychosis." - Brendan Behan (icon).

          That was close to the truth when he said it originally, but these days it is a common world in so many nations.

        2. chivo243 Silver badge
          Thumb Up

          Re: "Always keep a second passport"

          I'm pretty sure Pascal meant one country won't issue two passports to the same person, as many people have multiple nationalities and passports from each, however it is true about the NL passports for busyness.

          I once met a trust-fund kid while I was traveling\vacationing in Europe. One afternoon while having the odd pint he said, when he gets back to the US, he will lose his passport. English is wonderful! I thought the Gov't was going to take his passport. He said naw, I'm going to 'lose' it, so I can get a new one. I've been to country X and entering country Y with the stamp from X would be dicey... I plan to visit country Y soon.

          1. Test Man

            Re: "Always keep a second passport"

            Someone's already commented but some countries DO allow multiple passports to the same person. This is separate from having multiple citizenship that qualifies you for multiple passports from multiple countries. In other words, a one-to-many relationship.

      2. Blank Reg

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        Isreal is one of those "incompatible" countries, the last time I went they stapled the entry stamp into my passport so that it could be removed after I left.

    8. phuzz Silver badge

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      My brother has two UK passports, because he has to travel a lot for work, so if he needs to get a visa for (eg) the US, he can still travel while his original passport is having the visa installed.

      I got the impression that it's a fairly normal service, just not one that's widely advertised.

      1. DS999 Silver badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        As far as I know that's not allowed in the US. You are apparently supposed to plan your travel to account for the period where you have to mail in your old password to renew it and get a new one issued. You can pay more to have it expedited or perhaps you can sidestep that if you visit a major city that has a full passport office, or countries that have a well equipped consulate. I don't travel enough that it is a problem to find a time when I might be without a passport for a month in the non-expedited "normal" renewal service times.

        1. Anonymous Coward
          Anonymous Coward

          Re: "Always keep a second passport"

          I didn't know but Google is my friend and the top result says "you can hold up to two U.S. passports simultaneously. Second passports contain all the same information as your first (except for the number, which will be different). They're also only good for four years instead of the usual 10."

    9. Michael Hoffmann Silver badge
      WTF?

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      Hmm? I have 2 passports. Legally. And have the documents that SAY I hold them legally (one country requires you to get a permit before accepting the second citizenship, but it's a formality)

    10. TheBadja

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      It appears that significant intel was gathered from analysis, so no, don’t bin it. Better to pass it on to the competent authorities. Just don’t use it.

      1. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re:Just don’t use it.

        That might tip them off that you were suspicious. So maybe use it for some fraction of the generic and unremarkable day-to-day stuff you would do anyway?

    11. james 68

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      @Pascal Monett

      "I would venture that, in every country that delivers passports, having a second one is against the law.

      Of course, in democratic, civilized countries, you most likely don't need one unless you are a foreign agent (aka spy) or a hardened criminal."

      That's a load of old bollocks.

      I have both a UK passport and an Irish passport, possession of both is perfectly legal (even in Japan where I currently live, where Japanese citizens cannot possess more than one passport) and their possession by myself doesn't make me a spy nor a hardened criminal. Possession of both simply offers me more options when traveling, for example I can use the Irish passport to quickly pass both myself and my Japanese family through customs in Europe and the UK passport for the same in any commonwealth countries.

      Your statement is either profoundly ignorant based solely upon bad 60's Hollywood movies or pathetically poor trolling.

      1. martinusher Silver badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        I used to travel with my UK passport as well as my US one back in the days when a UK passport was an EU one. It made travel in Europe a lot more convenient. However, one technicality is that its a very good idea to use the same passport when entering and exiting a country so I'd travel to and from the UK on my US passport but from the UK to Europe on my UK one. (Of course, these days thanks to Brexit......Oh well........)

    12. Jason Hindle Silver badge

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      I have two British passports, all legal and above board, but I understand British authorities are something of an outlier in this respect.

    13. StephenH

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      Today I learnt that you can get a second passport in Australia and it is called a "concurrent passport". You have to demonstrate a need like others here have mentioned such as needing to travel while a visa is being processed.

      1. Jason Hindle Silver badge

        Re: "Always keep a second passport"

        Yes, the UK government were pretty stringent and required a letter from my employer. My reasons were:

        - Lots of business in the Middle East (and possibly Israel also).

        - Occasional need for a manager* to apply for a Visa on my behalf when I was already in another country.

        - Later, business in Uganda and DRC (who don't get on).

        Back in the day, it was nice to have the side benefit of turning up somewhere like the US with a passport with zero dodgy stamps.

        At the next renewal, I will surrender my second passport (I don't need it anymore).

        * I trusted one manager to keep the concurrent passport in his safe.

    14. arachnoid2

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      A second passport was the go to for many a reporter as some countries would not let you in if certain other countries had stamped the passport.

    15. Grinning Bandicoot

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      If he had not blown that his fone was a walking wiretap, think of the fun that could be had.. Faked conversations implicating loyal Putinite in CAPITALIST, WARMONGING,PRO UKRAINE scheme or better yet one involving China's revanchist theories of the lands ceded by unjust treaties. Aigun and Beijing treaties will be covered under a map with 8.9 (marked down from 9 for special arms sale) dash line.

      Of course for the naif that thinks a fone that having left your control is secure, this must be devastating news to the naif.

    16. tip pc Silver badge

      Re: "Always keep a second passport"

      UK allows you to have 2 uk passports

      https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/additional-passports/additional-passports-accessible

      useful if you need to travel to territories that don't like each other

      used to be that going to Greece & Turkey would cause issues if the passport control saw the other nations stamps

  3. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Never was a spy, likely

    People throw this "spy card" to spy on you.

    I know people who never was a spy but had lots of knowledge, and who suffered this already.

    1. The Oncoming Scorn Silver badge
      Coat

      Re: Never was a spy, likely

      Does he live in your "Village".

      Icon - I'll get me coat, its the one with the white edging.

      1. This post has been deleted by its author

      2. Anonymous Coward
        Anonymous Coward

        Re: Never was a spy, likely

        "Does he live in your "Village"."

        I am not Russian, not Ukrainian and not from USA.

        1. lglethal Silver badge
          Trollface

          Re: Never was a spy, likely

          Ahhh but a spy would say that, wouldn't they?

          1. Anonymous Coward
            Anonymous Coward

            Re: Never was a spy, likely

            "Ahhh but a spy would say that, wouldn't they?"

            Actually would say what you are saying to keep spying on researchers.

            1. Ken Shabby Bronze badge
              Big Brother

              Re: Never was a spy, likely

              Damn you Kropotkin, damn you!

      3. Excused Boots Silver badge

        Re: Never was a spy, likely

        'Does he live in your “Village””

        Be seeing you!

  4. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Russian windows

    Best avoided

    1. HuBo Silver badge
      Gimp

      Re: Russian windows

      ... and Russian androids too ("an anthropomorphic robotic platform [controlled] with the aid of a backup costume and sensitized manipulators")!

  5. Will Godfrey Silver badge
    Big Brother

    Total identity change

    That's what he'll need, with all trace of his previous identity expunged, including significant cosmetic surgery. It would also be advisable for him to make frequent moves across the world, with equally frequent identity changes.

  6. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    I don't think this is unique to Russia. It sounds pretty incompetent to monitor an IT person this way, especially one interested in security. I think had a NATO country (or China or Israel) done this he would've had no obvious tell-tale signs without forensic examination. Probably a local security bureau without much expertise or was it meant to be found? A couple of decades ago I would've thought the rough behaviour unique to Russia but it seems our police are becoming more brutal in their black paramilitary gear. Not a good look for a rules based "democracy". An effect of globalism in my opinion - if you had a decent society it gets pulled down to the lowest common denominator.

  7. Boy Quiet

    Will phone compromise become obsolete?

    How long before this becomes irrelevant. Add an AI to your phone and instruct it to randomise you. It will turn off your cell and Wi-Fi you with a vpn to another location, logging you onto Wi-Fi there etc. fake images of where you are create multiple random conversations etc. overwhelming any surveillance with ‘chaff’.

    Is there not also a "mesh’ system where phones talk Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi or am I in another ‘quantum’ universe ;-)

  8. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Do you mean Kiev?

    What 'skin in the game' does El Reg have in the Ukrainian war? Can you tell us what the British people have gained other than higher bills for their heating?

    How much money is El Reg getting from the trans mafia and the intel community?

    1. Anonymous Coward
      Anonymous Coward

      trans mafia

      Shouldn't you be at school? You certainly need to work on your thinking.

    2. Ken G Silver badge

      No, since it said it was in Ukraine, I imagine it was the capital, Kyiv.

    3. Casca Silver badge

      Oh look. A AC moron. How quaint...

    4. DancesWithPoultry
      FAIL

      We are used to seeing paid Russian trolls here, however your trolling really is the most pathetic attempt we have seen for quite some time.

      I will leave it for others to suggest more productive things you could do with your life.

  9. John Jennings

    There is soooooo much that smells bad here.

    1 - russian citizens cannot have a second passport - only a few countries permit it. So he was certainly a criminal and suspicious.

    2 - he was doing money transfers to/from a hostile country - Unspecified 'charities'? I think not.

    3 - even in western countries if a phone is given up, along with a password - you can expect the phone compromised - no story there.

    4 - not much point in 'beating up' an informant during RECRUITMENT when there are plenty of ethnic russians who would volunteer to be one. When an informant has worked for you for a while you can apply pressure (because you could threaten to leak the fact).

    Sounds like this dude was actually either 1 - a ukrainian asset the russians tried to turn. 2 A man who didnt want to be conscripted in ukraine, tried to run and felt he needed a 'good story' as to why he didnt stay. 3 - a complete walter mittey.

    Dealers choice- but this story is clickey-baitey propaganda from the outset

    1. Tilda Rice

      Re: There is soooooo much that smells bad here.

      Yeah it does have the whiff of a made up story. The charity stuff does sound a a bit sketchy too.

      I'd take a huge pinch of salt with this little story.

  10. Sherrie Ludwig

    I see opportunity here

    I hope that, before they revealed that they knew the phone was compromised, there were a lot of false info plants that had the Russians chasing their tails and arresting each other as double agents.

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