Paul Sanchez
In 2010, WikiLeaks posted a mysterious encrypted file labelled insurance on the Afghan War page of its website. The file, which was 1.4 GB and encrypted with AES256, was added shortly after WikiLeaks published 77,000 Afghan War documents, drawing strong condemnation from the U.S. government. While the contents of the file remain unknown, it has sparked speculation and raised questions about transparency and information security. Some believe it may contain additional sensitive information that WikiLeaks has withheld as insurance in case the organisation or its founder, Julian Assange, are compromised. In such a scenario, WikiLeaks volunteers could release a password or passphrase to allow anyone who has downloaded the file to open it.
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What You'll Learn
The decryption key
The decryption of the insurance file raised concerns about the safety of informants named in the cables, with WikiLeaks coming under fire for potentially endangering their lives. The incident also brought into question the security of data held by WikiLeaks, with OpenLeaks, set up by Domscheit-Berg, highlighting the lapse and proving his allegations that WikiLeaks data was "not secure".
While the specific details of the decryption key remain unknown, it is clear that the release of the password or passphrase played a significant role in unlocking the contents of the Wikileaks insurance file. The incident underscores the delicate balance between transparency and information security in the context of sensitive data.
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The file's contents
The contents of WikiLeaks' insurance files are unknown to the public. These files are encrypted copies of unpublished documents submitted to WikiLeaks. The files are labelled "insurance" as they serve as protection against censorship, pre-release publications, and arrest.
In the event that WikiLeaks' operations are compromised, the decryption key will be released to open the massive data dump file. This is referred to as a "dead man's switch", a "kind of doomsday option", or a "poison pill".
Speculation surrounds the contents of the files. Some believe they contain the balance of data that U.S. Army intelligence analyst Bradley Manning claimed to have leaked to Julian Assange before his arrest in 2010. This includes a war log cache containing 500,000 events from the Iraq War between 2004 and 2009.
In 2011, the password protecting the insurance file was released, and the file was decrypted. This exposed the names of informants, putting their lives at risk. However, WikiLeaks denied this on Twitter, stating, "WikiLeaks 'insurance' files have not been decrypted. All press are currently misreporting. There is an issue, but not that issue."
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Why WikiLeaks uses insurance files
WikiLeaks has posted several "insurance files" over the years, which are encrypted and can only be opened with a password or passphrase. These files are typically released as a safeguard in case something happens to the WikiLeaks website or its founder, Julian Assange.
The contents of these insurance files are unknown, but they are speculated to contain sensitive information. In 2010, one such file was speculated to contain the balance of data that U.S. Army intelligence analyst Bradley Manning claimed to have leaked to Assange before his arrest. Manning disclosed to former hacker Adrian Lamo that he had provided Assange with a war log cache containing 500,000 events from the Iraq War between 2004 and 2009.
The release of insurance files by WikiLeaks has raised questions about transparency and information security. In 2013, WikiLeaks released a massive insurance file that no one could open, and in 2016, it was discovered that some of their insurance files had been tampered with, as the hashes did not match.
The use of insurance files by WikiLeaks can be seen as a precautionary measure to protect its organization, its founder, and potentially sensitive information. In the event of a compromise, WikiLeaks volunteers could release the decryption key to allow anyone who has downloaded the file to open it. This serves as a safeguard for the organization and a way to ensure the release of information even in adverse circumstances.
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How to prove the file is authentic
WikiLeaks is a non-profit media organisation that publishes leaked documents provided by anonymous sources. It has published various 'insurance files' over the years, which are encrypted files that WikiLeaks has stated are there in case their operation is compromised.
In 2010, WikiLeaks posted a 1.4 GB encrypted file to its Afghan War page. The file was labelled 'insurance' and was encrypted with AES256. The file's size dwarfed the size of all the other files on the page combined.
In 2013, WikiLeaks released another insurance file, this time totalling 400 gigabytes.
In 2016, WikiLeaks tweeted an insurance file about Ecuador, and later posted insurance files for the US, the UK, and Ecuador, as well as an unlabelled 90-gigabyte insurance file.
The authenticity of these files can be proven through a few methods:
- WikiLeaks could encrypt each document with a separate AES key and then ask someone to publicly choose a random document. They could then publish the decryption key for that document, proving that the file is authentic.
- WikiLeaks uses a signature on its files to prove that they have not been changed in any way. The signature is generated by a public algorithm based on the contents of the files. Anyone can run the algorithm and generate the same signature if they have the same files as input.
- WikiLeaks has a history of only publishing authentic documents. Columnist Eric Zorn wrote in 2016 that "it's possible, even likely, that every stolen email WikiLeaks has posted has been authentic". Cybersecurity experts have noted that it would be easy for a person to fabricate or alter an email, but WikiLeaks has stated that it verifies all initial stories before publishing.
It is important to note that the contents of the insurance files are unknown, and WikiLeaks has never commented on what they contain. There has been speculation that they may contain sensitive information or data that could be used as insurance against the WikiLeaks website or its founder, Julian Assange.
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What to do if WikiLeaks is compromised
In the event that WikiLeaks is compromised, there are several potential consequences and responses to consider. Firstly, the release of sensitive information could endanger lives, as seen in the case of WikiLeaks' publication of the Afghan War logs, which included the names and locations of Afghan informants. In such situations, it is crucial to prioritize the safety and protection of individuals who may be at risk due to the leak.
Secondly, the compromise of WikiLeaks could result in legal repercussions. For example, in 2018, the Democratic National Committee filed a lawsuit against WikiLeaks, alleging a conspiracy to disrupt the 2016 U.S. presidential election. While that particular suit was dismissed, it highlights the potential for legal consequences in response to WikiLeaks' activities.
Additionally, a compromise of WikiLeaks could lead to a loss of transparency and accountability. WikiLeaks has positioned itself as a platform for exposing government and corporate secrets, and its supporters view it as a crucial whistleblower. However, if the organization is compromised, it may lose its ability to function as a transparent and informative source. This could include the loss or alteration of data, as well as potential censorship or restrictions imposed by external entities.
In the event of a compromise, it is important for WikiLeaks volunteers and supporters to remain vigilant and informed. They should follow prearranged protocols, such as the release of passwords or passphrases to access encrypted files, as seen in the organization's "insurance" file. Additionally, they can scrutinize and discuss leaked documents, verifying their authenticity and context to prevent misleading or fraudulent information from spreading.
Furthermore, in the event of a compromise, it is crucial to assess the impact on WikiLeaks' ability to continue operations. This includes considering the safety and well-being of key individuals within the organization, such as Julian Assange, and their ability to access and release information. The organization should also evaluate the impact on its funding, infrastructure, and partnerships, making necessary adjustments to ensure its long-term sustainability and ability to carry out its mission.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not known how to open Wikileaks' insurance file as the decryption key has not been released.
It is speculated that the file contains the balance of data that U.S. Army intelligence analyst Bradley Manning claimed to have leaked before his arrest. This included 500,000 events from the Iraq War between 2004 and 2009.
The insurance file is likely a form of protection for Wikileaks and its founder, Julian Assange, in the event that something happens to them or the organisation's website.
