Is the FBI using email Web bugs? [priv]

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

[I've never liked the term "web bug" -- all we're talking about, I
believe, is an HTML email message that includes an <img> tag to import
a graphic image from a remote site. That remote site then has some
information about what IP address or proxy you're using to read the
email. The solution is to disable importation of <img> tags or use a
text-based mail reader, like the one I'm using to write this
message. Unfortunately for him, this (alleged) Best Buy extortion
artist didn't know any better. --Declan]

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From: "Richard M. Smith" <rms () computerbytesman com>
To: "Declan McCullagh" <declan () well com>
Subject: Is the FBI using email Web bugs?
Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2004 11:12:44 -0500

Hi Declan,

Hmm, is an "Internet Protocol Address Verifier" just an email Web bug?  If
so, the suspect should have been using Outlook 2003 which blocks 'em. ;-)
 
Richard
 
Feds thwart extortion plot against Best Buy
http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/4304797.html

The federal search warrant was obtained the morning of Oct. 24 and allowed
the FBI, with Best Buy's cooperation, to use an Internet device known as an
Internet Protocol Address Verifier. It contained a program that
automatically sent back a response to Best Buy after the company sent a
message to the e-mail address. The response allowed investigators to
identify Ray as the sender of the e-mail threats, according to the
government.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Luehr said the address verifier was one of
several investigative tools the government used to track Ray down.

"It was a tool that helped us confirm that other leads were moving in the
same direction," said Luehr, who declined to discuss details of the
investigation.

Ray faces a maximum of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine for property
and reputation extortion. He faces a maximum sentence of five years in
prison and a fine of $250,000 for threats to damage computers.
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