The web page “StarWarsWeb.net”, which appeared to be an ordinary fan site, was revealed to be part of a digital network used by the CIA to establish secret communication with its agents abroad. The site, which was active in the 2010s, appeared to be equipped with content from the Star Wars universe, but in its background there was a mechanism serving espionage activities.

The CIA communicated with its agents through the Star Wars site

According to the research, such sites were grouped under seemingly unrelated themes: some offered comedy content, while others were prepared for more specific interests such as sports or Brazilian music.

However, all of them contained infrastructures with sensitive functions such as messaging with secret agents. While some of the sites in question targeted high-risk regions such as Iran and China, some operated in European countries (France, Germany, Spain).

The most serious consequences of this situation were experienced in 2011-2012. Some of the CIA sources operating in Iran and China were exposed by identifying their identities through the sites in question. The emergence of intelligence activities caused heavy losses in these countries, including deaths.

The point emphasized here is that these sites were technically weak and amateurishly prepared. The sequential IP addresses used, repetitive patterns and distinct digital traces; made it possible for others to be easily found if one site was detected. This made it possible for foreign intelligence units to decipher the network.

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