WikiLeaks on Tuesday released what it said is a trove of US Central Intelligence Agency documents on hacking. The website that specializes in exposing secrets said the thousands of documents describe internal CIA discussions on hacking techniques the spy agency has used to circumvent security on electronic devices.

Reuters could not immediately verify the contents of the published documents. But here are some answers to questions users of consumer electronics may have:

It appears at least some are real. While the CIA has declined to comment, independent cyber security experts and former intelligence agency employees who have looked through them say that they appear to be authentic, citing code words used to describe CIA hacking programs.

WikiLeaks says its published documents describe CIA tools for hacking into devices including mobile phones, computers and smart televisions.

WikiLeaks said it identified a project known as Weeping Angel where US and British intelligence agencies developed ways to take over Samsung smart TVs equipped with microphones, forcing them to record conversations when the device appeared to be turned off. Experts have long said smart TVs and other internet-connected devices can be exploited to monitor a target.

While the specific details are new, it is well known in the cyber security community that intelligence agencies are constantly trying to leverage flaws in technology products.

No system is perfect. The documents describe ways to get information in those apps on Android devices, but only after gaining full control of those phones. Reuters has not found evidence in the documents released by WikiLeaks that the CIA had figured a way to break the encryption in those apps.

The documents discuss ways to get into iPhones as well. One appeared to show a list of Apple iOS security flaws purchased by US intelligence agencies so they could gain access to those devices.

Most people do not need to worry about being targeted by intelligence agencies. But everybody should stay on top of software patches so all their computers, mobile phones and other connected devices are running software with the latest security updates. Consumers should balance security concerns with their need to use smart devices.

Unclear. Someone inside the agency may have leaked the information. Or, someone outside may have figured out a way to steal it.

(Source: Reuters)