Dirty Line: How Pete Hegseth bypassed Pentagon security to share military secrets with family on signal
US defense secretary Pete Hegseth used a commercial internet line – known as a “dirty line” in IT words – Standard Defense Department in its Pentagon office to bypass safety systems and access an encrypted messaging platform from a individual computer.
ABC News reported that the “dirty line” was used to reach the websites and applications blocked specifically on the normal network of Pentagon: SIPRNET (for classified data) and NIPRNET (for uninterrupted but safe communication), ABC News reported. Pentagon rules restrict any unauthorized electronic devices in the office of the Defense Secretary due to the risk of spyware and hacking.
Earlier this week, reports revealed that Hegseth shared sensitive details about military airstrikes in Yemen with close personal contacts through a private signal group. Prior to his confirmation, the group formed by him in January included his wife Jennifer (a former Fox News producer), his brother Phil and advocate Tim Parlatore, who also advise him in Pentagon. The Times said that Hegseth shared information like flight timing of F/A -18 hornets targeting Houthi rebels on 15 March.
This was the second case that included Hegseth. Last month, the Atlantic revealed that its editor-in-chief was accidentally added to another signal chat about the same Yemen operation.
Back in 2016, Hegseth criticized Hillary Clinton on Fox News to use a private email server during his tenure as a state secretary, it was called a “fireable” and “criminal” crime for someone with top secret withdrawals.
