Top U.S. Official: Russians Penetrated U.S. Voter Systems

NBC: Russians penetrated U.S. voter systems, says top U.S. official

The U.S. official in charge of protecting American elections from hacking says the Russians successfully penetrated the voter registration rolls of several U.S. states prior to the 2016 presidential election.

In an exclusive interview with NBC News, Jeanette Manfra, the head of cybersecurity at the Department of Homeland Security, said she couldn't talk about classified information publicly, but in 2016, "We saw a targeting of 21 states and an exceptionally small number of them were actually successfully penetrated."

Jeh Johnson, who was DHS secretary during the Russian intrusions, said, "2016 was a wake-up call and now it's incumbent upon states and the Feds to do something about it before our democracy is attacked again."

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WNU Editor: There is a solution to this debate .... copy what Canada does when it comes to elections. We have a voter registration system where people have ample time to make sure that they are on the list. And on election day .... we all go to the polls with a picture ID (in Canada everyone has a medicare card with our picture on it), and then we use a paper ballot. It is quick .... efficient .... and fair.

China Believed Responsible For The Latest Cyber Attack Against The U.S. Government

New York Times: Chinese Hackers Behind Breach at Insurers Are Also Responsible for Government Attack, Researchers Say

SAN FRANCISCO — The Chinese attackers who breached two major health insurers this year were also responsible for the intrusion at the Office of Personnel Management, which handles government security clearances and records for federal employees, researchers say.

The attacks signal a new chapter in online espionage, according to security experts. Researchers say the motivation behind the attacks at the insurers, Anthem and Primera, as well as the Office of Personnel Management was digital espionage, not cybercrime.

WNU Editor: Because the targeted agency is responsible for the security screening of U.S. government employees .... my gut is telling me that the Chinese were looking for intelligence officers and/or covert agents.

More News On Reports That China Is Responsible For The Recent Cyber Attack Against The U.S. Government

Cyber attack hits 4 million current, former U.S. federal workers -- Reuters
U.S. Suspects Hackers in China Breached About 4 Million People’s Records, Officials Say -- WSJ
Officials: China Suspected of U.S. Data Breach Affecting Millions -- NBC
US believes China behind cybersecurity breach affecting at least 4M federal employees -- FOX News
Cyberattack compromises government workers -- CNN
U.S. Government Data Breach Tied to Theft of Health-Care Records -- Bloomberg

Russian Hackers Attacking NATO And Ukraine In A Cyber-Spy Campaign

Microsoft says it will release a patch on Oct. 14 for the vulnerability that the Russian hackers group has exploited. (KACPER PEMPEL/REUTERS)

Russian Hackers Use ‘Zero-Day’ To Hack NATO, Ukraine in Cyber-Spy Campaign -- Washington Post

A Russian hacking group probably working for the government has been exploiting a previously unknown flaw in Microsoft’s Windows operating system to spy on NATO, the Ukrainian government, a U.S. university researcher and other national security targets, according to a new report.

The group has been active since at least 2009, according to research by iSight Partners, a cybersecurity firm. Its targets in the recent campaign also included a Polish energy firm, a Western European government agency and a French telecommunications firm.

“This is consistent with espionage activity,” said iSight Senior Director Stephen Ward. “All indicators from a targeting and lures perspective would indicate espionage with Russian national interests.”

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More News On Russian Hackers Attacking NATO And Ukraine In A Cyber-Spy Campaign

Russian Hackers Used Bug in Microsoft Windows for Spying, Report Says -- New York Times
Russian hackers used Windows bug to target Nato -- BBC
Russian hackers target NATO, Ukraine and others: iSight -- Reuters
Hackers Used Windows Bug to Spy on Ukraine Officials -- WSJ
Russian Hackers Exploit Bug In Microsoft Windows To Spy On NATO, EU, Ukraine And Others: Report -- IBTimes
Report claims Russian hackers spying on NATO, Ukraine -- FOX News
Russian ‘Sandworm’ Hack Has Been Spying on Foreign Governments for Years -- Threat Level/Wired
Suspected Russian “Sandworm” cyber spies targeted NATO, Ukraine -- Ars Technica
Russian hackers tap Windows flaw to hit NATO, Ukraine -- CNet

White House Is Fearful That Recent Cyber Attacks On U.S. Financial Institutions Are Being Directed From Russia

The headquarters of JPMorgan Chase in New York.Credit Mike Segar/Reuters

Obama Had Security Fears on JPMorgan Data Breach -- New York Times

President Obama and his top national security advisers began receiving periodic briefings on the huge cyberattack at JPMorgan Chase and other financial institutions this summer, part of a new effort to keep security officials as updated on major cyberattacks as they are on Russian incursions into Ukraine or attacks by the Islamic State.

But in the JPMorgan case, according to administration officials familiar with the briefings, who would not speak on the record about intelligence matters, no one could tell the president what he most wanted to know: What was the motive of the attack? “The question kept coming back, ‘Is this plain old theft, or is Putin retaliating?’ ” one senior official said, referring to the American-led sanctions on Russia. “And the answer was: ‘We don’t know for sure.’ ”

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My Comment: The financial system is one of our major Achilles Heels. I know that Moscow knows that .... but will they be so bold to test it in such a fashion .... considering what has happened in the past 6 months .... I would put my money on yes.

Update: And the attacks continue .... Several US banks attacked by hackers who hit Chase (AFP)

U.S. Senate: Chinese Hacked U.S. Military Contractors

The US Senate claims that hackers associated with the Chinese government attacked commercial and military targets.(Reuters)

Chinese Hacked U.S. Military Contractors: Senate Panel -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Hackers associated with the Chinese government have repeatedly infiltrated the computer systems of U.S. airlines, technology companies and other contractors involved in the movement of U.S. troops and military equipment, a U.S. Senate panel has found.

The Senate Armed Services Committee's year-long probe, concluded in March but made public on Wednesday, found the military's U.S. Transportation Command, or Transcom, was aware of only two out of at least 20 such cyber intrusions within a single year.

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More News On Reports That Chinese Hackers Have targeted U.S. Military Contractors

S military contractors 'hit by Chinese hackers' -- BBC
Chinese hackers repeatedly attacked U.S. computers of firms involved in movement of American troops and equipment, Senate probe reveals -- Daily Mail
Chinese Hacked U.S. Military Contractors 20 Times in a Year -- WSJ
Chinese Hackers Infiltrate U.S. Military Contractors -- Bloomberg
China Hacks US Military Transport Contractors -- Defense One
Charges of China’s military hacking into corporate America piling up -- Ars Technica
US Senate: Chinese Hackers Targeting US Military Contractors -- The Diplomat
China Denies Hacking Charges by US Senate Committee: Reports -- RIA Novosti

My Comment: It looks like the Chinese are trying to predict U.S. troops movements.

Is A 'Rocket Cyberattack' Responsible For This Weeks Russian Rocket Explosion?

Inside The Ring: Rocket Cyber Attack? -- Washington Times

Russia’s space program suffered another spectacular and costly failure on Tuesday, when a Proton-M rocket booster exploded shortly after launch, a disaster that is likely to trigger new Russian claims of sabotage.

According to state-run television Roskosmos, the Russian space agency, determined the launch failure was caused by “an emergency shutdown of the engines” some 16 seconds after liftoff.

Said Roskosmos‘ spokesman Aleksey Kuznetsov: “An emergency situation occurred when [the] Proton-M launch vehicle was launched from Baikonour space launch site on 2 July. At the stage of the ascent of the launch vehicle, 16 seconds into its flight, there was an emergency shutdown of the engines and the vehicle fell back into the space center compound.”

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My Comment: You will have to scroll down for more news on the claim that this crash may be the result of espionage/cyber attack .... including remarks made by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin that foul play may be involved. What's my take .... these are explosive claims, and if the Russian investigation does uncover espionage and/or a cyber attack .... the Russians are going to be incredibly upset and they will be looking for revenge/retaliation.

North And South Korea Websites Shut Down On War Anniversary

South Korea says the north was to blame for a cyber attack last month (Reuters)

North And South Korea Websites Shut Amid Hacking Alert -- The Guardian

Government and media websites shut down as cyber-attack fears plague region on 63rd anniversary of Korean war.


Several government and media websites in South and North Korea were shut for several hours on the 63rd anniversary of Korean war, and Seoul said its sites were hacked and alerted people to take security measures against cyber-attacks.

It was not immediately clear whether the shutdown of North Korean websites, including those belonging to Air Koryo and the Rodong Sinmun newspaper, was triggered by hacking. Rodong Sinmun, Uriminzokkiri and Naenara websites were operational a few hours later.

South Korean national intelligence service officials were investigating the cause of the shutdown of the North Korean websites. Pyongyang did not make any immediate comment.

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More News On Cyber Attacks Targeting North And South Korean Websites

Major websites in North and South Korea shut down on war anniversary -- AP
Cyberattacks Disrupt Leading Korean Sites -- New York Times
Cyber attack hits South Korea websites -- BBC
South Korea President, PM Websites Hacked on War Anniversary -- Bloomberg businessweek
On anniversary of Korea War, cyber fireworks fly -- Christian Science Monitor
Websites in North, South Korea Targeted by Hackers -- Voice of America
North and South Korea hit by cyber-blitz on Korean War anniversary -- The Register
North, South Korea Websites Hit By Cyber Attacks On War Anniversary -- Red Orbit

Another Successful Chinese Hacker Attack On A US Defense Contractor's Computer Network

US Military Secrets Leaked To Chinese Hackers For Three Years -- RT

A US military contractor was allegedly hacked by those associated with the Chinese military. The company reportedly ignored signs of security breaches, allowing hackers to access military technology and classified documents for three years.

QinetiQ North America was attacked by a Shanghai-based hacker group from 2007 to 2010, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. The hacking collective has been coined the “Comment Crew” by security experts.

The company is known for its contributions to national security – including software used by US forces in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

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More News On How Chinese Hackers Successfully Infiltrated A US Defense Contractors Computer Network

US military contractor spent years at total mercy of Chinese hackers -- Wired
Report claims Chinese hackers used local defense contractor system to breach Redstone Arsenal network -- al.com
Hackers Turned Defense Contractor QinetiQ Into Intelligence Playground -- eWeek
Report: Chinese hackers drained secrets from top US military and spy contractor -- Infosecurity
Cyber espionage: Military secrets served on a silver platter -- H-Security
China Tied To 3-Year Hack Of Defense Contractor -- Information Week
Defense contractor pwned for years by Chinese hackers -- Ars technica
China Cyber Hacking the U.S. for 5 Years, Report Confirms -- International Business Times

U.S. Navy's Newest Warship Can Be Hacked

The littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) is underway conducting sea trials off the coast of Southern California. Freedom, the lead ship of the Freedom variant of LCS, is expected to deploy to Southeast Asia this spring. Wikipedia

Littoral Combat Ship Network Can Be Hacked, Navy Finds -- Bloomberg

The computer network on the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship is vulnerable to hacking, according to findings by Navy cybersecurity specialists.

A “red team” assigned to test weaknesses in computer systems found major deficiencies last year on Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT)’s USS Freedom, said a government official familiar with the findings who asked not to be identified because the Navy report hasn’t been made public. The Freedom, the first of the new ships to be deployed, sailed to Singapore last month for eight months of testing of its manning and logistics operations.

The concern about cybersecurity adds to previous questions about the $37 billion program to build ships intended to perform missions in littoral waters, those close to shore. The estimated price to build each vessel has doubled to $440 million, and its ability to survive to fight after an attack has been questioned.

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Update #1: Cyber vulnerabilities found in Navy's newest warship: official -- Reuters
Update #2: Cyber sunk: Hackers find flaws in IT security on new Navy vessel -- Washington Times
Update #3: US Navy warship cybersecurity 'vulnerable' -- The Telegraph

My Comment: This is one of those "ooops" moments. My prediction .... expect the costs to build these ships to now go up .... again.

Pro-Syrian Hackers Target High-Profile Twitter Feeds

Syria’s Pro-Assad Hackers Are Hijacking High-Profile Twitter Feeds -- Washington Post

The Syrian Electronic Army, an informal network of hackers who wage cyberwar in support of the Syrian government and President Bashar al-Assad, have found yet another way to harass Western Web users. Hackers identifying as part of the Syrian Electronic Army have hijacked a series of Twitter feeds over the last few weeks. The targeted feeds tend to be associated with Western organizations, particularly ones that somehow cover Syria.

Last month, hackers took over the Twitter feed and Web site for Human Rights Watch, disseminating the unsubtle message “Syrian Electronic Army Was Here.” Last week, they hacked into National Public Radio’s site and its Twitter feeds, criticizing NPR’s coverage of the Syrian civil war.

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Update #1: CBS Twitter Hacked by Syrian Electronic Army, Reports Say -- Epoch Times
Update #2: Syrian Hackers Hijack CBS Twitter Accounts -- Red Orbit

My Comment: An inconvenience .... but not the end of the world.

Another Cyber Attack Directed Against Iran

Iran 'Fends Off New Stuxnet Cyber Attack' -- BBC

A power plant and other industries in southern Iran have been targeted by the Stuxnet computer worm, an Iranian civil defence official says.


But the cyber attack has been successfully rebuffed and prevented from spreading, Iranian media report.

Iran's nuclear enrichment efforts were hit hard in 2010 by the Stuxnet worm, which was also blamed for problems at industrial plants and factories.

Tehran accused Israel and the US of planting the malware.

Provincial civil defence chief Ali Akbar Akhavan said Iranian industry was constantly being targeted by "enemy cyber attacks" and companies in Hormozgan province had recently been infiltrated, the semi-official Isna news agency reported.

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More News On Reports That Iran Is Being Targeted In A New Cyber Attack

Iranian news agency reports another cyberattack by Stuxnet worm targeting industries in south -- Washington Post/AP
Stuxnet attacks Iran again, reports say -- CNet
Iran says it fended off cyber attack on industrial sites -- NBC
Cyber-attack on communication system at Iran’s industrial facilities -- Voice of Russia
Iran thwarts cyber attack against electricity company -- Press TV (Iran)
Report: Iran Defeats New Cyber Attack -- Voice of America
Iran Suggests Attacks on Computer Systems Came From the U.S. and Israel -- New York Times

Update: Iran denies foiling cyber attack on industrial units: Report -- Economic Times

The Impact Of Hurricane Sandy Reveals What A Cyber Attack Can Inflict

Network News -- Joel Brenner, Foreign Policy

Sandy turned off the lights, the phones, and the heat. A cyber attack could make it all happen again.

Verizon's chief technology officer surveyed a flooded major switching facility in lower Manhattan and put it bluntly: "There is nothing working here. Quite frankly, this is wider than the impacts of 9/11." Damage from Sandy is estimated to reach $20 billion, and interrupted phone service is among the least of it. Flooding in New York's century-old subway system is without parallel. Bridges and roads, homes and businesses have been destroyed. Days after the storm, many businesses remain closed, their employees out of work. And tens of thousands are suffering -- cold and in the dark.

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My Comment: Our infrastructure is now dependent on the grid .... as a result, it's shutdown (as we can see in New York City and New Jersey) can be catastrophic.

Al Jazeera Web Site Hacked

WNU Editor: It looks like the hackers are from Syria. The Al Jazeera web site is here.