Security News

Secret Service, ICE break the law over and over with fake cell tower spying
2023-03-04 01:00

The US Secret Service and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agencies have failed to follow the law and official policy regarding the use of cell-site simulators, according to a government audit. The Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General looked at CSS deployment by the Secret Service and ICE and found, "Secret Service and ICE HSI did not always adhere to Federal statute and CSS policies when using CSS during investigations involving exigent circumstances."

Ukraine Secret Service Arrests Hacker Helping Russian Invaders
2022-03-17 01:46

The Security Service of Ukraine said it has detained a "Hacker" who offered technical assistance to the invading Russian troops by providing mobile communication services inside the Ukrainian territory. The anonymous suspect is said to have broadcasted text messages to Ukrainian officials, including security officers and civil servants, proposing that they surrender and take the side of Russia.

Report: Danish Secret Service Helped NSA Spy On European Politicians
2021-06-01 01:41

The U.S. National Security Agency used a partnership with Denmark's foreign and military intelligence service to eavesdrop on top politicians and high-ranking officials in Germany, Sweden, Norway, and France by tapping into Danish underwater internet cables between 2012 and 2014. Details of the covert wiretapping were broken by Copenhagen-based public broadcaster DR over the weekend based on interviews with nine unnamed sources, all of whom are said to have access to classified information held by the Danish Defence Intelligence Service.

FBI, Secret Service investigating cyberattack on Florida water treatment plant
2021-02-09 16:25

Federal law enforcement is now looking into a cyberattack at a water treatment plant in Oldsmar, FL where someone was able to remotely access systems and add a dangerous amount of chemicals to the town's water supply. On Monday, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri explained during a press conference that an employee at Oldsmar's water treatment facility saw his mouse moving independently of him on Friday morning but thought nothing of it-it's common for people in the field to remotely access systems through their TeamViewer software.

Berlin to Give Secret Services Access to Encrypted Conversations
2020-10-22 08:10

The German government Wednesday agreed to allow secret services to listen in on conversations via encrypted messaging services such as Messenger or Whatsapp as a means of tackling terrorism. Cabinet adopted a bill to that effect, drawn up after a series of far right attacks in the country, and the proposed legislation now goes forward for parliamentary assent.

Secret Service Creates Cyber Fraud Task Forces
2020-07-13 16:01

The U.S. Secret Service has created the Cyber Fraud Task Forces, aimed at preventing, detecting and mitigating complex cyber-enabled financial crime - including making arrests and convictions. The Electronic Crimes Task Forces and the Financial Crimes Task Forces, the division said in a recent media statement.

U.S. Secret Service Creates Cyber Fraud Task Force
2020-07-13 14:15

The United States Secret Service has announced the launch of a Cyber Fraud Task Force, created through the merger of the Electronic Crimes Task Forces and Financial Crimes Task Forces. "The creation of the new Cyber Fraud Task Force, will offer a specialized cadre of agents and analysts, trained in the latest analytical techniques and equipped with the most cutting-edge technologies. Together with our partners, the CFTFs stand ready to combat the full range of cyber-enabled financial crimes," Michael D'Ambrosio, Assistant Director, U.S. Secret Service, commented.

U.S. Secret Service: “Massive Fraud” Against State Unemployment Insurance Programs
2020-05-16 04:34

A well-organized Nigerian crime ring is exploiting the COVID-19 crisis by committing large-scale fraud against multiple state unemployment insurance programs, with potential losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars, according to a new alert issued by the U.S. Secret Service. A memo seen by KrebsOnSecurity that the Secret Service circulated to field offices around the United States on Thursday says the ring has been filing unemployment claims in different states using Social Security numbers and other personally identifiable information belonging to identity theft victims, and that "a substantial amount of the fraudulent benefits submitted have used PII from first responders, government personnel and school employees."

Secret Service Investigates Breach at U.S. Govt IT Contractor
2019-09-09 16:47

The U.S. Secret Service is investigating a breach at a Virginia-based government technology contractor that saw access to several of its systems put up for sale in the cybercrime underground,...

Ex-Secret Service Agent Tackles Banking Cybercrime
2019-08-08 12:04

Former Secret Service agent Jeff Dant now heads fraud operations and intelligence for the financial crimes unit at BMO Financial Group. Which threats and threat actors does he focus on, and how...