Thursday, February 12, 2015



Complete DHS Report for  February 12, 2015

Daily Report

Top Stories

 · The New Mexico Environment Department is working on a new compliance order for the U.S. Department of Energy that could lead to over $100 million in fines for violations related to a radioactive container leak that contaminated 22 workers in February 2012. – Associated Press

4. February 10, Associated Press – (New Mexico) New Mexico considers more fines over nuke leak. The New Mexico Environment Department stated that it is working on a new compliance order for the U.S. Department of Energy that could lead to over $100 million in fines for violations related to a radioactive container leak that contaminated 22 workers at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in southern New Mexico in February 2014. The facility has remained closed since the accident and cleanup is ongoing. Source: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/mexico-officials-talk-feds-fines-nuke-leak-28865020

 · Federal agents seized $25,000 in cryptocurrency from a Seattle resident and more than $7 million and other assets from related suspects in December 2014 as part of an ongoing software piracy case. – Forbes See item 5 below in the Financial Services Sector

 · A Metrolink train derailed north of Los Angeles Union Station February 10, rendering 3 of 5 tracks inoperable and forcing about 100 passengers to evacuate the train and walk to safety. – KNBC 4 Los Angeles

6. February 11, KNBC 4 Los Angeles – (California) Metrolink operational again following derailment near Union Station. A Metrolink train derailed north of Los Angeles Union Station February 10, rendering 3 of 5 tracks inoperable and forcing about 100 passengers to evacuate the train and walk to safety. Crews used heavy equipment to remove the train and repair the tracks before service was restored February 11. Source: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Metrolink-Trains-Comes-Off-Tracks-Near-Union-Station-291471331.html

 · The FBI is investigating a February 10 hijacking of Newsweek’s Twitter feed in which attackers claimed to be part of a group affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) and posted threats towards the U.S. President’s family. – Softpedia See item 20 below in the Information Technology Sector

Financial Services Sector

5. February 10, Forbes – (National) Feds seize over $7 million (plus a little Bitcoin) during software piracy investigation. Federal agents seized $25,000 in cryptocurrency from a Seattle resident and more than $7 million and other assets from related suspects in December 2014 as part of an ongoing software piracy case. The January 30 court filing alleges that suspects traded and distributed fraudulent product activation key codes for Microsoft and other software through e-commerce sites to make at least $30 million in profits since 2009. Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/katevinton/2015/02/10/feds-seize-25000-in-cryptocurrency-and-7-1-million-as-part-of-software-piracy-investigation/

Information Technology Sector

20. February 11, Softpedia – (International) Cyber Caliphate hackers take over Twitter account of Newsweek. The FBI is investigating a February 10 hijack of Newsweek’s Twitter feed in which attackers claiming to be Islamic State (ISIS)-affiliated hacker group Cyber Caliphate posted threats to the U.S. President’s family before the company regained control of the feed within 14 minutes. Newsweek confirmed that the Twitter accounts of International Business Times and Latin Times were also hijacked by the group. Source: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Cyber-Caliphate-Hackers-Takes-Over-Twitter-Account-of-Newsweek-472832.shtml

21. February 11, Securityweek – (International) Researchers bypass all Windows protections by modifying a single bit. Microsoft released a patch for two vulnerabilities, including one that affected all versions of the Windows Operating System via Windows kernel-mode driver and allowed attackers to install software, view and change data, and create new accounts with full administrative rights. A patch addressing a critical remote code execution flaw was also released. Source: http://www.securityweek.com/researchers-bypass-all-windows-protections-modifying-single-bit

22. February 10, Securityweek – (International) Microsoft patches critical Windows, Internet Explorer vulnerabilities in Patch Tuesday update. Microsoft issued 9 security bulletins that fixed a total of 41 vulnerabilities as part of its Patch Tuesday updates that addresses issues for Windows, Office, and Server Software. Source: http://www.securityweek.com/microsoft-patches-critical-windows-internet-explorer-vulnerabilities-patch-tuesday-update

23. February 9, Softpedia – (International) Microsoft corporate clients targeted with volume license phishing email. A Cisco Threat Defense researcher reported that cyber-criminals were targeting Microsoft’s corporate users with phishing emails purporting to be from Microsoft’s Volume Licensing Service Center which contains a link that leads to a compromised WordPress server and downloads the Chanitor malware. Source: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Corporate-Clients-Targeted-with-Volume-License-Phishing-Email-472636.shtml

Communications Sector

Nothing to report