Friday, October 18, 2013

Complete DHS Daily Report for October 18, 2013

Daily Report

Top Stories

 • The leader of a group of bank robbers known for wearing wigs during their holdups pleaded guilty October 16 to his role in 13 Atlanta-area robberies. – Atlanta Journal-Constitution See item 6 below in the Banking and Finance Sector

• Los Angeles Airport changed their policy on how dry ice is discarded following an October 13-14 incident where a baggage handler used an abandoned container of dry ice to make multiple bombs. – Associated Press

7. October 17, Associated Press – (California) Airport changes policy on dry ice after bombs explode. Los Angeles Airport changed their policy on how dry ice is discarded, now requiring employees to return dry ice following an October 13-14 incident where a baggage handler used an abandoned container of dry ice to make multiple bombs. Source: http://news.msn.com/us/airport-changes-policy-on-dry-ice-after-bombs-explode

 • Thousands of furloughed federal workers returned to work and parks, memorials, and agencies reopened October 17 following a 16-day U.S. government shutdown. – Associated Press

19. October 17, Associated Press – (National) Federal workers back to work after 16-day shutdown. Thousands of furloughed federal workers returned to work October 17 following a 16-day U.S. government shutdown. National Park Service sites, federal memorials, and government agencies also resumed operations. Source: http://www.sfgate.com/news/us/article/Federal-workers-back-to-work-after-16-day-shutdown-4903091.php

 • Researchers determined that over 200 government Web sites are vulnerable to hackers pocketing sensitive personal data using outdated SSL certificates because of a reduction of technical maintenance during the federal government shutdown. – NextGov

22. October 16, Nextgov – (National) Security flaw on 200 government websites blamed on shutdown. Researchers from Netcraft determined over 200 government Web sites are vulnerable to hackers pocketing sensitive personal data from citizens visiting those sites because of the reduction of technical maintenance. The issue has to do with expired SSL certificates that protect online forms submitted by users seeking government services. Source: http://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2013/10/security-flaw-200-government-websites-blamed-shutdown/72035/

Details

Banking and Finance Sector

4. October 17, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission – (International) SEC halts pyramid scheme targeting Asian-American community. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed charges against and seized assets belonging to five entities operating under the names CKB and CKB168 for allegedly running a pyramid scheme and affinity scheme that has raised more than $20 million from 400 investors in the U.S. The alleged scheme has also targeted investors in Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other countries. Source: http://www.sec.gov/News/PressRelease/Detail/PressRelease/1370539880547

5. October 17, KOLO 8 Reno – (Nevada) Identity of suspect involved in fatal bank robbery revealed. One customer was killed when an armed man shot him during a bank robbery at a Bank of America branch in Reno October 17. A suspect in the shooting and robbery was arrested later the same day. Source: http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/One-Dead-at-Bank-Robbery-228048981.html

6. October 16, Atlanta Journal-Constitution – (Georgia) Wig-wearing bank heist ring leader pleads guilty. The leader of a group of bank robbers known for wearing wigs during their holdups pleaded guilty October 16 to his role in 13 Atlanta-area robberies. Source: http://www.ajc.com/news/news/crime-law/wig-wearing-bank-heist-ring-leader-pleads-guilty/nbQKh/

Information Technology Sector

33. October 16, Krebs on Security – (International) Breach at PR Newswire tied to Adobe hack. PR Newswire confirmed that researchers uncovered the theft of usernames and encrypted passwords of some of its customers. The information was found on servers that also held source code and other information stolen from Adobe Systems Inc. Source: http://krebsonsecurity.com/2013/10/breach-at-pr-newswire-tied-to-adobe-hack/

For another story, see item 22 above in Top Stories

Communications Sector

34. October 16, Alexander City Outlook – (Alabama) Widespread network outages hit Lake Martin area. Customers from Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and AT&T in the Alexander City and Dadeville areas suffered loss of voice, data, and landline services October 16 after 25 cell tower sites went offline. Source: http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/2013/10/16/breaking-widespread-network-outages-hit-lake-martin-area/