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Saturday, apr 27
Tag:
Cybersecurity
News
Weeks-Long Cyberattack Brings 3 CT Hospitals To Their Knees
A cyberattack on three Connecticut hospitals affected patient care so severely that many were sitting on the floors of emergency rooms bringing the operation of the group to its knees financially. The attack took place in August and affected Waterbury Hospital in New Haven County; Manchester Hospital in Hartford County, and Rockville General in Tolland County. All three are part of Prospect Medical Holdings, based in Connecticut, according to reporting from the CT Mirror. The cyberattack also affected medical offices affiliated with the hospitals. Thinking the attack would last for a …
Politics
NY Post Fires Employee For False, Racist, Violent Content Targeting Politicians
A series of racist, violent headlines that were posted on the website and Twitter account of the New York Post on Thursday, Oct. 27, were carried out by an employee, Variety reports. In a statement to the outlet, a spokesperson for the Post said an investigation had revealed that the “unauthorized conduct” was an inside job and the employee responsible has been fired. “This morning, we immediately removed the vile and reprehensible content from our website and social media accounts,” the spokesperson said. The news organization did not reveal the employee’s name. The New York Post ha…
Business
Scam Alert: Phishing Text Messages On Rise, New Report Says
Cybersecurity experts have reported an increase in phishing scam text messages, according to a new report from CNET. Josh Yavor, the chief information security officer at cybersecurity company Tessian, told the news outlet he has seen a recent increase in scammers using text messages for phishing, where they attempt to steal peoples' personal information by pretending to be reputable organizations. CNET also said a report from enterprise security company Proofpoint found that incidents SMS phishing increased by 24 percent in the United States last year. The Federal Trade Commission reporte…
News
US Reveals New Software Vulnerability, Warns Hundreds Of Millions Of Devices At Risk
A top cybersecurity agency in the US is cautioning that a new software vulnerability has been uncovered that could lead to hundreds of millions of device hacks. Jen Easterly, the director of the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an alert advising that they’ve discovered a flaw that will require some of the nation’s largest industries to “take action” or risk being the victim of hackers. According to reports, hackers have been using the flaw in an effort to break into some organizations’ computer networks. It is unclear if they were successful in infiltrating …
News
Don't Fall For It: Alert Issued For Online Shopping Scams Involving Fake Websites
Shoppers looking for holiday deals online are being warned that thousands of fake websites are popping up every week and stealing money from victims, according to cybersecurity experts. The surge in these malicious sites has been sparked by the surge in online shopping as well as criminals taking advantage of the demand for products in short supply, the experts say. Victims often enter the name of the product they want in search engines and then are directed to one or more fake sites. Other malicious sites use phishing emails promoting discounts on various products. The number of phony sh…
News
Covid-
19: Alert Issued For Child Tax Credit Payment Scams
Opportunistic fraudsters have taken advantage of some consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic, this time targeting child tax credit payments that have been sent out to assist families. The IRS recently issued an alert after it began sending tens of millions of dollars to families, though scammers have been attempting to pull a fast one over on some to steal thousands of dollars in federal benefits. According to the IRS, scammers have been reaching out to families using emails, text messages, and through social media, asking to verify personal information to receive the child tax credit payme…
News
Ransomware Group That Collected Millions From Meat Supplier Threatens Hundreds Of New Targets
A new ransomware attack linked to a Russian group that collected $11 million from a major meat supplier has reportedly paralyzed the networks of dozens of companies in the United States. The attack by the group known as REvil was focused on Kaseya VSA, a United States software company used by hundreds of tech-service providers and large companies. Kaseya said on Friday, July 2 that it's investigating what a cybersecurity expert said is a ransomware attack similar to the previous one attributed to the Russian hackers. The company said it shut down some of its servers and urged cus…
Business
Wegmans Announces Breach Of Customers' Personal Information
Wegmans is warning customers that some personal information may have been exposed to hackers due to a recent data breach. The grocery giant issued an alert this week to notify customers that two databases used for Wegmans internal business purposes were inadvertently left open to potential outside access due to a configuration issue. Officials said that customer names, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, Shoppers Club numbers, e-mail addresses and passwords for access to Wegmans.com accounts were included in the databases. "However, all impacted Wegmans.com account passwords were, in t…
News
Largest East Coast Fuel Pipeline Shuts Down Operations After Cyberattack
The main pipeline carrying millions of gasoline and diesel fuel to the East Coast said it has halted all operations after being hit with a cyberattack. The Colonial Pipeline Company said in a statement that it learned it was the victim of a cybersecurity attack on Friday, May 7. Colonial Pipeline is the largest refined products pipeline system in the United States. It carries about one million barrels each day of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel between the Gulf Coast and the New York Harbor area, with the ability to move about three million barrels daily. "In response, we proactively took c…
News
Alert Issued For Scam USPS Package Delivery Postponed Texts
Law enforcement officials are cautioning of a new text message "smishing" scam that involves phony messages being sent from fraudsters posing as members of the US Postal Service (USPS). Alerts have been issued by state and federal officials following recent reports from consumers who have received messages claiming to be from USPS about a change in delivery shipment. The messages typically include a link that could potentially expose one to scammers looking to steal personal identifying information. Many who click the phony link have wound up being hacked or prompted to provide new informat…
Police & Fire
New Warning Issued For Con Artists Posing As Amazon Workers
Local law enforcement agencies are cautioning area residents to be wary following recent reports of opportunistic fraudsters posing as Amazon employees over the phone to gain access to personal information. Officials said that con artists have been posing as Amazon employees claiming to need verification about their account or that something is wrong with an order, allowing them to attempt stealing their victims’ identities. According to police, once a call is answered, a recorded message will claim to be from Amazon stating there is a problem with their account. Messages included claims …
Obituaries
Covid-
19: College Student In Connecticut Dies From Virus-Related Complications
A 22-year-old college student in Connecticut who was set to graduate this year has died from COVID-19. Joshua Goodart, a cybersecurity and networks major in the University of New Haven’s Class of 2021, died over the weekend from COVID complications, the school announced this week. Goodart, who was a resident of Oxford, Connecticut in western New Haven County, became ill during the university’s Winter Break and was hospitalized last month, never returning to campus for the spring semester. Friends and family said that Goodart was diagnosed with COVID-19 in the beginning of January, and whe…
News
Police Issue Warning For 'Virus Alert' Scam For Those Online
While all eyes are on COVID-19, a different type of “virus scam” has been making the rounds. Law enforcement officials issued a warning of a new scam involving hackers who attempt to dupe people on the Internet who are browsing the web. According to police, those who have been victimized unexpectedly got a “virus alert” on their desktop designed to look as if it came from Microsoft that took over the entire browser page. The victim then called “Microsoft” at the 800-641-7676 number provided on the browser window, at which point the scammer said that the user probably had a virus and would …
News
Covid-
19: Cybercriminals Using New Sextortion Tactics Amid Pandemic
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has provided cybercriminals the opportunity to get creative with their “sextortion” tactics as they exploit the pandemic, according to reports. In the past, criminals have targeted their victims by claiming they have embarrassing, salacious video proof, typically from a webcam, of a person watching sexual content. The scammers then seek to extort immediate payment in bitcoin or gift cards, threatening that otherwise, the alleged content will be disseminated on the Internet. However, according to new information released by the cybersecurity analysi…
Police & Fire
Covid-
19: Alert Issued For Scam Involving Blackmail Threat Over Release Of Private Video
With more and more people working from home during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, law enforcement agencies are warning of a new online blackmailing scheme. There have been reports of a new scam that involves an email from a scammer to a victim claiming that they are in possession of recorded webcam footage of the victim watching pornography. According to police, the scammer implies that he has malware/remote access to a victim’s computer to record video. The suspect then threatens to share the alleged footage with the victim’s Facebook friends and family unless the victim pays the…
Police & Fire
Police Issue Alert For 'Sextortion' Phishing Scam In Fairfield
Police in Fairfield County are warning residents of recently reported "sextortion" phishing scams and remind them of important safety tips to avoid being scammed. According to Fairfield Police Chief Christopher Lyddy, in recent weeks, the Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC) has received reports of "sextortion" scams that involve victims receiving an email from a purported hacker claiming to have hacked their computer and filmed them watching pornography. The scammer then threatens to forward the material to all of the victim's contacts unless the victim pays a Bitcoin ransom, Lyddy…
Business
Covid-
19: YouTube Limits Video Quality To Ease Internet Traffic
With millions of people around the world confined to their homes due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, YouTube announced it will be adjusting its default video quality to ensure that there is sufficient bandwidth for all users. YouTube videos will automatically stream in standard definition for at least a month, as health officials work to curtail the spread of COVID-19, which has infected nearly 60,000 people in America alone. Other streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ have taken similar steps overseas, though it is unclear if they will take effect stateside. “We continue to w…
News
Don't Fall For It: Alert Issued For Text Message Package Delivery Scam
Police departments throughout the nation are warning the public about a new text message phishing scam that looks to be from FedEx or another delivery company about a package. The text message shows you a "tracking code" and asks you to click it to set delivery preferences for "your package." (See image above.) Police are warning anyone who gets such a text not to click on the link. The link would take you to a fraudulent site that tries to steal your personal information and money. If you are in doubt about a tracking number, go to the main website of the shipping company and search for …
News
Don't Fall For It: Costco Confirms Coupon On Facebook Is Scam
It’s a trap! A free $75 Costco coupon that has been making the rounds on social media turned out to be too good to be true, the wholesale giant announced. “Despite several posts out there, Costco is NOT giving away $75 coupons. While we love our fans and our members, this offer is a SCAM, and in no way affiliated with Costco,” the company said. “Thanks to our fans for letting us know about this recurring hoax!” The phony coupon first cropped up on Facebook earlier this year, causing some users to unwittingly click on a link unaffiliated with Costco to collect their coupon. To gain access,…
Police & Fire
Don't Fall For It: Police Issue Alert For Unclaimed Funds Email Scam
Police in the area are cautioning local residents of a recent email scam that has been making the rounds throughout the region. One police department, located in Rockland County, reports it just received a scam email from “Rupnarain Kamal” stating that the recipient of the email was due a payment of $22,583,112.00 as a beneficiary for an unclaimed fund at a South African bank. “Back in January, we posted about a scam email we received in the (police department’s) General Email Account Mailbox,” the Ramapo Police Department posted online. “Well, on (Monday), July 22, we received the same ema…
Lifestyle
These Are Most Hacked Passwords According To Brand-New Report
Despite the prevalence of online hackers and the concerns of cybersecurity breaches, many continue to use simple and easy to guess passwords that have led to data breaches, according to a new report. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) first “cyber survey” determined the most commonly used passwords that were received in data breaches. According to the report, the most commonly used passwords that have been hacked are: 123456 (23.2 million); 123456789 (7.7 million); qwerty (3.8 million); password (3.6 million); 111111 (3.1 million); 12345678; abc123; 1234567; password1, a…
News
Warning Issued By FBI For Blackmail Threats Involving Porn Surfing, Infidelity
The FBI has issued a warning as a result of blackmail threats that involve porn surfing and infidelity, officials say. The newly emerging scam is typically initiated when a scammer sends an anonymous email claiming that they have uncovered evidence showing that the recipient committed adultery or watched pornographic materials. The “blackmail scam” proceeds when the scammer threatens to reveal the evidence to the recipient’s spouse, family and friends and demands payment in exchange for keeping quiet. In an extra effort to stay anonymous, the scammer typically demands payment through bitc…
News
FBI Issues Valentine's Day Romance Scam Warning After Woman Bilked Out Of $2M
With love in the air on Valentine’s Day, the FBI is warning that if an online courtship seems too good to be true, it just might be. Citing an incident when a woman in her 50s was bilked out of $2 million, the FBI issued an alert on Thursday regarding romance scams, which is an Internet crime that is on the rise. 
The FBI said that “victims - predominantly older, widowed or divorced women targeted by criminal groups usually from Nigeria - are, for the most part, computer literate and educated. But they are also emotionally vulnerable. And con artists know exactly how to exploit that vulnera…
Police & Fire
Bomb Threats Reported At 2 Fair Lawn Schools, Maywood Store
A string of bomb threats across the country were being investigated Thursday by law enforcement agencies. Among them were threats to two Fair Lawn schools and a Maywood furniture store, local police said. Threats to both Memorial Middle School and Radburn Elementary School were dismissed early and Maywood Furniture were deemed not credible, authorities said. “The mass robo-email threats were sent all across the country this afternoon to schools, businesses, and government offices,” Fair Lawn Police Chief Glenn Cauwels said. “The threats stem from an unknown writer’s demand for bitcoin in …
Obituaries
Funeral Scheduled For Fairfield Man Who Worked As Software Exec, Video Producer, Actor
The story of the death of Geoffrey Michael Corbis of Fairfield is tragic and bizarre. The 61-year-old's family reported him missing to the NYPD after he contacted them with suicidal messages, said a family member on a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his funeral. The family says it was unable to get the police department to respond because he did not live in the city. They finally got a little help from Florida police where they live who tried to intervene with the New York police. A few steps were taken, but a search was not conducted. Fast forward a week, and a man walking in the …
Lifestyle
Facebook Hack Update: 14 Million Had Additional Data Stolen, Including Search Histories
Facebook has provided an update and notified users who had their phone numbers, email addresses and other personal information accessed after a hacker gained access to the site. In a call on Friday, Facebook officials said that the FBI is “actively investigating” the breach, which impacted nearly 30 million (down from the 50 million reported last month), including 14 million users who had additional information hacked, including their location, religion and search histories. According to the company, it still does not know the full extent of the attack, and other smaller-scale attacks may h…
Lifestyle
Personal Info Of 50 Million Facebook Users Breached In Attack
Millions of people are not going to “like” hearing that a hacker gained access to Facebook accounts in the latest cyber attack to strike the company. A hacker gained access to the information of nearly 50 million Facebook user accounts in what appears to be the largest security breach in the company’s history. In a message posted on Friday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, a White Plains native who attended Ardsley High School, said that “we do not yet know whether these accounts were misused, but we are continuing to look into this and will update when we learn more.” Facebook said that the …
Police & Fire
CT Man Who Hacked Into More Than 200 Apple iCloud Accounts Sentenced
A Connecticut man is heading to prison after flying too close to the iCloud. North Branford resident George Garofano, 26, has been sentenced to eight months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to  a computer hacking offense related to a phishing scheme that gave him access to hundreds of Apple iCloud accounts, several of which belonged to celebrities. Garofano’s guilty plea was a result of an investigation that was kicked off by the FBI in Los Angeles into the leaks of female celebrities in September 2014. Charges were filed in Connecticut against…
Police & Fire
State Police Warning: Look Out For Phishing Emails
State Police in Connecticut are warning residents not to bite the bait as a “phishing” scheme makes the rounds in the area. An alert was issued by state police involving the latest scam to hit the area, which is typically carried out by email spoofing or text messaging, directing people to enter personal information on a fake website that looks legitimate. Emails may also contain links to websites that will distribute malware. Police said that phishing is “when a scammer attempts to contact you through phone calls, emails, text messages or copycat websites in an attempt to get you to provid…
News
Three Area Residents Victimized By Date Site Scam, Police Say
Looking for that right match? Police in the area are warning residents to be careful of dating sites after reports of three people looking for love being ripped off for more than $15,000. Two women from the Queens and another from Connecticut were the victims, according to Tuckahoe Police Lt. Larry Rotta. The incidents occurred over the past eight months involving the site PlentyofFish.com, Rotta said This is how the scam works. The man meets the woman online and builds up a trusting relationship by exchanging photos, emails and text messages, Rotta said. The man then tells the woman he…
Lifestyle
Change Your Password, Twitter Tells All 336M Users After Bug Found
Are you a Twitter user? Then you should change your password. The social media company discovered a bug that saved user passwords on an internal log without proper encryption, it announced on Thursday. "We fixed the bug and have no indication of a breach or misuse by anyone," the company tweeted. "As a precaution, consider changing your password on all services where you’ve used this password." In a blog post you can read here, Twitter said, "we found this error ourselves" and is "implementing plans to prevent this bug from happening again."
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