The European Commission is providing burner laptops and phones to staff traveling to the U.S. on official business due to escalating cybersecurity concerns. This measure, previously reserved for high-risk countries like China and Russia, reflects a deterioration in U.S.-EU relations and anxieties over potential espionage. Recent incidents involving detained EU citizens and allegations of U.S. surveillance have prompted this heightened security precaution. While the Commission officially refrained from confirming the burner device policy, it acknowledged updating travel recommendations to reflect increased global cybersecurity threats.
Read More
Passwords and mobile numbers belonging to key members of Donald Trump’s national security team have been unearthed by the German news outlet Spiegel.de, raising serious concerns about the administration’s cybersecurity practices. The sheer volume of easily accessible personal information is alarming. Spiegel’s investigation revealed a trove of sensitive data, including mobile phone numbers, email addresses, and even some passwords, publicly available through various online sources.
This readily available information included details for high-ranking officials like National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The ease with which these details were obtained is deeply troubling.… Continue reading
Reporters utilized publicly available data, including leaked customer information and commercial search engines, to uncover active contact details for high-profile individuals. These details, belonging to figures such as National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, remain largely operational. The exposed information includes phone numbers and email addresses linked to various online platforms, including social media, file storage services, and fitness tracking apps. This data further reveals the presence of associated WhatsApp and, in some instances, Signal accounts.
Read More
Elon Musk reported a massive cyberattack against X, attributing it to either a large, coordinated group, a nation-state, or both, given the significant resources employed. The attack, which involved multiple waves of denial-of-service attacks, caused widespread outages affecting approximately 40,000 users according to Downdetector. These disruptions peaked twice on Monday in the UK. Investigations into the attack’s origin are ongoing.
Read More
Ten Chinese nationals, including two Ministry of Public Security officers and employees of Anxun Information Technology (i-Soon), have been charged with orchestrating a wide-ranging hacking campaign targeting U.S. government agencies, including the Treasury Department, and international organizations. The hackers allegedly stole sensitive data for the benefit of the Chinese government, selling access to compromised accounts for significant profit. The Justice Department alleges this operation involved a complex network of private companies and contractors, obscuring the government’s direct involvement. A $10 million reward has been offered for information leading to the suspects’ apprehension.
Read More
Recent developments reveal a surprising shift in the U.S.’s approach to cybersecurity, marked by concessions to Russia. This unexpected capitulation has sparked widespread shock and concern, raising questions about the administration’s strategy. Critics suggest the move effectively places Russia “on the inside” of critical U.S. infrastructure protections. The implications of this decision remain a subject of intense debate, with potential ramifications for national security.
Read More
The Trump administration’s downplaying of Russia’s cyber threats against US national security represents a significant shift from established intelligence assessments. This policy change, seemingly reflecting improved US-Russia relations, leaves the US vulnerable to Russian hacking. Evidence includes a State Department official omitting Russia from a UN cybersecurity threat assessment and internal memos instructing agencies to cease reporting on Russian cyber threats. Experts warn this inaction jeopardizes US infrastructure and contradicts prior warnings of significant Russian cyber capabilities targeting both domestic and international interests.
Read More
A subsea fiber optic cable connecting Cape Breton Island and Newfoundland was deliberately cut for the second time in December 2024, requiring extensive repairs by a specialized ship. Bell, the cable’s owner, suspects an anchor or fishing gear was used to bring the cable to the surface before it was intentionally severed. The company is cooperating with the RCMP investigation and exploring preventative measures, including burying the cable and employing satellite surveillance. While the RCMP lacks sufficient evidence for the first incident, the investigation into the second continues.
Read More
Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old “senior advisor” to the US State Department and Department of Homeland Security, is under scrutiny due to his controversial past and family history. A new report reveals Coristine, who boasts the nickname “Big Balls,” is the grandson of a KGB officer executed as a double agent. His past includes being fired from a cybersecurity internship for alleged information leaks and connections to cybercrime communities. This lineage and his current position raise concerns about national security given his access to sensitive information.
Read More
Seventeen Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) employees, including ten regional election security specialists, have been placed on administrative leave pending an internal review. This action jeopardizes critical election security support provided to state and local election offices nationwide, impacting vital services such as cybersecurity assessments and training. The review reportedly focuses on efforts to counter foreign interference and disinformation campaigns, raising concerns about the agency’s future given ongoing criticism from Republican officials. State election officials from both parties have voiced strong support for CISA’s election security work.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood