Beware sophisticated Twitter phishing scams

Beware sophisticated Twitter phishing scams | ZDNet: "As most ZDNet readers know, phishing scammers find ways to forge emails from legitimate sites, hoping to get your personal details such as name, social security number, password, and so on. These forged emails often appear to come from financial institutions, so the scammer can access your bank account. The latest variant of this scam uses a hijacked twitter account to send out direct messages that appear completely legitimate. Then message contains a link that sends the recipient to a Twitter login page, which again appears absolutely real. However, in this case, that login page is actually hosted by identity thieves and not by the real Twitter company. In other words, it's a fake Twitter site."

Hackers: The Next American G.I. Joes?: "the Pentagon seeks to vastly expand its cyber warfare efforts, experts and hackers warn that hackers who have the skills to wage this war are not a good fit for America’s straight-laced military culture. In short, potential soldiers in cyber warfare break the military mold. The Defense Department’s Cyber Command plans to add up to 4,900 workers in the coming years. But to fill these positions, the Pentagon will have to tap into an odd recruiting pool: people known more for their distrust of authority and for their belief in open information than their commitment to protecting the country, according to Todd Harrison, a senior fellow for defense budget studies at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments."

Lots of new 'smart' features for home security systems - SiliconValley.com: By George Avalos
In an era dominated by smart mobile devices, security systems also are becoming more intelligent. They enable customers to use phones, tablets and computers to turn alarms off and on from remote locations, as well as to receive text or other alerts if something is awry in the residence. People can also use their devices to control lights, heating and cooling systems, doors and small appliances. "The idea is a system that lets you control your entire home environment," said Eric Taylor, a vice president with Pacheco-based Bay Alarm.
David Hood, president of Aptos-based First Alarm, adds that the new systems give consumers "real peace of mind that they are connected to their system from anywhere." For example, a person might forget to set the alarm before leaving the house. Or maybe he or she set the alarm, but grandma and grandpa are coming over and don't know the password to turn off the alarm.Now that person can pull out a smartphone or tablet, connect to the alarm system through a secure digital portal, and operate the security network as if at home punching numbers on the alarm box. The systems work with Android- or Apple-based mobile devices, alarm companies say. . . . "

DOJ Seeks Delay of Sprint-Softbank Deal, Cites National Security | News & Opinion | PCMag.com: "Justice Department has asked that the Federal Communications Commission pause its review of the pending merger of Softbank and Sprint, citing national security. . . . Jennifer Rockoff, an attorney adviser with the DOJ's national security division, said the DOJ, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security requests that the FCC "defer action" on the Sprint-Softbank merger because the agencies are "currently reviewing this matter for any national security, law enforcement, and public safety issues, but have not yet completed that effort." The DOJ wants the FCC to hold off until that review is complete, but did not indicate how much more time it would need. "DOJ, FBI, and DHS will advise the Commission promptly upon completion of our review," Rockoff wrote."


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