Tag Archive for: NBC

No Specific Threats Despite FBI Warning – NBC Boston

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Massachusetts State Police say they’ve received no specific threats at the State House, or any other public venue in Massachusetts, after the FBI sent an alert to law enforcement agencies warning of calling for “peaceful armed protest” planned at all 50 states’ capitols.

Additionally, a representative of the FBI’s Boston office told NBC News on Monday that it “is not in possession of any intelligence indicating any planned, armed protests at the four state capitals in our area of responsibility. (ME, MA, NH, and RI) from January 17-20, 2021.”

The lack of specific threats comes as the FBI warns its partners in law enforcement in a memo that armed protests are possible at all 50 state capitols, as well at the U.S. Capitol, from Jan. 16-20, when Joe Biden will be sworn in as president. However, the memo isn’t saying that violent mass protests are expected everywhere, according to NBC News, which cited a senior law enforcement official.

Among what’s being investigated about the violence that interrupted the tallying of electoral votes in the presidential election is whether similar warnings were sent to U.S. Capitol Police and other federal agencies ahead of the deadly riot at the Capitol that broke out after a Trump rally Wednesday.

Bus loads of Trump supporters from New England traveled to the nations Capitol last week for the controversial pro-Trump rally.

The Boston FBI spokesperson noted, “As always, we are in constant communication with our law enforcement partners and will share any actionable intelligence.”

A Massachusetts State Police spokesman also emphasized that the agency remains in contact with its partners at the federal, state and local levels, but, “To date, we are aware of no specific threat to government venues or to public safety generally in Massachusetts.”

The agency will “continue to monitor all available intelligence over the coming days, will be prepared for any contingencies, and will adjust our security operations accordingly,” spokesman Dave Procopio said in a statement.

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Procopio added that…

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Downtown Mobile businesses prepare for safe New Year's Eve celebrations – NBC 15 WPMI

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Downtown Mobile businesses prepare for safe New Year’s Eve celebrations  NBC 15 WPMI

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Fears Mount Over Russian and Chinese Hackers Targeting the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election – NBC New York

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  • On Sept. 10, Microsoft warned that the Russian military intelligence unit that had attacked the Democratic National Committee in 2016 was back.
  • This time, the company warned, the threats would be more sophisticated and target consultants, staff members, and other entities associated with both Democratic and Republican campaigns.
  • According to Specops Software, the United States has experienced more cyberattacks from hostile actors than any other nation, with 156 incidents classified as “significant” between May 2006 and June 2020.

As the 2020 presidential election approaches across America, voters have déjà vu and are concerned over the risk of hacking. On Sept. 10, Microsoft warned that the Russian military intelligence unit that had attacked the Democratic National Committee in 2016 was back. This time, the company warned, the threats would be more sophisticated and target consultants, staff members, and other entities associated with both Democratic and Republican campaigns.

Representatives for Microsoft were not available for comment, but on its blog, the company said that the Russian hacking group Strontium had attacked over 200 organizations, while the Chinese organization Zirconium had attacked people associated with both the election and the Biden campaign. The Iranian hacking group, Phosphorus, has attacked people affiliated with the Trump campaign.

The Biden and Trump campaigns both confirmed these cyberattacks in a recent CNN article, noting they remain vigilant against these threats, and will ensure that the campaign’s assets are secured. 

According to Specops Software, the United States has experienced more cyberattacks from hostile actors than any other nation, with 156 incidents classified as “significant” between May 2006 and June 2020. The company also found that these attacks are increasing. As a result, cybercrime is projected to cost the global economy $6 trillion per year as soon as 2021, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.

The state-sponsored hackers named in Microsoft‘s blog entry are all using tactics designed to compromise elections directly. Some of the methods are the same as those used in 2016, such as brute force compromises and spear…

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