September 2024 Security News

Remarks by Vice President Harris Before a Briefing on the Ongoing Impacts of Hurricane Helene and the Federal Actions Being Taken to Support Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts Across Several States The White House 30 Sep 2024
Statement From Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder on DOD Support to Hurricane Helene Response Efforts DoD 30 Sep 2024 -- Since Hurricane Helene made landfall on Sept. 26, the Department of Defense has been in close contact with local, state, and federal partners to support and coordinate Hurricane Helene response efforts.
National Guard assists with hurricane response in Southeast Army News 27 Sep 2024 -- More than 4,700 National Guardsmen were mobilized across the Southeast Saturday, searching for and rescuing victims of Hurricane Helene, clearing debris and assisting first responders.
Probe finds Beijing seeking to mislead, sow distrust ahead of US election VOA 28 Sep 2024 -- U.S. intelligence agencies this week emphasized that Russia, Iran and China remain the primary external forces attempting to influence American voters ahead of the November presidential election.
DOD Supporting Tropical Storm Helene Response Efforts DoD News 27 Sep 2024 -- The Defense Department remains postured throughout the Southeast to support communities impacted by Tropical Storm Helene, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said today.
Global Counterterrorism Forum: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the Ministerial Meeting co-chaired with Egypt European External Action Service (EEAS) 27 Sep 2024
Three IRGC Cyber Actors Indicted for 'Hack-and-Leak' Operation Designed to Influence the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election US Dept. of Justice 27 Sep 2024 -- The Justice Department today announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Iranian nationals, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) employees, Masoud Jalili, 36, also known as, ????? ?????, Seyyed Ali Aghamiri, 34, also known as, ??? ??? ???????, and Yaser Balaghi, 37, also known as, ???? ????? (the Conspirators), with a conspiracy with others known and unknown to hack into accounts of current and former U.S. officials, members of the media, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals associated with U.S. political campaigns.
United States Sanctions Iran-Backed Malicious Cyber Actors That Have Attempted to Influence U.S. Elections US Dept. of State 27 Sep 2024 -- The Department of State is taking coordinated action with other U.S. government agencies to respond to Iran's operations that seek to influence the 2024 U.S. election, as well as previous operations dating back to 2020.
Treasury Sanctions Iranian Regime Agents Attempting to Interfere in U.S. Elections US Treasury 27 Sep 2024 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designatedseven individuals as part of a coordinated U.S. government response to Iran's operations that sought to influence or interfere in the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections. Iranian state-sponsored actors undertook a variety of malicious cyber activities, such as hack-and-leak operations and spear-phishing, in an attempt to undermine confidence in the United States' election processes and institutions and to interfere with political campaigns. The designations undertaken today pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13848, complement law enforcement actions taken by the Department of Justice against a variety of Iranian election interference actors.
US moves against Iranian actors charged with election meddling VOA 27 Sep 2024 -- The United States put bounties on three Iranian hackers, charging them with multiple crimes in connection with an attempt to undermine former President Donald Trump's reelection campaign and upend the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
Two Russian Nationals Charged in Connection with Operating Billion Dollar Money Laundering Services US Dept. of Justice 26 Sep 2024 -- The Justice Department today announced actions coordinated with the Department of State, Department of the Treasury, and other federal and international law enforcement partners to combat Russian money laundering operations. The actions involved the unsealing of an indictment charging a Russian national with his involvement in operating multiple money laundering services that catered to cybercriminals, as well as the seizure of websites associated with three illicit cryptocurrency exchanges.
U.S. Moves To Break Up Cyber-Money-Laundering Operation Allegedly Run By Russians RFE/RL 26 Sep 2024 -- The United States on September 26 imposed sanctions on an alleged Russian money-laundering operation that caters to cybercriminals around the world and unsealed indictments against two Russian nationals for their alleged involvement in the operation.
Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program Offers for Two Russian Nationals and Sanctions on Illicit Russian Virtual Currency Exchanges and Cybercrime Facilitator US Dept. of State 26 Sep 2024 -- The Department of State is announcing reward offers under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program of up to $10 million each for information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of Timur Shakhmametov and Sergey Ivanov for participating in, conspiring to participate in, and attempting to participate in transnational organized crime.
Treasury Takes Coordinated Actions Against Illicit Russian Virtual Currency Exchanges and Cybercrime Facilitator US Treasury 26 Sep 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury is undertaking actions as part of a coordinated international effort to disrupt Russian cybercrime services. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is issuing an order that identifies PM2BTC—a Russian virtual currency exchanger associated with Russian individual Sergey Sergeevich Ivanov (Ivanov)—as being of "primary money laundering concern" in connection with Russian illicit finance.
Canadian Armed Forces establishes a new Cyber Command Canada 26 Sep 2024 -- Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, and General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, officially announced the establishment of the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command (CAFCYBERCOM). This new command will consolidate the CAF's cyber capabilities into a single unified and dedicated entity, which will enhance the military's readiness to tackle threats in the cyber domain.
Sanctioning Networks Enabling Illicit Trade Benefitting Hizballah US Dept. of State 25 Sep 2024 -- The United States is imposing sanctions on one individual and four entities and identifying nine vessels as blocked property for their involvement in facilitating illicit trade to Syria and East Asia in support of Hizballah and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force.
Treasury Sanctions Networks Enabling Illicit Trade that Benefits IRGC-QF and Hizballah US Treasury 25 Sep 2024 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned more than a dozen entities and vessels for their involvement in the shipment of Iranian crude oil and liquid petroleum gas to Syria and East Asia on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and Hizballah.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken Introductory Remarks for President Biden at the Summit of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats US Dept. of State 24 Sep 2024
Remarks by Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall at the President's Summit of the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats | New York, NY The White House 24 Sep 2024
Remarks by President Biden at the Global Coalition to Address Synthetic Drug Threats | New York, NY The White House 24 Sep 2024
In Dual Actions, Treasury Sanctions Clan Del Golfo Leadership in Colombia and Businesses Owned by Sinaloa Cartel Fentanyl Traffickers in Mexico US Treasury 24 Sep 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning five Colombian nationals and two Mexico-based businesses pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14059, "Imposing Sanctions on Foreign Persons Involved in the Global Illicit Drug Trade."
Iranian Hackers Behind Attack Urging Revenge For Koran Burnings, Sweden Says RFE/RL 24 Sep 2024 -- Iran's security service was behind a special operation against targets in Sweden, the Nordic country's Prosecutor's Office said.
Taiwan's military rebuts CCTV report of cyberattacks against China CNA 23 Sep 2024 -- Taiwan's military on Monday rebutted a report by China's state-run CCTV that claimed the Taiwanese government has funded an "internet army" to infiltrate China's cyberspace and spread disinformation.
Investigations into three perpetrators related to Taiwan's 'internet army' launched Global Times 23 Sep 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Monday unveiled a hacker organization called "Anonymous 64," saying that it was an "internet army" supported by "Taiwan independence" forces and has frequently launched cyberattacks against the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, attempting to infiltrate portals, outdoor electronic screens, and online television to spread disinformation and disrupt public communications.
Ministry of State Security unveils hacker group supported by 'Taiwan independence' forces Global Times 23 Sep 2024 -- China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Monday unveiled a hacker organization called "Anonymous 64," saying that it was an "internet army" supported by "Taiwan independence" forces and has frequently launched cyberattacks against the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, attempting to infiltrate portals, outdoor electronic screens, and online television to spread disinformation and disrupt public communications.
Beijing says Taipei behind anti-China hackers Radio Free Asia 23 Sep 2024 -- China's ministry of state security on Monday accused the Taiwanese military of supporting a hacking group called Anonymous 64 that it said was responsible for cyberattacks against Chinese targets.
Joint Statement on Efforts to Counter the Proliferation and Misuse of Commercial Spyware US Dept. of State 22 Sep 2024 -- This Joint Statement was originally announced on March 30, 2023, at the second Summit for Democracy, with an inaugural group of eleven likeminded partners. Since then, it has been updated twice to reflect additional countries that have endorsed this first-of-its kind multilateral commitment to work collectively to counter the proliferation and misuse of commercial spyware.
Mexican president blames US for surging drug cartel violence Press TV 21 Sep 2024 -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says the US is partly responsible for the increased Sinaloa cartel violence that has left tens of people dead in the past week.
Specially Designated Global Terrorist Mohammad Bazzi Pleads Guilty to Sanctions Evasion US Dept. of Justice 20 Sep 2024 -- Lebanese national Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, 60, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to conduct and to cause U.S. persons to conduct unlawful transactions with a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
Notorious Mexican Cartel Leader Convicted for International Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses US Dept. of Justice 20 Sep 2024 -- A federal jury convicted Ruben Oseguera-Gonzalez, also known as El Menchito, today of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine while knowing and intending that they would be imported into the United States, and using, carrying, and brandishing firearms, including destructive devices, in furtherance of the drug trafficking conspiracy, following a two-week jury trial in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Mexican president says US shares blame for Sinaloa drug cartel violence VOA 19 Sep 2024 -- Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Thursday that the U.S. was partly responsible for the eruption of drug cartel violence that has killed at least 30 people in the past week in Mexico's northern state of Sinaloa.
Mexican President: US Actions to Blame for Latest Spate of Cartel Violence in Sinaloa Sputnik 19 Sep 2024 -- A recent operation by the United States to capture the leaders of the Sinaloa cartel has sparked the violence that the state of Sinaloa has been experiencing in the last few days, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Thursday.
FBI's new attempt to hype so-called Chinese hacking group slammed by FM Global Times 19 Sep 2024 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry slammed on Thursday a new US attempt to hype so-called Chinese hacking group, including a claim that one such group nicknamed "Flax Typhoon" is run by a Chinese company, collects intelligence and carries out reconnaissance for Chinese security agencies.
U.S. Says Iranian Hackers Failed To Interest Biden Campaign With Info Stolen From Trump RFE/RL 19 Sep 2024 -- The FBI and other federal U.S. agencies say Iranian hackers sent unsolicited e-mails to individuals then associated with President Joe Biden's reelection campaign that contained an excerpt taken from stolen, nonpublic material from former President Donald Trump's campaign as text in the e-mails.
Court-Authorized Operation Disrupts Worldwide Botnet Used by People's Republic of China State-Sponsored Hackers US Dept. of Justice 18 Sep 2024 -- The Justice Department today announced a court-authorized law enforcement operation that disrupted a botnet consisting of more than 200,000 consumer devices in the United States and worldwide. As described in court documents unsealed in the Western District of Pennsylvania, the botnet devices were infected by People's Republic of China (PRC) state-sponsored hackers working for Integrity Technology Group, a company based in Beijing, and known to the private sector as "Flax Typhoon."
US targets second major Chinese hacking group VOA 18 Sep 2024 -- The United States has identified and taken down a botnet campaign by China-directed hackers to further infiltrate American infrastructure as well as a variety of internet-connected devices.
Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism The White House 18 Sep 2024
Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Persons Who Commit, Threaten to Commit, or Support Terrorism The White House 18 Sep 2024
Joint ODNI, FBI, and CISA Statement Director of National Intelligence 18 Sep 2024 -- "Since the 19 August 2024 joint ODNI, FBI, and CISA public statement on Iranian Election Influence Efforts, the FBI has learned additional details about Iran's efforts to sow discord and shape the outcome of U.S. elections."
Intelligence suggests Iran sought to ensnare Trump, Biden in hack-and-leak VOA 18 Sep 2024 -- Iran's efforts to upend U.S. politics ahead of November's presidential election by targeting the campaign of former President Donald Trump went well beyond a standard hack-and-leak operation.
Epidemiological update on COVID-19 - 17 Sep 2024
Pacific Islands Forum investigating cyberattack on networks Radio Free Asia 16 Sep 2024 -- The Pacific islands' peak diplomatic body is investigating a cyberattack on its networks, its top official said Friday while refusing to be drawn on reports that Chinese state-sponsored hackers were responsible for the breach.
Memorandum on the Presidential Determination on Major Drug Transit or Major Illicit Drug Producing Countries for Fiscal Year 2025 The White House 15 Sep 2024
Taiwan's government condemns cyberattacks on TWSE, DGBAS, financial firms CNA 13 Sep 2024 -- Taiwan's Executive Yuan on Friday strongly condemned cyberattacks suspected to have been launched by a pro-Russia hacking group targeting the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE), the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS), and several local financial institutions the previous day.
DOD Hosts International Exchange on Shaping Cybersecurity Workforce DoD News 13 Sep 2024 -- A senior Defense Department official hosted government officials, academics and entrepreneurs from Indonesia for a discussion on how the Pentagon is aligning its cyber workforce strategy to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving domain.
Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia, Co-Founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, Arraigned in Brooklyn on International Drug Charges US Dept. of Justice 13 Sep 2024 -- Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada Garcia, 76, a citizen of Mexico, was arraigned this morning in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, on 17 counts related to drug trafficking, firearms offenses, and money laundering. This fifth superseding indictment relates to El Mayo's decades-long leadership of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most violent and powerful drug trafficking organizations in the world and conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl.
Remarks by Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall for the Soufan Center's Global Summit on Counterterrorism and Political Violence The White House 13 Sep 2024
South Korea, Interpol confiscate drugs worth $1bn in Golden Triangle Radio Free Asia 12 Sep 2024 -- South Korean police in cooperation with the global police organization Interpol confiscated drugs worth about 1.4 trillion won (US$1.04 billion) across the Golden Triangle region, said South Korean police, calling the region the "main origin" of the drug ketamine.
Report: IS-Somalia becomes financial hub; leader could be top IS chief VOA 12 Sep 2024 -- The International Crisis Group says Islamic State in Somalia has become an important financial influence for terrorism, and a report suggests the leader of the branch might become the new overall head of the militant group.
Report: Iran boosts ties with criminal networks to attack critics in US, Europe VOA 12 Sep 2024 -- The Washington Post is reporting that the Iranian government has increased its ties with criminal networks overseas to carry out attacks on its critics in the United States and Europe.
Targeting Hizballah's Oil Smuggling Network US Dept. of State 11 Sep 2024 -- As part of the United States' efforts to disrupt Hizballah's illicit revenue generation and isolate the terrorist group's financial network, we are imposing sanctions on three individuals and five companies, as well as blocking two vessels that smuggle oil to generate funding for Hizballah.
Treasury Targets Oil and LPG Smuggling Network That Generates Millions in Revenue for Hizballah US Treasury 11 Sep 2024 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning three individuals, five companies, and two vessels that are involved in smuggling oil and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) to generate revenue for Hizballah. The network, comprised of Lebanese businessmen and companies and overseen by a senior leader of Hizballah's finance team, has facilitated dozens of LPG shipments to the Government of Syria and channeled the profits to Hizballah. Illicit oil and LPG smuggling operations generate hundreds of millions of dollars for Hizballah and support the group's terrorist activities.
Pakistani National with Ties to Iran Charged in Connection with Foiled Plot to Assassinate a Politician or U.S. Government Official US Dept. of Justice 11 Sep 2024 -- Asif Merchant, also known as Asif Raza Merchant, was indicted yesterday with attempting to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries and murder-for-hire as part of a scheme to assassinate a politician or U.S. government official on U.S. soil. Law enforcement foiled the plot before any attack could be carried out. Merchant was previously arrested and charged by complaint in July 2024. Merchant was ordered detained and is currently in federal custody.
Treasury Targets Key Funding Source of Deadly Fentanyl- Trafficking Cartel CJNG US Treasury 10 Sep 2024 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned nine Mexican nationals and 26 Mexico-based entities linked to a fuel theft network that generates tens of millions of dollars benefiting the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), a violent Mexico-based drug trafficking organization responsible for a significant proportion of fentanyl and other deadly drugs trafficked into the United States. Mexico-based drug trafficking cartels such as CJNG have turned to fuel theft in recent years, resulting in billions of dollars in lost revenue to the Mexican government. Today's action was coordinated closely with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Government of Mexico, including La Unidad de Inteligencia Financiera (UIF), Mexico's Financial Intelligence Unit.
Press Release: Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Certain Terrorist Attacks The White House 09 Sep 2024
Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Certain Terrorist Attacks The White House 09 Sep 2024
Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Foreign Interference in or Undermining Public Confidence in United States Elections The White House 09 Sep 2024
Press Release: Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to Foreign Interference in or Undermining Public Confidence in United States Elections The White House 09 Sep 2024
Leaders of Transnational Terrorist Group Charged with Soliciting Hate Crimes, Soliciting the Murder of Federal Officials, and Conspiring to Provide Material Support to Terrorists US Dept. of Justice 09 Sep 2024 -- The Justice Department announced today that Dallas Humber, 34, of Elk Grove, California, and Matthew Allison, 37, of Boise, Idaho — leaders of the Terrorgram Collective, a transnational terrorist group — were charged with a 15-count indictment for soliciting hate crimes, soliciting the murder of federal officials, and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists. Humber and Allison were arrested on Friday by law enforcement officials.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Delivers Remarks Announcing Charges Against Leaders of Transnational Terrorist Group US Dept. of Justice 09 Sep 2024
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen Delivers Remarks Announcing Charges Against Leaders of Transnational Terrorist Group US Dept. of Justice 09 Sep 2024
US facing more scattered, more technological terror landscape VOA 09 Sep 2024 -- Leading terror groups like al-Qaida and Islamic State, once pushed to the brink after years of military pressure from the United States and its allies, have found ways to recover and once again represent a serious and lethal threat, according to a top U.S. counterterrorism official.
U.S. confirms new human H5 bird flu case People's Daily 09 Sep 2024 -- The United States has confirmed a new human case of avian influenza A ("H5 bird flu") in the state of Missouri, also the first human case without a known occupational exposure to sick or infected animals, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
German Intelligence Warns Of Russian GRU Cyberactivities Against NATO, EU RFE/RL 09 Sep 2024 -- The German domestic intelligence agency has issued a rare public warning about the activities of a cybergroup within Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, citing recent joint research with U.S. agencies that points to the GRU group's efforts to target U.S. and global "critical infrastructure."
Experts applaud steps US steps to disrupt Russian disinformation VOA 09 Sep 2024 -- The U.S. Justice Department announced September 4 that two Russian nationals, Kostiantyn Kalashnikov and Elena Afanasyeva, had been charged with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering in the Southern District of New York.
Pakistani man faces 20 years in New York Jewish center plot VOA 07 Sep 2024 -- A Pakistani man living in Canada faces up to 20 years in prison for allegedly planning a mass shooting in New York in support of Islamic State, the U.S. Department of Justice said Friday.
Pakistani National Charged for Plotting Terrorist Attack in New York City in Support of ISIS US Dept. of Justice 06 Sep 2024 -- A Pakistani citizen residing in Canada, Muhammad Shahzeb Khan, 20, also known as Shahzeb Jadoon, was arrested on Sept. 4 in Canada in connection with a complaint filed in the Southern District of New York. Khan was charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO), the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
DOD Official Says Partnerships Are Key to U.S. Cyber Strategy DoD News 05 Sep 2024 -- Partnerships are critical to the Defense Department's proactive cyber defense strategy, a senior official said yesterday.
NATO Allies and Indo-Pacific Partners discuss cybersecurity cooperation NATO 05 Sep 2024 -- Cyber is an integral part of modern warfare and cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, government institutions, international organisations and electoral processes are becoming more frequent and sophisticated.
Up to $1 Million Reward Offer for Information Leading to Arrest and/or Conviction of Russian National Tim Vakhaevich Stigal US Dept. of State 05 Sep 2024 -- The Department of State is announcing a reward offer under the Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program of up to $1 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction in any country of Tim Vakhaevich Stigal for participating in, conspiring to participate in, or attempting to participate in transnational organized crime.
Seventh United States-Republic of Korea Working Group to Counter Cyber Threats Posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea US Dept. of State 05 Sep 2024 -- The United States and the Republic of Korea convened the seventh U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Working Group September 5-6 to counter cyber threats posed by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).
Five Russian GRU Officers and One Civilian Charged for Conspiring to Hack Ukrainian Government US Dept. of Justice 05 Sep 2024 -- In an indictment unsealed today, a grand jury in Maryland charged six computer hackers, all of whom were residents and nationals of the Russian Federation (Russia), with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and wire fraud conspiracy. Five of the defendants were officers in Unit 29155 of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), a military intelligence agency of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. The sixth individual was a civilian already under indictment for conspiracy to commit computer intrusion and is now also charged with wire fraud conspiracy.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen Delivers Remarks Announcing Charges Against Russian Military Officers US Dept. of Justice 05 Sep 2024
US warns Russian hackers: 'We are onto you' VOA 05 Sep 2024 -- The United States has charged five Russian intelligence officers and one Russian civilian in connection with a major cyberattack, described by U.S. prosecutors as the first shot in the Kremlin's war against Ukraine.
Estonia names Russia's military intelligence in a first-ever attribution of cyberattacks Estonia MFA 05 Sep 2024 -- Today 5 September, Estonia attributed the 2020 cyberattacks against Estonia to the members of Unit 29155 of Russia's military intelligence (GRU). It is the first time in history that Estonia has attributed cyberattacks against the state to the perpetrator of the attacks.
A GRU military unit launched cyberattacks against Estonian authorities Estonia Prosecutor 05 Sep 2024 -- During joint operation Toy Soldier conducted in cooperation with 14 services from 10 states, the Estonian Internal Security Service identified that military unit 29155, which is under the command of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (GRU), acquired cyber capabilities and had been launching cyberattacks against both Ukraine as well as NATO and EU member states, including Estonia, since 2020.
Ossetian Wife Of Notorious Tajik Islamic State Recruiter Gets 11 Years In Prison RFE/RL 04 Sep 2024 -- A court in Russia in early August sentenced Madina Bondarenko, the Ossetian wife of a notorious recruiter for the Islamic State (IS) extremist group in Tajikistan, to 11 years in prison on a charge of being a member of a terrorist group, one of her relatives told RFE/RL on September 3.
Alleged cybercriminal wanted by US spent 15 years evading arrest VOA 04 Sep 2024 -- When the U.S. State Department recently offered up to $2.5 million for information leading to the arrest of alleged cyber-fraudster Volodymyr Kadariya, it marked another turn in a saga that saw the man transform from suspected criminal to political dissident and back.
Justice Department Disrupts Covert Russian Government-Sponsored Foreign Malign Influence Operation Targeting Audiences in the United States and Elsewhere US Dept. of Justice 04 Sep 2024 -- The Justice Department today announced the ongoing seizure of 32 internet domains used in Russian government-directed foreign malign influence campaigns colloquially referred to as "Doppelganger," in violation of U.S. money laundering and criminal trademark laws. As alleged in an unsealed affidavit, the Russian companies Social Design Agency (SDA), Structura National Technology (Structura), and ANO Dialog, operating under the direction and control of the Russian Presidential Administration, and in particular First Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Vladilenovich Kiriyenko, used these domains, among others, to covertly spread Russian government propaganda with the aim of reducing international support for Ukraine, bolstering pro-Russian policies and interests, and influencing voters in U.S. and foreign elections, including the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco Delivers Remarks at the Convening of the Election Threats Task Force US Dept. of Justice 04 Sep 2024
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks at the Convening of the Election Threats Task Force US Dept. of Justice 04 Sep 202
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri Delivers Remarks at the Convening of the Election Threats Task Force US Dept. of Justice 04 Sep 2024
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen Delivers Remarks at the Convening of the Election Threats Task Force US Dept. of Justice 04 Sep 2024
Two RT Employees Indicted for Covertly Funding and Directing U.S. Company that Published Thousands of Videos in Furtherance of Russian Interests US Dept. of Justice 04 Sep 2024 -- An indictment charging Russian nationals Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, 31, also known as Kostya, and Elena Afanasyeva, 27, also known as Lena, with conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and conspiracy to commit money laundering was unsealed today in the Southern District of New York. Kalashnikov and Afanasyeva are at large.
State Department Actions to Counter Russia's Election Interference and Foreign Malign Influence Operations US Dept. of State 04 Sep 2024 -- As part of a series of coordinated actions across the U.S. Government, the Department of State is taking three steps today to counter Kremlin-backed media outlets' malicious operations seeking to influence or interfere in the 2024 U.S. elections.
Treasury Takes Action as Part of a U.S. Government Response to Russia's Foreign Malign Influence Operations US Treasury 04 Sep 2024 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated10 individuals and two entities as part of a coordinated U.S. government response to Moscow's malign influence efforts targeting the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Russian state-sponsored actors have long used a variety of tools, such as generative artificial intelligence (AI) deep fakes and disinformation, in an attempt to undermine confidence in the United States' election processes and institutions. Beginning in early 2024, executives at RT—Russia's state-funded news media outlet—began an even more nefarious effort to covertly recruit unwitting American influencers in support of their malign influence campaign. RT used a front company to disguise its own involvement or the involvement of the Russian government in content meant to influence U.S. audiences.
US crackdown calls out Russian disinformation campaign VOA 04 Sep 2024 -- The United States on Wednesday hit Moscow-linked companies and their employees with a combination of criminal charges, sanctions and other measures in response to what U.S. officials described as a malicious influence campaign meant to upend American society and impact the outcome of the presidential election.
U.S. Accuses Russia Of Attempting To Influence 2024 Election Through Kremlin-Backed News Outlets RFE/RL 04 Sep 2024 -- The United States accused Russia on September 4 of attempting to influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election through Kremlin-run media outlets and online platforms that are designed to trick Americans into unwittingly consuming Russian propaganda, a Justice Department news release said on September 4.
Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders of Hamas US Dept. of Justice 03 Sep 2024 -- The Justice Department announced today the unsealing of terrorism, murder conspiracy, and sanctions-evasion charges against six senior leaders of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. The charges relate to the defendants' central roles in planning, supporting, and perpetrating the terrorist atrocities that Hamas committed in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 (the October 7 Hamas Massacres), involving the murders and kidnappings of countless innocent civilians, including American citizens, which was the culmination of Hamas's decades-long campaign of terrorism and violence against Israel and its allies, including American citizens. The defendants are either deceased or remain at large.

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September 2024 Security News