Cybersecurity
AI has leveled the field between cybercriminals and nation-state hackers, FBI official says
The FBI is slower to adopt AI tools due to the sensitive nature of the data that it works with, Brett Leatherman, the FBI Cyber Division head, said.
Cybersecurity
Salt Typhoon hackers targeted over 80 countries, FBI says
The Chinese campaign appears to have reached into other organizations beyond the telecom industry, including transportation and military infrastructure networks, according to a Wednesday advisory.
Policy
FBI to move headquarters into Reagan Building, seemingly resolving decades-long fight
Officials did not immediately respond to questions about the timeline for the move or if it would displace the Reagan Building’s current tenants.
People
FBI’s Brett Leatherman to take lead of bureau’s cyber division
Leatherman said in a recent LinkedIn post that FBI Director Kash Patel elevated him to the role.
People
FBI Cyber Division deputy director departs for anti-ransomware firm
Cynthia Kaiser will serve as senior vice president for Halcyon’s Ransomware Research Center.
People
Intelligence agency employee arrested for trying to share classified info with foreign government
Nathan Vilas Laatsch was allegedly disgruntled by the Trump administration and willing to share sensitive data with the foreign country. The FBI set up a dead drop operation to intercept the classified materials.
Cybersecurity
US and Netherlands seize network providers that helped hackers mask activities
The Justice Department and Dutch law enforcement shuttered 5socks and Anyproxy, services with Russian ties that sold proxies to cybercriminals. Lumen provided internet backbone data to the agencies.
Cybersecurity
FBI awaits signal that Salt Typhoon is fully excised from telecom firms, official says
FBI Deputy Director for Cyber Operations Brett Leatherman said that "there’s a lot of work focused on containment" when it comes to the Salt Typhoon hacks.
Cybersecurity
FBI asks public for tips about Salt Typhoon telecom hacks
Salt Typhoon accessed at least nine U.S. telecom firms and their systems that facilitate legal access requests for law enforcement.
People
Senate confirms Kash Patel to lead FBI
Patel is now poised to lead an agency he has long criticized of being politically biased against Donald Trump
Cybersecurity
FBI notified over 4,300 victims of ‘pig butchering’ crypto scams in past year
After victims are tricked into buying crypto, they are shown fake online accounts with fictitious returns while the stolen funds are moved offshore, an FBI official said.
People
Trump’s FBI pick opposes warrant requirement for contested spying power
During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kash Patel said a warrant for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act “is just not comported with the requirement to protect American citizenry.”
Cybersecurity
FBI deleted Chinese malware from 4,200 US computers
The malware’s command server appears to be based in Tokyo and was accessed by French authorities who helped craft the code needed to remove the infection.
Cybersecurity
Chinese telecom espionage began with ‘much broader’ aims, officials say
The U.S. has been investigating the Salt Typhoon hackers since late spring and early summer this year, a senior FBI official said.
Cybersecurity
Russian email domains sent uncredible bomb threats to polling places, FBI says
Kremlin-backed actors have a long record of sowing fear and disinformation into the U.S. election process.
Breaking News
Acquisition
US charges 6 for conspiring to defraud agencies through IT contracting schemes
The charges are the first in an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into “IT manufacturers, distributors and resellers” that sell to the government.
Cybersecurity
FBI arrests man accused of hacking SEC’s X account in January
The hijacked account posted illegitimate news about a widely-anticipated Bitcoin announcement, leading the cryptocurrency to spike some $1,000.
Cybersecurity
US charges Iranian operatives with hacking Trump campaign
The allegations come 38 days before the November presidential election, as the U.S. has worked to stave off foreign adversaries’ attempts to sow discord into the election process.
Cybersecurity
US efforts to stop Chinese hackers haven’t been fully effective, FBI official says
Taking a more offensive approach against the hacking collective may risk escalation with China, a senior intelligence official said Wednesday.
Cybersecurity