NIPC Daily Report 28 May 2002 The NIPC Watch and Warning Unit compiles this report to inform recipients of issues impacting the integrity and capability of the nation's critical infrastructures.
Hackers gain access to records of state workers. Computer hackers working secretly over the past several months have gained access to the California State government's computer systems and sensitive financial and personal information on as many as 200,000 state workers, officials said on 24 May. The electronic assault on payroll and other records was discovered by the Sacramento Valley Hi Tech Task Force, which determined that, thus far, none of the information has been used illegally. Agents with the task force, which includes the Sacramento Sheriff's Department and the FBI, have launched an investigation into the security breach and are searching for the hackers. Sources said the hacking involved the State's Stephen P. Teale Data Center, which is based in Rancho Cordova and provides technical computer assistance to many departments. Authorities also believe some school district computer systems may have been accessed illegally. (Sacramento Bee, 24 May) WWU Comment: Although, to date, the data retrieved has not been reported as being used in any cyber crime or identity emulation. If you suspect that a third party has compromised your privacy information, you should report that incident to 1 877 IDTHEFT(438-4338) or complete the form at http:www.consumer.gov/idtheft/. Nuclear plants told to increase alert posture. On 25 May, the nation's nuclear power plants were placed on a heightened state of alert because of intelligence information gained by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The intelligence did not specify that there is a threat directed against plants or outline any plot. However, NRC spokeswoman Beth Hayden said, the agency sent the special advisory to 103 plants, instructing them to be cautious, to be on the lookout for anything suspicious and to send reports to the NRC operations center. Since 11 September, the nuclear power plants have increased security patrols, augmented security forces, installed barricades and maintained lookout for suspicious people trying to conduct surveillance on plants. (Associated Press, 25 May) Secret Service warns of Afghanistan e-mail scam. The U.S. Secret Service warns there is a new e-mail scam circulating around the Web to join the already famous Nigerian government official scam. The new scam comes from someone claiming to be a U.S. soldier in Afghanistan who has come across a large amount of illicit drug money and needs help getting the cash out of the country. He is willing to share the money with anyone who is willing to provide him with a bank account number to help him speed-up the transaction. The Secret Service is interested in any information the public can provide concerning this activity. Thousands of examples of these type of scams come in and are put in a database that allow agents to complete trend analysis of such cons. (IDG.net, 24 May) Russia to discuss energy cooperation. President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss ways to boost Russia's oil sector and make the country a ''strategic partner'' of the United States in ensuring the stability of world energy markets. American officials have suggested that the United States would like to lessen its dependence on oil from the Middle East because of the uncertainty caused by the conflict in Israel and reported US plans to attack Iraq. US officials have also said that Bush and Putin will sign a declaration on energy cooperation along with a treaty on nuclear arms cuts. (Globe.com, 24 May) IWS INFOCON Mailing List @ IWS - The Information Warfare Site http://www.iwar.org.uk
