So how do terrorist groups like ISIS (Islamic State) get so big? One tactic they use is propaganda through social media. So it sounds like they’re up to their old tricks again. ISIS uses dormant Twitter accounts.
In recent weeks, IT support leaders learn groups like ISIS uses dormant Twitter accounts for recruiting and other purposes. But they’re more subtle with it now. For instance, they’ll tweet in Arabic sharing propaganda from other accounts. Twitter’s security leaders deleted most accounts that are doing this, but some still exists. But how are they able to do this in the first place?
What these hackers are exploiting Twitter’s lack of email confirmation, so they can’t be traced. Therefore, they can use these, create new emails, and create new ones to re-register the Twitter account. I said many of these tweets are subtle, but not all of them. In fact, some of these tweets praised terror and violence. There’s one Twitter video that shows ISIS fighters showing off their weapons. Then there is one that praises violence and other attacks. Other tweets from ISIS talk about killing Christians and urge fighters to bomb innocent people with their cars. These aren’t the only tweets glorifying terror.
So why is this a big deal? Because there are people who are very venerable to this type of propaganda. There are people who feel at the end of their rope and that nobody loves them. There are those feeling they have nowhere to turn. Terror groups like ISIS prey on these kinds of situations. Now we find out they’re using dormant Twitter accounts to do just that. However, I do credit Twitter for staying on this, and suspending these accounts that are promoting this madness. But as we can see, more needs to done. But that can we do?
So today, our Justice Dept. just made chilling accusations against China. Also, note that I said chilling,? but not shocking, when you think of US/China relations lately. It’s US Justice Department vs Chinese Government spies.
So they accused China’s Ministry of State Security of hacking into government agencies and mega tech companies. But they’re mission isn’t to steal money or ID’s. In fact, it’s worse. Because they say Chinese spies are stealing information and intelligence. They blame a hacking group from Beijing they call the APT 10. Both gov’t and private security groups linked this group to some very powerful people in China.
But wait…there’s more. The US Justice Dept. indicted?Zhu Hua and Zhang Shilong, who both are residents of China, on everything from fraud to theft. We don’t know which company was hit. However, they named activities of such companies. Such activities include space, technology, aviation, medicine, and computer processing. Allegedly, they put on malware using corrupt Microsoft data. Then, they used keyloggers to steal people’s passwords, break into accounts, and do anything they wanted. There’s more. Because the indictment said they stole info from over 100,000 Navy soldiers. It’s not clear how much time the hackers could face, or even if this makes it to trial. Because of how hard it is to expedite suspects from China back to the US.
Naturally, leaders from China deny everything. However, other nations, like Japan and Australia, back up the US claims. I don’t know or suspsect anything. But look at the timing here. This happens in the middle of an intense trade war between the two nations. This war affects everything from farming to computer servicing. In fat, a few of our computer repair clients have to wait longer for parts from China. I wonder why. But this just shows how how volatile it’s getting between these two power nations. This is the US Justice Department vs Chinese Government Spies. What else could this lead to?
So we all know AI/robotic technology is the wave of the IT service and tech future. We may not like it, but we can’t deny it either. We also know it has severe setbacks; an Amazon warehouse is finding that out the hard way. Amazon robot goes wild: Should this shock us?
This all happened at an Amazon warehouse in Robbinsville, New Jersey, about 40 miles northeast of Philadelphia, PA. A robot accidentally opened a can of bear repellent. This nine ounce can had?Capsaican, a powerful poison they use in mace and pepper spray. So as you can imagine, the fumes the employees breathed in were pretty powerful.
They sent 24 workers to local hospitals. In fact, one employee ended up in critical condition. They immediately sent fire and paramedics to the scene. Also, they treated another 30 employees right there in the warehouse. However, there is some good news. They treated and released most of the injured within 24 hours. Then, they were able to give the all clear to the warehouse so it could restart it’s activities. Amazon released a statement about this incident. They thanked the first responders for their quick action and told the public that safety was Amazon’s first concern.
Like I said, thankfully, there were no fatalities and only one major injury. This could be a lot worse. But this does raise questions about robot safety in workplaces. It did for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. Their leader said, “Amazon’s automated robots put humans in life-threatening danger today.”. Then he called out Amazon for continuing dangerous labor practices. Well, Amazon certainly got lucky this time. But this isn’t the first time people got hurt while working for the world’s richest corporation. That is a fact. Does Amazon hold so much power that governments and media are too scared to investigate? That’s even scarier. Amazon robot goes wild. Should this shock us?
So did you stay at a Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton, or W hotel recently? When I recently, I mean the last several years. Then you better be on guard. Because someone breached Starwood hotels (this includes Marriott, Hyatt, Sheraton, W, LeMeridian, etc…).
Back on November 19, Starwood Hotel leaders say an ‘unauthorized party’ got, then compromised data. But wait…there’s more. Because some of this data goes back to 2014. There are over 320 million pieces of info on the line. This includes names, emails, phone numbers, addresses, and passport numbers. This also includes your travel information, like when you stayed and where you stayed and how long you stayed.
Am I scaring you yet? Just keep reading. Because they also say can’t rule out credit card data. What are they doing about it? Well, they issued a statement. They said they’re answering every question through their call center and website. They’re also working with police and other local law officials to track down the offenders. But I don’t know if this point is the scariest and most promising. They say they are ‘phasing out’ the old IT support and reservation system with a new one. I hope this new one is a better system. Because what’s there to say the new one is going to be worse than the old one?
Forgive my cynicism. However, this isn’t the first time someone breached Starwood Hotels. In fact, somebody did this three time in three years. Back in 2016, Starwood and Marriott merged. Together, they have well over 6,000 hotel buildings in over 110 countries. We don’t know which countries got hit, but I’m guessing the USA is one of them. We know, little, or anything about the hackers, or hacking group. Could it be an inside job? Could it be a foreign enemy? Or maybe could it be a theft? Or maybe, just maybe, could this be a practice run for something far more sinister in the future?
So for months, Americans asked one question, even us computer repair folks. Where will Amazon place it’s new headquarters? Over 20 cities competed for the role, including Boston. But now, it seems we have our answer. This is breaking news: Amazon chooses new headquarters.
However, it’s not just one city. First, Amazon leaders said they will build a new facility in NYC’s Queens. This will hold around 25,000 new employees. Then there is greater Washington, DC; they shouldn’t feel left out. Because they’re going to build a second facility in Northern Virginia. That N. Virginia town is Arlington, literally right next door to DC across the Potomac River. But we do know these are the two winners of the Amazon new headquarters race. Maybe 2 1/2. Because Nashville, Tennessee gets an Amazon hub as well. That hub will create around 5,000 for that city.
According to IT support king Jeff Bezos himself, they chose these places because he believes these cities will provide world class talent. He also believes these places will be best to attract customers for years and decades to come. These places beat out 17 other places, including Chicago, Los Angeles, the Silicon Valley area, and their home town of Seattle. All 3 places already have low unemployment rates. For example, Nashville’s unemployment rate is only 3%.
So what about the losers? Personally, I’m glad Silicon Valley didn’t get it. Jobs there are so competitive and rents and cost of living is so high. Coffee can costs $20 a cup. Maybe it’s a good thing they didn’t choose their hometown of Seattle as well. Also, I’m happy they chose 2 1/2 places (Nashville being the half) instead of just one. However, I wish they would have chosen a place where there was a little less known. That way, Amazon could build up that pool. But congratulations to Queens, Arlington and Nashville. This is how Amazon chooses new headquarters. Which city would you choose?
So over the last few days, the worst wildfires of all-time hit both sides of California. Not only that, but dozens are dead, thousands are running for their lives, and there seems to be little end in sight. But what is IT support doing about it? It’s IT service verses California wildfire.
Friday, on the first full day of the fire, Apple’s Tim Cook tweeted his prayers. He also said the company is donating. But he didn’t say how much or what Apple is donating. Facebook is helping out as well. They have their Safety Check people, in which people could can mark themselves safe in this disasters. In fact, some of my FB friends used this to let us know their families are safe. Furthermore, the social media giant pledged to donate $250,000 to the American Red Cross. Google’s sending support to the direct fire zones their SOS alerts. Here’s an ironic thing: A couple of weeks ago, Google donated $1 million to help firefighters cope with stress and trauma. They’re surely going to need it now.
Then there’s Cisco. They will match donations up to $25,000 and give it to the American Red Cross. Twitter pledges it’s help through communication means. They will use efforts to coordinate with local leaders, first respondents, and local media to let people know which neighborhoods are safe. Also, they’ll let people know which ones to avoid. If you’d like to pitch in, Go Fund Me can help. Here is a link that will update you on this disaster and tell you where and how you can donate. There are just a few ways it’s IT service verses California wildfire. Other tech companies are doing more. After all, it is their home state, for the most part. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by these wildfires. Stay safe out there.
