Tag Archive for: Cops

Google Just Denied Cops a Key Surveillance Tool


A hacker group calling itself Solntsepek, previously linked to the infamous Russian military hacking unit Sandworm, took credit this week for a disruptive attack on the Ukrainian internet and mobile service provider Kyivstar. As Russia’s kinetic war against Ukraine has dragged on, inflicting what the World Bank estimates to be around $410 billion in recovery costs for Ukraine, the country has launched an official crowdfunding platform known as United24 as a means of raising awareness and rebuilding.

Kytch, the small company that aimed to fix McDonald’s notably often-broken ice cream machines, claims it has discovered a “smoking gun” email from the CEO of McDonald’s ice cream machine manufacturer that Kytch’s lawyers say suggests an alleged plan to undermine Kytch as a potential competitor. Kytch argues in a recent court filing that the email reveals the real reason why, a couple of weeks later, McDonald’s sent an email to thousands of its restaurant franchisees claiming safety hazards related to Kytch’s ice-cream-machine-whispering device.

WIRED looked at how Microsoft’s Digital Crime Unit has refined a strategy over the past decade that combines intelligence and technical capabilities from Microsoft’s massive infrastructure with creative legal tactics to disrupt both global cybercrime and state-backed actors. And we dove into the controversy over reauthorization of Section 702 surveillance powers in the US Congress.

And there’s more. Each week, we round up the security and privacy news we didn’t break or cover in depth ourselves. Click the headlines to read the full stories, and stay safe out there.

Geofence warrants, which require tech companies to cough up data on everyone in a certain geographic area at a certain time, have become an incredibly powerful tool for law enforcement. Sending a geofence warrant to Google, in particular, has come to be seen as almost an “easy button” among police investigators, given that Google has long stored location data on users in the cloud, where it can be demanded to help police identify suspects based on the timing and location of a crime alone—a practice that has appalled privacy advocates and other critics who say it…

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Home addresses of hundreds of cops feared to have fallen into the hands of computer hackers


HOME addresses of some Met cops are feared to be in the hands of computer hackers.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley reassured his 47,000 officers and support workers that personal details were not subject to the IT breach at a company which produces warrant cards and passes.

Home addresses of hundreds of Met cops are feared to be in the hands of hackers

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Home addresses of hundreds of Met cops are feared to be in the hands of hackersCredit: Alamy

But The Sun on Sunday can reveal an initial survey of data held by Stockport-based Digital ID from 2,000 Met workers shows, in some cases, hackers could get home addresses.

The ransomeware attack came after new warrant cards and passes were produced in a scheme, codenamed Operation Fortress, to improve security.

Many officers complained news of the bungle was posted on an internal intranet over a Bank Holiday weekend instead of sent to them in emails.

This meant they found out only by reading our exclusive about the hack.

Hackers who hit firm which makes police warrant cards thought to be abroad
Met warrant cards hackers stole details from had been replaced at cost of £500k

Sir Mark apologised and wrote a personal message saying: “Whilst it does not include the most personal data such as addresses or financial data, this breach I know causes wider concern.”

A review of all data held on the Met by the firm is now being carried out.

It is thought hackers were blackmailers rather than terrorists, and that the Met plans to personally tell staff whose home location may be compromised.

Ex-Met commander John O’Connor said: “The hack has put officers at risk, particularly those involved in undercover work. I can’t believe the Met could be so careless.”

The National Crime Agency is leading the probe, supported by the National Cyber Security Centre.

The Met said it was a “complex incident” and added: “Our understanding of what data may be at risk is evolving.

“We are working with technical specialists and keeping staff informed.”

Other police forces, government departments and major companies also used Digital ID.

But it is believed that, rather than sharing information, they used printing equipment supplied by the firm.

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No Independence-Day curbs, internet ban in Valley this year too: Cops | Latest News India


Srinagar: There will be no restrictions or internet ban in Kashmir on Independence Day, but a three-tier security will cover key venues to avoid any untoward event, divisional commissioner Vijay Kumar Bidhuri has said.

Aritists perform during full dress rehearsal ahead of independence day at Bakshi Stadium,in Srinagar,on 13 August 2023. (HT photo)

Internet services remained suspended across the Valley on important events like the Independence Day and Republic Day due to security concerns between 2005 and 2021. However, no such restriction has been imposed in the region over the last two years .

“There won’t be any restrictions in any part of Kashmir on Independence day. Also there won’t be restrictions on the internet on Independence Day… We are expecting huge participation of people in parades,” Bidhuri told reporters in Srinagar.

However, a three-tier security cover and drone surveillance have been put in place across the Kashmir Valley on August 15 to prevent any untoward incidents or threats, he added.

Additional director general of Police Vijay Kumar said that the police and security forces’ personnel are on high alert and ready to tackle any situation. “Drones will be used for surveillance across the region, and security arrangements have been made to ensure that common people don’t face any problems,” he added, calling upon local residents to join the celebrations in large numbers.

The J&K administration has made elaborate arrangements to mark the country’s 77th Independence Day.

On Sunday, Jammu & Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off the “Tiranga Rally” on the banks of Dal lake to celebrate ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ ahead of Independence Day. During the event, he also paid tributes to the slain soldiers as part of the “Meri Mati Mera Desh” campaign.

“I bow my head in reverence to the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and heroes who sacrificed their lives for the motherland. The memories of their martyrdom will forever live on in our hearts and inspire…

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LIVE: Internet suspended in Punjab as cops gear up to arrest Amritpal Singh – Hindustan Times



LIVE: Internet suspended in Punjab as cops gear up to arrest Amritpal Singh  Hindustan Times

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