White House and State Dep’t. hacked by Russians

 

Through State Dep’t. emails, Russian sources were able to obtain confidential material on the President’s schedule and calls. It is unclear what else they might have obtained, and I doubt the White House will be very forthcoming as to details. This isn’t the first time either, and it’s generally through an unclassified system and then crosses over to the classified systems. Beyond that, security people who have been trying to extricate the Russian hackers from the systems were shocked (per CNN) at the nature of things discussed in emails on the "unclassified" system.

From what I could understand from the non-technical description given by a reporter to CNN’ Wolf Blitzer, my thinking revolves around spear-fishing. That’s just a guess, though.

A spear fishing attack comes (usually) through email from a person known to the recipient from a known person (infected or spoofed) with a link or an enclosed ‘document’ which directs the recipient to an infected site (and through ‘drive by’ Javascript applets/advertising infects the recipient) which installs malware or has the malware in it, despite the classified and unclassified systems being in different locations.

85,393 views 30 replies
Reply #1 Top

Maybe they should go back to writing paper letters.....

Reply #2 Top

Nothing has really changed in a hundred years or more, information is collected, analysed, reviewed and passed on.  Instead of reading newpapers, books and such now it's stealing emails, listening in on cellphones and using the internet to track activities of people of interest. 

Unfortunately the intelligence gathering systems still do no better at stopping things from happening.

It would seem no matter what the human race is locked in a never ending cycle that causes us to repeat our mistakes over and over and............ :-"

Reply #3 Top

Dunno it'll make much difference/be a problem.  With all the eavesdropping tech available these days, and the media reporiting on everything from stars blowing their noses to what politicians do in their spare time and otherwise, there are no fechin' secrets anymore. The Russians likely know what's on the White House menu before the chef does.

:-"

Reply #4 Top

There is nothing new under the sun....same dance, different tune.

 

 

Reply #5 Top

Quoting teddybearcholla, reply 1

Maybe they should go back to writing paper letters.....

 

this is what Russia does: http://izvestia.ru/news/553314#ixzz2YkhEbmsR

the article also says that parts of the Russian administration like the Ministry of Defense never stopped using typewriters.

 

India as well: http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-india-finds-that-typewriters-are-the-key-to-keeping-secrets-1895025

 

Reply #6 Top

Quoting Philly0381, reply 2

It would seem no matter what the human race is locked in a never ending cycle that causes us to repeat our mistakes over and over and.

Like history? That always repeats, like a bad burp.

Reply #7 Top

Realistically, the US probably spies on every other government in the whole world. 

 

 

Also, alternative headline: US government under cyber-attack! Citizens should prepare to give up even more rights as a result.

Reply #8 Top

Quoting Heavenfall, reply 7

Also, alternative headline: US government under cyber-attack! Citizens should prepare to give up even more rights as a result.

 

ha, thats what i read in it

Reply #9 Top

But Hillary's server was uncrackable, so all's well.

Reply #10 Top

Ya know, it was probably the Russians who first broke the news that Bill Clinton was wearing an intern's lipstick.... on his todger. :-"

 

Reply #11 Top

I remember how Merkel asked USA to stop spying on her, and to disclose the gathered material on her person, and the response was: "Sorry, but no". Haha, NATO allies, good show. 

Reply #12 Top

Quoting Daiwa, reply 9

But Hillary's server was uncrackable, so all's well.

Hehe, that's likely why Bill sought solace 'in' Monica. :grin:

Reply #13 Top

Must have used a heck of a lot of WD40...

Reply #14 Top

Quoting Fuzzy, reply 13

Must have used a heck of a lot of WD40.

Slip sliding away...or is that down? o_O

Reply #15 Top

Quoting Fuzzy, reply 13

Must have used a heck of a lot of WD40...

Yeah, but not before the Russians snapped a few piccies of the notorious lipstick ring. :grin:

And when investigators said they had found semen on Lewinsky's dress, Bill tried to explain it away with: "Well I did have a couple of naval officers in here around that time."

:-"

 

Reply #16 Top

While I'm opposed to thread hijacking and political threads, I'm having a hard time trying not to crack a smile here.

Reply #17 Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 16

While I'm opposed to thread hijacking and political threads, I'm having a hard time trying not to crack a smile here.

Oh, and another off topic piece  - er, hijack -  from me.......though a more serious one this time:

Shaunna was telling me just a while ago that she saw a completely unexpexted use for WD40, and being you're a doctor I thought I'd share it with you.  Last night she was watching a medical show out of the UK and a couple of blokes told Dr Pixie [of Embarrassing Bodies fame - that they sprayed WD40 on aching body parts and it took the pain away in moments.  A panel of doctors were in complete disbelief, saying there are no properties in WD40 that could do such a thing, but both men [who apparently did not know each other prior to the show] swore the remedy worked.

The outcome was a clinical trial/experiment with several arthritis/rheumatism sufferers, and while some said it did not help them, others belived the unorthox remedy worked.  Your thoughts?

Reply #18 Top

To pinch a line from Guardians of the Galaxy, in blacklight the Whitehouse must have looked like a Jackson Pollock...

Reply #19 Top

Quoting starkers, reply 17

Your thoughts?

Until a properly done randomized and double blinded trial is done? No opinion whatsoever. While there are no known analgetic substances present in WD-40, one should take into account the placebo effect (using anything one 'believes' in or supplied by someone the subject trusts) being present. That should fade with continued use...especially if the substance is toxic.

Reply #20 Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 19

the placebo effect

Sugar pills. Cures whatever ails ya then makes up more stuff you can cure and keep them in business. 

Reply #21 Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 19


Quoting starkers,

Your thoughts?



Until a properly done randomized and double blinded trial is done? No opinion whatsoever. While there are no known analgetic substances present in WD-40, one should take into account the placebo effect (using anything one 'believes' in or supplied by someone the subject trusts) being present. That should fade with continued use...especially if the substance is toxic.

Yes, the placebo effect was raised during the show... and then there were people who had no idea what was being used, and who were given no expectations who said that they noticed some improvement.  That's why I asked your great self for an opinion.... given that my arthritic knees and hips give me hell a lot of the time.

If I could find an effective alternative to oral painkillers I'd prefer it, though I'm somewhat sceptical about WD40 as a substitute for codeine based pain meds, etcetera.

Reply #22 Top

Quoting starkers, reply 21

though I'm somewhat sceptical about WD40 as a substitute for codeine based pain meds, etcetera.

:thumbsup:

Reply #23 Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 22


Quoting starkers,

though I'm somewhat sceptical about WD40 as a substitute for codeine based pain meds, etcetera.



:thumbsup:

The reason for my scepticism is mostly because I've had WD40 all over my hands after mechanical/mower repairs, and I still suffered with the arthritic pain and painful cramps.  I figure that if it didn't help then it wasn't likely to be a solution now.

Well actually, that's not quite right, is it?   It is a solution - of chemicals - just not a solution to arthritis.  ;P

Reply #24 Top

Quoting starkers, reply 23

Well actually, that's not quite right, is it?   It is a solution - of chemicals - just not a solution to arthritis. 

Well put. No, it's no magic solution (for pain)...what I'd suggest would be something like Naproxen Sodium. If your Doctor agrees.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naproxen 

 

If it's just the small joints in the hands, Voltaren emulgel might help...instead of Naproxen. Again, consult with your M.D.

Reply #25 Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 24


Quoting starkers,

Well actually, that's not quite right, is it?   It is a solution - of chemicals - just not a solution to arthritis. 



Well put. No, it's no magic solution (for pain)...what I'd suggest would be something like Naproxen Sodium. If your Doctor agrees.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naproxen 

 

If it's just the small joints in the hands, Voltaren emulgel might help...instead of Naproxen. Again, consult with your M.D.

 

Yeah, I have an appointment for Thursday next week, when I shall be able to address some of my concerns.  I have used Naproxen in the past, as well as Voltaren Gel, so I will raise the matter then.

BTW, I went to a diabetic support group today and learned quite a lot... next week I see my doctor to implement a life plan that includes podiatry, physiotherapy, an exercise program and a dietician.