
WASHINGTON — A top White House official said Wednesday at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations were impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered new details about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. FILE - The American and Chinese flags wave at Genting Snow Park ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Zhangjiakou, China, on Feb. 2, 2022. A top White House official on Wednesday said at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato, File) Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that the number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could grow. The U.S. believes the hackers were able to gain access to communications of senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures through the hack, Neuberger said. “We don’t believe any classified communications has been compromised,” Neuberger added during a call with reporters. She added that Biden was briefed on the findings and the White House “made it a priority for the federal government to do everything it can to get to the bottom this.” US officials recommend encrypted messaging apps amid "Salt Typhoon" cyberattack, attributed to China, targeting AT&T, Verizon, and others. The Chinese embassy in Washington rejected the accusations that it was responsible for the hack Tuesday after the U.S. federal authorities issued new guidance. “The U.S. needs to stop its own cyberattacks against other countries and refrain from using cyber security to smear and slander China,” embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. The embassy did not immediately respond to messages Wednesday. White House officials believe the hacking was regionally targeted and the focus was on very senior government officials. Federal authorities confirmed in October that hackers linked to China targeted the phones of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, along with people associated with Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris. The number of countries impacted by the hack is currently believed to be in the “low, couple dozen,” according to a senior administration official. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity under rules set by the White House, said they believed the hacks started at least a year or two ago. The suggestions for telecom companies released Tuesday are largely technical in nature, urging encryption, centralization and consistent monitoring to deter cyber intrusions. If implemented, the security precautions could help disrupt the operation, dubbed Salt Typhoon, and make it harder for China or any other nation to mount a similar attack in the future, experts say. Trump's pick to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation Kash Patel was allegedly the target of cyberattack attempt by Iranian-backed hackers. Neuberger pointed to efforts made to beef up cybersecurity in the rail, aviation, energy and other sectors following the May 2021 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline . “So, to prevent ongoing Salt Typhoon type intrusions by China, we believe we need to apply a similar minimum cybersecurity practice,” Neuberger said. The cyberattack by a gang of criminal hackers on the critical U.S. pipeline, which delivers about 45% of the fuel used along the Eastern Seaboard, sent ripple effects across the economy, highlighting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the nation’s aging energy infrastructure. Colonial confirmed it paid $4.4 million to the gang of hackers who broke into its computer systems as it scrambled to get the nation's fuel pipeline back online. Picture this: You're on vacation in a city abroad, exploring museums, tasting the local cuisine, and people-watching at cafés. Everything is going perfectly until you get a series of alerts on your phone. Someone is making fraudulent charges using your credit card, sending you into a panic. How could this have happened? Cyberattacks targeting travelers are nothing new. But as travel has increased in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, so has the volume of hackers and cybercriminals preying upon tourists. Financial fraud is the most common form of cybercrime experienced by travelers, but surveillance via public Wi-Fi networks, social media hacking, and phishing scams are also common, according to a survey by ExpressVPN . Spokeo consulted cybersecurity sources and travel guides to determine some of the best ways to protect your phone while traveling, from using a VPN to managing secure passwords. Online attacks are not the only type of crime impacting travelers—physical theft of phones is also a threat. Phones have become such invaluable travel aids, housing our navigation tools, digital wallets, itineraries, and contacts, that having your phone stolen, lost, or compromised while abroad can be devastating. Meanwhile, traveling can make people uniquely vulnerable to both cyber and physical attacks due to common pitfalls like oversharing on social media and letting your guard down when it comes to taking risks online. Luckily, there are numerous precautions travelers can take to safeguard against cyberattacks and phone theft. Hackers can—and do—target public Wi-Fi networks at cafés and hotels to gain access to your personal information or install malware onto your device, particularly on unsecured networks. Travelers are especially vulnerable to these types of cybersecurity breaches because they are often more reliant on public Wi-Fi than they would be in their home countries where they have more robust phone plans. This reliance on public, unsecured networks means travelers are more likely to use those networks to perform sensitive tasks like financial transfers, meaning hackers can easily gain access to banking information or other passwords. One easy way to safeguard yourself against these breaches is to use a virtual private network, or VPN, while traveling. VPNs are apps that encrypt your data and hide your location, preventing hackers from accessing personal information. An added bonus is that VPNs allow you to access websites that may be blocked or unavailable in the country you are visiting. To use a VPN, simply download a VPN app on your phone or computer, create an account, choose a server, and connect. Pickpockets, scammers, and flagrant, snatch-your-phone-right-out-of-your-hand thieves can be found pretty much everywhere. In London, for instance, a staggering 91,000 phones were reported stolen to police in 2022 , breaking down to an average of 248 per day, according to the BBC. Whether you're visiting a crowded tourist attraction or just want peace of mind, travel experts advise taking precautions to make sure your phone isn't physically stolen or compromised while traveling. There are several antitheft options to choose from. If you want a bag that will protect your phone from theft, experts recommend looking for features like slash-resistant fabric, reinforced shoulder straps, hidden zippers that can be locked, and secure attachment points, like a cross-body strap or a sturdy clip. For tethers, look for those made of tear-resistant material with a reinforced clip or ring. If your phone falls into the wrong hands, there's a good chance you won't be getting it back. Out of those 91,000 phones stolen in London in 2022, only 1,915 (or about 2%) were recovered. The good news is that you can take precautions to make the loss of your phone less devastating by backing up your data before you travel. With backed-up data, you can acquire a new device and still access your photos, contacts, messages, and passwords. Moreover, if you have "Find My Device" or "Find My Phone" enabled, you can remotely wipe your stolen phone's data so the thief cannot access it. It's safest to back up your data to a hard drive and not just the cloud. That way, if you have to wipe your device, you don't accidentally erase the backup, too. Strong passwords for important accounts help protect your information while you travel, but it's just a first step. The National Cybersecurity Alliance recommends creating long, unique, and complex passwords for every account and combining them with multifactor authentication to create maximum barriers to entry. If you're worried about remembering these passwords, password managers can be a vital tool for both creating and storing strong passwords. Password managers are apps that act as secure vaults for all your passwords. Some even come with a feature that allows you to temporarily delete sensitive passwords before you travel and then easily restore them once you return. Story editing by Mia Nakaji Monnier. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Tim Bruns. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Spokeo and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.Afreximbank Partners with Med Aditus to Establish Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in Kisumu, Kenya
Judy Ann Heath, 83, of New London, died Wednesday, December 25th at her home on Lake Andrew. Her funeral service will be 11:00 am, Monday, January 6th at Hope Presbyterian Church in Spicer. Visitation will be 3-5:00 pm, Sunday and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Clover Leaf Cemetery in Willmar. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home in Willmar, www.hafh.org Judy Ann Heath was born June 24, 1941, to Oscar B. and Phyllis (Lundquist) Augustson in Willmar. She attended elementary school at Lincoln and Lafayette and graduated from Willmar High School in 1959. She continued her education at the University of Minnesota. On June 7, 1958, Judy was united in marriage to Donald Heath at First Presbyterian Church in Willmar. After marriage Judy and Don lived in married student housing through the University of Minnesota, while Don finished his schooling. In 1964, they moved to Hyattsville, MD, then began a forty-year period living outside of Minnesota. Twenty years in the Washington, DC area, nine in Houston, TX, two in Huntsville, AL, nine in California – split between northern CA and southern CA. Judy was a very active volunteer wherever she lived. She was particularly active in aerobics and did not just attend the exercise sessions, she would organize the women, informally, into a group that not only did aerobics, but became a social group that participated in civic and charitable organizations. This, in every city she lived. Volunteerism was in Judy’s blood. She was a volunteer in Memorial City General Hospital of Houston, TX in the neonatal unit for 7 years and received recognition for thousands of hours of volunteer service with her name on a brass plaque posted there. Moving to Huntsville, AL in 1966, Judy took on the role of a den Mother for a cub scout troop and made sure both of her children became Boy Scouts. Judy always read Bible stories to her children and made sure they were faithful attendees at her church. While living in the Bay Area of San Francisco and San Jose she trained as a docent for the San Jose Historical Society and gave tours of Old Town San Jose. In the San Diego area while living in Cardiff by the Sea, Judy volunteered with a non-profit organization that used docile trained animals as “tools” in therapy for mental and physical issues in both older adults as well as children. She was thrilled to see an aged woman who hadn’t shown emotion or talked for years, literally “come alive” smile and speak while holding and stroking a dog Judy had placed on her lap! While living in McLean, Va in the 1990s and until moving back to Minnesota in 2003, Judy trained as a docent for the National Cathedral in Washington, DC and gave tours there. She was also a member of the Republican Women of Virginia and made it clear that “women are the life of the Party.” Judy was very active in this organization and spent considerable time volunteering for the realization of their activities and objectives. Judy’s church in whatever city she was living was central to her being. She sang in the choirs, taught Sunday School, belonged to the various women’s committees that not only served the congregation, but also the local community. As a member of Lewinsville Presbyterian Church in McLean, VA, Judy became director of the Second Saturday Set (SSS), a large group of members consisting of couples in their mid 40s to mid 70s. They met the second Saturday of each month and were the heart of the church - owing to the activities in which they were involved each month. It was Judy’s role to organize, coordinate, and schedule these activities and she did this for the last seven years prior to moving back to Minnesota in June of 2003. Retiring on Lake Andrew was Judy’s dream. She made sure this would happen when she and Don bought property there in the Christmas season of 1983-84. That property became the regular place to live while visiting all her Minnesota relatives in summers and at key holidays or family events. Judy also enjoyed volunteering at Little Crow Golf Course where she helped organize a Ladies 9-Hole League and others through the golf course. She was a loving wife, mom, grandma and friend. Judy is survived by her husband, Don; sons: Jeffrey (Celeste) Heath and Christopher Heath both of Houston; grandchildren: Aubrey (Michael) Becker, William (Mackie) Heath and great-grandchildren: Shephard and Rosemary; and Aimée (Mike) Record; siblings: Joan Kodet and Jane (Paul) Hedin; sisters-in-law: Jackie Augustson and Nancy Augustson. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Jerome Augustson, Jennifer Lee Augustson, and John Victor Augustson; and brother-in-law, Ron Kodet.
DURHAM, N.H. (AP) — Kinkead Dent threw for 246 yards and ran for another 56 yards and a touchdown as UT Martin rolled to a 41-10 win over New Hampshire in an FCS first-round game on Saturday. The Skyhawks (9-4) advance to face unbeaten and top-seeded Montana State (12-0) in the second round. UT Martin's rushing game amassed 236 yards on 52 carries and five different backs reached the end zone. Meanwhile, the Skyhawks limited New Hampshire to 124 yards of total offense and held the Wildcats' run game to just 53 yards on 16 carries. Rashad Raymond scored from 4-yards out midway through the first quarter to put UT Martin on the board first and All-Big South/OVC first-team running back Patrick Smith added a 3-yard scoring run in the second to take a 17-7 lead. Dent capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive by nosing in from the 2 and Jaren Van Winkle kicked field goals from 30- and 36-yards to make it 24-7 at intermission. Trevonte Rucker scored from the 4 to start the fourth quarter and Glover Cook III punched in from the 1 to complete the scoring. Dent Completed 17 of 26 passes without an interception. Rucker caught nine passes for 98 yards and DeVonte Tanksley caught four for 81, including a 56-yard reception. Smith carried 15 times for 71 yards. Glover had 12 carries for 56. Seth Morgan was held to 14 of 35 passing with an interception for New Hampshire (8-5). Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
On Friday’s broadcast of the Fox Business Network’s “Maria Bartiromo’s Wall Street,” Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) proposed charging China a fee for failing to impose its environmental laws of about 20%, which is “a tariff, but we’re already paying for this. We’re paying for all of the pollution control that we have to put in place because of their pollution.” Host Maria Bartiromo asked, [relevant exchange begins around 5:20] “Well, how worried are you about the impact of tariffs? President Trump is already sending messages to China, Mexico, and Canada. Do you believe that these tariffs will help growth, or do you expect that we could have an issue with regard to inflation, making prices higher for Americans?” Cassidy responded, “Well, one thing I’ve been proposing is what I call a farm pollution fee, and some in the administration have similarly advocated for it. Right now, China does not enforce its environmental laws. They let their pollutants go into the atmosphere, where [they blow] over onto the United States. It lowers their cost of manufacturing by 20%. That lower cost attracts our jobs, our manufacturers to go to China, that’s wrong. So, I think that we should put a fee on their goods, roughly equal to what they’re not spending to control their pollutants. So, what they’re not spending, put that fee, it levels the playing field, makes it more likely jobs come back to the U.S., our workers do better, our economy does better. It’s a tariff, but we’re already paying for this. We’re paying for all of the pollution control that we have to put in place because of their pollution.” Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchettSportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78