AUTHOR:
TerrorismCentral Editorial Staff
TITLE:
TerrorismCentral Newsletter - November 17, 2002
SOURCE:
TerrorismCentral, November 17, 2002
TEXT:
For those of you in the northeastern US this week, see if you can stop by a meeting in which we are participating in with the Massachusetts eCommerce Association. It’s a continuation of the financial services series and will be held on November 22. The topic is the balance between privacy and security. We’re presenting a case study that illustrates issues around financial aggregation and identity theft. For more information, email or look online at http://www.massecomm.org
News this week starts with the reemergence of Osama bin Laden and ends with the risk of a biological or chemical attack in the London subway. The Feature Article this week reviews a presentation Kevin Mitnick gave on social engineering at a meeting launching his new book on this topic, (The Art of Deception, published by Wiley).
CONTENTS:
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:
1. World
2. Africa
3. Americas
4. Asia Pacific
5. Europe
6. Middle East
7. South Asia
8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare
9. Finance
10 Human Rights
11. Law and Legal Issues
12. Narco-terrorism
13. Transportation
14. Weapons of Mass Destruction
15. Recently Published
FEATURE ARTICLE:
Social Engineering
Osama bin Laden is alive. A new tape, confirmed as his voice, takes credit for virtually every terrorist incident that has occurred and calls for war against the US and its allies, even in defense of Iraq. Investigations as to bin Laden’s whereabouts have been renewed in Pakistan and Yemen, among others. Some of the more interesting articles this week are:
*Faye Bowers and Peter Ford, “Bin Laden is back, now as defender of Iraq” in The Christian Science Monitor, November 14, 2002
*Economist. “Still there?” The Economist, November 16, 2002
*Robert Fisk, “He is alive. There can be no doubt about it. But the questions remain: where on earth is he, and why has he resurfaced now?” in The Independent, November 14, 2002. Online at http://argument.independent.co.uk/commentators/story.jsp?story=351901
*Andrew Higgins, Karby Leggett and Alan Cullison, “How al Qaeda Put Internet in Service of Global Jihad” in The Wall Street Journal, November 11, 2002
*Philip Smucker, “Elusive bin Laden stirs followers” in The Christian Science Monitor, November 15, 2002
The World Trade Organization’s membership have agreed the outline of an agreement that would provide poor countries with less expensive drugs for diseases such as AIDS and Malaria, while still protecting western intellectual property protections. Final terms of the agreement are expected in December.
A meeting of 146 member countries of the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention ended with agreement on continued actions that will lead to a stronger ban on biological weapons.
The Foreign Policy Institute reports that kidnapping has become one of the fastest growing and most lucrative industries in the world. Of over 10,000 reported kidnappings per year, Colombia leads the industry with over 3,000
Iraq has accepted the United Nations Security Council resolution for the return of weapons inspectors. For details and commentary:
*BBC Monitoring, “Saddam tells MPs why UN stance rejected” BBC News, November 16, 2002. Online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/not_in_website/syndication/monitoring/media_reports/
*BBC Monitoring, “Arab press relieved, Iraq defiant” BBC News, November 14, 2002. Online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/not_in_website/syndication/monitoring/media_reports/
*David Cloud, “U.S. Approved Iraq’s Purchases of Antidote for Nerve Agents” in The Wall Street Journal, November 13, 2002
*Christopher Cooper, “Sizing Up Iraq’s Defense: Pentagon Expects Vigorous Fight Only From Core Guard Units” in The Wall Street Journal, November 13, 2002.
*Roula Khalaf and James Drummond. “Arab states see resolution as best way of avoiding war”. Financial Times, November 11, 2002
*James Harding. “Defiant Baghdad deputies reject UN resolution” in Financial Times, November 13, 2002
*David Johnston and Don Van Natta Jr., “Agencies Monitor Iraqis in the U.S> For Terror Threat: Thousands are Tracked” in The New York Times, November 17, 2002
*Bill Keller, “What to Expect When You’re Inspecting” in The New York Times, November 16, 2002
*Roula Khalaf, “Saddam’s poor options: disarm now or buy time and risk war” in the Financial Times, November 12, 2002
*Nicholas Lemann, “Order of Battle” in The New Yorker, November 18, 2002
*Moses Naim, “The danger of a compliant Saddam” in Financial Times, November 14, 2002
*Hugh Pope, “Keeping the Peace – for Now: How Hussein Sits on Iraq’s Myriad Ethnic and Religious Rivalries” in The Wall Street Journal, November 12, 2002
*Julia Preston, “Iraq Tells the U.N. Arms Inspections Will Be Permitted” in The New York Times November 14, 2002 (Has text of the letter from the Iraqi foreign minister to the UN Secretary General.)
*Anne Scott Tyson, “The shape of an Iraq invasion” in The Christian Science Monitor, November 12, 2002
*United Nations. “Iraq’s Humanitarian Situation Improving but Still Dire” November 15 online at http://daccess-ods.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/NO2/681/19/PDF/N0268119.pdf?OpenElement
*Tom Zeller, “Iraq’s Long March of Defiance” (timeline) in The New York Times, November 17, 2002
New inspections will begin on November 27:
*BBC News, “Blix warns Iraq over inspections” in BBC News November 17, 2002 online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/2483581.stm
*BBC News, “Iraq wants Indian weapons inspectors” in BBC News November 16, 2002 online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2485209.stm
*BBC News, “UN chief inspector ‘will sack spies’ in BBC News November 16, 2002 online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2484569.stm
2. Africa
The United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) agreed a one-time sale of legally stockpiled elephant ivory from Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. This is the first legal sale since 1997.
The Christian Science Monitor ran a series called “At the Heart of Hunger”. “Troubled Reform” covered Zimbabwe on November 12, “Unlevel Fields” on November 13 looked at South Africa, “Genetic Ban” on November 14 was about Zambia, and “Lost Generation” on the 15th looked at AIDS in southern Africa. The Monitor is online at http://csmonitor.com
Angola’s 27th anniversary of independence from Portugal was celebrated this week. This is the first anniversary Angola has not been at war. Apparently spurred by the ceasefire, 70,000 refugees have returned from neighboring countries to Angola, according to the UN Hi Commissioner for Refugees.
The deadline for peace talks in Burundi has been extended by two weeks.
Cameroon and Nigeria are discussing the continued controversy over the Bakassi peninsula. Nigeria occupies the area although the International Court of Justice awarded it to Cameroon. The Nigerians have said they will not go to war over the issue and have not entirely ruled out agreeing to the ruling. Talks will continue.
The government of the Central African Republic will be losing the protection of Libyan troops once the Central African Economic and Monetary Community force arrives. Residents of CAR are worried about internal security risks and the presence of Democratic Republic of Congo rebels to the north.
Democratic Republic of Congo continues repatriating Rwandan soldiers and their dependents. Peace talks have slowed down amid complaints from the rebel Congolese Liberation Movement (MLC). Following a UN report of plunder of natural resources, President Kabila has suspended several key government officials identified in the report.
Djibouti is turning into a crucial area of operations for the US military. See Michael Gordon, “U.S. Turns Horn of Africa Into a Military Hub” in The New York Times, November 17, 2002
Eritrea is opening its ports to Ethiopia to help ameliorate the effects of the devastating drought that looks to bring a famine worse than that of 1984 that killed nearly a million people. International aid is urgently needed.
Summary executions, kidnappings and torture continue in Ivory Coast. A team of international mercenaries is supporting the government. Togo is attempting to mediate peace talks but the rebels have rejected the legitimacy of the government and the latest peace proposal.
Malawi police used teargas to disperse street traders who refused to move from their current locations to a new market building.
Namibia is placing a moratorium on diamond licenses to disadvantaged people in light of the discovery the licenses were being sold to rich investors. A new licensing process will be developed, in line with the Kimberly Process.
A bombing at a newspaper office in central Nigeria injured five.
Somali warlords and the transitional government have both called for an end to the freeze on the assets of the money transfer agency al Barakaat, an action that is badly hurting the Somali economy. Before sanctions imposed after the September 11 attacks, al Barakaat, was the largest company in Somalia, with diversified interests in telecommunications, mail and food as well as their money transfer and banking activities.
Responsibility for the Soweto bombings in South Africa two weeks ago, blamed on white extremists, has been claimed by an unknown group that is called “Warriors of the Boer Nation”. The claim is being investigated. Current suspects are members of the Boermag (Boer Force).
The University of Khartoum in Sudan has been indefinitely closed following two days of student riots.
Muslims in Tanzania are protesting a new terrorism bill with prayers and warnings that its provisions could lead to unrest.
Zimbabwe will combat black-market currency trading by closing down all bureau de change.
3. Americas
Canadian anger over treatment of its citizens at the US border was discussed with US Secretary of State Colin Powell, who promised that Canadians would be treated equally but that security would come first. Two recent cases raised criticism. One, where a man was jailed when purchasing gas over the border, the other deported to Syria when he was changing planes in New York. See Daniel J. Wakin’s article “Tempers Flare After U.S. Sends a Canadian Citizen Back to Syria on Terror Suspicions” in The New York Times, November 11, 2002.
Colombia’s kidnapping record drew attention this week with the kidnapping of a prominent bishop and another priest. Taken by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), they were released after troops stormed the rebel hideout, killing one. Kidnapping of Americans and drug trafficking were the charges in a US indictment of leading FARC guerillas. (See Law and Legal Issues, below) Colombia is also the subject of concern over human rights issues. (See Human Rights, below.)
The United Nations General Assembly has overwhelmingly (173 to 3) voted to urge an end to the US embargo against Cuba. In the US, black farmers will be able to sell farm products directly to Cuba, though no specific deals have yet been announced.
Haitian students protesting government interference stormed the state university then marched on the presidential palace.
An update on the Zapatista rebels in Mexico, “Silence in the Mexican south” written by Nick Caistor is available online at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/2481411.stm
Regional voting in Peru is expected to result in a setback to the ruling party. Just before the elections, a police captain was killed and three officers injured in an ambush. It is suspected that Shining Path rebels were responsible.
In the US, Congress has returned to debate legislation for terrorism insurance and to establish a new homeland security department. Calls for an investigation into security failures continue, particularly after the release of the new bin Laden tape.
Power struggles in Venezuela continue. President Hugo Chavez is attempting to take back control of the police force in Caracas from the mayor.
4. Asia Pacific
Australian Prime Minister Howard has ordered an investigation into claims that Australia was warned of imminent attacks before the Bali bombing. In Nauru and Papua New Guinea, Australia has deported 113 asylum seekers back to Afghanistan. Each was paid $1,000 to leave.
Hong Kong’s new anti-subversion law has called widespread protests including local demonstrators and ten human rights groups.
North Korea will no longer receive deliveries of oil from the US, an effort to put pressure on North Korea over their nuclear program. This will have a terrible effect on people who are already starving. For recent coverage, see articles by Andrew Ward “N Korea nuclear admissions threaten reactor” and “Fuel halt ‘will worsen N Korea’s plight’” in Financial Times November 14 and 15, respectively.
Indonesia’s investigations in the Bali bombing are proceeding, with investigations of a number of suspects. See Dan Murphy’s “Small slip helps Bali case unfold” in The Christian Science Monitor, November 12 and Jane Perlez’s “The Motorbike at a Mosque at Midnight and Other Clues That Led to a Bali Suspect” in The New York Times, November 12, 2002.
Police are searching for the brothers of Amrozi, the prime suspect, who was arrested on November 5, as well as his driver and several others. Amrozi has expressed his delight over the success of the attack. Meanwhile, thousands in Bali attended a religious ceremony to restore spiritual harmony to the bombsite.
The Indonesian government and the separatist Free Aceh Movement (GAM) are expected to sign a ceasefire soon, despite the continued military siege of the area.
Japan is the subject of a World Report in the Financial Times at http://www.ft.com/japanbfi2002
Malaysia is considering strengthening its existing Internal Security Act, although it already allows indefinite detention without charge or trial. The act has been broadly used against Islamic militants and in general to suppress political dissent.
On the Philippines, see James Hookway’s article “Young Converts: the Next Terror Wave?” in The Wall Street Journal, November 12, 2002.
And for Thailand, check out Seth Mydans and Keith Bradsher “Terrorist Target? Frantic Thailand Says it is Safe” in The New York Times, November 12, 2002.
5. Europe
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has been denied a visa to attend next week’s NATO summit in Prague because of repeated violations of human rights and democracy. Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma was also discouraged for coming.
Bosnia-Herzegovina is features in a Financial Times World report in the November 12, 2002 issue.
Greek and Turkish Cypriot leaders are reviewing a peace plan proposed by the United Nations that suggests separate states under a united Cyprus government.
A church in the French city of Calais offered shelter to asylum seekers, mostly Iraqi Kurds, who had been banned from the Red Cross camp at Sangette. After a 5-day standoff, police removed the nearly 100 immigrants, who have been given temporary shelter while their asylum applications are examined.
France is features in a survey published in the Economist, “A divided self”, November 16, 2002.
In a bizarre twist to the history of the German radical group the Baader-Meinhof gang (a/k/a Red Army Faction) it was discovered that the brains of several of the leaders had been removed without authorization of the family. Ulrike Meinhof’s daughter began the investigation by asking that the brain, removed after her 1976 suicide, be returned to the family. She also wondered why indications of a brain damage from an earlier operation had not been used as mitigating evidence in her trial. Three others, Andreas Baader, Gudrun Ensslin and Jan-Carl Raspe killed themselves in 1977. Their organs were removed and have since disappeared.
Greece is featured in a Financial Times World Report published on November 12 (http://www.ft.com/greece2002)
The Dutch parliament has opened a public inquiry into the 1995 Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia.
Russian President Putin refuses to negotiate with Chechen rebels, instead saying that a new plan will be imposed on the region to bind Chechnya to Russia forever, with no role for the separatist rebels. No doubt this will succeed as well as the last attempt to impose central Russian rule. Putin reacted angrily to questioning by French newspaper Le Monde, and was provoked to ethnic slurs regarding circumcision and religious beliefs.
Military operations in Chechnya are increasing. Last week rebels abducted two Red Cross drivers, killed three soldiers, and shot dead Russian army general Igor Shifrin. Russian soldiers killed two Chechen rebels. Three were killed and nine wounded when police tried to arrest two passengers on a bus. Dozens more were rounded up in Moscow and Chechnya and reprisals are anticipated. Hundreds of Chechens have fled, seeking asylum in neighboring countries.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair reported that new terrorism warnings were arriving almost daily. Educational campaigns to give tips on reacting to biological and chemical attacks are being developed. Three men were arrested on terrorism charges in relation to an alleged plot to release poisonous gas in the London Underground.
Based on information provided by an informer, police in Belfast uncovered a major IRA spy ring. Materials confiscated during the raid are being analyzed.
6. Middle East
Violence in the Middle East shows no signs of abating, particularly that between Palestinians and Israelis. There is urgent need for basic humanitarian relief for the Palestinian population. Receiving that aid requires urgent political measures to lift closures, curfews and other restrictions on civilians. Representatives from the US, UN, EU and Russia (the “quartet”) plans to finalize their road map to peace by the end of the year, despite Israeli requests to wait until January elections.
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak opened a new session of parliament with a call for Israel to come under the same pressure as Iraq to give up its weapons of mass destruction.
Cairo hosted meetings between Fatah and Hamas. The rival Palestinian groups discussed closer ties and are discussing the possibility of a one-year stop to suicide bombings inside Israel, as well as participation of Hamas in forthcoming Palestinian elections.
Israeli troops supported by 30 tanks and three helicopters raided Gaza City two days in a row, hunting for Palestinian militants.
The death sentence of Iranian academic Hashem Aghajari led to general condemnation and widespread protests throughout the week. The sentence is now being reviewed.
Israel, preoccupied with continued violence, is preparing for the forthcoming elections. El Flight 581 was subject to an attempted hijacking by an Israeli Arab armed with a pocketknife. He was restrained by three officials and there were no injuries.
Jordanian police are hunting for Mohammad Shalebi (“Abu Sayyaf”) and his associates, believed linked to the October assassination of a US diplomat. There have been some 25 arrests, but not of the wanted leaders. The southern town of Maan has been the focus of the crackdown on Islamic militants, including repeated curfews and weapons seizures.
In Lebanon, US-linked restaurants continue to present attractive targets. Two Pizza Huts and a Winners restaurant were bombed. There were no injuries.
In retaliation for the killing of five at an Israeli kibbutz, Israel launched another military incursion into Tulkarem, West Bank. They continued in to reoccupy Nablus and raided nearby refugee camps, arresting Mohammed Naifeh, who is suspected of responsibility for the kibbutz attack. In retaliation, Palestinian gunmen killed 12 Israelis and wounded 15 in Hebron. The dead included three settlers returning from Sabbath prayers and nine security force members. Three Palestinian gunmen from Islamic Jihad also died. In retaliation, the Israeli army has reoccupied Hebron and destroyed the home of one of the militant’s relatives. Further retaliation is expected.
7. South Asia
Afghanistan commemorated the first anniversary of the removal of the Taliban government.
Student protests in Afghanistan turned into clashes with police that killed four and injured dozens. The United Nations has received reports of threats and violence against massacre witnesses.
Bangladesh will continue its anti-crime drive indefinitely. The activities did not deter a daylight bank robbery in Dhaka.
Public events in India are receiving high levels of security. Elections in Punjab and Gujarat are heavily protected. In Gujarat, scene of horrible communal violence earlier this year, has begun campaigning for elections next month. Two died in ethnic clashes on the first day, and there were conflicts over a march by a radical Hindu group. Security at Rajasthan’s famous camel fair has also been stepped up.
The spread of AIDS in India is also raising concern. While a recent grant from the Gates Foundation provided needed resources, political efforts to stop violence against HIV-infected people is also necessary. See Human Rights Watch reports at http://www.hrw.org/ and an excellent article by Amy Waldman “As AIDS Spreads, India is Still Struggling for a Workable Strategy” in The New York Times, November 11, 2002.
Nepal ground to a halt in a three-day general strike called by Maoist rebels. Rebel gun attacks and bombings across the country continued, killing more than a hundred.
In Hyderabad, Pakistan a bus bomb killed two and critically injured five.
Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga is setting up a committee to discussion solutions to the ethnic conflict, but has also expressed concern over the risk of creating a separate state.
8. Cyberterrorism and Information Warfare
Although cyberattacks are on the rise, security firm mi2g projects a third consecutive decline in attacks on military and government computer systems. They report “The worst hit military and government attack victims in 2002 have been China (173), USA (162), Turkey (109), Brazil (108) and Australia (66). Overt digital attacks on government and military systems worldwide are falling and comprise less than 2 percent of all overt attacks in 2002.”
Gary McKinnon of London, England, was first arrested in March on charges of computer fraud and given bail. Now, US authorities are attempting to extradite him on charges of hacking into 92 systems at NASA, the Pentagon, and other military installations in 14 states.
The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published new guidelines to help protect against cyberattacks. “Guidelines for the Security, Certification and Accreditation of Federal Information Technology Systems” is online at http://csrc.nist.gov/publications/drafts.html. They have also released a new tool to help small businesses determine how well their information technology systems are protected. This is available at http://escan.nist.gov/sat/index.nist.
9. Finance
Namibia is placing a moratorium on diamond licenses to disadvantaged people in light of the discovery the licenses were being sold to rich investors. A new licensing process will be developed, in line with the Kimberly Process.
Spanish police are investigating the role of UK bank HSBC in connection with money laundering for a bankrupt fund management company, Gescartera.
The US Treasury is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information to help uncover financial networks supporting terrorism. The Treasury is expected to announce additional rules against cash transfers. They also plan to require that tax authorities be notified in companies move headquarters offshore or are acquired by a foreign company.
Zimbabwe will combat black-market currency trading by closing down all bureau de change.
For an interesting account of money laundering accusations against Consuelo Marquez of Lehman Brothers, read Bill Berkeley’s article “A Glimpse Into a Recess of International Finance” in The New York Times, November 12, 2002.
10. Human Rights
In the US, anti-Muslim and Arab hate crimes rose 1700 percent in 2001. Human Rights Watch documents the lack of preparation in a new report online athttp://hrw.org/reports/2002/usahate/ On a related topic, see Marjorie Valbrun and Ann Davis’ article “In Pakistani Areas of New York City, A Lingering Fear” in The New York Times, November 13, 2002
Aimal Khan Kansi was executed in Virginia, US, for the 1993 killing of two CIA employees. He said he had no regrets and was angry at American anti-Muslim policy in the Middle East. His death led to demonstrations and renewed security alerts as US authorities warned of reprisals.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern over the human costs of the continuing conflict in Colombia. More than 200, 000 were displaced in the first six months this year, and tens of thousands have fled to other countries. He has called for the US to grant the tens of thousands of Colombian refugees in the US temporary protected status.
Also in Colombia, Human Rights Watch issued a report that criticizes the actions of the Attorney General as undermining human rights. The report, “A Wrong Turn: The Record of the Colombian Attorney General’s Office” is available online at http://hrw.org/reports/2002/colombia.
Political prisoner and leading Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik was released from prison.
11. Law and Legal Issues
Jorge Briceno (“El Mono Jojoy”), a leading FARC strategist and military commander, was indicted in US court on charges of kidnapping and drug trafficking. He was indicted with three others: his deputy, Henry Castellanos (“Romana”), FARC commander Tomas Molina (“Negro Acacia”), and guerilla “El Loco”. They join AUC officials indicted previously. See Juan Forero’s article “U.S. Strategy in Colombia Connects Drugs and Terror”.
Rabah Chekat-Bais, Karim Kadouri and Rabah Kadris were arrested in London on terrorism charges related to plotting the release of cyanide gas in the London underground.
Abdulmukim Edris has been arrested in the Philippines on terrorism charges for his alleged role as the explosives expert for Abu Sayyaf.
The billionaire Hinduja brothers, Srichand, Gopichand and Prakash, will be charged in court in India with arms bribery.
Aimal Khan Kansi was executed in Virginia, US, for the 1993 killing of two CIA employees. He said he had no regrets and was angry at American anti-Muslim policy in the Middle East. His death led to demonstrations and renewed security alerts as US authorities warned of reprisals.
Former Symbionese Liberation Army member James Kilgore, arrested in South Africa, has agreed to return to the US for trial following a formal extradition request.
Gary McKinnon of London, England, was first arrested in March on charges of computer fraud and given bail. Now, US authorities are attempting to extradite him on charges of hacking into 92 systems at NASA, the Pentagon, and other military installations in 14 states.
“Mohsen F” has been arrested in Kuwait, identified as a senior member of al Qaeda, and accused of plotting a hotel attack in Yemen and other attacks. No further details are available.
Political prisoner and leading Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik was released from prison.
Slobodan Milosevic’s war crimes trial has been adjourned again for a medical report. Mr. Milosevic insists on defending himself despite his poor health.
In the trial of Mounir al-Motassadeq in Germany, an American widower has joined the case as a co-plaintiff hoping to gain information about the September 11 attacks that could be used in the trillion-dollar lawsuit against Sudan and Saudi Arabia.
Mohammed Naifeh was arrested by Israeli army personnel on suspicion of involvement in an attack on an Israeli kibbutz that killed five.
The genocide trial of Eliezer Niyitegeka, former Rwanden Minister of Information, has closed before the International Criminal Tribunal.
The Saville Inquiry into the events of Bloody Sunday, Northern Ireland, January 1972, continued in London with a third week of testimony from the Commander of Land Forces in Northern Ireland, General Sir Robert Ford.
South African activists have initiated a second civil suit against corporations involved in South Africa under apartheid, alleging human rights abuses against 8 banks and 13 other firms including Ford, General Motors, IBM, Exxon, British Petroleum, Credit Suisse, Rio Tinto, Royal Dutch/Shell and others.
Yidana Sugri and Iddrisu Jahanfo have been arrested for the second time in connection with the gruesome beheading of King Ya-Na Andani and forty others in a northern town in Ghana.
12. Narco-terrorism
Jorge Briceno (“El Mono Jojoy”), a leading FARC strategist and military commander, was indicted in US court on charges of kidnapping and drug trafficking. He was indicted with three others: his deputy, Henry Castellanos (“Romana”), FARC commander Tomas Molina (“Negro Acacia”), and guerilla “El Loco”. They join AUC officials indicted previously. See Juan Forero’s article “U.S. Strategy in Colombia Connects Drugs and Terror”.
A couple of interesting articles appeared in The New York Times on November 11:
Tim Golden, “Mexican Drug Dealers Turning U.S. Towns Into Major Depots” and
Nick Madigan, “Marijuana Found Thriving in Forests: Increasingly, Cartels and SWAT Teams Collide on Public Lands”.
13. Transportation
El Flight 581 was subject to an attempted hijacking by an Israeli Arab armed with a pocketknife. He was restrained by three officials and there were no injuries. His ability to board the flight with a knife led to questions regarding security of the airline known to have the strictest precautions in the world.
Security at ferry ports in the UK is on high alert following general warnings regarding these and other transportation targets. Three men were arrested on terrorism charges in relation to an alleged plot to release poisonous gas in the London Underground.
Other European ports are also increasing security precautions, particularly against possible truck-bombs.
The US Transportation Security Administration’s December 31 deadline for baggage screening still awaits a congressional waiver with many airports unprepared and investigating alternate methods, such as sniffer dogs or manual checks.
14. Weapons of Mass Destruction
Four plastic containers holding 110 kilos of suspected natural uranium were seized in Tanzania. Five people were arrested. Russia has admitted the loss of grams weapons-grade uranium and kilos of uranium for nuclear fuel.
A meeting of 146 member countries of the 1972 Biological Weapons Convention ended with agreement on continued actions that will lead to a stronger ban on biological weapons.
The United Nations has completed its investigation of 15 sites in Bosnia Herzegovina targeted with Depleted Uranium weapons and has identified the three locations presenting the greatest risk, with radioactive hot spots and pieces of weapons. See http://www.unep.org
UK authorities are developing educational campaigns to give the population tips on reacting to biological and chemical attacks.
FEATURE ARTICLE: Social Engineering
What is the biggest threat to international security that was left out of “The National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace” draft?
People.
Insiders -- people inside your organization; people whom you know and trust -- are responsible for the vast majority of security incidents. As for outsiders, the easiest way for them to breach security is not through technology. It’s much easier to take advantage of normal human tendencies that make people susceptible to manipulation by others, including those with criminal intent.
People who do this professionally are called “social engineers”. And who better to explain how this works than a master at the Art of Deception (as his new book is called), Kevin Mitnick himself.
Mr. Mitnick recently spoke at a private reception for the Massachusetts eCommerce Association (http://www.massecomm.org) coinciding with release of his first book, and as part of a series of events that Mass eComm has held on other security topics.
Introductions were scarcely necessary to the audience of security experts and local corporations, including people from some of the companies Mr. Mitnick had hacked into, like DEC. If anyone had doubts that the evening would be entertaining or that Mr. Mitnick had lost any of his edge after four and a half years in prison, they were set at rest immediately with a practical demonstration of common security flaws at the event location.
Showing this example not only got the audience (and the hosts) laughing, but it also helped to make the event interactive and a great way to illustrate and understand the lessons of social engineering Mr. Mitnick shared.
He began, as he does in the book, with descriptions of some of his early hacks. His favorite story is of when he changed the classification of service on a friend’s phone from residential to pay phone. Every time his friend tried to make a call, he was asked to deposit ten cents.
Listening to these stories, it is obvious that Mr. Mitnick truly relished the game and took great pleasure in the exploits. It was easy to see the teenager he had been and to understand how it all got derailed. Hearing his perspective on the extraordinary prosecution and manhunt that followed his exploits, especially relative to far greater crimes, was also interesting. This perspective can best be found online in the original first chapter of “The Art of Deception” This chapter was deleted at the galley proof stage but was released, presumably by one of the reviewers, online. (http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,56187,00/html)
Despite his fond memories of the old phone hacks, Mr. Mitnick makes it clear that he knows the problems he caused and that what he did was wrong. He is now making restitution in an extremely valuable way, by teaching people how social engineering works and the measures that can be taken to help reduce this risk, including spreading the knowledge, training people, and developing appropriate policies.
Training people to recognize a social engineering attack is illustrated best by example. Mr. Mitnick uses his own exploits and those of others to develop scenarios that show by example how it works, why it works, the consequences, and how it can be prevented. An entertaining speaker, the stories are also told as compelling vignettes in the book and are being developed into training films that will be available early next year.
Once he’d given several of these illustrations, Mr. Mitnick moved into education and training, offering the audience some key tips. He talked about six tendencies of human nature that are used to manipulate people:
1. Authority: People tend to comply with a person in authority, one who seems more senior
2. Liking: People do things for people they like
3. Reciprocation: When someone has done something for you, you want to return the favor
4. Consistency: Once you’ve done something once, you want to follow up in the same way
5. Social validation: If others are doing it, you’re more likely to do so also
6. Scarcity: If what you want seems in short supply, you are more likely to do something to get it.
Once you understand the types of attacks, you can also begin to implement security policies. “The Art of Deception” provides these in detail. One example is to help prevent unauthorized access through the popular activity of dumpster diving. Mr. Mitnick offers
“Eight Keys to Wisdom Regarding Corporate Trash”:
1. “Classify all sensitive information based on the degree of sensitivity.
2. Establish company-wide procedures for discarding sensitive information.
3. Insist that all sensitive information to be discarded first be shredded, and provide for a safe way for getting rid of important information on scraps of paper too small for shredding. Shredders must not be the low-end budget type, which turn out strips of paper that a determined attacker, given enough patience, can reassemble. Instead they need to be the kind called cross-shredders, or those that render the output into useless pulp.
4. Provide a way for rendering unusable or completely erasing computer media—floppy disks, Zip disks, CDs and DVDs used for storing files, removable tapes, old hard drives, and other media—before they are discarded. Remember that deleting files does not actually remove them; they can still be recovered—as Enron executives and many others have learned to their dismay. Merely dropping computer media in the trash is an invitation to your local friendly Dumpster diver.
5. Maintain an appropriate level of control over the selection of people on your cleaning crews, using background checks if appropriate.
6. Remind employees periodically to think about the nature of the materials they are tossing into the trash.
7. Lock trash Dumpsters.
8. Use separate disposal containers for sensitive materials, and contract to have the materials disposed of by a bonded company that specializes in this work.”
This is just a sample of the information you can gain by reading “The Art of Deception”. In addition, Mr. Mitnick has founded a consulting firm to help corporations understand and defend themselves against security threats. The company, Defensive Thinking, is online at http://www.defensivethinking.com
Biographical Note
Kevin Mitnick grew up in Los Angeles and cam of age in the late 70s and 80s at the height of the personal computer revolution and the advent of “phone phreaking”. He was arrested for hacking first as part of a general crackdown. At that time, the judge was convinced by prosecution arguments that he was so dangerous he could break into secure government systems and set off nuclear bombs just by whistling into a phone. He was convicted and served a year of mostly solitary confinement. Shortly before parole was due to end, he discovered he was wanted again and so dreaded the idea of continued solitary confinement that he ran. He evaded law enforcement for nearly three years. His final arrest was largely due to the controversial efforts of security expert Tsutomu Shimomura and journalist John Markoff. Mr. Mitnick was held without a bail hearing on a 25-count indictment for nearly five years. He eventually reached a plea agreement in which he pled guilty to five felony counts and was released for time served plus $4,000 restitution payments. His current parole, including the prohibition on use of computers and the Internet, will end in a few months. Since his release, he has founded the consulting company Defensive Thinking, testified before the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, and talked about security in a number of media outlets.
A good book to consult about Kevin Mitnick’s history is Jonathan Littman’s “The Fugitive Game”. And for an interesting take on dumpster diving, see Rebecca Kanable’s article “Talk ‘n’ Trash: Nasty evidence can sometimes tell investigators what happened” in Law Enforcement Technology, November 2002.
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