Tag archive: Homeland Security

Two travelers from Britain were prevented from entering the US last week after Homeland Security officials feared one of the pair, 26-year-old Leigh Van Bryan, might follow through with one of his tweets. Prior to leaving the UK, Leigh had tweeted that he was going to “destroy America.” The offending tweet read, “Free this week, for quick gossip/prep before I go and destroy America?” Even though Leigh explained to officials at Los Angeles… Read More

Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Tom Calpers (D-DE) introduce a revised version of their cybersecurity bill this week, entitled the “Cybersecurity and Internet Freedom Act,” which they say prohibits any possibility of an Internet 'kill switch” — they swear. Like the original bill, which was introduced last month, this version is intended to establish an office within the Executive branch that… Read More

The Obama administration has given a green light to the Department of Homeland Security to hire up to 1,000 new cyber experts over the next three years, the first major personnel move to fulfill its vow to bolster security of the nation's computer networks. The announcement follows a wave of cyber attacks on federal agencies, including a July assault that knocked government Web sites off the Internet and earlier intrusions into the… Read More

Cyber criminals are increasingly targeting small and medium-sized businesses that don't have the resources to keep updating their computer security, according to federal authorities. Many of the attacks are being waged by organized cyber groups that are based abroad, and they are able to steal not only credit card numbers, but personal information — including Social Security numbers — of the card holders, said Michael Merritt, assistant… Read More

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has unveiled a new set of rules for searching electronic media and devices when people try to enter the United States—and they sure aren't going to make privacy rights advocates very happy. According to the new rules, border agents may arbitrarily search notebook computers, cell phones, and other electronic device without permission from the owner when people enter or return to the United States.… Read More