Bank Heists Linked to Sony Pictures Hack

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Bank Heists Linked to Sony Pictures Hack

Security experts have found clues in the malware used to breach into banking messaging network Swift that suggest a link to the well-known Sony Pictures hack.



The SWIFT hack affected at least 3 banks by far. All victims have already reported financial attacks. Bangladesh’s central bank was first to lose $81m through the fraudulent SWIFT messages instructing a transfer to an account in the Philippines. An unnamed Vietnamese bank was second to say that it had been targeted by the hackers as well, but had managed to prevent a $1m transfer. Finally, Ecuador’s Banco del Austro had also fallen prey.

All the cases relied on social engineering and technical talent: the hackers first gained fraudulent access to the Swift network and then messaged the banks asking for funds to be transferred. In fact, the Bangladesh case was only revealed thanks to a typo in one of the instructions.

The intruders used a specific type of malware called Trojan.Banswift to gain access to SWIFT network. The security researchers found a distinct file wiping code in the malware. The way the software deleted files was already seen in one other piece of malware, which was used to hack into financial groups in Southeast Asia. It is likely that the tools can be attributed to the same group, which thus may have been attacking financial institutions for much longer than previously thought. The most interesting thing is that the same malware has previously been used by a hacking group known as Lazarus, engaged in attacking businesses and commercial operations across the United States and South Korea for the last few years. This group is linked to another malware, which was used in the hacking attack against Sony Pictures. However, this does not actually prove anything, as the hackers often share and sell code. Moreover, Lazarus was the target of a cross-industry initiative known as Operation Blockbuster earlier in 2016.

In the meantime, SWIFT has promised to improve its security after the recent hacks, with the group’s CEO offering up a new plan for change. He said that the banks could learn from one another about the modus operandi and introduce better preventative measures. Indeed, organizations like Swift can serve as the information sharing channel, and indicators of compromise could be developed to help the banks enhance their detective capabilities.


Posted by: SaM

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FBI May Get Expanded Warrantless Access to Online Records
Added: Saturday, May 28th, 2016


The US senators believe that a new bill would vastly expand the warrantless access of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to online records of the US citizens. A public version of the bill would be released in a few days, as Senate intelligence committee members are given 3 working days to submit supplemental, minority, or additional views. The resulting report will be made public after all comments are compiled.

The wording of the 2017 intelligence authorization bill is not yet available to the public, but two senators have already said that it could expand the remit of a non-judicial subpoena known as a National Security Letter to acquire people’s email records, browser histories and other kinds of online data.

National Security Letters usually apply to phone or banking records and email addresses, but the intelligence authorization bill will change the scope of the term “electronic communications transaction records”. Senator Ron Wyden called it a sweeping expansion of warrantless surveillance.

Obscure before the 9/11 attacks, the FBI has come to rely significantly on National Security Letters, which come exclusively from the executive branch, and not with a judge’s approval. The letters are served to communications providers or banks along with gag orders preventing the recipient from disclosing their content.

The FBI typically issues an average of 60 National Security Letters each day. Last year, the agency issued 12,870 letters, representing 48,642 warrantless requests for information. Back in 2015, a recipient of such a letter won a decade-long fight to disclose the content of the subpoena received by a web-hosting company.


Posted by: SaM

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Army Adds 84mm Recoil-less Rifle to Platoon Arsenal


In May 2009, U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers train with the Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle in Basra, Iraq.

Posted By: Matthew Cox May 20, 2016

U.S. Army infantry platoons will soon have the 84mm Carl Gustaf recoil-less rifle, a devastating anti-armor system, as a permanently assigned weapon.

Service officials completed a so-called conditional materiel release authorization late last year, making the M3 Multi-Role Anti-Armor Anti-Personnel Weapon System an organic weapon system within each infantry platoon, IHS Jane’s 360 recently reported. The service is also working on an effort to achieve Full Material Release of the M3 later this year.

Army light infantry units began using the M3 in Afghanistan in 2011, but only when commanders submitted operational needs statements for the weapon.

[airdog07]

H&K’s Unveils Civilian Version of the MP5K
TOPICS:Small Arms


The Heckler & Koch SP5K. Photo: H&K.The Heckler & Koch SP5K. Photo: H&K.

Posted By: Matthew Cox May 19, 2016

Heckler & Koch is introducing the new 9mm SP5K pistol at the 2016 NRA Annual Meeting and Exposition May 19-22 in Louisville, Kentucky.

“The SP5K is a unique and historic HK pistol that captures the essence of the legendary MP5K but as a semi-auto handgun,” said Michael Holley, HK-USA Vice President for Commercial Sales and Marketing.

“It’s equipped with a special ergonomic handguard that protects the shooter’s supporting hand and enables a stable and comfortable grip. A bungee cord sling is also included and makes shooting an SP5K easy. It’s a fun gun to shoot and goes a long way in recreating the experience of handling and firing a real MP5 subgun.”

The SP5K has same cold-hammer forged barrel used on the MP5K, ensuring a service life of tens of thousands of rounds, H&K officials maintain. The SP5K is manufactured completely in Heckler & Koch’s Oberndorf factory in southwest Germany.

A Picatinny rail has been added to the upper receiver to allow optional sights to be easily mounted. The SP5K also comes “ready-for-action”in a custom-fitted, lockable, high-quality carrying case, according to H&K officials.

The SP5K is slated to be available in July 2016 at a retail price of $2,699.

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US Nuclear Forces Use 1970s Computers
Added: Tuesday, May 31st, 2016

It was recently revealed that the United States is spending about $60bn to maintain museum-ready computers, which many do not even know how to operate after their creators retired. Essentially, the US military’s nuclear arsenal is controlled by 1970s computers that still use 8in floppy disks to read and write data.

The system used to send and receive emergency action messages to US nuclear forces runs on a 1970s IBM computing platform using 8in floppy disks to store information. It is most likely that you haven’t ever seen such floppies – they are not the more modern 3.5in floppy disk that you might only know as the save icon. They are OG 8in floppy – a large floppy square with a magnetic disk inside. 8in could be bought in 1971, but were replaced by the 5¼in five years later, and by the more familiar hard plastic 3.5in in 1982.

According to the US Government Accountability Office, replacement parts for the nuclear forces system are difficult to find because they are obsolete. The Pentagon confirmed that it was calling for a full replacement of the obsolete machines. However, the entire upgrade will take longer, while the crucial floppy disks might be gone by the end of 2017. One should also remember that magnetic media has a finite shelf life, while the floppy disks and the drives needed to read and write to them are already older than the operators of the equipment. In other words, this might make one wonder whether the United States could even launch a nuclear attack if required. In this case, an “error, data corrupted” will literally mean life or death.

Posted by: SaM

[airdog07]

New From Polymer80: Spectre 80% “GLOCK” Frame
By Jeremy S. on November 24, 2015



Polymer80, known for its polymer AR-15 an AR-10 80% lower receivers and kits, is ramping up production on the Spectre. This pistol frame is compatible with small-frame GLOCK components, and will accept factory or aftermarket full-size or longer GLOCK slides. This means it can be built as a 9mm, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, or even .45 GAP. Since it’s only 80% complete it isn’t considered a firearm, and can ship right to your door with the jig and bits necessary to complete that last 20%. TTAG will have a review sample in January. Polymer80’s press release, a couple other photos, and a compatability matrix follow. . .



Carson City, Nevada (November 7th, 2015) – Polymer80, known for its approach to 80% frames and full “do it yourself” rifle builds, is developing the industry’s first 80% polymer pistol frame. Aptly named the “Spectre,”• this frame is compatible with Glock’s 9 mm & 40 caliber slides.

“Protecting our 2nd amendment is more important than ever,” said David Borges, Co-owner of Polymer80, Inc. “Our goal is to make polymer manufactured products the new standard in the 80% firearms industry. This is a significant step in the right direction for our company.”

The product mix in the 80% pistol market has always been slim, with only 1911 frames available in steel or aluminum.Polymer80 is determined to focus on firsts, therefore, after completing their research, listening to customer requests, and evaluating capabilities of manufacture, Polymer80 chose to go in the direction of a Glock17 compatible system. Key reasons stated by the company are the wide compatibility of a Glock17 – system, which can provide 3 different calibers in 9mm, S&W 40cal and the SIG 357 depending on the slide chosen by the user to finish the pistol. Additionally, on the 100% or finished firearm side, there are very few custom manufactured Glock compatible frames available for purchase, with all of them requiring an FFL. Currently there are no 80% Glock-compatible frames available anywhere in the world.



“When we develop an 80% product, we do it with a specific system in mind.” said Loran Kelley, Co-owner of Polymer80, Inc. “Much like with the AR-15 and .308 Lower Receivers, we needed to design a complete kit which included not only the frame, but a jig and all the drill bits necessary to make the milling process flawless. This will allow our do- it- yourself hobbyists and firearms enthusiasts to have the best possible experience building their own firearms. We strongly believe that the highest personal satisfaction is achieved by building your own firearms. The loyalty of customers to our products is proof. They have a greater sense of pride and appreciation when finished with the build process, and as a result, many customers love our finished products more than their store bought firearms.”

The “Spectre” 80% pistol frame kit will include the following items upon release:
· 80% Polymer Pistol frame & Jig System
· Custom Locking Block (made from Hardened Steel) with Rails
· Drill Bits & End-Mill Bits

Polymer80, Inc. is taking new steps to raise the funds necessary to complete the project and start production in January 2016.

“Once we received a Determination Letter from the ATF regarding the “Spectre” we decided to take the next step and move forward with a Pre-Release Sale on our website www.polymer80.com,” said Alex Brodsky, VP of Marketing at Polymer80, Inc. “The response so far has been overwhelmingly positive for the pistol frame, in fact we broke all sales records the first day of the Pre-Release Sale. We would like to thank all our loyal customers for their support, as we try to raise additional funds to move this project along.”

For more information about the “Spectre” you can visit Polymer80’s store page at:
http://www.polymer80.com/Polymer80-S...me_p_1788.html

For product questions about the “Spectre” 80% Polymer Pistol Frame please visit our FAQ page:
http://www.polymer80.com/Spectre-FAQ_ep_46-1.html or call us at 1-800-517-1243.

For any dealer inquiries please contact Dan McCalmon (707) 580-8030
For E-store questions please contact Alex Brodsky (925) 457-7270

About: Polymer80 was started in 2013 by David Borges and Loran Kelley in Vacaville, CA. Since 2015 the business resides in Carson City, NV. Polymer 80, Inc. designs and develops innovative firearms accessories and products that allow the customer to participate in the build process. This provides a fun learning experience and a greater sense of pride in their completed firearm.

http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/201...0-glock-frame/





it is cheaper to buy a glock than build your own, some guys spend up to $1000 for first one, so add it up before you go and spend money on 80% build. If you have glock and the frame crack this is good way to replace the flame.

[airdog07]

The Most Powerful AR-15
by S.H. Blannelberry on June 1, 2016

There are AR-15s and then there’s the Petra from Falkor Defense. A carbon fiber AR chambered in .300 Win Mag, this bad boy brings the magnum AR class to a whole new level. It’s unbelievably light, ridiculously accurate and jaw-droppingly powerful!

DemolitionRanch was lucky enough to have the opportunity to shoot one.

As one might expect, the price tag for the Petra is at a premium. $5,800. So, start saving now! LOL.
Specs and Features:



MSRP: $5,800
Ambi Matched Billet Lower Hard Anodized
Ambi Matched Billet Upper Hard Anodized
Ambidextrous Mirrored Controls-Billet Machined Bolt/Mag
Ambi Take Down Pins
QuickSnap Dust Cover
Flared Magwell w/Magwell Grip
Barrel: 20-inch PROOF Carbon Fiber Barrel 1:11 Twist
FALKOR “Tranny” Free-Float 19” MLOK™ Handguard
FALKOR Anti-Tilt Nitride BCG
Geissele SSA-E 2-Stage Trigger
Luth AR MBA-1 Stock
FALKOR MACH 300 Ambi-charging handle
Ambi Short Throw Safety Selector
Hogue Rubber Overmold Grip
FALKOR “DS-300” Muzzle Break
10 Round Mag Included
Length Collapsed 42.5-inches
Weight: (No Mag/Sights) 10.3-pounds
*Color Options: Grey or $200 Upcharge For Shadow