The FBI is calling on former and current executives of the US armed forces and security forces, as well as large American businesses, to be on alert, warning that fighters and other supporters of jihadists may have targeted them, unleashing destructive "viruses."
[blockquote]Extremists monitor social media sites and "fish" for potential targets[/blockquote]
These dangerous "viruses" can gather information "that could potentially be used in terrorist attacks.".
The warning follows the cyberattack that Sony Pictures Entertainment suffered last week .
Experts in web security and cyberspace in general believe that there is malicious software, similar to the one that hit Sony , and similar attacks have already been carried out in Asia and the Middle East.
However, the FBI did not disclose how many attacks have been carried out so far. As reported by the American television network ABC News, extremists monitor social networking sites and "fish" for potential targets, with the aim of launching cyberattacks on American soil.
A joint counterintelligence briefing, written by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and sent to law enforcement agencies, urges all US military personnel to delete from their social media accounts any information that could attract the attention of "violent extremists" or reveal the identities of members of the security services or the armed forces, ABC News reported.
"The FBI has recently received reports indicating that individuals abroad are identifying and assessing individuals who may be willing and able to carry out attacks against current and former members of the United States armed forces located within the country," the bulletin said, citing a source with the Reuters news agency.
An FBI spokesman confirmed the accuracy of what ABC News reported, but declined to provide Reuters with a copy of the report.
The Pentagon recently instructed personnel to monitor the content they post on social media sites after the October attacks in Canada that killed two soldiers. According to Canadian police, the attacks were carried out by individuals who had converted to Islam, Warren recalled.
"The Department has long been aware of and vigilant about the potential for extremism to emerge within the United States, and for that reason we continue to encourage and advise our personnel to exercise the utmost vigilance," Warren added.
A source close to the US government told Reuters that the warning was likely issued after an increase in posts on social media sites by individuals who are alleged to be extremists and who threaten members and officers of the US armed forces.
Source: zougla.gr
