Posted on 08/01/2017 3:04:41 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
A self-described "email prankster" in the UK fooled a number of White House officials into thinking he was other officials, including an episode where he convinced the White House official tasked with cyber security that he was Jared Kushner and received that official's private email address unsolicited.
"Tom, we are arranging a bit of a soirée towards the end of August," the fake Jared Kushner on an Outlook account wrote to the official White House email account of Homeland Security Adviser Tom Bossert. "It would be great if you could make it, I promise food of at least comparible (sic) quality to that which we ate in Iraq. Should be a great evening."
Bossert wrote back: "Thanks, Jared. With a promise like that, I can't refuse. Also, if you ever need it, my personal email is" (redacted).
(snip)
Cyber experts consulted by CNN say the incidents are illustrative of how vulnerable Americans -- even those in the highest reaches of power -- remain to the potential threat of spear-phishing, the process through which officials are duped by hackers, and expose government computers and systems to various cyber threats. No one in any of these situations clicked any links making them vulnerable, and the prankster appears motivated by mischief not anything more malignant, so the severity of these White House pranks should not be overstated. But spear-phishers often begin the process by falsely posing as a friend or associate before asking the victim to take further action.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
Someone who cant spell “ comparable” gets the private email address of a top Homeland Security advisor?
Who’s the clown?
Mom always said, “these computers are gonna get us all killed”
Uh.... it’s “can’t”.
“This clown is making a habit of this practice. “
Pretty funny actually.
LOL
bit of a soirée
Sounds like Mr Howell of Gilligan island.
Not really. It’s called fraud & impersonation. I doubt you would find it the least bit humorous if someone did the same to you. Personally I hope they unmask & prosecute the person. It is about time that people start paying for these types of abuses on the internet.
“Not really. It’s called fraud & impersonation. I doubt you would find it the least bit humorous if someone did the same to you. Personally I hope they unmask & prosecute the person. It is about time that people start paying for these types of abuses on the internet.”
I take it that you would be one that would love a law that would mandate that all internet communication contain writer’s real name, home address, DOB and Social Security number.
You take it wrong.
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