"Hear from Franklin's Director of Tech @trapoza on the cyberattack that cost the town $522K on today's Panther News! @FHSPantherbook @FranklinPSNews @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters "
Shared from Twitter = https://t.co/O4mi1dvtB7
Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
"Hear from Franklin's Director of Tech @trapoza on the cyberattack that cost the town $522K on today's Panther News! @FHSPantherbook @FranklinPSNews @FranklinHS @FranklinMatters "
Shared from Twitter = https://t.co/O4mi1dvtB7
Town Administrator Jamie Hellen presenting to the Town Council on 12/02/20 |
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read the red outlines for details on what to look for |
read the red outlines for details on what to look for 1 |
FM #363 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 363 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my "Talk Franklin" conversation with Town Administrator Jamie Hellen and Marketing and Communications Specialist Anne Marie Tracey. We had our conversation via conference bridge to adhere to the ‘social distancing’ requirements of this pandemic period.
We talk about:
Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 45 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie. Audio file = https://player.captivate.fm/episode/139589c7-00c0-4654-9e10-ae99825a695
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Town Clerk page https://www.franklinma.gov/town-clerk
Business listening sessions https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/business_listening_flyer_-_final_2_1_1.pdf
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
"Talk Franklin" discussion on phishing incident, election prep, and PFAS testing |
From the Milford Daily News, an article of interest for Franklin:
"Town officials announced Thursday night that the town was victimized by a “spear phishing” attack that resulted in $522,000 being “misdirected to a third party.”
The attack did not affect the town’s general fund, but rather a non-general fund account, said Town Administrator Jamie Hellen.
“I have been reassured that Franklin’s electronic data is secure,” Hellen said in a press release. “There is currently no evidence of a breach of our systems. All personal information, accounts and town software systems have been found not to be compromised. The incident was not a ransomware attack.”
Spear phishing involves sending emails, posing as trusted sender, with the goal to infect a specific target’s devices with malware or to steal information and/or money. Comparatively, phishing is less targeted toward specific victims and is more random, casting a wider net than spear phishing attacks."
Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.milforddailynews.com/news/20201009/franklin-loses-522k-to-spear-phishing-cyberattack?rssfeed=true
In case you missed the original announcement of the phishing attack: https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/10/town-of-franklin-spear-phishing-attack.html
On Friday, Oct 9, Jamie and I recorded our "Talk Franklin" episode and discussed this incident in more detail. You'll be able to hear that shortly. https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/
https://anchor.fm/letstalkfranklin/
October 8, 2020
To: Town of Franklin Residents
From: Jamie Hellen, Town Administrator
The Town of Franklin is cautioning all residents and employees to be mindful of the sharp increase in malicious cyber fraud and email phishing attempts. The Town of Franklin is announcing today that it has itself been the victim of a recent “spear-phishing” attack. A payment of $522,000 was misdirected to a third party.
The matter has been turned over to the Franklin Police Department who are working with state and federal authorities, for a complete criminal investigation. In addition, the Town has retained as special counsel in connection with this matter an attorney to coordinate and work with the authorities on this matter. Attorneys for the Town have requested there be no further comment on the investigation until the appropriate time when all of the facts have been gathered and the Franklin Police Department has completed its investigation.
I have been reassured that Franklin’s electronic data is secure. There is currently no evidence of a breach of our systems. All personal information, accounts and town software systems have been found not to be compromised. The incident was not a ransomware attack.
I also wish to note that this incident has not affected the Town’s general fund. It occurred in connection with a non-general fund account. The Town is implementing new procedures and protocols to limit future incidents of this type and urges all to guard against increased fraud.
For further resources and information on cyber-crime, threats and spear-phishing, please visit the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) cyber-crime website here:
https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/cyber
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Shared via ToF Twitter account https://twitter.com/TOFranklinMA/status/1314341421135147013 which contained the following PDF https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif591/f/uploads/2020-10-08_spear_phishing_attack_announcement_.pdf