Spear Phishing hits authors with books about to be published

From The New York Times:

"Earlier this month, the book industry website Publishers Marketplace announced that Little, Brown would be publishing “Re-Entry,” a novel by James Hannaham about a transgender woman paroled from a men’s prison. The book would be edited by Ben George.

Two days later, Mr. Hannaham got an email from Mr. George, asking him to send the latest draft of his manuscript. The email came to an address on Mr. Hannaham’s website that he rarely uses, so he opened up his usual account, attached the document, typed in Mr. George’s email address and a little note, and hit send.

“Then Ben called me,” Mr. Hannaham said, “to say, ‘That wasn’t me.’”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/books/publishing-manuscripts-phishing-scam.html

Cyber security: inside the hack of a journalist; extent of US Government penetration not known

From The Guardian: inside the hack of a journalist

"A series of abusive text messages sent to an Al Jazeera investigative programme were the first crumbs that eventually led to the discovery of an unprecedented hacking operation against dozens of staff from the Qatar-based media network, according to one of the journalists who was targeted.

Researchers at Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto claimed on Sunday that the UAE and Saudi Arabia used spyware sold by an Israeli private intelligence company to access the phones of at least 36 journalists, producers and executives from Al Jazeera, as well as that of a London-based reporter with the Al Araby network.

Traces of the cyber-attack were unearthed in July when a phone used by an Al Jazeera programme, The Tip of the Iceberg, exhibited suspicious network activity that was undetectable to its users."

Continue reading the article online

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2020/dec/22/revealed-how-abusive-texts-led-to-discovery-of-hacking-of-al-jazeera

From the New York Times: extent of US Government penetration not known

"The Russian hackers who penetrated United States government agencies broke into the email system used by the Treasury Department’s most senior leadership, a Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee said on Monday, the first detail of how deeply Moscow burrowed into the Trump administration’s networks.

In a statement after a briefing for committee staff members, Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, who has often been among the sharpest critics of the National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies, said that the Treasury Department had acknowledged that “the agency suffered a serious breach, beginning in July, the full depth of which isn’t known.”

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/us/politics/russia-hack-treasury.html

 

From the New York Times:

"President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. accused President Trump on Tuesday of “irrational downplaying” of the widespread hack of the federal government and American industries, saying that the current administration was denying him intelligence and warning Russia that he would not allow the intrusion to “go unanswered” after he takes office.

“This assault happened on Donald Trump’s watch when he wasn’t watching,” Mr. Biden said at a news conference in Delaware. “It is still his responsibility as president to defend American interests for the next four weeks, but rest assured that even if he does not take it seriously, I will.”

The direct critique was a remarkable departure from tradition, in which incoming presidents are careful about not second-guessing the actions of the incumbent. But Mr. Trump’s refusal to recognize Mr. Biden’s election victory, and his effort to subvert the results, has clearly poisoned elements of the transition process."

 Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required)

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/22/us/politics/biden-trump-russia-hack.html

 

These articles add to the listing of "what we know and don't know" about the cyber attack

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/what-we-know-and-still-dont-about-worst.html

 

"Most businesses restricted to 25 percent capacity for at least 2 weeks in ‘critical period’"

The Boston Globe has the following:

"Governor Charlie Baker on Tuesday announced the toughest set of coronavirus-related restrictions since June, clamping down on the number of people allowed inside restaurants, groceries, and other public gathering spots in an attempt to stave off another holiday surge.

Capacity limits for most businesses will be lowered to 25 percent beginning Saturday and will remain restricted for at least two weeks, Baker said, prompting pushback from some who said companies may not survive another hit to their bottom lines."

Continue reading the article online (subscription may be required) https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/22/metro/gov-baker-announces-new-temporary-restrictions-gatherings-businesses/

Gov Baker's press conference video https://youtu.be/2TaRgI-x-z0

Additional info can be found on the COVID-19 page https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-updates-and-information

Reopening Update: New Capacity Limits Effective Saturday

Effective Saturday 12/26, most sectors must adhere to new capacity limitations

Reopening Update: New Capacity Limits Effective Saturday Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that beginning at 12:01 a.m. on December 26th, 2020, Massachusetts will implement temporary capacity limits to stop the spread of COVID-19 as cases and hospitalizations rise. Businesses must adhere to the following capacity limitations. The revised limits below supersede existing limits in the Phase 3, Step 1 Sector-Specific Protocols. Except for the specified adjustments to capacity limitations, all other terms of the COVID-19 gatherings order (including exceptions) and all sector-specific workplace safety rules remain unchanged. These limits are in effect until January 10th, 2021 unless further extended by the Governor.   Gatherings (adjusting Order No. 57): 10 persons indoors, 25 persons outdoors, applies to both private homes and event venues and public spaces Restaurants: 25% of seating capacity, workers/staff excluded from occupancy count, applies separately to indoor and outdoor capacity Close Contact Personal Services: 25% capacity, workers/staff excluded from occupancy count Indoor and Outdoor Events: 10 persons indoors, 25 persons outdoors, workers/staff excluded from occupancy count Theaters and Performance Venues (Indoor performance venues remain closed): movie theaters at 25% capacity and maximum 50 people, outdoor performance venues at 25% capacity and maximum 25 people Casinos: 25% capacity, with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to re-issue capacity rules as necessary Office Spaces: 25% capacity Places of Worship: 25%, workers/staff excluded from occupancy count Retail Businesses: 25% capacity, workers/staff excluded from occupancy count Driving and Flight Schools: 25% capacity  Golf Facilities: 25% capacity, applies only to indoor spaces Libraries: 25% capacity  Operators of Lodgings: 25% capacity, applies only to common areas Arcades & Other Indoor & Outdoor Recreation Businesses: 25% capacity Fitness Centers and Health Clubs: 25% capacity  Museums / Cultural & Historical Facilities / Guided Tours by vehicles and vessels: 25% capacity Sectors Not Otherwise Addressed: 25% capacity  Common Areas in facilities subject to EEA-issued COVID-19 safety rules: 25% capacity, applies only to indoor spaces and excludes youth and amateur sports facilities These new limitations do not impact Massachusetts public schools, which operate under separate guidance from the Commonwealth. Where no licensed or permitted capacity allowance is on record and for any enclosed space within a larger facility, occupancy shall be limited to no more than 5 persons per 1,000 square feet. For further information, please visit Mass.Gov/Reopening. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out if the Partnership can be of any assistance to you. You may reach me directly via email at jason@495partnership.org. Sincerely, Jason Palitsch Executive Director The 495/MetroWest Partnership

The 495/MetroWest Partnership | 200 Friberg Parkway, Suite 1003, Westborough, MA 01581 Sent by jason@495partnership.org powered by Try email marketing for free today!

Franklin Residents: Trash Delay This Week & Next ~ Friday Only

Trash Delay This Week & Next ~ Friday Only

For more info and a link to the flyer, visit the Trash and Recycling page

https://www.franklinma.gov/recycling-solid-waste

Franklin Residents: Trash Delay This Week & Next ~ Friday Only

Christmas Masses at St. Mary’s

As a reminder, those who wish to attend Masses in-person this Christmas at St. Mary’s must:

1.    Pre-register online (www.stmarysfranklin.org) prior to arriving at the church. From the home page, click on the “Mass Registration” link. Then choose a Mass, provide your name(s), an email address, and a phone number.
2.    Allow a temperature screening to take place. Everyone with a temperature below 100.4 degrees will be allowed into the church building.

Schedule and Options:

CHRISTMAS EVE: (Thursday)

• Masses (upper church & live-streamed to lower church and online): 1 PM, 3 PM, and 6 PM
• Outdoor Communion only: 1–2:15 PM, 3–4:30 PM, 6–7:30PM 
• Church closes after 6 PM 
• No Midnight Mass

CHRISTMAS DAY (Friday)

• Masses (upper church & live-streamed to lower church and online): 7:30 AM, and 10:30 AM
• Outdoor Communion only: 7:30–9 AM and 10:30–12 AM
• Visits (upper church only): 12–6 PM
  

About us:

The community of St. Mary is a Roman Catholic parish of the Archdiocese of Boston located at 1 Church Square, Franklin MA. Founded as a parish in 1877, it currently serves the spiritual needs of over 4,500 families.

 

Christmas Masses at St. Mary’s

FM #419 Talk Franklin - 12/18/20 (audio)

FM #419 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 419 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:

• Red status – positivity over 14 days = 5.03%
• Town Council
• Community Preservation Committee
• Water treatment plant payment (spear phishing incident)
• Logistics for 2021
• Twice monthly
• Somewhat organized to lead to Council topic calendar
• Likely to include an appropriate guest for an episode
• Always room for ‘current’ events

Links to the key topics covered here are included in the show notes. The recording runs about 32 minutes, so let’s listen to my conversation with Jamie and Anne Marie.  Audio file =>  https://player.captivate.fm/episode/6fde8649-d680-432f-a9b9-4dd0280a3c11

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#ThinkFranklinFirst gift cards  https://franklingiftcard.com/

Town Council meeting 12/18/20 agenda and docs
https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/12/franklin-ma-town-council-agenda-dec-16.html

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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. 

This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.

How can you help?

• If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors

• If you don't like something here, please let me know

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"

 

FM #419 Talk Franklin - 12/18/20 (audio)