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As millions of Americans tune in to watch the World Cup and cheer on the U.S. men’s national soccer team, it’s important to stay vigilant against cyber criminals and hackers who may to try to take advantage of people’s enthusiasm to gain access to their information online. Hackers and identity thieves have been known to exploit high profile events using phishing emails and websites to target people looking to purchase tickets, merchandise, or stream video online.
If you’re purchasing merchandise or browsing for information on the World Cup, follow these tips to protect your personal information and avoid becoming a victim of identity theft:
- Think before you act. Be wary of “too good to be true” deals. Free tickets, cheap team merchandise, cheap collectibles – if a deal sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.
- Check your bank and credit card statements regularly. Make sure that you authorized all of the charges listed.
- Shop only at reputable online retailers. Look for the padlock symbol or for URLs that start with “https” or “shttp.” For auction sites such as eBay, check the seller’s reviews.
- Be cautious online. Do not click on suspicious links or download items from unknown sources. Only use secure wireless networks and websites (those that start with https://) when conducting sensitive activities online.
It is also important to always take steps to stay safe online, including:
- Use social media carefully. Do not divulge sensitive information (such as your address or birthday) over social media. Set your social network privacy settings so only your real friends and family can see your information.
- Set strong passwords. Especially for sensitive online accounts (such as online banking), make sure your passwords are complex and unique. Do not set passwords that will be easy for cyber criminals to guess.
- Keep a clean machine. Keep your software and operating system updated. This will help your computer better fight against malware.
- Lock your devices when you’re away. Prevent others from accessing your computer and mobile devices by locking your devices when they are not in use.
For more information on individual cybersecurity, visit www.dhs.gov/StopThinkConnect.
This week, we were proud to welcome more than 65 new U.S. citizens as our newest fellow Americans during special naturalization ceremonies held in Washington, D.C.
As America celebrates the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner, 15 candidates recited the Oath of Allegiance just feet away from the flag during a naturalization ceremony on June 17 at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson joined former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Dr. G. Wayne Clough, and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Secretary Johnson joins former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for a special naturalization ceremony. Official DHS photo.
These 15 candidates, symbolically representing the 15 stars and stripes on our Nation’s flag, hailed from Australia, Canada, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, India, Iraq, Italy, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, the Philippines, Romania, Sierra Leone and South Korea.
Candidates for citizenship wave American flags during a special naturalization ceremony. Official DHS photo.
After administering the Oath of Allegiance, Secretary Johnson congratulated the candidates by saying, "Each of you are Americans by choice, and you remind the rest of us of the value and importance of being a citizen of this great country."
Secretary Johnson addresses candidates for citizenship. Official DHS photo.
During the ceremony, celebrated fashion designer Ralph Lauren was honored with the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal for his contributions to personal dedication to the preservation of national treasures as part of the 1998 campaign spearheaded by former first lady Hillary Clinton. Mr. Lauren’s contributions ensure the flag will be available for future generations. Mrs. Clinton and Dr. G. Wayne Clough presented Mr. Lauren with the award.
Ralph Lauren is presented with the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal. Official DHS photo.
On June 18, Secretary Johnson was honored to join First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama for a special naturalization ceremony at the National Archives. Standing just a few feet away from the Charters of Freedom – the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights – Secretary Johnson administered the Oath of Allegiance to 50 citizenship candidates.
Secretary Johnson addresses candidates for citizenship. Photo courtesy of the National Archives.
“I am proud to be among the first to welcome you as my fellow Americans,” Secretary Johnson said.
Candidates for citizenship recite the Oath of Allegiance. Photo courtesy of the National Archives.
First Lady Michelle Obama congratulated the new citizens in the audience, and delivered remarks to the audience on the importance of understanding our national history in order to advance future generations of civic leadership. “In many ways, it is because of, not in spite of, our immigrant population that we grow stronger every single day,” Mrs. Obama said.
First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama addresses new U.S. citizens. Photo courtesy of the National Archives.
She elaborated on the importance of immigration to our Nation, addressing the current issues plaguing our broken immigration system. She continued, saying: “Yet today, here in Washington, folks are still debating whether or not to fix our immigration system even though just about everyone agrees that it is broken. But I want you all to know that my husband has made this his top legislative priority, and he refuses to give up the fight. Because at the end of the day, this fight isn’t just about abstract principles, it’s about real people. People like you. People like us -- our fellow Americans.”
Juan Cua Monroy is one example of these real people. A student at Northern Virginia Community College, Juan wholeheartedly pursued his goal of becoming an American citizen. And yesterday, accompanied by the First Lady and the Secretary of Homeland Security, he led his fellow citizens in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
First Lady Michelle Obama greets new U.S. citizen Juan Cua Monroy, as Secretary Johnson looks on. Photo courtesy of the National Archives.
Juan, and the other 64 new U.S. citizens naturalized this week are “Americans-by-choice.” As they took their Oath of Allegiance in the presence of our national treasures, their inspiring stories remind us that citizenship is something that none of us should ever take for granted; it is the highest privilege.
Posted by: Caitlin Durkovich, Assistant Secretary Office of Infrastructure Protection
U.S. Department of Homeland Security; David Michaels, Assistant Secretary, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor; and Mathy Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
On August 1, 2013, the President issued Executive Order (EO) 13650 - Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security - to improve the safety and security of chemical facilities and reduce the risks of hazardous chemicals to facility workers and operators, communities, and responders. Chemicals and the facilities that manufacture, store, distribute and use them are essential to our economy and livelihood, but the handling and storage of chemicals can present a risk that must be addressed.
Over the past ten months, we have taken critical steps in bringing together Federal regulatory representatives and stakeholders with a vested interest in reducing the risks associated with the handling and storage of chemicals. These efforts truly represent a shared concern among those with a stake in chemical facility safety and security: facility owners and operators; Federal, State, local, tribal, and territorial governments; regional entities; nonprofit organizations; facility workers; first responders; environmental justice and local environmental organizations; and communities.
Today’s release of the status report to the President, entitled Actions to Improve Chemical Facility Safety and Security – A Shared Commitment, summarizes the Working Group’s progress, focusing on actions to date, findings and lessons learned, challenges, and short and long-term priority actions. These priority actions, captured in a consolidated action plan, based on the information collected by the Working Group, focus on five specific thematic areas:
- Strengthen Community Planning and Preparedness
- Enhance Federal Operational Coordination
- Improve Data Management
- Modernize Policies and Regulation
- Incorporate Stakeholder Feedback and Develop Best Practices
We want to underscore that this report is a milestone, not an endpoint. While the report describes many activities already undertaken to improve chemical facility safety and security, it also makes clear that much additional work is necessary to implement the consolidated action plan. We now transition to this implementation, an effort that will be completed over time and require the collective efforts of all of us with a stake in chemical facility safety and security.
Safety and security are a shared commitment. As actions in this report are pursued, we recognize that the Federal Government must put in place a transparent, inclusive process that continues to engage all stakeholders. We ask for continued engagement and active participation by all with a stake in chemical facility safety and security: communities, first responders, workers and industry; local, tribal, State, and Federal Government.
To read the Working Group’s report to the President: Actions to Improve Chemical Facility Safety and Security – A Shared Commitment.
As part of a Department of Justice (DOJ) led effort, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is playing a major role in curbing the spread of the Gameover Zeus botnet. This effort has been a great example of interagency collaboration and the partnerships between governments around the world and the private sector.
Gameover Zeus is an extremely sophisticated piece of malware designed to steal banking information and other credentials from the computers it infects; it captures banking credentials from infected computers and then uses those credentials to initiate or re-direct wire transfers to overseas accounts controlled by cyber criminals.
Researchers estimate that between 500,000 and one million computers worldwide are infected with Gameover Zeus, and that approximately 25 percent of the infected computers are located in the United States. Known losses attributable to Gameover Zeus approach $100 million – and it has been used in attempts to steal in excess of $325 million.
The alleged administrator of Gameover Zeus is also alleged to be the administrator of Cryptolocker. Cryptolocker is a form of “ransomware” that locks users out of their computers until they pay a ransom.
To combat this malware, the United States and other governments have worked with the private sector to take a number of steps. Today, DOJ is filing criminal charges against the alleged administrator and working to identify affected computers and criminal operators.
Concurrently, DHS is disseminating information of affected computers to Computer Emergency Readiness Teams (CERTs) around the world. As part of this coordinated effort, the DHS’s U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) is coordinating with our partners at the FBI to notify those affected by the malware and provide them with technical assistance in removing the Gameover Zeus and Cryptolocker malware from their computers. The DHS National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), which houses the US-CERT, plays a key role in triaging and collaboratively responding to the threat by providing technical assistance to information system operators, disseminating timely mitigation strategies to known victims, and sharing actionable information to the broader community to help prevent further infections.
Since this is still an ongoing investigation, there is still plenty of work to do, but we are pleased to see how effective our collaborations with cybersecurity partners across government, the private sector and internationally can be.
To protect against the Gameover Zeus malware, US-CERT recommends that users run and maintain anti-virus software and keep their operating system software up-to-date. To learn more about malware like Gameover Zeus and Cryptolocker and mitigate their impacts, visit www.us-cert.gov/gameoverzeus. If you are concerned that you may be affected by Gameover Zeus or Cryptolocker, US-CERT recommends reporting the incident to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
This was originally posted on the TSA Blog.
It was a long and hard winter, but summer is in the air! Memorial Day is just around the corner and before you know it, you’ll be wearing white slacks and funning in the sun. This post provides links to a cornucopia of answers to questions that travelers frequently ask us. In addition to this post, be sure to visit our travel tips at TSA.gov and download the summer travel checklist (pdf, 430kb).
- Deodorant: Stick deodorant is not limited to 3.4 oz. or less, but gel or spray deodorant is.
- Powdered Toothpaste: This is fine in both checked and carry-on bags and does not apply to the 3-1-1 rules.
- Suntan & Sun Block Lotion: Lotions – both pump and aerosol - fall under the procedures that I mentioned above. Sun block sticks do not fall under this rule.
- Beverages: Wine, liquor, beer, and all of your favorite beverages are permitted in your checked baggage. You can also bring beverages packaged in 3.4 oz. or less bottles in your carry-on bags in the baggie.
- Gel Inserts for shoes are now permitted.
- Foods: Here is a list of items that should be placed in your checked bags or shipped: creamy dips and spreads (cheeses, peanut butter, dressings), jams, jellies, maple syrup, oils and vinegars, sauces and soups.
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| Photo Courtesy AustinTexas.Gov |
One of the top priorities for this Administration, and for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is to facilitate the travel, tourism, and lawful trade essential to our economy while maintaining the highest standards of security. That’s why today President Obama is announcing a major initiative to improve service levels and reduce wait times at our major international airports.
President Obama has directed DHS and the Department of Commerce to lead an effort to develop a national goal for improving the experience of international arrivals – in collaboration with our partners in the private sector – as well as airport-specific action plans.
DHS is committed to making America more welcoming for international visitors. We understand that security and trade are mutually reinforcing, which is good for security and the economy. And we also understand that we cannot achieve our goal of a safe, secure, and welcoming Nation for international visitors without the assistance of our partners in the private sector.
In addition to our work on the President’s directive, we have recently been taking action to improve international experiences for travel and tourism in a number of ways at the Department-level and in coordination with our stakeholders and partners. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have been tremendous leaders in this respect.
In fact, just yesterday I was in San Antonio, Texas, where I spoke at the 86th Annual American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) Conference and Exposition and highlighted some of the steps the Department is taking to help bolster efforts to protect the aviation system while facilitating travel and tourism. I also had the opportunity to meet with AAAE members to hear firsthand their perspectives on the Department’s efforts to support economic growth and improve service levels. We discussed the importance of Trusted Traveler programs, like TSA Pre✓™ and CBP Global Entry, which are demonstrative of our continued work to improve the customer experience while enhancing security – and are also incredibly popular among the traveling public.
And earlier this month, we announced new openings for the Loaned Executive Program to provide top executive-level and subject matter experts from the private sector an opportunity to share their expertise with the Department. This is an important program, and DHS will continue to partner with the nation’s top executives and industry experts to solve problems, improve processes, and fully realize its mission.
As we work to fulfill the President’s directive, DHS will identify actionable steps to improve the international entry experience for travelers at airports and seaports across this country. We will build on the outstanding innovation and commitment to risk-based security that TSA and CBP have so ably carried forward to date.
It is a distinct privilege of mine as Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security to welcome international travelers and new U.S. citizens to our great nation, and this effort will ensure that continues as we remain a top destination for travel and tourism from abroad and a continued generator of jobs and growth at home.
Yesterday, I addressed the Group of Latin American Ambassadors in Washington (GRULA) at the Embassy of Peru to discuss our important security partnership in the Americas and joint efforts to facilitate trade and travel.
Today, more than ever, our relationship with Latin America is focused on partnership. The Department of Homeland Security is committed to collaborating with our Latin American partners to enhance the security of not only the United States, but that of the entire Western hemisphere, while facilitating the movement of goods and people through trusted shipper and trusted traveler programs.
Chile became the 38th participant in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) on February 28, 2014. Following Chile’s designation, several Latin American countries have expressed interest in joining the program. DHS views the VWP as much as a security and law enforcement partnership with like-minded countries as well as an opportunity to facilitate travel.
Among these countries is Peru, which DHS has been working with extensively, both bilaterally and through multilateral organizations, to reaffirm our shared interest in facilitating the flow of people and goods between our two countries while protecting our citizens from the threats posed by terrorism and transnational crime. Recognizing Peru’s desire to be designated as a participant in the VWP and the complexity of the qualifying process and the many requirements, DHS and the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Relations intend to consult closely and to take the necessary steps that would enable Peru to meet the requirements for VWP designation.
As our Nation celebrated National Police Week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) honored the men and women of the law enforcement community and remembered those who have given their lives in the line of duty.
“Our lost colleagues and many other sons and daughters of our nation who chose the hazardous profession of law enforcement represent the best of our country and the true spirit of service to others before self,” Secretary Johnson said. “We offer our condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of those who we have lost in the line of duty.”
Throughout National Police Week, leadership from across the Department commemorated the occasion by participated in a number of events to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement professionals who lost their lives in the line of duty.
On Monday, Secretary Jeh Johnson and Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, joined by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Tom Winkowski, participated in the ICE Valor Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
Later in the day, Secretary Johnson joined President Obama and Vice President Biden at the White House to honor the 2014 National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) TOP COPS award winners - some of our nation's best law enforcement officials – to the White House to honor their remarkable service and sacrifice. The TOP COPS are chosen each year by the National Association of Police Organizations, after being nominated by their fellow officers for their notable service during the previous calendar year.
On Tuesday, Secretary Johnson and Deputy Secretary Mayorkas, joined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske, participated in the CBP Valor Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony at Woodrow Wilson Plaza. CBP Officer Darrel Windhaus, who passed away in 2013 after years of dedicated service to our Department, was recognized and his name was unveiled on the Valor Memorial during the ceremony.
The names of law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty were read aloud to a crowd of thousands during a candlelight vigil on Tuesday evening at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. Secretary Johnson had the honor of participating in the 26th Annual Candlelight Vigil to honor the law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as was joined by Department leadership from across the Components. The names of the crew of U.S. Coast Guard CG-328 and U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Travis Obendorf were added to the Memorial this year in memoriam.
On Thursday, Secretary Johnson, Deputy Secretary Mayorkas, U.S. Secret Service Director Pierson, ICE Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Winkowski, CBP Commissioner Kerlikowske and Deputy Commissioner Kevin McAleenan, joined Vice President Biden and participated in the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol. The Memorial Service, which began in 1982 with approximately 120 survivors and supporters of law enforcement, has become the centerpiece of National Police Week attracting tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world to our nation’s capital.
Since the first recorded police death in 1791 more than 20,000 peace officers have paid the ultimate price for our safety, including members of our own Department. In addition to CBP Officer Windhaus and Coast Guard Petty Officer Obendorf, we also recognize and remember Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez, who was killed in the line of duty in November 2013.
Throughout National Police Week, we respect, honor and remember those we have lost, and we ask you to join with Secretary Johnson and the entire Department as we thank all of our dedicated DHS law enforcement officers for their devoted service, sacrifice and commitment to keep our communities safe and our nation secure.
Posted by Chief Privacy Officer Karen Neuman
Deputy Secretary Mayorkas delivers remarks during an event commemorating the tenth anniversary of the DHS Privacy Office. Official DHS photo.
Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security commemorated the tenth anniversary of the DHS Privacy Office by hosting an event held at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Headquarters in Washington.
During the event, DHS leadership, current and former DHS privacy and FOIA staff, former Chief Privacy Officers, representatives from the White House, the DHS Data Privacy and Integrity Advisory Committee, the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board, and stakeholders gathered to recognize the many achievements of the Privacy Office, as well as the important work of their counterparts at the Components.
Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas delivered congratulatory remarks during the ceremony, recognizing the Privacy Office’s work over the past 10 years to ensure that robust privacy protections are firmly embedded into the lifecycle of Homeland Security programs and systems from the onset. Deputy Secretary Mayorkas also expressed his gratitude for the contributions of the Privacy Office to the Department’s , and underscoring that the nation is stronger because of our hard work.
In addition to thanking and recognizing past and present DHS privacy and FOIA professionals, I discussed the challenges the office currently faces as it looks forward to its next decade, and our priorities and vision for the future.
The threats we face are ever-evolving, and technology and how we use it may be part of the solution to countering those threats. It is crucial for the Department to develop effective uses of information while being mindful of any potential privacy impact; cultivate new relationships while considering how notions of privacy might evolve; and take affirmative measures to protect privacy while explaining those protections to the public – all of which will make privacy and FOIA professionals essential to the missions of DHS.
It is my hope and expectation that in the course of decades to come, the Privacy Office and the Department as a whole will continue to be recognized for these efforts to preserve our values as well as we protect the homeland.
Learn more about the DHS Privacy Office by visiting www.dhs.gov/privacy.
Secretary Jeh Johnson, Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Tom Winkowski joined with leaders from ICE and across law enforcement to participate in the ICE Valor Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial yesterday.
The ICE Valor Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony paid tribute to fallen law enforcement officers from ICE’s legacy agencies, the U.S. Customs Service and the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, as well as losses endured since ICE’s creation in 2003.
During the ceremony, Secretary Johnson spoke of his gratitude for the service and commitment of those who have died while serving ICE and its legacy agencies, and offered his deepest condolences for the losses that their families and friends have endured.
The Secretary laid a wreath on the memorial to honor those law enforcement officers who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure the safety and security of others. Secretary Johnson also met with the family and friends of those honored and remembered during today’s ceremony as he viewed the Memorial Wall.
The ICE Valor Memorial and Wreath Laying Ceremony is part of National Police Week, held annually to honor the service and sacrifice of law enforcement professionals, including members of the Department of Homeland Security, who lost their lives in the line of duty. Throughout the week, Secretary Johnson and Deputy Secretary Mayorkas will participate in various events to mark the occasion and remember the law enforcement officers whom we have lost.