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Security experts share advice in light of Iran cyberattack concerns

Updated: January 09, 2020 05:12 PM

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a bulletin to raise awareness of possible cyber threats in light of the military action in the deadly strike in Iraq of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani.

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DHS suggested implementing "basic cyber hygiene" practices that include effecting data backups, watching for suspicious emails, and employing multifactor authentication while online.

Using a two-factor authentication when logging onto email is one way, said Jordan Mauriello, cybersecurity expert at CRITICALSTART.

"That simple change to something like email is a very strong deterrent to potential attackers," Mauriello said.

Mauriello advises clients to use endpoint detection programs that continuously monitor threats instead of traditional anti-virus programs.

Homeland Security said Iranian regime actors and proxies in the past have been responsible for disruptive cyberattacks looking to do more damage than just stealing data and money.

"Nation states realize the best investment of their resources is preparing for a cyber-war, fewer casualties, greater impact," said Mark Lanterman.

Mark Lanterman, a former U.S Secret Service agent, is now chief technology officer at Computer Forensic Services in downtown Minneapolis.

"Targets are more government-related, so certainly employees of U.S government or even employees of the state of Minnesota should be on alert," Lanterman said.

Minnesota Government See Uptick in International Cyber-Activity

"In response to heightened international tensions with Iran, the Minnesota IT Services Security Operations Center (SOC) is currently operating at an enhanced monitoring level, "said Minnesota IT Services' Interim Chief Information Security Officer, Rohit Tandon.

Minnesota IT Services provides security for state government websites.

"At this time, the SOC has identified a slight uptick in cyber-activity from international actors attempting to probe state systems, but this uptick does not indicate any imminent cyberattack and should not be understood as a cause for alarm," Tandon said.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Tuesday the Texas Department of Information Resources had seen a spike in attempted cyberattacks from Iran on state agency networks at the rate of about 10,000 per minute.

For tips regarding cybersecurity from Homeland Security, click here.

AP contributed to parts of the information in this article.

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Eric Chaloux

Copyright 2020 - KSTP-TV, LLC A Hubbard Broadcasting Company

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