An #Outsider Newsflash (Special Edition): @US-CERT Guidance on Ransomware

US-CERT has received multiple reports of ransomware infections in several countries around the world. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that infects a computer and restricts users’ access to it until a ransom is paid to unlock it. Individuals and organizations are discouraged from paying the ransom, as this does not guarantee access will be restored.

Users and administrators are encouraged to review the US-CERT Alert TA16-091A to learn how to best protect against ransomware. Please report any ransomware incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/current-activity/2017/05/12/Multiple-Ransomware-Infections-Reported

Notations From the Grid (Special Africa Edition): @POTUS to fund Mugabe, says diplomat

This is the latest out of Zimbabwe as it is in the midst of a profound Economic Crisis as Robert Mugabe Clings on to power:



Trump to fund Mugabe, says diplomat: The US has announced plans to increase its funding levels to Zimbabwe, particularly in the health sector - despite a diplomatic tiff between Washington and Harare. This was revealed by the US ambassador to Zimbabwe Harry Thomas Jr at the close of the just ended Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA).

Notations From the Grid: On #ComeyFiring; #Iran & Other Thoughts....

Rod Rosenstein, The US Deputy Attorney General                       

As Thursday dawns, there was some very interesting developments in the aftermath of the firing of the FBI Director.    Mr. Comey wrote a note to the FBI rank and file noting that a US President could fire an FBI Director--and he accepted that.      However, the uproar is bound to continue especially as our team just picked up reports (first reported by the Washington Post and released by us on our Twitter Feed by Haaretz) that the Deputy Attorney General of the United States threatened to resign over the manner in which the Firing was handled.     The New York Times just released an open letter to the Deputy Attorney General that is available by clicking on here.

Beyond the shores of the United States, there is the on-going election campaign in Iran.  Our team picked up a recent campaign infomercial  broadcast on Iranian State Television as President Rouhani admitted shortcomings--but noted some very interesting facts.   He spoke out forcefully for the rights of women, was forceful in protecting the Environment and underscored it is imperative to create a sense of hope and optimism for all (the conversation is in Farsi):

The opening scenes was also telling as it began as President Rouhani made an appearance at Tehran University on the occasion of University Student Day.   The attacks on him were telling in terms of the disappointments and the true realities faced by Iranians.    In the aftermath of the Comey Firing, we could not help but wonder what would President Trump's reaction have been if he was faced with a similar circumstance....