Stolen NSA Tool Used for Massive Global Cyberattack: Here’s What We’re Reading

Colin Rabyniuk May 12, 2017

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Here’s what we’re reading today.

1. Hackers hit dozens of countries with a stolen NSA tool

“Hackers using a tool stolen from the United States government conducted extensive cyberattacks on Friday that hit dozens of countries around the world, severely disrupting Britain’s public health system and wreaking havoc on computers elsewhere, including Russia.

“Hospitals in Britain appeared to be the most severely affected by the attacks, which aimed to blackmail computer users by seizing their data. The attacks blocked doctors’ access to patient files and forced emergency rooms to divert people seeking urgent care.”

– New York Times

2. Trump suggests there may be ‘tapes’ of his private conversations with former FBI director

“President Trump suggested Friday that there may be ‘tapes’ of his private conversations with FBI Director James B. Comey, whom he fired earlier this week, in what appeared to be an attempt to threaten Comey about ‘leaking to the press.'”

– Washington Post

James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017

3. Auditor-General to expose RCMP’s mental health faillings

“The RCMP is bracing for tough new questions on the way the force treats its members across the country, this time in relation to the handling of mental-health issues by Mounties who are struggling to deal with stressful and traumatic incidents, sources say.

“The Auditor-General of Canada will release a report on the RCMP’s mental-health strategy on Tuesday. According to officials who are aware of its contents, the report paints a largely negative picture of the services provided to Mounties over the years, which stands to further darken the force’s reputation in the eyes of the public.”

– The Globe and Mail

4. CSIS refuses to say whether it thinks Russia is interfering in Canadian politics

“‘We neither confirm nor deny that the records you requested exist,’ reads a response from the intelligence service. ‘We are, however, advising you … that such records, if they existed, could reasonably be expected to be exempted under or more sections of [the Access to Information Act.]'”

– Vice News