Ops Sec and Al-Qaida online!!
Received this from our security folks. Just for those serving and in jobs where this can be an issue.
Moderators perhaps we could have a written warning of some sort put somewhere as this is a public forum where this can be an issue.
Thoughts?
AL-QAIDA has EYES on Facebook, MySpace, and Friends Reunited
By Gordon Thomas
London-In an unprecedented New Year’s “high priority” warning, MI5-Britain’s Security Service, has asked British troops to remove all personal details they posted over the Christmas period on the social networking websites Facebook, MySpace, and Friends Reunited. MI5 Internet analysts discovered AL-QAIDA operatives had been monitoring the sites to gather details that could be used to launch terror attacks. Under the heading “Personal Security”, the two-page document, signed by MI5 Chief Jonathan Evans was circulated on New Year’s Day to all British Commanders in Britain, Afghanistan, and Iraq stating; “You are requested to ensure service connections on chatroom and dating sites do not appear. Be especially careful if you use Facebook, MySpace, or Friends Reunited.” The MI5 analysts have seen that many thousands of service members had posted personal details on those websites and included news of their careers, pictures of themselves in uniforms and details of past postings. ‘Those details in the hands of AL-QAIDA operatives offer invaluable information, Evans warns. Access to Facebook is restricted to members, but all that is required to register is an e-mail address.
One MI5 analyst uncovered the names of 954 servicemen on the Royal Marines network on Facebook and another analyst found on MySpace no fewer than 127 names of Royal Anglican Regiment soldiers. “Many of the soldiers gave their full names, dates of birth, home towns, names of family members, girlfriends or wives, the locations of where they had served, photos posing with colleagues and weapons. “That kind of detail”, warned MI5 analyst “is pure GOLD to terrorists. It can enable them to plot an attack as never before. Not only on targets in the field; but against the families of those Soldiers.”
The truth is that in 2008 AL-QAIDA will continue to recruit extremists to conduct suicide attacks, both in Britain and abroad, as well as recruiting sympathizers prepared to assist by providing accommodation, transportation, and funding, concluded the warning from Jonathan Evans.
Note: Please, ensure the widest dissemination to the 420 Air Base Group.
V/R
420 SFS/S-2