Terrorism and Violent Attacks: What YOU Can Do!

In my “other life” outside of my job as a cyber-security operations supervisor, I am involved in a number of activities that revolve around community emergency response, institutional safety, and preparing for such things as what happened in Orlando and other previous attacks in places of worship.  Having previously performed physical (armed) security duties at my church and in the military, I still keep in touch with security efforts, and still attend constant training in this area.  My background in this area comes from being a firearms instructor, a member of the Fort Collins Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and The Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (The CELL) in Denver, as well as serving as an emergency communications HAM radio operator.

 Recently, I had the privilege of attending an Institutional Safety Conference (often referred to as a “Sheepdog Seminar”) presented by LtCol Dave Grossman, Carl Chinn (one of the responders at the December 2007 New Life Church shooting), Jimmy Meeks, and Northern Colorado’s own former Navy SEAL Mark Hotaling.  Less than a day after that seminar, we all learned that the Orlando massacre happened.  Little did I know that LtCol Grossman's words would turn out to be extremely prophetic.  In that seminar, Grossman, Meeks, Chinn, and Hotaling all told us that horrible attacks like this one would begin in America on a larger scale, and very soon.  Grossman took us through the Beslan Massacre as an example of what kinds of terrorist attacks could happen here.  In fact many in the extremist circles have stated that the Beslan Massacre was their dress rehearsal for what they had planned for America.

I need to be very blunt here:  As was stated several times in the presentation, and as I firmly believe, many people are still in denial and have their heads in the sand on the issues of violence and terrorism in America.  September 11, 2001 woke us up to the fact that terrorism on a large scale can happen in America.  But then, we went back to sleep.  We have been living the “it can’t happen here” lie for quite a while now.  This has only been worsened by the endless bombardment of political correctness in our society.  Well you know what?  It’s high time we start calling these threats for what they are, face them head on, and declare that we as Americans will not put up with the tactics of fear and terrorism in our land.Protecting my family, friends, community, and co-workers is a responsibility that I don't take lightly.  LtCol Grossman was emphatic in his belief that more attacks would happen soon.  No sooner does he say that, and then one happens less than 24 hours after making his remarks.  I firmly believe in being prepared, and will accept nothing less from my fellow citizens.  By all of us being prepared, we send a strong message to the bad guys, and present a formidable deterrence against their actions.

So here are some things that YOU can do, and will hopefully find helpful in your own preparations:

• Attend a “Sheepdog Seminar.”  This is some of the best information you will ever receive on this topic of preparing for, and responding to, violent attacks.  If you can’t attend, they offer the seminars on DVD. http://www.sheepdogsafetytraining.com/ 

• Meet with your family, neighbors, and friends.  Form a group.   Discuss preparedness, neighborhood watch activities and crime prevention strategies.  Your local law enforcement will have some great resources for you to use.

• The Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (The CELL) in Denver – has some great information on recognizing the signs of terrorism.  See if your community offers a similar program. http://www.thecell.org/cap/

• Attend a law enforcement Citizen’s Academy or similar program in your area.  Not only do these sessions give you great insights into the inner workings of law enforcement, but they can give you some great information on community specific threats and disaster preparedness initiatives.

• Attend training presentations in your local community on general emergency and disaster planning.  Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is a great place to start.  You can take online CERT training at the FEMA Independent Study Institute here:  http://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-317

• Many times, terrorists perform surveillance activities prior to the actual attack.  Here is a surveillance awareness course provided by the FEMA Independent Study Institute to help you recognize when surveillance activities are taking place.  https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-914&trk=profile_certification_title

• As part of the “See Something, Say Something” program, you can install the “SeeSend” app on your smart phones to help facilitate video, pictures, and alerts to the appropriate authorities. Here, for example, anything we send goes to our Fusion Center (Colorado Information Analysis Center – CIAC) in Denver.  I’m sure you have something similar where you live.

• Other SmartPhone apps that you may find useful for receiving emergency notifications from emergency response organizations, family, neighborhood watch groups, etc:

• CodeRed
• Emergency Alert
• FEMA Mobile App
• ICE Blackbox
• NOAA Weather International
• PulsePoint
• PulsePoint AED
• Silent Beacon Emergency Alert

Oh, and by the way:  This is NOT a gun control issue.  I do not want to hear the argument that “if the Orlando killer didn’t have an AR-15, he wouldn’t have been able to do this!”  Bull!  The semi-automatic rifle did not kill all those people.  A dark and evil heart killed all those people.  The rifle was a tool.  He wanted to kill people.  He would have found a way.  Most killers do!

I’m not trying to insult you, frighten you, or be overly dramatic.  I just care about my loved ones, community, and co-workers, and I need you all with me on this.  We “Sheepdogs” are the new “Civil Defense” in a dangerous new era.  I just want everyone to be prepared, be aware of their surroundings, and be able to WIN in an emergency situation rather than become a victim.

There’s an App for That!

Last time, I mentioned some of the reasons for being mindful of those smartphone apps that you install and the security concerns surrounding them.  This week, it’s back to discussions about firearms, and some examples of the firearms related apps that you can install on your smartphone.  I have an Android phone, so all of my examples this week are Android compatible apps.  But chances are that you will find many of these apps for iPhones as well.  You have to remember:  I’m a geek, so from time to time I use the technology I have at my disposal to enhance firearms knowledge and experiences.  Or, I just like to play with toys... whatever.

Searching for these apps is pretty easy.  When you go to the app store ("Google Play" for you Verizon Android owners) – the following search terms will help you find what you are looking for:  nra, firearms, rifle, rifle scopes, ammunition, ballistics, ammo, reloading, and other terms similar to these.  If you go to Google Play on your Android, just use the app names below for the search terms and you will find it.  Most apps are free or little cost.  I thought the small fee ($4.99) that I paid for the Nikon app was worth it because I have a few different Nikon rifle scopes, and they are covered in this app.  So here are a few that I have found to be particularly useful.

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NRA – National Rifle Association

Description:  Provides access to NRA news ILA Alerts, and the NRA blog.  Also has links to resources near you, based on your GPS location, and access to their social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and a Rep Finder.

Cost:  FREE

App Link:  http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/news_and_magazines/nra_cepbz.html

Strelok Ballistic Calculator

Description:Strelok is a ballistic trajectory calculator.  Small, handy and accurate. Field-proven accuracy since 2001.Supports imperial (yards, feet, inches, etc) and metric units.  Input all parameters, push button "Calculate!" and you will have vertical and horizontal values for rifle scope correction.  Also, you can select reticle from list and see wind and distance corrections on reticle without turning knobs. You can send by e-mail the reticle image with holdovers and ballistic table.  Supported reticles:  MilDot, NP-R2 (Nightforce), TMR (Leupold), and many more.

Cost:  FREE

App Link:  http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/sports/strelok-ballistic-calculator_pnsz.html

Nikon SpotOn

Description:Spot On Ballistic Match Technology provides precise aiming points for any Nikon BDC reticle riflescope and instant reference for sighting in other Nikon riflescopes with plex, MilDot or standard crosshair reticles.

All you need is a rifle, a Nikon riflescope and a rangefinder…SpotOn does all the work for you, showing you what the possibilities are before you ever fire a shot! Includes sections for handloaders, atmospheric conditions, and comparing loads as well as the ability to create and email a field reference chart.

Cost:  $4.99

App Link:  http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/sports/nikon-spoton-ballistic-match_bmxkj.html

DownZero Reloading Cost Calculator

Description:The Ammo Reloading Cost Calculator calculates the cost per round of reloaded ammunition.  The application provides input for quantity and price of the four components used to reload ammunition (Cases, Primers, Powder, Bullets).  Press the "Calculate" button to calculate costs for 1, 25, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rounds. The user can also enter a custom number of rounds and the cost is automatically calculated.  A pie graphs is used to show a graphical representation of the cost % for each component.  The application also has an email feature that will allow the user to email the results using an email program on your phone.  The application can also be moved to an SD card.

Cost:  FREE

App Link:  http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/tools/ammo-reload-cost-calc_bpouw.html

Firearms Talk Firearm Gun Forum

Description:  Mobile application for FirearmsTalk.com, a general Firearms, Guns & Weapons community discussion forum.  Covers everything under the Sun shooting handgun, rifle, shotgun, rimfire, centerfire, revolver. From AR15, AK47, 10/22, 870, Glock to gunsmith, safety, competition shooting and hunting.

Cost:  FREE

App Link:  http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/social/firearmstalk-firearm-gun-forum_bckde.html

USA Carry Forum

Description: You get full access to the forums and the app is formatted to make browsing and posting MUCH easier on your device than through the web browser.

Cost:  FREE

App Link:  http://www.usacarry.com/usa-carry-forums-android-app-available-now/

Gunventory – Gun Inventory App

Description: Gunventory is a simple to use firearms inventory app allowing you to take your gun collection info with you.  Features: -Store make, model, caliber, serial, type, and purchase date;  -Button to search Google; -Set a password to protect your information

Cost:  FREE

App Link:http://www.androidzoom.com/android_applications/productivity/gunventory_yqrh.html

Refuse To Be A Victim - Smartphone Security - An Overview:

WARNING:  This article contains absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with firearms, but has everything to do with not being victimized by the bad guys who use the very technology we use on a daily basis to attack us.  Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the 2012 Rocky Mountain Information Security Conference (RMISC), which was hosted by the Denver chapter of ISACA and the Information Systems Security Association.  One of the breakout sessions I attended was Georgia Weidman’s talk on the glaring need for smart phone security.  Besides leaving with the thought “…what ever happened to the day when these things were JUST phones?!”  I was reminded of the fact that with the added technology and functionality, our “phones” need to be protected just as do our computers. 

Specific Dangers: Your smart phone does not just contain your contact list.  Many people are using their smart phones to receive email, store documents, input calendar items, keep notes, store passwords, and various other useful things.  So these devices now hold all kinds of potentially sensitive personal data that must be protected.  If a piece of malicious software (malware) gets installed on your phone, it can steal this data and send it off to the bad guys without you even knowing about it.  The SMS (text message) functionality, along with the Internet connectivity features, on these devices are often leveraged vehicles for “exfiltrating” your sensitive data.

Not only is your personal data at risk, but also other information, such as your phone’s identity (the information that uniquely identifies your phone on the network), your geographical location, and information about the hardware and storage on your device can be disclosed.    According to Ms. Weidman, the International Mobile Equipment Identification (IMEI) number that uniquely identifies your phone is as valuable to the bad guys as a credit card number, as this number is used by various apps to identify the smart phone as being yours when it logs on to the service.  GPS information is also used to identify where you are located when using the services that you are accessing with your phone.  Your phones can also connect to mobile WiFi hotspots, which means that they are as vulnerable to attack by malicious hotspots near your local coffee shop (disguising as legitimate hotspots) as is your laptop.  Be careful about the networks you are connecting to.
 

So what can you do?  Two things that really stuck out from this presentation, in terms of minimizing risks and ensuring better personal security, were the need for: 1) Having a security suite installed on your smart phone, and 2) Be careful what you download, and what permissions are being asked for.

Smart-Phone Security Software:  In case you weren’t aware of this already, there are various apps out there that will help provide added security for your smart phone device. The problem is, however, that the tradeoff for additional security is often reduced performance.  Do some research and find out which security suites have better reviews.  I use the Norton Mobile Security Suite for my Android, and so far I haven’t noticed any huge or unbearable performance hits.  Even the “lite” version will give you basic malware protection, but you can get additional features in the paid version for remotely wiping or locking your phone if it is lost or stolen.  This is kind of a cool feature – I set up my spouse’s phone as a “buddy” so that if my phone is stolen or lost, I can send commands to my phone remotely.  For example, if her specific phone number sends a “wipe” command to my phone, along with a password, I can wipe my phone remotely and erase all of my sensitive data.

There are various other security suites out there such as Avast, Kaspersky, and Lookout.  Take a look at the links, do some research and find out which ones have the features you need and the performance you want.  Each link gives reviews to help you see what others are saying about each product.

Application Security: If ever there was a need to read the fine print, reading those permissions that your new apps are asking for is it.  When you download a new app for a smart phone, the app will often tell you what permissions it needs in order to operate.  Every time you download a new app, go ahead and read that list of permissions and take note of what that app needs to access in order to function properly.  Here is a good article that further explains permissions and how you can get more information about each permission that is being asked for when you install an app.

Sample Android App Permissions

 

Smart phone security is every bit as important to keeping you from being an online victim as is protecting your computer.  In the coming weeks, I will take a look at some additional ways to stay safe by addressing specific smart phone issues.  It's up to you to Refuse to be a Victim!

Additional Resources:

• Article: How App-Based Malware Infects Android Devices
• Article: What Can a Zero-Permissions Android App DO?
• Bulb Security (Georgia Wiedman)
  
  ...Now – back to our regularly scheduled firearms programming.