Key US military command's Twitter, YouTube sites hacked
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (WTVD) -- Fort Bragg officials are warning active-duty service members and dependents about safe social media practices. The reminders come hours after a cyber-attack on U.S. military social media accounts Monday afternoon.
"I would hesitate to say what the main concern is,"' said Eve Meinhardt, a member of the Fort Bragg Public Affairs team. "I mean it's just making sure that you're looking out for the safety of yourself, your family members, your fellow service members."
Hackers, claiming to be supporters of ISIS, took over YouTube and Twitter accounts belonging to the U.S. Central Command. Information splashed across the CENTCOM accounts appeared to be unclassified, yet official documents to include war game scenarios, personnel lists and cryptic messages.
Those messages to U.S. service members included, "We won't stop. We know everything about you," and "AMERICAN SOLDIERS watch your back."
Locally, Fort Bragg service members and dependents receive operational security training through Family Readiness Groups. That training emphasizes the safest social media practices.
"If it's not something you would want to shout out in your front yard, don't post it online," said Meinhardt. "If it's something that you don't want people knowing about you or your family, don't post it online."
Meinhardt also warned against befriending people you haven't seen or spoken to in decades, because you may not know their current intentions. She cautioned safety in using public computers, encouraged frequent password changes and discouraged geo-tagging.
"There's 10 digit coordinates that are associated with your phones sometimes," she said. "Make sure that that geo-tag setting is turned off, especially if you're doing something in connection with your military duties."
Fort Bragg Army Capt. Eric Nilsen says the latest ISIS threat is nothing new.
"Am I afraid somebody is going to come break down my door, no," said Nilsen. "Because, if they had that kind of organization, it would have already happened, or they would not be boasting about it."
Nilsen said he and other soldiers have heard it before.
"Whether it's ISIS, al-Qaida, whatever you want to call it, there is always going to be threats to us and families," said Nilsen. "It's the same mantra we have preached since 9/11. If you see something, say something. Be aware and be alive."
This is not the first time that U.S. government websites or other accounts have been hacked. It was not clear whether the site was attacked by the insurgent group or by sympathizers.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
