Protecting your Personal Information with Secure Passwords
U.S. Department of Homeland Security / http://www.dhs.gov/blog/2013/05/08/protecting-your-personal-information-secure-passwords
From email and banking to social media and mobile apps, the average person has a long list of passwords. While keeping track of numerous account logins can be tedious, there could be serious implications if a cybercriminal gains access to your email, financial information, social security number, or even your medical records. Passwords are the most common means of authentication online, and that is why it is critical to use strong passwords and keep them confidential.
Here are some the tips below from the Stop.Think.Connect. ™ campaign to help make your passwords stronger and help keep them secure:
- Don't use words that can be found in any dictionary of any language and use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Don't use passwords that are based on personal information or that can be easily accessed or guessed including birthdays, names of pets, or favorite movies and books that can be found by a quick search on social networking sites.
- Use passphrases like "Thispasswdis4myemail!" to help you remember complex passwords.
- Write down your passwords and store them in a secure place away from your computer if necessary. For example, passwords locked in your desk drawer are secure, but passwords on a sticky note stuck to the monitor are not.
- Use different passwords for different accounts and change them regularly.
- Make sure account login pages use encryption including a URL that begins with "https:" instead of "http:". Look for the padlock icon in the browser bar, too. If the padlock icon appears on the webpage, but not in the browser bar, it might just be a graphic that a cybercriminal embedded to trick you into feeling secure.
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility and we are all called on to ACT or Achieve Cybersecurity Together. We know it only takes a single infected computer to potentially infect thousands and perhaps millions of others. But at the end of the day, cybersecurity is ultimately about people. The most impressive and sophisticated technology is worthless if it’s not operated and maintained by informed and conscientious users.
If each of us commits to staying informed of cybersecurity risks and takes a few simple steps, we can all make a big difference to stay safe online.
For more information on choosing and protecting passwords, visit the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT), and for general online safety tips, visit Stop.Think.Connect.
GSP Due to Expire July 31, 2013
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/international_agreements/special_trade_programs/gsp_gen_system/gsp_expire.xml
The Generalized System of Preferences (“GSP”) trade preference program is due to expire on July 31, 2013. CBP has no information as to whether or not this preference program will be renewed and if it is renewed, whether there will be a lapse period, or whether there will be a retroactive clause providing for a refund of claims made during such a period.
To receive the most timely information, you should consult the trade press, your business contacts and the Federal Register preview site.
ATPA/ATPDEA Due to Expire July 31, 2013
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/trade_programs/international_agreements/special_trade_programs/atpa/atpa_atpdea_expire.xml
The ATPA and ATPDEA (“Andean”) trade preference programs are due to expire on July 31, 2013. CBP has no information as to whether or not these preference programs will be renewed and if they are renewed, whether there will be a lapse period, or whether there will be a retroactive clause providing for a refund of claims made during such a period.
To receive the most timely information, you should consult the trade press, your business contacts and the Federal Register preview site.
NOTICES TO THE WILDLIFE IMPORT/EXPORT COMMUNITY:
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service / www.fws.gov
Trade Suspensions - May 3, 2013
Annex to Trade Suspensions - May 3, 2013
CBP Agriculture Specialists at South Texas Ports of Entry Ensure Mother’s Day Plants and Flowers are Disease and Pest Free
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/05072013_4.xml
Laredo, Texas - With Mother’s Day celebrations looming this weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture specialists working at South Texas ports of entry are busy making sure that personal and commercial importations of flowers are free from insects, pests and diseases that could harm the agricultural and floral industries of the United States.
“CBP agriculture specialists will be inspecting cut flowers, plants and fresh herbs for any sign of insects, pests or diseases,” said Eugenio Garza Jr., director, field operations, Laredo Field Office. “We strongly encourage the public to consult the CBP website before they make their trip so they know which flowers are permissible and which are prohibited or restricted.”
While a relatively small number of harmful pests are found among the millions of stems inspected by CBP, a single dangerous pest could cause millions of dollars of damage to our nation’s crops.
In advance of this traditionally busy period for floral imports, CBP is reminding border crossers who plan to import flowers and plants from Mexico to advise their florist that the arrangements are destined for U.S. delivery. Some flowers and plant materials commonly found in floral arrangements are prohibited including gladiolas, chrysanthemums and choysia (a green citrus-like floral filler) due to pest risk.
CBP recommends that people who wish to import flowers, plant materials, and other agricultural items consult the CBP Info Center section on the CBP website before they travel. Learn about cut flower importations. ( Flowers - Bring flowers into the United States )
They should also declare all items they’ve acquired abroad to CBP officers to avoid civil or criminal penalties.
Traditionally, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and the Easter holiday weekends are times when CBP agriculture specialists are very busy inspecting floral arrangements. At international ports of entry, land borders, and international mail facilities, CBP agriculture specialists are the front line in the fight against the introduction of insects, pests and diseases into the United States.
USDA Modifies Regulations on the Importation of Plants for Planting; Two Final Rules and Two Proposals for Comment
U.S. Department of Agriculture / http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2013/04/plants_for_planting.shtml
WASHINGTON, April 22 2013--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is advising the public of two final rules and two proposals (one notice and one proposed rule) for comment. The changes will streamline and strengthen the regulations for the importation of plants and plant material. These initiatives have been in progress for several years. Strengthening the plants for planting import regulations was recommended by the National Plant Board and other stakeholders in recent years. With these actions, APHIS will continue to modernize the plants for planting import regulations, increase transparency, and better control high-risk pest pathways.
Notice of Addition of Taxa of Plants for Planting to the List of Taxa whose Importation is Not Authorized Pending a Pest Risk Analysis
APHIS is posting a final notice, adding 31 quarantine pests from all countries and 107 hosts of 13 quarantine pests from nearly all countries that would be added to the list of plants whose importation is not authorized pending a pest risk analysis (NAPPRA). This rule will go into effect on May 20, 2013. This is the first addition to the NAPPRA category.
In 2011, APHIS established a new category of plants for planting whose importation is not authorized pending pest risk analysis in order to prevent the introduction of quarantine pests into the United States. The final rule established two lists of taxa: a list of plants for planting that are quarantine pests and a list of plants for planting that are hosts of quarantine pests. For taxa of plants for planting that have been determined to be quarantine pests, the list will include the names of the taxa. For taxa of plants for planting that are hosts of quarantine pests, the list will include the names of the taxa, the foreign places from which the taxa's importation is not authorized, and the quarantine pests of concern. NAPPRA allows APHIS to take prompt action on evidence that the importation of a taxon poses a risk while continuing to allow for public participation in the process.
This action is published in today’s Federal Register.
APHIS anticipates the following final rule and proposals to be published within the next few days.
Restructuring of Regulations on the Importation of Plants for Planting
APHIS has posted a proposed rule for the restructuring of regulations on the importation of plants for planting to the Federal Register for comment. This proposal would move some of the restrictions on the importation of specific types of plants for planting currently in the regulations to the Plants for Planting Manual; group together restrictions that apply to the importation of most or all plants for planting; and add general requirements for the development of integrated pest risk management measures. The manual is user-friendly and available on the APHIS website. This proposal does not make any major changes to current restrictions that apply to importation of plants for planting, but would set up a system for making changes more efficiently and transparently in the future.
This action is published in the April 25th Federal Register. Comments are due on June 24th, 2013.
Controlled Import Permits
APHIS is publishing a final rule to establish the Controlled Import Permit (CIP) as the single type of authorization for the importation of plants and plant products that are prohibited within 7 CFR 319. The CIP will replace the Departmental permit and will also be the authorization for importing plants that currently require a different APHIS permit plus a post entry quarantine permit. The CIP will consolidate and harmonize the various conditions that APHIS imposes on holders of PPQ 588 permits to reduce the possibility of bringing a pest into the United States along with the plant material.
This action is published in the May 2 Federal Register. This final rule becomes effective June 3.
Notice of Availability of Data Sheets for Taxa of Plants for Planting that are Quarantine Pests or Hosts of Quarantine Pests to be added to NAPPRA
APHIS is publishing a notice presenting scientific evidence on 22 quarantine pests and 39 hosts of 8 quarantine pests from certain countries that we are considering adding to the list of plants whose importation is not authorized pending pest risk analysis (NAPPRA). This is the second proposal to add taxa to the NAPPRA list.
APHIS encourages comments on the above proposed notice and rule when they are published in the Federal Register.
Comments on the proposed notice and rule will be posted on the Regulations.gov website and may also be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th St. and Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC, between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. To facilitate entry into the comment reading room, please call (202) 690-2817.
The Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, has aggressively worked to expand export opportunities and reduce barriers to trade, helping to push agricultural exports to record levels. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing its best period in history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers and agribusinesses. Today, net farm income is at record levels while debt has been cut in half since the 1980s. Overall, American agriculture supports 1 in 12 jobs in the United States and provides American consumers with 83 percent of the food we consume, while maintaining affordability and choice. Strong agricultural exports contribute to a positive U.S. trade balance, create jobs, boost economic growth and support President Obama's National Export Initiative goal of doubling all U.S. exports by the end of 2014.
Note to Reporters: USDA news releases, program announcements and media advisories are available on the Internet and through Really Simple Syndication (RSS) feeds.
Williams-Sonoma Agrees to $987,500 Civil Penalty, Significant Internal Compliance Improvements for Failure to Report Defective Pottery Barn Wooden Hammock Stands
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission /
http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Newsroom/News-Releases/2013/Williams-Sonoma-Agrees-to-987500-Civil-Penalty-Significant-Internal-Compliance-Improvements-for-Failure-to-Report-Defective-Pottery-Barn-Wooden-Hammock-Stands/
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that Williams-Sonoma, Inc., of San Francisco, Calif., has agreed to pay a $987,500 civil penalty. The penalty agreement has been accepted provisionally by the Commission in a 3-0 vote.
In addition to paying a monetary penalty, Williams-Sonoma has agreed to implement and maintain a compliance program designed to ensure compliance with the safety statutes and regulations enforced by the Commission. Williams-Sonoma has also agreed to maintain and enforce a system of internal controls and procedures designed to ensure that:
- information required to be disclosed by the firm to the Commission is recorded, processed, and reported, in accordance with applicable law;
- all reporting made to the Commission is timely, truthful, complete, and accurate; and
- prompt disclosure is made to Williams-Sonoma’s management of any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the design or operation of such internal controls that are reasonably likely to adversely affect, in any material respect, the company’s ability to report to the Commission.
Williams-Sonoma further agreed to provide written documentation of such improvements, processes, and controls, upon request of CPSC staff; to cooperate fully and truthfully with CPSC staff; and to make available all information, materials, and personnel deemed necessary to staff to evaluate the company’s compliance with the terms of the agreement.
The settlement resolves CPSC staff’s charges that the firm knowingly failed to report to CPSC immediately, as required by federal law, a defect involving Pottery Barn wooden hammock stands. Williams-Sonoma imported the wooden hammock stands between March 2003 and July 2008, and distributed them exclusively through Pottery Barn and PBteen catalogs and websites, and Pottery Barn Outlet stores. The hammock stands were sold nationwide for approximately $300.
CPSC staff alleged that when used outdoors, the wood in the hammock stands can deteriorate over time and break. Because the deterioration was occurring inside the metal bracket and was hidden from view, there was sometimes no outward indication to consumers that the wood was rotting until a consumer sat in the hammock and the beams broke. This posed fall and laceration hazards to consumers.
Williams-Sonoma did not file its full report with CPSC until September 11, 2008. On October 1, 2008, Williams-Sonoma and CPSC announced the recall of 30,000 wooden hammock stands. By that time, Williams-Sonoma was aware of 45 incidents involving the hammocks, including 12 reports of injuries requiring medical attention for lacerations, neck and back pain, bruising, and one incident involving fractured ribs.
Federal law requires manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to report to CPSC immediately (within 24 hours) after obtaining information reasonably supporting the conclusion that a product contains a defect which could create a substantial product hazard, creates an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or fails to comply with any consumer product safety rule or any other rule, regulation, standard, or ban enforced by CPSC.
In agreeing to the settlement, Williams-Sonoma neither admits, nor denies CPSC staff’s allegations that its hammock stands contained a defect which could create a substantial product hazard or created an unreasonable risk of serious injury or death, or that it failed to notify the Commission in a timely manner, in accordance with the reporting requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Act.
( Statement by Commission Nancy Nord )
CBP El Paso Breaks-Up Plaster Decorations Smuggling Attempt
U.S. Customs & Border Protection / http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/05022013_7.xml
El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at the El Paso port of entry seized 591 pounds of marijuana on May 1. The drugs were hidden within plaster figurines, columns, and other items imported from Mexico. The estimated street value of the seized contraband is $473,000.
“Smugglers will sometimes try to conceal drugs in everyday items that are routinely imported,” said Hector Mancha, CBP El Paso Port Director. “The vigilance of CBP officers working at the El Paso port of entry identified and stopped this unusual drug load.”
The seizure was made on Wednesday, May 1, when a 1994 Volvo tractor towing a trailer loaded with wrapped and palletized plaster items arrived from Mexico. CBP officers initiated an examination of the vehicle including scanning it with an x-ray system. The scan identified a number of anomalies in the shipment. CBP drug sniffing dog “Latte” searched the truck and alerted to the pallets. CBP broke open the plaster items and recovered 384 marijuana-filled bundles. No arrests were made and the investigation is continuing.
The 591 pound drug bust was the largest of five made by CBP officers working at the El Paso port on May 1. They seized 202 pounds of marijuana in four additional seizures.
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.