{"id":24895,"date":"2020-01-15T20:34:28","date_gmt":"2020-01-15T20:34:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/01\/15\/family-members-of-deployed-paratroopers-receiving-menacing-messages-warned-to-double-check-social-media-settings\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T02:03:35","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T02:03:35","slug":"family-members-of-deployed-paratroopers-receiving-menacing-messages-warned-to-double-check-social-media-settings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/01\/15\/family-members-of-deployed-paratroopers-receiving-menacing-messages-warned-to-double-check-social-media-settings\/","title":{"rendered":"Families of deployed paratroopers received \u2018menacing\u2019 messages, warned to double-check social media settings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 82nd Airborne Division is briefing family members of deployed paratroopers to double-check their social media settings and report any strange messages they may receive after some malevolent ones were reported to the command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The division\u2019s 1st Brigade Combat Team deployed to Kuwait in early January as part of an emergency response to the region over heightened tensions with Iran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFamilies have reported instances where they have received unsolicited contact with some menacing messaging,\u201d said Lt. Col. Mike Burns, a division spokesman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe have done several things to inform our paratroopers and families of these risks and ways that they can protect themselves,\u201d Burns added. \u201cI also personally spoke to the brigade [Familiy Readiness Group] leaders today.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 82nd has told family members to be vigilant and practice smart behavior online<\/a>. Family members should check their social media settings and reference the U.S. Army\u2019s social media handbook<\/a>, Burns said. In addition to distributing social media pamphlets, the division has held information forums for families. Burns could not comment on the reports that WiFi access was suspended for brigade paratroopers in Kuwait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Separately, two U.S. sources with direct knowledge of the situation told Military Times the WiFi access was suspended over fears of a potential hacking and leak of sensitive contact information. One defense source said the MWR network was compromised, that contacts were pulled from service member\u2019s devices and family members have been getting threats and disturbing messages from hackers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The defense official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record, said family members stateside have been getting threats and disturbing messages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the messages obtained by Military Times appears to be a typical psychological operations-styled warning. It references Iran, but there is no indication it is actually a state-sponsored message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you like your life and you want to see your family again, pack up your stuff right now and leave the Middle East. Go back to your country. You and your terrorist clown president brought nothing but terrorism,\u201d the message reads. \u201cYou fools underestimate the power of Iran. The recent attack on your [expletive] bases was just a little taste of our power. By killing our general, you dug your own grave. Before having more dead bodies, just leave the region for good and never look back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The message was sent over Instagram by an account that used deceased Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Soleimani\u2019s portrait as a profile picture. Soleimani was killed by a U.S. airstrike on Jan. 3 in Baghdad, Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\t