Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 5 July 2024

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

Religion as Bait: AndroRAT Targets Nigerian Mobile Users

Broadcom reports:

“Nigeria features a vibrant religious landscape with multiple different faiths shaping the country. But the significant influence of religion in Nigeria also presents a fertile ground for social engineering attacks against both consumers and enterprises. In a recent case, Symantec has seen an actor who’s attempting to lure Nigerian mobile users with a fake Quran-related app (AssunnahQuranApp.apk) that is in fact AndroRAT in disguise.

AndroRAT is a remote access tool (RAT) for Android that operates through a client-server model, allowing a remote attacker to control a victim’s phone after installation. This includes accessing data such as location, call logs, and contacts, and performing actions like sending SMS messages or taking pictures.”

Analyst Comments:

ProPrivacy provides How To Spot and Avoid Fake Apps: Protect Your Device. Virtualspirit provides 8 Best Ways to Detect and Prevent Mobile App Fraud. Faith-Based Organization members should consider reviewing app safeguards.

Biden Admin Gives Preferential Treatment for Security Grants to Churches and Synagogues in ‘Disadvantaged’ Communities

The Washington Free Beacon reports:

“The Biden administration’s grant program to protect houses of worship against terrorist attacks gives preferential treatment to organizations deemed to be in disadvantaged communities, part of President Joe Biden’s controversial initiative to infuse “equity” into every federal agency.

…

To “advance considerations of equity” in the grant program, DHS awards 10 “bonus” points to nonprofits located in census tracts deemed to be “disadvantaged” by the Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool, a metric that the administration adopted to identify “communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.” And in the event of scoring ties, the agency gives preference to organizations in disadvantaged areas, according to federal documents.”

Analyst Comments:

Especially during election seasons, it’s important to recognize that media has biases and those are reflected in what and how information is reported. That applies to all sides of the political spectrum. It is worth noting that the Washington Free Beacon is a conservative media outlet and generally opposed to President Biden. With such stories – told as they are above – it is important to understand that in the continuing politicization of issues over this election season, some aspects of government grants or other programs could be seen as friendly or hostile to one side or another and excite individuals who may target Faith-Based Organizations (FBO). FBOs should consider being aware of all facets of the threat environment.

The 2024 application period is closed, but it is anticipated that the Nonprofit Security Grant Program will continue to offer grants in the future. Grant applicants should understand all the parameters of a specific grant. FBOs can use the Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool referred to above to determine their position in the rating process.

FB-ISAO’s 16 October 2023 Daily Awareness Post provided guidance on applying for grants, including obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and registering in the System for Award Management.

FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program website provides guidance on the grant process, including the FEMA Preparedness Grants Manual.

Additional Resource:

• FEMA: Take these 4 Steps to Apply for a Nonprofit Security Grant