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Author: City of Linden

Cybersecurity Warning for Linden Residents; Active Info-Stealer Campaigns Are Targeting Facebook Users

Cybercriminals are using Facebook ads to distribute malware and hijack users’ social media accounts, researchers have discovered.

What’s an info-stealer?

Info-stealers are malware that enable hackers to steal victims’ browser cookies and take over Facebook accounts. Once inside the account, hackers can change passwords and activate additional security measures on accounts to completely deny access to the legitimate owner, allowing cybercriminals to commit fraud.

How does this happen?

This happens when hackers exploit legitimate tools for online ad distribution and insert infected links into typical advertisements. To entice users into clicking, campaigns often offer “provocative enticements”, which in this case, contained lewd images. Each click on the ad instantly downloads the malicious file to the victim’s device. Researchers estimate that nearly 100,000 users downloaded the malware in just 10 days.

What should we do?

Be extra vigilant when using any social media platforms, and make sure to connect only with people you know. Be weary of friend requests and messages from unknown people, especially when they ask you to click on a link or download a file. Before clicking on any ads, go to the company’s website to verify ad claims, such as discounts or special offers.

Let’s all remain vigilant of these and similar scams. Please refrain from answering unsolicited or unexpected communications. Additionally, do not provide personal or financial information or transfer money, especially in cryptocurrency, to unverified entities.

What should I do if I am hacked?

Incidents should be reported on https://www.cyber.nj.gov/report (the NJCCIC Cyber Incident Report Form), and https://www.ic3.gov (the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center), and to the Linden Police Department at 908 474 8502.

Fire Drill at the John T. Gregorio Center

Mayor Derek Armstead, the Linden Fire Department, and the Department of Parks & Recreation invite the JTG seniors to participate in a Fire Drill to be fully knowledgeable of best practices in the event of a fire in the building.

Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this event.

  • Who: For JTG seniors.
  • What: Fire Drill.
  • Where: The multi-purpose room at the John T. Gregorio Center, which is located at 330 Helen Street.
  • When: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at 12:30pm

Linden Recreation Tiger Cubs Basketball

Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, and the Department of Parks & Recreation invite you to attend tryouts for the Linden Recreation Tiger Cubs Basketball.

  • Who: Fourth through eighth grade girls and boys.
  • What: Linden Recreation Tiger Cubs Basketball tryouts.
  • When & Where: Monday, October 30 through Friday, November 3, 2023.
    • Click here for full tryout schedule for different grades; time slots and locations.
  • How: To sign up for any tryout please click here to register, or call 908-474-8600

2023 Annual Community Harvest Event

Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, the Department of Parks & Recreation and Morning Star Community Christian Center are pleased to offer a safe alternative to trick or treating at the 2023 Annual Community Harvest Party.

Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this event.

  • Who: Fun for the entire family.
  • What: 2023 Annual Community Harvest Party, a safe alternative to trick or treating. Come and enjoy candy, prizes, contests and games!
  • Where: Linden PAL Building, which is located at 400 Maple Avenue.
  • When: Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 4pm until 7pm.
  • How: Click here to pre-register, or call 908-474-8600 or 908-474-8639. Face masks not required, but appreciated. Candy donations can be dropped at the Linden Multi-Purpose Center (1025 John Street) or the John T. Gregorio Center (330 Helen Street).

2023 NJ Statewide Reentry Conference

Communities In Cooperation Inc. and Interfaith Action Movement present the 2023 NJ Statewide Reentry Conference. Empowering service provider collaboratives. We are stronger together.

Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this event.

  • What: New Jersey Statewide Reentry Conference. Empowering service provider collaboratives. We are stronger together. Hear from the top leaders of NJDOC, NJDCA, NJDOL, NJSP and more special guests! Lunch provided.
  • When: November 9, 2023 from 10:30am until 2:30pm.
  • Where: Trenton War Memorial, which is located 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, NJ 08608.
  • How: Click here to register.

Are You Cyber Secure?

Please register to attend this free webinar on Wednesday October 25th, from 1pm until 2pm to learn simple actions to help keep your workplace, home, you and your family cyber-secure!

In honor of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a dedicated month for the public and private sectors to work together to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, the Region 2 National Preparedness Division is hosting this seminar that encourages four simple steps every American can take to stay safe online. Joining the seminar will be Rich Richard, Cyber Security Advisor for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

To register for this free webinar, please click here.

  • Who – This event is for individuals, families, the whole community, community-based and faith-based organizations, small businesses, federal, state and local government.
  • What – Free cybersecurity webinar that encourages four simple steps every American can take to stay safe online.
  • When – October 25, 2023 from 1pm until 2pm EST.
  • Where – Online.
  • Why – To protect your workplace, home, you and your family cybersecurity threats.
  • How – To register for this free webinar, please click here.

Halloween Parade

Mayor Derek Armstead, the City of Linden, the Department of Parks & Recreation, Uptown Linden, the Linden Board of Education, the Union County Board of County Commissioners, Columbia Bank and the Halloween Parade Committee invite you to attend Linden’s 70th annual Halloween Parade on October 22!

Click here to view and/or download the informational flyer for this event.

  • What: Halloween parade.
  • When: Sunday, October 22, 2023. Parade lineup is at 1pm. The parade will start promptly at 2pm.
    • Rain date is Sunday, October 29, 2023.
  • Where: The parade lineup will begin at the Community Center Building, which is located at 605 South Wood Avenue. The parade will continue down Wood Avenue and end at the House of Flowers, which is located at 650 North Wood Avenue. 
  • How: Anyone who would like join in the parade and/or for more information, contact the John T. Gregorio Recreation Center at 908-474-8600.

Community Wide Garage Sale to be Held in 1st, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th & 10th Wards – All Fees Waived

The City of Linden is hosting a community-wide garage sale in the 1st, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th Wards on October 21, 2023 and October 22, 2023. The rain dates are October 28, 2023 and October 29, 2023.

  • The City of Linden is waiving fees for permits for this community-wide garage sale including the completion of an application form pursuant to City Code 4-3.1 entitled “Garage Sales”.
  • The 1st, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th and 10th Ward garage sale shall not impact a resident’s right to conduct up to two garage sales in a year.
  • Chapter 4-3.6 shall still apply, limiting one singled faced sign containing not more than four square feet in total area to be placed upon the premises where the sale is being conducted, and further prohibiting any other signs and either public or private property.
  • This Resolution shall take effect pursuant to law.

To view and/or download a copy of the full resolution, click here.

Linden NJ’s City Engineer Wins the 2023 New Jersey Planning Officials’ Achievements in Planning Award

Mr. Nicholas J. Pantina, PE, CME, CPWM, the City of Linden’s Engineer and Director of Community Services is the 2023 recipient of the New Jersey Planning Officials Achievement in Planning Award. The NJPO honored award recipients at the annual NJPO Achievement in Planning Awards Breakfast on September 29, 2023 .

“I’m both humbled and honored to be recognized with this award. My team members in the Engineering Department help contribute to our department’s excellence, and I see this recognition as a reflection of my team members’ efforts as well as my own”, said Mr. Pantina.

Mr. Pantina has thirty-five years of experience comprising various disciplines of Civil Engineering including municipal, project and construction management, pavement design and management systems, public and private infrastructure improvements, transportation, Planning & Zoning Boards, stormwater management, and soils. He successfully coordinates projects, plans, and develops strategies while managing strict budgets.

“Not only is Mr. Pantina a great resource and partner, but also he’s reliable and extremely knowledgeable. The City of Linden appreciates and values Mr. Pantina as the City Engineer and Director of Community Services,” said Mayor Derek Armstead. “As the City’s Engineer, he is responsible for coordinating technical and engineering projects. leadership skills, communication, along with innovation and creativity. I’m so proud that he’s a part of our team.”

As the Director of Community Services, Mr. Pantina oversees four divisions, comprising approximately 175 people from various departments, including Public Works & Vehicle Maintenance, Transportation & Properties, Engineering, and Information Technology. He also oversees the City’s Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment and Shade Tree Advisory, as well as any redevelopment project construction. Mr. Pantina‘s past roles include Assistant Resident Engineer, Traffic Engineer, Member/Board of Trustees/Past President of the New Jersey Society of Asphalt Technologists, and Soil Inspector. He has also managed Professional Services Task Order Contracts for NJT’s Construction Management Group.

“Linden is a beautiful, forward-thinking, productive and proactive City”, said Mayor Armstead. “We continuously strive to create a working environment that provides opportunities to the local population and business community. When my department heads are recognized in this manner, it gives me great pride as well as affirm that we’ve made excellent decisions.”