In episode 43 of The AI Fix, our hosts discover a robot that isn’t terrifying, a newspaper shuns journalists in favour of AI, Graham watches a robot dog learn to stand, an AI computer programmer develops a familiar attitude, and New York tries to stop its humans arming their robots. Graham worries about AI vomit,…
Category: Law & order
CCTV, critical infrastructure, Global Security News, Law & order, malware, Podcast, privacy, Security threats, Smashing Security, surveillance, Volt Typhoon
Smashing Security podcast #409: Peeping perverts and FBI phone calls
In episode 409 of the “Smashing Security” podcast, we uncover the curious case of the Chinese cyber-attack on Littleton’s Electric Light Company, and a California landlord’s hidden camera scandal. Find out about this, and more, in the latest edition of the “Smashing Security” podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.
fbi, Global Security News, Guest blog, Law & order, malware
Free file converter malware scam “rampant” claims FBI
Whether you’re downloading a video from YouTube or converting a Word document into a PDF file, there’s a chance that you might be unwittingly handing control of your PC straight into the hands of cybercriminals. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
data breach, Data loss, Global Security News, Law & order, malware, Podcast, postal, Ransomware, Smashing Security, snail mail
Smashing Security podcast #408: A gag order backfires, and a snail mail ransom demand
What happens when a healthcare giant’s legal threats ignite a Streisand Effect wildfire… while a ransomware gang appears to ditch the dark web for postage stamps? Find out about this, and more, in the latest edition of the “Smashing Security” podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.
Global Security News, Guest blog, insider threat, Law & order, logic bomb, malware
Man found guilty of planting infinite loop logic bomb on ex-employer’s system
Davis Lu had planted malicious Java code onto his employer’s network that would cause “infinite loops” that would ultimate result in the server crashing or hanging. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
Global Security News, HP, Law & order, malvertising, malware, Myanmar, Podcast, printer, Romance baiting, Scam, technical support scam
Smashing Security podcast #407: HP’s hold music, and human trafficking
Journey with us to Myanmar’s shadowy scam factories, where trafficked workers are forced to run romance-baiting and fake tech support scams, and find out why a company’s mandatory hold time for tech support could lead to innocent users having their computers compromised. All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the “Smashing…
Action Fraud, CryptoCurrency, Global Security News, Guest blog, Law & order, police, Scam
Fake police call cryptocurrency investors to steal their funds
Have you had a phone call from police about your cryptocurrency wallet? Be on your guard – you could be about to be scammed. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
CISA, Global Security News, Guest blog, Law & order, malware, Russia, Security threats, united states
CISA refutes claims it has been ordered to stop monitoring Russian cyber threats
It’s been a confusing few days in the world of American cybersecurity… Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
CISA, Donald Trump, Global Security News, Guest blog, Law & order, malware, Ransomware, Russia, Security threats, Ukraine, united states
Stop targeting Russian hackers, Trump administration orders US Cyber Command
The Trump administration has told US cyber command and CISA to stop following or reporting on Russian cyber threats. Yes, Russia! That country everyone used to agree was home to lots of ransomware gangs and hackers. Hmmm… Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
CryptoCurrency, Global Security News, Law & order, malware, Podcast, Ransomware, Scam, Smashing Security
Smashing Security podcast #405: A crypto con exchange, and soaring ticket scams
From shadowy Bitcoin exchanges to Interpol’s most wanted, Alexander Vinnik was the alleged kingpin behind BTC-e, a $4bn crypto laundering empire. Learn more about him, and how he became a geopolitical pawn between the US, France, and Russia. Plus! Hear how concert-goers are being warned about a swathe of scams hitting stadiums and arenas around…
data breach, Data loss, Global Security News, Guest blog, Law & order, malware, North America, phobos, Ransomware
US charges two Russian men in connection with Phobos ransomware operation
Roman Berezhnoy and Egor Nikolaevich Glebov are alleged to have extorted over US $16 million in ransom payments using the Phobos ransomware, impacting over 1000 organisations in the United States. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
data breach, Data loss, Global Security News, Guest blog, Laptop, Law & order, North Korea, remote working, Security threats
US woman faces years in federal prison for running laptop farm for N Korean IT workers
Christian Marie Chapman, of Litchfield Park, Arizona, helped generate over US $17 million for North Korea after over 300 US companies unwittingly hired staff believing them to be US citizens. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
AI, Artificial Intelligence, data breach, Data loss, Global Security News, Law & order, malware, Podcast, Ransomware, sim swap, Smashing Security, Twitter
Smashing Security podcast #404: Podcast not found
The story of how hackers managed to compromise the US Government’s official SEC Twitter account to boost the price of Bitcoins, AI isn’t helping reduce the rife conspiracy theories inside classrooms, and is the funeral bell tolling for ransomware? All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the “Smashing Security” podcast by…
Global Security News, Guest blog, Law & order, Myanmar, Romance baiting, Scam, Thailand
Thailand cuts power and internet to areas of Myanmar to disrupt scam gangs
Well, this is a different approach to the scam problem… The government of Thailand has cut the power supply to areas near its border with Myanmar that are known to host brutal scam compounds. These heavily-guarded fraud factories house armies of people, coerced into defrauding innocent people through bogus investment and romance-baiting scams. Read more…
domain, Financial services, Global Security News, Guest blog, Law & order, Scam
Man sentenced to 7 years in prison for role in $50m internet scam
A California man has been sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in a fraudulent scheme that saw over 50 individuals and organisations lose millions of dollars. Read more in my article on the Tripwire State of Security blog.
BlackBerry, Botnet, British Museum, Data loss, Denial of Service, Global Security News, kidnap, Law & order, malware, Operating Systems, Podcast, privacy, Remote access trojan, Smashing Security, Social networks, Spyware
Smashing Security podcast #402: Hackers get hacked, the British Museum IT shutdown, and social media kidnaps
What happens when eager computer enthusiasts unknowingly download a trojanized hacking tool and find themselves on the wrong side of cybersecurity? A former employee’s actions led to chaos and raise urgent questions about the security of cultural treasures. And join us as we explore the alarming trend of social media influencers staging fake kidnappings. All…
British Museum, Global Security News, Guest blog, insider threat, Law & order, Security threats
Ex-worker arrested after ‘shutdown’ of British Museum computer systems
London’s world-famous British Museum was forced to partially close its doors at the end of last week, following a serious security breach involving a former IT contractor. Police were called to the museum on Friday after a recently dismissed worker allegedly trespassed onto the museum site and was able to shut down various systems, including…
Georgia, Global Security News, Guest blog, hacking, Law & order, Security threats
Hacked buses blare out patriotic pro-European anthems in Tbilisi, attack government
Residents of Tbilisi, the capital city of Georgia, experienced an unexpected and unusual start to their Friday morning commute. As they boarded their public transport buses, they were greeted by a barrage of sound emanating from the vehicles’ speakers. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
data breach, Data loss, Global Security News, Guest blog, law, Law & order, Turkey
Be careful what you say about data leaks in Turkey, new law could mean prison for reporting hacks
The Turkish government is proposing a controversial new cybersecurity law that could make it a criminal act to report on data breaches. But might it stifle journalism and free speech? Read more in my article on the Tripwire State of Security blog.
Global Security News, Government, Italy, Law & order, Podcast, Scam, school, Security threats, Smashing Security
Smashing Security podcast #401: Hacks on the high seas, and how your home can be stolen under your nose
An Italian hacker makes the grade and ends up in choppy waters, and hear true stories of title deed transfer scams. All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the award-winning “Smashing Security” podcast by computer security veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault. Plus – don’t miss our featured interview with Avery…
AI, Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, Father Christmas, Global Security News, Google, Law & order, openai, Podcast, Santa Claus, The AI Fix
The AI Fix #30: ChatGPT reveals the devastating truth about Santa (Merry Christmas!)
In episode 30 of The AI Fix, AIs are caught lying to avoid being turned off, Apple’s AI flubs a headline, ChatGPT is available to people who haven’t left the 1970s, our hosts regret to inform you that an AI artist now has a personality, and ant-like robots join forces to lob each other over…
data breach, Data loss, Global Security News, Guest blog, Law & order, pii, rydox
Rydox cybercrime marketplace seixed by law enforcement, suspected admins arrested
Rydox, an online marketplace used by cybercriminals to sell hacked personal information and tools to commit fraud, has been seized in an international law enforcement operation and its suspected administrators arrested. Read more in my article on the Hot for Security blog.
DDoS, Denial of Service, Global Security News, Guest blog, Krispy Kreme, Law & order, Operation PowerOff, Ransomware
27 DDoS-for-hire services disrupted in run-up to holiday season
Operation PowerOFF has disrupted what was anticipated to be a surge of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks over the Christmas period by taking over two dozen “booter” or “stresser” websites offline. Read more in my article on the Tripwire State of Security blog.
2FA, data breach, Data loss, Global Security News, Instagram, Law & order, Podcast, Smashing Security, Snowflake
Smashing Security podcast #397: Snowflake hackers, and under the influence
A Canadian man is arrested in relation to the Snowflake hacks from earlier this year – after a cybersecurity researcher managed to track his identity, and a cryptocurrency-trading Instagram influencer is in trouble with the law. All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the “Smashing Security” podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham…
CCTV, DNA, Global Security News, Guest blog, Law & order, Podcast, Smashing Security, social media, Social networks, vulnerability
Smashing Security podcast #395: Gym hacking, disappearing DNA, and a social lockout
A Kansas City man is accused of hacking into local businesses, not to steal money, but to… get a cheaper gym membership? A DNA-testing firm has vanished, leaving customers in the dark about what’s happened to their sensitive genetic data. And Australia mulls a social media ban for youngsters. All this and much much more…
AI, ChatGPT, Global Security News, Google, Law & order, Microsoft, openai, Podcast, privacy, robot, The AI Fix
The AI Fix #26: Would AI kill sentient robots, and is water wet?
In episode 26 of The AI Fix, an AI does surgery on pork chops, holographic Jesus wants your consent to use cookies, Mark opens the pod bay doors, our hosts discover OpenAI’s couch potato health coach, and Graham finds a robot made of drain pipes. Graham pits Mark against an AI in a morality quiz…