Hacking Humans 2r353j

This week, our hosts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Dave Bittner, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joe Carrigan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (also host of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T-Minus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Space Daily show) are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start off with some more chicken follow up, this week, delving into malware-related chicken names. Dave’s got the story of Brevard-based Health First Health Plans teaming up with the FBI to warn consumers about a nationwide medical insurance scam where victims pay upfront for fake coverage and end up stuck with huge medical bills. Maria shares the story on how a recent April 2025 survey reveals that while most US consumers feel confident identifying scams and rely on traditional security measures like strong s and two-factor authentication, many still experience scam attempts and data breaches, with real-time threat detection emerging as the most valued feature in security products. Joe shares a personal story about how he was mildly got, got—tricked, that is—he thought he was filling out a quick survey for a waiter, but it actually ended up as a Google review. It's a reminder of how AI and tech are blurring the lines in everyday interactions, and how easily people can get tripped up by these evolving processes. The catch of the day this week is from the Scams sub-Reddit, and Dave reads a text from a scammer claiming to have information on his doing drugs at his old work place. Resources and links to stories: ⁠⁠⁠ALERT! Brevard-Based Health First Health Plans s FBI to Expose Medical Insurance Scam Scams and Protections US Report: April 2025 We make building an app so easy, anyone can do it '700 Indian engineers posed as AI': The London startup that took Microsoft for a ride Artificial Intelligence stories ⁠Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. Code and data repositories that don't protect against unauthorized changes.

This week, our hosts⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Joe Carrigan⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠⁠ (also host of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠T-Minus⁠⁠⁠⁠ Space Daily show) are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with some follow-up from a listener on class action settlements: they’re a class action attorney and shared that the best way to a notice is to the law firm listed in the court documents—plus, unclaimed funds don’t go to the attorneys, but are redistributed to claimants. Maria's story is on a listener dealing with phishing calendar invites that auto-add to their calendar—she shares tips like avoiding the “decline” button, adjusting settings to prevent automatic invite processing, and ing email s to help block these pesky requests. Joe's got the story on a film made almost entirely with AI tools like Google Veo and Runway—while the results are stunning, the process was chaotic, proving that human creativity, direction, and a lot of trial and error are still essential behind the scenes. Our cluck of the day is from listener Clayton, who writes in with a scam email sharing a fake job about a virtual interview. Resources and links to stories: ⁠We Made a Film With AI. You’ll Be Blown Away—and Freaked Out. AI Will Smith eating spaghetti pasta (AI footage and audio) Just got access to Veo 3 and the first thing I did was try the Will Smith spaghetti test. AI video just took a startling leap in realism. Are we doomed? Impossible Challenges (Google Veo 3 ) Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Welcome in! You’ve entered, Only Malware in the Building. us each month to sip tea and solve mysteries about today’s most interesting threats. Your host is ⁠⁠Selena Larson⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Proofpoint⁠⁠ intelligence analyst and host of their podcast ⁠⁠DISCARDED⁠⁠. Inspired by the residents of a building in New York’s exclusive upper west side, Selena is ed by her co-hosts ⁠⁠N2K Networks⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Dave Bittner⁠⁠ and ⁠Keith Mularski⁠, former FBI cybercrime investigator and now Chief Global Ambassador at ⁠Qintel⁠. Being a security researcher is a bit like being a detective: you gather clues, analyze the evidence, and consult the experts to solve the cyber puzzle. On this episode, our hosts discuss Chinese-speaking threat actors are targeting Japan with a massive phishing campaign using a sneaky new kit called CoGUI, which has hit organizations with over 170 million messages in a single month. The campaign mimics trusted brands like Amazon, PayPay, and Rakuten to steal and payment info—lining up with warnings from Japan’s Financial Services Agency about attackers cashing out and buying Chinese stocks. While the CoGUI kit is slick with its evasion tricks and browser profiling, your hosts are hot on its trail with new detections to help stop the phishing frenzy.

Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. An attack technique that leverages an unprotected web server as a proxy for attackers to send commands through to other computers. 

This week, our three hosts ⁠⁠⁠Dave Bittner⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠Joe Carrigan⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠ (also host of the ⁠⁠⁠T-Minus⁠⁠⁠ Space Daily show) are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with a bit of follow up, one from listener Aaron, who shares some safety tips for chickens, and from listener Shannon, who writes in with a new fashion statement. Maria’s got the story on how Trump’s sweeping new tariffs are creating the “perfect storm” for scams, as cybercriminals exploit consumer confusion with fake fee requests, shady links, and urgent messages—three red flags experts say to watch for. Joe shares the story of a new FBI warning about an AI-driven phone scam targeting iPhone and Android s, where scammers impersonate senior U.S. officials through fake texts and voice messages to steal personal information via malicious links. Dave shares the story of a classic Hollywood pitch deck scam, where fake agents from bogus production companies like "Hollywood Talent Agency" and "Writer’s Edge Production" lure authors into paying for useless film services with promises of big-screen adaptations. We have our new Cluck of the Day, and this week, Jonathan Webster shares a classic scam attempt: a fake PayPal invoice PDF designed to trick recipients into calling a fraudulent number or paying a bogus charge. Resources and links to stories: Trump tariffs create the ‘perfect storm’ for scams, cybersecurity expert says — 3 red flags to watch out for FBI warns of new phone scam targeting iPhone, Android s, advises not to answer these messages Senior US Officials Impersonated in Malicious Messaging Campaign The Hollywood Talent Agency / Writers Edge Production Scam Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. The absence of telemetry that could help network defenders detect and respond to hostile attempts to compromise a system. 

This week, our three hosts ⁠⁠Dave Bittner⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Joe Carrigan⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠ (also host of the ⁠⁠T-Minus⁠⁠ Space Daily show) are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. Listener Jim notes that money launderers and couriers mentioned in recent episodes are often scam victims themselves, unknowingly processing fraudulent payments or delivering items, sometimes with tragic consequences like an innocent Uber driver being shot. Dave shares two close calls with scams this week: one where a bank employee saved a 75-year-old customer from losing $9,000 to a Facebook crypto scam, and another where a scammer impersonating “Officer Shane Kitchens” nearly tricked his mom into sending $3,500 for fake bail and ankle monitor fees after a family member was arrested. Joe's got three short stories this week—one is on how someone tried scamming his wife, another about a DoorDash driver who itted to stealing $2.5 million in a delivery scam, and the last on a warning to billions of Gmail s to remain vigilant over a terrifying new phishing scheme. Maria sits down with Alex Hall, Trust and Safety Architect at Sift, to discuss the rise of job scams. Our catch of the day comes from Jonathan who writes in with a fake PayPal invoice. Resources and links to stories: You all saved my customer today Loved one got arrested, next day got a call from a “Sergeant” at the county jail. DoorDash driver its to stealing $2.5M in delivery scam Billions of Gmail s warned to 'remain vigilant' over terrifying scam Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. Ineffectual confirmation of a 's identity or authentication in session management. CyberWire Glossary link: ⁠https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/owasp-identification-and-authentication-failure⁠ Audio reference link: “⁠Mr. Robot Hack - Cracking - Episode 1⁠.” YouTube Video. YouTube, September 21, 2016.

And....we're back! This week, our three hosts Dave Bittner, Joe Carrigan, and Maria Varmazis (also host of the T-Minus Space Daily show) are all back to share the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. The team shares three bits of follow-up and then breaks into their stories. Joe starts off sharing some stories about influencer fakery on fake private jet sets and a scam taking advantage of the RealID requirements coming into effect. Maria talks about "Scam Survivor Day" (it's a real thing). She also talks about a former Facebooker's tell-all "Careless People." Dave shares a story about fake Social Security statements. Our Catch of Day comes from Richard about a truck win. Resources and links to stories: Private Executive Jet Private Jet Set for exhibitions, events and photo opportunities REAL ID scams surge with arrival of deadline Wednesday Don't Blame the Victim: 'Fraud Shame' and Cybersecurity  Facebook Allegedly Detected When Teen Girls Deleted Selfies So It Could Serve Them Beauty Ads Beware of Fake Social Security Statement That Tricks s to Install Malware Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠.

Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. An open source Java-based software tool available from the Apache Software Foundation designed to log security and performance information.  CyberWire Glossary link: ⁠https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/log4j⁠ Audio reference link: “⁠CISA Director: The LOG4J Security Flaw Is the ‘Most Serious’ She’s Seen in Her Career⁠,” by Eamon Javers (CNBC) and Jen Easterly (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Director) YouTube, 20 December 20 2021.

As Dave Bittner is at the RSA Conference this week, our hosts ⁠⁠Maria Varmazis and ⁠⁠Joe Carrigan⁠⁠, are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with some follow-up from José on episode 335, sharing how UK banking features like Faster Payments and the “Check Payee” function might have helped prevent a scam involving fake banking apps—and he even tells a wild tale of someone using a fake app to reverse-scam a bike thief. Joe covers the House’s overwhelming age of the SHIELD Act to ban revenge porn—including deepfakes—and why critics say it could threaten encryption. He also shares a strong warning about trust and the real risks of sharing intimate images. Maria has the story of a surge in sophisticated subscription scams, where cybercriminals use fake “mystery box” websites, social media ads, and influencer impersonations to trick s into handing over credit card data and g up for hidden recurring payments. Bitdefender researchers warn these polished scams are part of a broader evolution in social engineering, designed to by skepticism and evade detection. Our Catch of the Day comes from listener Rick, who received a suspicious email that appears to be from Harbor Freight—a popular U.S. retailer known for affordable tools and equipment—offering a “free gift” to the recipient… classic bait for a likely scam. Resources and links to stories: ⁠House es Bill to Ban Sharing of Revenge Porn, Sending It to Trump TAKE IT DOWN Act Trump’s hasty Take It Down Act has “gaping flaws” that threaten encryption Congress es TAKE IT DOWN Act Despite Major Flaws Mystery Box Scams Deployed to Steal Credit Card Data Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠.

Welcome in! You’ve entered, Only Malware in the Building. us each month to sip tea and solve mysteries about today’s most interesting threats. Your host is ⁠Selena Larson⁠, ⁠Proofpoint⁠ intelligence analyst and host of their podcast ⁠DISCARDED⁠. Inspired by the residents of a building in New York’s exclusive upper west side, Selena is ed by ⁠N2K Networks⁠ ⁠Dave Bittner⁠ and our newest co-host, Keith Mularski, former FBI cybercrime investigator and now Chief Global Ambassador at Quintel. Being a security researcher is a bit like being a detective: you gather clues, analyze the evidence, and consult the experts to solve the cyber puzzle. On this episode, our hosts discuss the growing trend of cybercriminals using legitimate remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools in email campaigns as a first-stage payload. They explore how these tools are being leveraged for data theft, financial fraud, and lateral movement within networks. With the decline of traditional malware delivery methods, including loaders and botnets, the shift toward RMMs marks a significant change in attack strategies. Tune in to learn more about this evolving threat landscape and how to stay ahead of these tactics.

Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. Software s are allowed access to data or functionality contrary to the defined zero trust policy by bying or manipulating the installed security controls. 

As Maria is on vacation this week, our hosts ⁠Dave Bittner⁠ and ⁠Joe Carrigan⁠, are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. Joe and Dave are ed by guest Rob Allen from ThreatLocker who shares a story on how a spoofed call to the help desk unraveled into a full-blown cyber siege on MGM Resorts. Joe’s story is on a new FBI warning: scammers are impersonating the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the very site where people go to report online fraud. Dave's got the story of a so-called “Nigerian prince” scammer who turned out to be a 67-year-old man from Louisiana, now facing 269 counts of wire fraud for helping funnel money to co-conspirators in Nigeria. Our catch of the day comes from a scams subreddit, and is on a message received from the Department of Homeland Security reaching out to a to share that they are a victim of fraud. Resources and links to stories: Investigating the MGM Cyberattack – How social engineering and a help desk put the whole strip at risk. Brian Krebs LinkedIn FBI Warns of Scammers Impersonating the IC3 IC3 2024 Report 'Nigerian prince' scammer was 67-year-old from Louisiana, police say Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠.

Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. The state of a web application when it's vulnerable to attack due to an insecure configuration.  CyberWire Glossary link: ⁠https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/owasp-security-misconfiguration⁠ Audio reference link: ⁠“What Is the Elvish Word for Friend?”⁠ Quora, 2021.

This week, our hosts Dave Bittner, Joe Carrigan, and Maria Varmazis (also host of the T-Minus Space Daily show) are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. This week Joe's got some follow up about his chickens. Joe's story is on LLM-powered coding tools, and how they are increasingly hallucinating fake software package names, opening the door for attackers to malicious lookalike packages—a practice dubbed "slopsquatting"—that can compromise software supply chains when developers unwittingly install them. Dave’s story is on Cisco Talos uncovering a widespread toll road smishing campaign across multiple U.S. states, where financially motivated threat actors—using a smishing kit developed by “Wang Duo Yu”—impersonate toll services to steal victims' personal and payment information through spoofed domains and phishing sites. Maria's got the story of how scammers are using fake banking apps to fool sellers with phony payment screens—and walking away with thousands in goods. Our catch of the day comes from listener John who writes in to share a suspicious text message he received. Resources and links to stories: LLMs can't stop making up software dependencies and sabotaging everything Unraveling the U.S. toll road smishing scams 'Scammers used fake app to steal from me in person' Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].

Please enjoy this encore episode of Word Notes. A broad OWASP Top 10 software development category representing missing, ineffective, or unforeseen security measures. CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/owasp-insecure-design Audio reference link: “Oceans Eleven Problem Constraints Assumptions.” by Steve Jones, YouTube, 4 November 2015.

This week, our hosts Dave Bittner and Joe Carrigan, are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines, while our other host, Maria Varmazis is at a conference. We begin with some follow-up, as Joe reflects on the density of gold. Then, Dave shares some heartfelt and moving words about the recent ing of his father. Dave's story follows how confusion sparked by Trump's erratic tariff policies is fueling a global surge in cyber scams, phishing sites, and crypto cons, as threat actors exploit the chaos to mislead, defraud, and manipulate online s. Joe has two stories this week, the first is about the "blessing scam," a con that targets older Chinese women with promises of spiritual cleansing that ends in financial ruin. The second covers a new FTC rule requiring companies to make subscription cancellations as easy as s, cracking down on deceptive practices. Our catch of the day this week comes from MontClair University, as they are warning of a phishing scam offering a “free 2014 Airstream Sport 16′ Travel Trailer.” Resources and links to stories: Trump Tariff Confusion Fuels Online Scams Oklahoma woman charged with laundering $1.5M from elderly women in online romance scam A new ‘jackpotting’ scam has drained more than $236,000 from Texas ATMs — but who foots the loss? Opportunity To Own A Free 2014 Airstream Sport 16′ Travel Trailer Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].

Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. A broad class of attack vectors, where an attacker supplies input to an applications command interpreter that results in unanticipated functionality.  CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/owasp-injection Audio reference link: “APPSEC Cali 2018 - Taking on the King: Killing Injection Vulnerabilities” YouTube Video. YouTube, March 19, 2018.