
This week, hosts of N2K CyberWire Maria Varmazis and Dave Bittner alongside Joe Carrigan are discussing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with some follow up from Adina, who shares a few more examples of things that become more complicated the more you learn about them, including statistics and the real-world effects of changes to complex systems. Dave adds quantum physics to the list. Maria covers new research from Akamai showing that online scam detections doubled in the past year, overtaking phishing for the first time in the company's data. Dave explores the case of a Brazilian man who traveled nearly 2,000 kilometers to meet a woman he fell in love with online, only to discover she was an AI-generated personality. Joe examines a phishing email disguised as a Calendly notification that claims to provide access to an official Social Security statement and potentially delivers malware. Our Catch of the Day features two suspicious emails, including an unsolicited donation offer supposedly from a billionaire.
Resources and links to stories:
AI is accelerating the pace and scale of fraud and abuse
Online Scam Volumes Double to Overtake Phishing
Man seeking love travels 2,000 km to meet an AI-generated woman
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].
Nov 5
47 min
![Taking the bait out of phishing. [OMITB]](https://cdn-images.podbay.fm/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21lZ2FwaG9uZS5pbWdpeC5uZXQvcG9kY2FzdHMvNGY2OWI3MjQtZDZmNi0xMWYxLWE0YmYtOWZhMjNiMGY1NTc3L2ltYWdlLzE0MDAyMjYzZTE2OTQ2MGYxNmNhMTJlMDQ2MjRlYjNhLnBuZz9peGxpYj1yYWlscy00LjMuMSZtYXgtdz0zMDAwJm1heC1oPTMwMDAmZml0PWNyb3AmYXV0bz1mb3JtYXQsY29tcHJlc3MiLCJmYWxsYmFjayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaXMxLXNzbC5tenN0YXRpYy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdGh1bWIvUG9kY2FzdHMyMjEvdjQvNjQvMTUvNjQvNjQxNTY0MWMtZmUzMC0zYzNjLThkOGQtNDQyMGRjY2RmZjU3L216YV8xMDQ5ODg4MjgwNzI1MDMzOTUzMi5qcGVnLzYwMHg2MDBiYi5qcGcifQ.WLlc7yTleq4vaQtc40utd10xVmYMvwNXZIURhqMN1cs.jpg?width=200&height=200)
Welcome in! You’ve entered, Only Malware in the Building. Join 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 joined 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. This month our hosts dive into the growing Chinese-speaking cybercrime ecosystem and the rise of threat actors behind large-scale credential phishing operations. They explore a major disruption targeting Chinese-language phishing kits CoGUI, CoAceV, and CoFish_Ws, which have fueled hundreds of millions of malicious messages, particularly targeting Japanese organizations, and examine what the takedown could mean for the broader cybercrime landscape.
Sources:
Disruption Targets Major Chinese-Language Phishing Kits with Japanese Focus
Nov 3
46 min
![Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) (noun) [Word Notes]](https://cdn-images.podbay.fm/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21lZ2FwaG9uZS5pbWdpeC5uZXQvcG9kY2FzdHMvYTY4ZjQyMjAtZDZlMy0xMWYxLWE4NjQtMGIyNTAzYzk5MGY0L2ltYWdlLzQ0MWIwY2EyZGIwODBiOTNiOTM1NTY4ZDM4MWNlNDYyLnBuZz9peGxpYj1yYWlscy00LjMuMSZtYXgtdz0zMDAwJm1heC1oPTMwMDAmZml0PWNyb3AmYXV0bz1mb3JtYXQsY29tcHJlc3MiLCJmYWxsYmFjayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaXMxLXNzbC5tenN0YXRpYy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdGh1bWIvUG9kY2FzdHMyMjEvdjQvNjQvMTUvNjQvNjQxNTY0MWMtZmUzMC0zYzNjLThkOGQtNDQyMGRjY2RmZjU3L216YV8xMDQ5ODg4MjgwNzI1MDMzOTUzMi5qcGVnLzYwMHg2MDBiYi5qcGcifQ.6M4gE67vTVXJnZtWPefQ0gCyD4C7fsNQVWfVtwFwGJw.jpg?width=200&height=200)
Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes.
Tools that automate the identification and remediation of cloud misconfigurations.
CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/cloud-security-posture-management
Audio reference link: Josh Whedon. 2005. Serenity [Movie]. IMDb. URL https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/
Nov 3
7 min

This week, hosts of N2K CyberWire Maria Varmazis and Dave Bittner alongside Joe Carrigan are discussing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with some follow up, including a milestone for Maria’s 100th episode and a listener’s thoughts on whether it should be called “Catch of the Week” instead of “Catch of the Day.” We also revisit FINRA’s Market Data and Investments Explorer. Joe covers a major taxpayer fund scam in Mobile, Alabama, and another report on the growing threat of financial fraud. Maria explores the European Commission’s investigation into Booking.com’s handling of scams, including fake property listings and phishing messages targeting travelers with legitimate reservations. Dave examines a new FTC report showing that reported fraud losses among Americans aged 60 and older have climbed fivefold since 2020, with investment scams, impersonation schemes, and romance scams contributing to devastating financial losses. Our Catch of the Day comes from Michael, who received a phishing email claiming there was a problem with his ChatGPT payment method. The giveaway? He doesn’t have a ChatGPT subscription.
Resources and links to stories:
‘This is bad’: Nearly $15 million in Mobile taxpayer funds missing after scam
Don't fall for this - how to protect yourself from AI scams
Fake 10 Downing Street listing on Booking.com highlights security failures
New Data Show How Much Worse Scams Are Getting for Americans Over 60
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].
Oct 29
50 min
![single sign-on (SSO) (noun) [Word Notes]](https://cdn-images.podbay.fm/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21lZ2FwaG9uZS5pbWdpeC5uZXQvcG9kY2FzdHMvY2JhYjk5YjYtZDIxOC0xMWYxLTg5MTctYWZmOGI3OTQyMzY5L2ltYWdlLzQ0MWIwY2EyZGIwODBiOTNiOTM1NTY4ZDM4MWNlNDYyLnBuZz9peGxpYj1yYWlscy00LjMuMSZtYXgtdz0zMDAwJm1heC1oPTMwMDAmZml0PWNyb3AmYXV0bz1mb3JtYXQsY29tcHJlc3MiLCJmYWxsYmFjayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaXMxLXNzbC5tenN0YXRpYy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdGh1bWIvUG9kY2FzdHMyMjEvdjQvNjQvMTUvNjQvNjQxNTY0MWMtZmUzMC0zYzNjLThkOGQtNDQyMGRjY2RmZjU3L216YV8xMDQ5ODg4MjgwNzI1MDMzOTUzMi5qcGVnLzYwMHg2MDBiYi5qcGcifQ.yu9Az5jeZoh1akbKo-y2-3ddMiGAxEb0Bm30aQtS6Uc.jpg?width=200&height=200)
Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes.
A session and user authentication Zero Trust tactic that allows a user to access multiple applications with one set of login credentials.
CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/single-sign-on
Audio reference link: English, J., 2020. What is Single Sign-On (SSO)? SSO Benefits and Risks [Video]. YouTube. URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvHmP2WyBVY
Oct 27
8 min

This week, hosts of N2K CyberWire Maria Varmazis and Dave Bittner alongside Joe Carrigan are discussing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with some follow up, including a chicken update and a little Greek vocabulary. Dave explores new tools from FINRA designed to help investors research the markets, assess their vulnerability to financial fraud, and practice recognizing common scam tactics before real money is at stake. Joe looks at Apate, an Australian startup using AI agents to pose as potential scam victims, waste fraudsters’ time, and gather intelligence that can help researchers and security teams better understand and disrupt scams. Maria covers new approaches to cybersecurity awareness and personal cyber readiness, exploring how we can move beyond traditional awareness campaigns and help people better protect themselves online. Our Catch of the Day comes from Anthony, who received a convincing-looking scam email about his trademark application that uses publicly available information and a fake mandatory verification appointment to pressure him into calling a fraudulent number.
Resources and links to stories:
FINRA Launches Enhanced Investor Education and Protection Tools to Help Research Markets and Recognize Fraud
Apate sends AI agents undercover to get scammed so they can gather fraud intelligence
It’s Time to Rename Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Cybersecurity Awareness Won’t Save You. Readiness Might.
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].
Oct 22
41 min
![two-factor authentication (noun) [Word Notes]](https://cdn-images.podbay.fm/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21lZ2FwaG9uZS5pbWdpeC5uZXQvcG9kY2FzdHMvYWY2NjBmMjYtY2JmYS0xMWYxLThlY2UtYTc4ODBmY2I1NzUzL2ltYWdlLzQ0MWIwY2EyZGIwODBiOTNiOTM1NTY4ZDM4MWNlNDYyLnBuZz9peGxpYj1yYWlscy00LjMuMSZtYXgtdz0zMDAwJm1heC1oPTMwMDAmZml0PWNyb3AmYXV0bz1mb3JtYXQsY29tcHJlc3MiLCJmYWxsYmFjayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaXMxLXNzbC5tenN0YXRpYy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdGh1bWIvUG9kY2FzdHMyMjEvdjQvNjQvMTUvNjQvNjQxNTY0MWMtZmUzMC0zYzNjLThkOGQtNDQyMGRjY2RmZjU3L216YV8xMDQ5ODg4MjgwNzI1MDMzOTUzMi5qcGVnLzYwMHg2MDBiYi5qcGcifQ.ltU-6s8ZRxHoykAqcbo3qv2LNoDc-Ab_Fxs2Q5j5ECI.jpg?width=200&height=200)
Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes.
An authentication process that requires two different factors before granting access.
CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/two-factor-authentication
Oct 20
9 min

This week, N2K CyberWire hosts Maria Varmazis and Joe Carrigan are joined by Kieran Human from ThreatLocker while Dave Bittner is out. Together, they discuss the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits making headlines. We start with some follow up on Daejon Love’s story, but we’ll save that for next week. Plus, Joe has a chicken update. Maria explores reporting that TikTok relaxed its advertising enforcement rules, coinciding with a sharp increase in scams involving fake ads for deeply discounted products that never arrive. Joe looks at Wisconsin’s efforts to curb cryptocurrency ATM scams through transaction limits, identity verification, and mandatory refunds, with early reports suggesting the restrictions are making a difference. Kieran Human covers a data breach disclosed by Revolut that exposed customers’ financial information and passport details. Our Catch of the Day comes from Rachel, who received a suspicious invitation email from a hacked contact that asked her to download and install software.
Resources and links to stories:
FBI searches phones, iCloud accounts of accused fake NFL player; romance scam may have gone on for 10 years
TikTok Quietly Gutted Its Advertising Rules. Scams Have Exploded Ever Since.
How much is Wisconsin's crypto ATM law limiting scams?
Revolut discloses data breach exposing financial info, passports
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].
Oct 15
51 min
![iCloud keychain (noun) [Word Notes]](https://cdn-images.podbay.fm/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21lZ2FwaG9uZS5pbWdpeC5uZXQvcG9kY2FzdHMvYzhhMWU5NGMtYzQxNi0xMWYxLTg2YmItMzc2MTYzZGI4MzhkL2ltYWdlLzQ0MWIwY2EyZGIwODBiOTNiOTM1NTY4ZDM4MWNlNDYyLnBuZz9peGxpYj1yYWlscy00LjMuMSZtYXgtdz0zMDAwJm1heC1oPTMwMDAmZml0PWNyb3AmYXV0bz1mb3JtYXQsY29tcHJlc3MiLCJmYWxsYmFjayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaXMxLXNzbC5tenN0YXRpYy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdGh1bWIvUG9kY2FzdHMyMjEvdjQvNjQvMTUvNjQvNjQxNTY0MWMtZmUzMC0zYzNjLThkOGQtNDQyMGRjY2RmZjU3L216YV8xMDQ5ODg4MjgwNzI1MDMzOTUzMi5qcGVnLzYwMHg2MDBiYi5qcGcifQ.YnMd2eT2MxjCU4606-n6VMmhWfdvwltVH6ooYHqTW0M.jpg?width=200&height=200)
Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes.
A cloud based sensitive information management system that allows users access across multiple devices.
CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/icloud-keychain
Audio reference link: Ellen’s Tips For iOS, 2022. How To Master iCloud Keychain to Keep Your Passwords Safe and Secure [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl3E29iUvgE
Oct 13
6 min

This week, hosts of N2K CyberWire Maria Varmazis and Dave Bittner alongside Joe Carrigan are discussing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with some follow up from Maria on ACATS fraud, including a reminder that protecting your accounts starts with the basics: strong passwords and multifactor authentication. Joe also has a follow-up inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey and an experiment with AI. Joe covers a New York parking scam involving fake QR codes placed on parking kiosks, then takes a strange detour into Pennsylvania’s spotted lanternfly quarantine and an alleged scheme involving fake lanternfly permits. Dave looks at a fake iPhone Duo preorder scam that uses an Apple-style site and a supposed $500 voucher to deliver a DarkSword exploit to vulnerable iPhones. Maria explores new Consumer Reports research showing that 91% of Americans have encountered a digital scam or cyberattack attempt, while confidence in the privacy of personal data continues to fall. Our Catch of the Day comes from Reddit, where a spam caller appears to be on the hunt for someone named Juan.
Resources and links to stories:
Man charged in alleged parking QR code scam in Manhattan
Quarantine and Permit Program FAQs
Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine and Permitting
Man sued for allegedly selling fake spotted lanternfly permits to Pennsylvania businesses
Fake iPhone Duo preorder scam triggers DarkSword attack
New Study by Consumer Reports reveals 9 in 10 Americans targeted by a cyberattack or digital scam attempt
Spam calls looking for Juan??
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].
Oct 8
1 hr
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