
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 as Joe corrects the record on router end-of-support after a listener points out that manufacturers like Netgear don't intentionally disable routers when support ends, and we also share a listener-submitted business email compromise case that highlights the importance of independently verifying payment requests. Maria covers how scammers can accidentally reveal themselves by mispronouncing local place names, turning a convincing jury duty scam into an obvious fake. Joe shares how a veteran CBS News journalist who regularly reports on scams nearly fell victim to an elaborate bank impersonation scheme, showing that anyone can be targeted. Dave reflects on a listener's "Unknown Situation. Shields Up." philosophy, encouraging people to slow down and verify unexpected communications before taking action. Our Catch of the Day is on an over-the-top scam email from a self-proclaimed internet fraudster claiming to be giving away millions in a last-minute bid for forgiveness.
Resources and links to stories:
Anne Arundel County woman spots jury duty phone scam after caller mispronounces local names
A CBS journalist who covers scams rushed to his bank to withdraw money after nearly falling for an imposter scam
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].
Jul 23
49 min
![hunt forward operations (noun) [Word Notes]](https://cdn-images.podbay.fm/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21lZ2FwaG9uZS5pbWdpeC5uZXQvcG9kY2FzdHMvNjQ3ZTYyMTAtODQ4My0xMWYxLWJhY2YtYzMzMjk3N2JhYzRiL2ltYWdlLzQ0MWIwY2EyZGIwODBiOTNiOTM1NTY4ZDM4MWNlNDYyLnBuZz9peGxpYj1yYWlscy00LjMuMSZtYXgtdz0zMDAwJm1heC1oPTMwMDAmZml0PWNyb3AmYXV0bz1mb3JtYXQsY29tcHJlc3MiLCJmYWxsYmFjayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaXMxLXNzbC5tenN0YXRpYy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdGh1bWIvUG9kY2FzdHMyMjEvdjQvNjQvMTUvNjQvNjQxNTY0MWMtZmUzMC0zYzNjLThkOGQtNDQyMGRjY2RmZjU3L216YV8xMDQ5ODg4MjgwNzI1MDMzOTUzMi5qcGVnLzYwMHg2MDBiYi5qcGcifQ.-V2edyIJOW24dXDbZAuibiyhGBg_DZbD4xDyon4I-MI.jpg?width=200&height=200)
Please enjoy this encore of Career Notes.
Defensive cyber operations carried out by U.S. Cyber Command's Cyber National Mission Force, CNMF at the request of allied nations.
CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/hunt-forward-operation
Audio reference link: Paul Nakasone, G., 2022. Vanderbilt Summit Keynote [Video]. YouTube. URL www.youtube.com/watch?v=Axg4s9l9wi0.
Jul 21
6 min

This week, while Maria is out hosts Dave Bittner and Joe Carrigan are discussing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. Dave covers a phishing campaign using fake Facebook verification emails to trick users into handing over their account credentials. Joe highlights the Better Business Bureau's new Scam Tracker heat map for visualizing scam trends and discusses a global INTERPOL operation that led to thousands of arrests and hundreds of millions of dollars in seized fraudulent funds. Our Catch of the Day is on a scam-baiter who encounters a hilariously inept TikTok scam account, proving that not every scammer is a master criminal.
Resources and links to stories:
Phishing Attacks Targeted Facebook Users With Fake Verification Offer
Heatmap
Over 5,800 arrests, USD 293 million intercepted in global fraud bust
These TikTok scam accounts are literally so stupid
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].
Jul 16
39 min
![Cyber gravity (noun) [Word Notes]](https://cdn-images.podbay.fm/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21lZ2FwaG9uZS5pbWdpeC5uZXQvcG9kY2FzdHMvMjI5N2YyZWUtN2Y4ZC0xMWYxLTlhNDUtY2JiMjExZGRkOGE4L2ltYWdlLzQ0MWIwY2EyZGIwODBiOTNiOTM1NTY4ZDM4MWNlNDYyLnBuZz9peGxpYj1yYWlscy00LjMuMSZtYXgtdz0zMDAwJm1heC1oPTMwMDAmZml0PWNyb3AmYXV0bz1mb3JtYXQsY29tcHJlc3MiLCJmYWxsYmFjayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaXMxLXNzbC5tenN0YXRpYy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdGh1bWIvUG9kY2FzdHMyMjEvdjQvNjQvMTUvNjQvNjQxNTY0MWMtZmUzMC0zYzNjLThkOGQtNDQyMGRjY2RmZjU3L216YV8xMDQ5ODg4MjgwNzI1MDMzOTUzMi5qcGVnLzYwMHg2MDBiYi5qcGcifQ.aoZtaXIeDh2e_9PNv-IVb7LE3HVIpvb3i4mbx6mt3HA.jpg?width=200&height=200)
The invisible force that governs the movement of data across networks.
Audio reference link: “Things to Come 1936 - HG Wells.” YouTube, YouTube, 28 Sept. 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atwfWEKz00U.
Jul 14
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 after a listener wrote in to share their love of X Japan, joking that the show should spend less time talking about chickens and more time celebrating one of Japan’s most legendary metal bands. Joe covers how millions of compromised consumer devices are fueling massive residential proxy networks that cybercriminals and nation-state actors use to disguise malicious activity online. Dave looks at a ransomware campaign using fake INTERPOL emails to pressure victims into opening malicious attachments and infecting their systems. Maria explores whether AI-powered operating systems could one day become our first line of defense against scams by detecting social engineering attacks before users ever fall for them—and what new risks that future could bring. Our catch of the day is on an unsolicited Telegram message that quickly turns into an entertaining romance scam encounter.
Resources and links to stories:
X Japan - Kurenai Live 1989 (Blue Blood Tour - 爆発寸前GIG)
How Hackers Found a Back Door Into the American Living Room
A Sneaky Back Door Lets Hackers Into Your Home. Here’s How to Protect Yourself.
50.147.72.126
Fake Interpol investigation emails target small businesses with ransomware
The Beginning of the End of Social Engineering
Polish Frank part 1. He had me at the bush.
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].
Jul 9
47 min
![Artificial Intelligence (AI) (noun) {word Notes]](https://cdn-images.podbay.fm/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21lZ2FwaG9uZS5pbWdpeC5uZXQvcG9kY2FzdHMvNmE3MjMxMTAtNzliNi0xMWYxLWJlZTQtN2Y3NDg0NTc1N2U0L2ltYWdlLzQ0MWIwY2EyZGIwODBiOTNiOTM1NTY4ZDM4MWNlNDYyLnBuZz9peGxpYj1yYWlscy00LjMuMSZtYXgtdz0zMDAwJm1heC1oPTMwMDAmZml0PWNyb3AmYXV0bz1mb3JtYXQsY29tcHJlc3MiLCJmYWxsYmFjayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaXMxLXNzbC5tenN0YXRpYy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdGh1bWIvUG9kY2FzdHMyMjEvdjQvNjQvMTUvNjQvNjQxNTY0MWMtZmUzMC0zYzNjLThkOGQtNDQyMGRjY2RmZjU3L216YV8xMDQ5ODg4MjgwNzI1MDMzOTUzMi5qcGVnLzYwMHg2MDBiYi5qcGcifQ.Rw1ylbeSBj4PDqwBdqj6EV77Fva3ucqepxWEp6JBnQ8.jpg?width=200&height=200)
Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes.
The ability of computers to execute tasks typically associated with human intelligence, including natural language processing, problem solving, and pattern recognition.
CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/ai
Audio reference link: Staff, 2016. Alan Turing - The Imitation Game - Can Machines Think? [YouTube Video]. Learn Understand Create. URL www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs7Lo5MKIws.
Jul 7
8 min

Please enjoy this encore of Hacking Humans.
This week, our hosts Dave Bittner, Joe Carrigan, and Maria Varmazis (also host of the T-Minus Space Daily show) are back sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We've got some follow-up from listener Kajetan, who recalled a run-in with a scammer in Paris posing as a mute fundraiser—and says he performed a "miracle" by crossing out his name, prompting the supposedly mute woman to suddenly start yelling at him. Maria has the story on how small businesses in Toronto, like the family-run Souvlaki Hut and Pippins Tea Company, were shocked to discover that thieves exploited vulnerabilities in their point of sale terminals to issue themselves thousands in fraudulent refunds—exposing serious flaws in how these machines are secured. Dave's story is on a Stanford-led study that found popular AI therapy bots, including ChatGPT and commercial mental health platforms, often respond inappropriately to serious mental health issues—fueling delusions, validating harmful thoughts, and failing to follow basic therapeutic guidelines—raising urgent concerns about their use as replacements for human therapists. Joe follows the story on a sweeping federal investigation into Minnesota's Housing Stabilization Services program, where agents raided homes and businesses tied to an alleged multi-million-dollar Medicaid fraud scheme that exploited vulnerable residents and billed taxpayers for housing support services that were never provided. Our catch of the day is on a patient scammer who spent five months building trust before claiming to send a $700K inheritance payout locked in a lawsuit—complete with a fake video of a safe and a shady tracking number—only to demand €15,000 in "customs fees," a scam the Redditor thankfully saw through before handing over any money.
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Resources and links to stories:
AI therapy bots fuel delusions and give dangerous advice, Stanford study finds
‘It was a shock’: Toronto business owner says customer used point of sale terminal to issue himself $2,000 refund
KARE 11 Investigates: Federal agents raid homes & businesses seizing evidence in housing fraud investigation
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].
Jul 2
51 min
![Certification (noun) [Word Notes]](https://cdn-images.podbay.fm/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21lZ2FwaG9uZS5pbWdpeC5uZXQvcG9kY2FzdHMvZDJjOWJmMTQtNzNlMi0xMWYxLWI4N2YtYTNmOGY1ZTZlYjlmL2ltYWdlLzQ0MWIwY2EyZGIwODBiOTNiOTM1NTY4ZDM4MWNlNDYyLnBuZz9peGxpYj1yYWlscy00LjMuMSZtYXgtdz0zMDAwJm1heC1oPTMwMDAmZml0PWNyb3AmYXV0bz1mb3JtYXQsY29tcHJlc3MiLCJmYWxsYmFjayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaXMxLXNzbC5tenN0YXRpYy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdGh1bWIvUG9kY2FzdHMyMjEvdjQvNjQvMTUvNjQvNjQxNTY0MWMtZmUzMC0zYzNjLThkOGQtNDQyMGRjY2RmZjU3L216YV8xMDQ5ODg4MjgwNzI1MDMzOTUzMi5qcGVnLzYwMHg2MDBiYi5qcGcifQ.D7McJRH6aU8GAdqxcPijc0ACoHb003vT5xgsqg1uZ0A.jpg?width=200&height=200)
Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes.
A credential demonstrating an individual's knowledge in the field of cybersecurity, usually obtained by passing an exam or series of exams.
CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/certification
Audio reference link: Bombal, D., 2022. Are certifications important in Cybersecurity? [Video]. YouTube. URL www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdgf_Wr82rs.
Jun 30
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 on an editorial examining whether AI could signal the beginning of the end for traditional social engineering, as attackers increasingly target AI systems instead of people. Dave's got the story on an FBI warning that crypto scammers are using cash couriers to collect money from victims and bypass banking safeguards. Maria's got the story on AI-powered impersonators posing as members of the rock band Sons of Legion to scam fans through fake relationships and fraudulent requests for money. Joe's got two stories: one on HSBC Australia facing a proposed $246 million penalty over alleged scam protection failures, and another on two Michigan gold scam busts that prevented victims from losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Our catch of the day is a reflection on a past interaction where the author initially held out hope someone might reappear, but ultimately accepts they’re gone and shares the story in hindsight, including their own strongly emotional reaction at the time.
Resources and links to stories:
The Beginning of the End of Social Engineering
FBI Warns Courier Cash Pickups Are Driving Crypto Scams
A Rock Band Went Viral. Then AI Scammers Moved In
HSBC's Australia unit to pay $24.6 million fine over scam protection failures, court rules
A Couple Was Told To Turn $250,000 Into Gold. Police Stopped The Courier Scam
Video: Deputies nab suspect in attempted $700,000 gold coin scam
Eric - failed bait because I'm such a b**ch - part 1
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at [email protected].
Jun 25
47 min
![Network slicing (noun) [Word Notes]](https://cdn-images.podbay.fm/eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21lZ2FwaG9uZS5pbWdpeC5uZXQvcG9kY2FzdHMvMTJhZThmNjYtNmU4My0xMWYxLWIyNzEtNWYyMTc5YjlhZDA2L2ltYWdlLzQ0MWIwY2EyZGIwODBiOTNiOTM1NTY4ZDM4MWNlNDYyLnBuZz9peGxpYj1yYWlscy00LjMuMSZtYXgtdz0zMDAwJm1heC1oPTMwMDAmZml0PWNyb3AmYXV0bz1mb3JtYXQsY29tcHJlc3MiLCJmYWxsYmFjayI6Imh0dHBzOi8vaXMxLXNzbC5tenN0YXRpYy5jb20vaW1hZ2UvdGh1bWIvUG9kY2FzdHMyMjEvdjQvNjQvMTUvNjQvNjQxNTY0MWMtZmUzMC0zYzNjLThkOGQtNDQyMGRjY2RmZjU3L216YV8xMDQ5ODg4MjgwNzI1MDMzOTUzMi5qcGVnLzYwMHg2MDBiYi5qcGcifQ.TAyYw0ieb_LPuS_MQ0018fV628TZEaC1_PttxpS9q0k.jpg?width=200&height=200)
Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes.
A technique used to create virtual networks within a shared physical network infrastructure.
CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/network-slicing
Audio reference link: Whitehead, D.N., 2021. 5G Smart Networks Part 1: Network Slicing [Video]. YouTube. URL www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCt3rYODZ7g.
Jun 23
6 min
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