Smashing Security

Latest Episodes:

HP's hold music, and human trafficking Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

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 Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.

Plus - don't miss our featured interview with Acronis CISO Gerald Beuchelt!

Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.

Episode links:

HP deliberately adds 15 minutes waiting time for telephone support calls - The Register.
HP mandated 15-minute wait time for callers - why that was good news for criminals - Bob Sullivan.
How vulnerable people are trafficked to fuel a global cyber scam industry - ABC News.
Hundreds of foreigners freed from Myanmar's scam centres - BBC News.
'I need help': Freed from Myanmar's scam centres, thousands are now stranded - BBC News.
Some foreigners pulled out of Myanmar scam centres face struggle to get home - Yahoo! News.
'Pig Butchering' Scam: How China's 'Broken Tooth' stole over $75 bn from global investors using crypto currencies - The Economic Times.
Scunthorpe problem - Wikipedia.
Scunthorpe Sans font.
Sociopath: A Memoir by Patric Gagne - Goodreads.
Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

Sponsored by:

Acronis - Integrated cybersecurity, data protection and endpoint management built for MSPs.
Threat Vector - The podcast from Palo Alto Networks that gives you timely analysis of current security trends and challenges.
Drata - The world’s most advanced Trust Management platform – making risk and compliance management accessible, continuous, and 10x more automated than ever before.

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Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

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History's biggest heist just happened, and online abuse Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

We explore how the cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has been hacked to the jaw-dropping tune of $1.5 billion, and we look at what is being done to better defend women and girls' safety online.

All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.

Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.

Episode links:

Incident Update: Unauthorized Activity Involving ETH Cold Wallet - Bybit.
Bybit Launches Recovery Bounty Program with Rewards up to 10% of Stolen Funds - Bybit.
ZachXBT links Bybit hack to Lazarus Group - Twitter.
Online Safety Act: explainer - GOV.UK
These Are The 10 Most Complained-About TV Moments In Ofcom's History - Ofcom.
Ofcom to push for better age verification, filters and 40 other checks in new online child safety code - TechCrunch.
UK’s internet watchdog toughens approach to deepfake porn - TechCrunch.
Girlguiding research exposes alarming online harms facing girls - Charity Today News.
Ofcom's approach to implementing the Online Safety Act - Ofcom.
Women's abuse online: 'I get trolled every second, every day' - BBC.
Amanda’s funniest moments in Motherland - YouTube.
Amandaland - BBC iPlayer.
Cassandra Sci-Fi Thriller limited series - Netflix.
Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

Sponsored by:

1Password – Secure every app, device, and identity – even the unmanaged ones at 1password.com/smashing.
Scanner.dev provides a new technology offering fast search and threat detections for security data in S3 helping teams reduce the total cost of ownership of their SIEM by up to 90%. Try the interactive playground at scanner.dev/demo

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

Become a supporter via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!

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THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A crypto con exchange, and soaring ticket scams Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

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 the world.

All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.

PLUS! Don't miss our featured interview with Cliff Crosland of Scanner.dev

Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.

Episode links:

Russian National And Bitcoin Exchange Charged In 21-Count Indictment For Operating Alleged International Money Laundering Scheme And Allegedly Laundering Funds From Hack Of Mt. Gox - US Dept of Justice.
BTC-e Operator Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering Conspiracy - US Dept of Justice.
US releases Russian cybercriminal as part of exchange for teacher Marc Fogel - The Guardian.
Lloyds Bank issues urgent warning over Taylor Swift ticket scams - Lloyds.
Warning after more than 120k people queue for Black Sabbath Villa Park tickets as fans say 'scam' - Birmingham Live.
‘Don’t buy tickets for Beyoncé’ - Minister Gayton McKenzie warns South Africans of concert scam - Independent Online.
Beyonce Cowboy Carter tour fake tickets scam: Ticketmaster warns fans - USA Today.
Singapore ticket scam queen jailed for three years after conning 76 Taylor Swift fans of S$110,000 - Malaysia News.
Did Ozzy Osbourne really eat a bat? - Rock and Roll Garage.
How to stop hiccups - Graham Cluley.
The Telepathy Tapes podcast.
Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

Sponsored by:

1Password – Secure every app, device, and identity – even the unmanaged ones at 1password.com/smashing.
Scanner.dev provides a new technology offering fast search and threat detections for security data in S3 helping teams reduce the total cost of ownership of their SIEM by up to 90%. Try the interactive playground at scanner.dev/demo
Harmonic - Stop data leaks, not innovation. Zero-touch data protection for the GenAI era.

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

Become a supporter via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!

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THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Podcast not found Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

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 episode 404 of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, joined this week by special guest Jane Wakefield.

Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.

Episode links:

SEC's Twitter account hacked to say Bitcoin ETFs approved - Hot for Security.
Twitter says it’s not its fault the SEC’s account got hacked - Graham Cluley.
SEC Twitter hack blamed on SIM swap attack - Hot for Security.
The SEC’s X account got hacked by a 25-year-old who went by ‘AGiantSchnauzer’ and got paid in Bitcoin, feds say - Fortune.
Pupils share conspiracy theories for fun, with girls ‘more susceptible’ - The Times.
AI chatbots unable to accurately summarise news, BBC finds - BBC News.
US-led cybersecurity coalition vows to not pay hackers' ransom demands - TechCrunch.
35% Year-over-Year Decrease in Ransomware Payments, Less than Half of Recorded Incidents Resulted in Victim Payments - Chain Analysis.
Ransomware: proposals to increase incident reporting and reduce payments to criminals - GOV.UK.
The 2024 Ransomware Landscape: ‘Looking back on another painful year’ - IT Wire.
The Space Doctor’s Big Idea by Randall Munroe - The New Yorker.
Reading guide: Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner - Booker Prizes.
Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

Sponsored by:

1Password – Secure every app, device, and identity – even the unmanaged ones at 1password.com/smashing.
Tripwire Enterprise - Set up a demo of Tripwire Enterprise to see how you can simultaneously harden your systems and automate compliance.
Scanner.dev provides a new technology offering fast search and threat detections for security data in S3 helping teams reduce the total cost of ownership of their SIEM by up to 90%. Try the interactive playground at scanner.dev/demo

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

Become a supporter via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!

FOLLOW US:

THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Coinbase crypto heists, QR codes, and ransomware in the classroom Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

In episode 403 of "Smashing Security" we dive into the mystery of $65 million vanishing from Coinbase users faster than J-Lo slipped into Graham's DMs, Geoff gives a poor grade for PowerSchool's security, and Carole takes a curious look at QR codes.

All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, joined this week by The Lazarus Heist's Geoff White.

Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.

Episode links:

ZachXBT’s thread - Twitter.
Coinbase employee tells users not to use a VPN or ad blocker - Twitter.
What PowerSchool won’t say about its data breach affecting millions of students - TechCrunch.
QR code - Wikipedia.
Reed–Solomon error correction - Wikipedia.
Urgent warning over QR code scam tricking drivers out of £100s at popular car parks - Express.
Scam alert: QR code on an unexpected package - Consumer Advice
New Star Blizzard spear-phishing campaign targets WhatsApp accounts - Microsoft Security Blog.
What You Must Know Before Scanning a QR Code - AARP.
“More” - Niall Conlon.
“Money Men” by Dan McCrum - Penguin Books.
Bitter Orange Marmalade Recipe - Ballymaloe Cooking School.
Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

Sponsored by:

Tailscale – Tailscale is perfect for work or personal projects, making networking simple. Its free plan covers up to 100 devices and 3 users. Get started at tailscale.com and be up and running in less than 10 minutes!
1Password – Secure every app, device, and identity – even the unmanaged ones at 1password.com/smashing.
Cortex Symphony 2025 - Ready to transform your cybersecurity? Register now to see the future of security innovation with exclusive insights, demos, and stories from pros.

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

Become a supporter via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!

FOLLOW US:

THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hackers get hacked, the British Museum IT shutdown, and social media kidnaps Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

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 this and much much more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, joined this week by Lianne Potter from the "Compromising Positions" podcast.

Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.

Episode links:

No Honour Among Thieves: Uncovering a Trojanized XWorm RAT Builder Propagated by Threat Actors and Disrupting Its Operations - CloudSEK.
British Museum forced to partly close after alleged IT attack by former employee - The Guardian.
Chart: What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?- Statista.
Tikked off: What happens when TikTok fame fades - Vox.
Influencer burnout is real - Vox.
Influencer slammed for staging fake kidnapping plot because she was ‘bored’ - Mirror Online.
"Mom influencer" Katie Sorensen sentenced to jail for falsely claiming couple tried to kidnap her kids at a crafts store - CBS News.
Stock market influencer on the way to Coldplay concert kidnapped by data theft gang - The New Indian Express.
Raycast.
“Thank Goodness You’re Here” video game.
The We Society Podcast - Academy of Social Sciences.
Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

Sponsored by:

Tailscale – Tailscale is perfect for work or personal projects, making networking simple. Its free plan covers up to 100 devices and 3 users. Get started at tailscale.com and be up and running in less than 10 minutes!
1Password – Secure every app, device, and identity – even the unmanaged ones at 1password.com/smashing.

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

Become a supporter via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!

FOLLOW US:

THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hacks on the high seas, and how your home can be stolen under your nose Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

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 Pennarun of Tailscale.

Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.

Episode links:

Report from Corriere Di Bologna newspaper.
Caro Musk, assumi subito l’hacker quindicenne di Cesena – Il Foglio.
15-Year-Old Hacker Diverts Ships in Mediterranean Sea for Fun – Hot for Security.
90-year-old immigrant could lose Brooklyn home after deed theft scam, family says – CBS News.
Protect your home. Spot the signs of deed theft – Better Business Bureau.
Woman Charged for Scheme to Defraud Elvis Presley’s Family – DOJ.
Home Title Theft: How To Protect Yourself – Forbes Advisor.
Here’s How Scammers in America Can Take the Title to Your Home Without You Knowing It – Moneywise.
Could a Criminal Use Deed Fraud to Steal Your Entire Home? – AARP.
Could Fraudsters Steal Your Home From Under Your Nose? – HomeOwners Alliance.
Wizard Zines.
Listen for the Lie – Amazon.
Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

Sponsored by:

Tailscale – Tailscale is perfect for work or personal projects, making networking simple. Its free plan covers up to 100 devices and 3 users. Get started at tailscale.com and be up and running in less than 10 minutes!
1Password – Secure every app, device, and identity – even the unmanaged ones at 1password.com/smashing.

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

Become a supporter via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!

FOLLOW US:

THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hacker games, AI travel surveillance, and 25 years of IoT Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

The video game Path of Exile 2 suffers a security breach, we explore the issues of using predictive algorithms in travel surveillance systems, and the very worst IoT devices are put on show in Las Vegas. Oh, and has Elon Musk accidentally revealed he cheats at video games?

Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.

Episode links:

Player of Games - Grimes.
‘Path of Exile 2’ Players Call Bulls**t on Elon Musk’s Video Game Stream - Gizmodo.
Elon Musk "Playing" Path of Exile 2 - YouTube.
Elon Musk is Lying About Being Good at Video Games - YouTube.
Elon Musk Streams His ”Totally Not Boosted” ‘Path of Exile 2’ Character, Proves He Has No Idea What He’s Doing - Vice.
Hacker Broke into ‘Path of Exile 2’ Admin Account, Hijacked Wave of Characters - 404 Media.
Inside the Black Box of Predictive Travel Surveillance - WIRED.
Average Number of Smart Devices in a Home 2025 - Consumer Affairs.
Global IoT and non-IoT connections 2010-2025 - Statista.
U.S. Cyber Trust Mark: New Label for IoT Devices - National Law Review.
How the Internet of Things will be good for the planet - Thales Group.
The ‘Worst in Show’ CES products put your data at risk and cause waste, privacy advocates say - AP News.
The CES worst in show awards lampoon AI everthing - The Register.
The Worst Devices of CES 2025!! - YouTube.
This Could Be Your AI Robot Girlfriend - For $175,000 - Forbes.
Pick of the week! archive - Smashing Security.
Elton John: Never too late - Disney Plus.
Apple News.
Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

Sponsored by:

1Password Extended Access Management – Secure every sign-in for every app on every device.
Tripwire Enterprise - Set up a demo of Tripwire Enterprise to see how you can simultaneously harden your systems and automate compliance.

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

Become a supporter via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!

FOLLOW US:

THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Honey in hot water, and reset your devices Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

Ever wonder how those "free" browser extensions that promise to save you money actually work? We dive deep into the controversial world of Honey, the coupon-finding tool owned by PayPal, and uncover a scheme that might be leaving you with less savings and your favorite YouTubers with empty pockets.

Plus, we take a look at Kagi, the search engine you pay not to show you adverts, and discuss what you should do with your old, no-longer-wanted technology.

All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.

Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.

Episode links:

Exposing the Honey Influencer Scam - MegaLag on YouTube.
The Honey Scam: Explained - Marques Brownlee on YouTube.
14 million people don’t know how to erase their data from an old device - ICO.
Electronics hoarding habit among Brits and Americans - SellCell.
Practical advice for online and electronic devices - ICO.
How to factory reset your Google Pixel phone - Google.
How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple.
Reset your Android device to factory settings - Google.
Erase your Mac and reset it to factory settings - Apple.
Reset your PC - Microsoft.
How do I perform a factory reset on my Samsung mobile device? - Samsung.
Kagi search engine.
Battery Heated Clothing - Fieldsheer.
Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

Sponsored by:

1Password Extended Access Management – Secure every sign-in for every app on every device.
BigID - Start protecting your sensitive data wherever it lives with BigID. Get a free demo to how your organization can reduce data risk and accelerate the adoption of generative AI.

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

Become a supporter via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!

FOLLOW US:

THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Fake CAPTCHAs, Harmageddon, and Krispy Kreme Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

This week, we delve into the dark world of fake CAPTCHAs designed to hijack your computer. Plus, the AI safety clock is ticking down – is doomsday closer than we think? And to top it off, we uncover the sticky situation of Krispy Kreme facing a ransomware attack.

All this and more is discussed in the latest jam-packed edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, joined this week by Mark Stockley of "The AI Fix" podcast.

Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.

Episode links:

CAPTCHAs from hell - Reddit.
“DeceptionAds” — Fake Captcha Driving Infostealer Infections and a Glimpse to the Dark Side of Internet Advertising - Guardio.
AI Safety Clock Ticks Closer To ‘Midnight,’ Signifying Rising Risk - Forbes.
Krispy Kreme admits there's a hole in its security - The Register.
Nutritional and Allergen Information - Krispy Kreme.
&UDM=14.
Does one line fix Google? - Tedium.
ElevenLabs.
The GCHQ Christmas Challenge 2024 - GCHQ.
Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

Sponsored by:

1Password Extended Access Management – Secure every sign-in for every app on every device.
BigID - Start protecting your sensitive data wherever it lives with BigID. Get a free demo to how your organization can reduce data risk and accelerate the adoption of generative AI.
ThreatLocker - the Zero Trust endpoint protection platform that provides enterprise-level cybersecurity to organizations globally. Start your 30-day free trial today!

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

Become a supporter via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!

FOLLOW US:

THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy