Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. A passwordless authentication protocol based on the FIDO2 standard. CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/passkey Audio reference link: Summers, J., 2023. Google Passkeys Have Arrived (here’s how to use them) [All Things Secured Channel]. YouTube. URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFO7JgUx-bU.
This week, we’re celebrating a pretty big milestone: 400 episodes of Hacking Humans! Along the way, we’ve shared hundreds of stories, scams, lessons, and plenty of memorable Catch of the Days—and we couldn’t have made it this far without you. To everyone who has listened, written in with a story, sent us a Catch of the Day, or simply learned to be a little more suspicious of that weird text message: thank you for being part of 400 episodes of Hacking Humans. We’re glad you’re here to celebrate with us. And now, after 400 episodes, there’s really only one thing left to do: get back to the scams. 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. Dave covers celebrity podcast impersonation scams, where fraudsters use personal details, convincing AI-generated personas, and fake production teams to build trust with potential guests. Maria looks at a rental scam that cost a San Francisco renter $18,600 after scammers copied a legitimate apartment listing, showed him the property, and convinced him they were the landlord. Joe discusses new research showing that younger people can be just as vulnerable to scams as older victims, particularly when they're navigating things like jobs, apartments, online shopping, and their first financial accounts. Our Catch of the Day comes from a scammer who apparently discovered the hard way that sometimes the scammer can get scammed. Resources and links to stories: Inside the Fake Celebrity Podcast Scam Fooling Hollywood They escaped south-east Asia’s scam compounds. Then they realised they were still trapped How a ‘savvy’ S.F. renter lost more than $18K in an elaborate real estate scam Jacksonville woman sues VyStar, alleges credit union failed to properly investigate $42K impersonation scam Teens targeted for scams Scammer got scammed Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.
This week, while Dave is out, hosts Maria Varmazis and Joe Carrigan are discussing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. Maria and Joe are joined by friend of the show Michele Kellerman. We start with some follow-up from Michele on efforts in the Philippines to crack down on online fraud centers and the ongoing fight against scam operations. Joe explores WhatsApp's new on-device scam detection feature and whether it can actually spot suspicious conversations without compromising privacy. Michele covers an elaborate jury-duty scam that kept a Florida woman on the phone for more than 10 hours, using fake law enforcement, cryptocurrency payments, and stolen personal information to steal more than $25,000. Maria looks at a new wave of back-to-school scams using fake websites, phishing attempts, and AI-generated content to target parents and students. Our Catch of the Day comes from Ami, who discovered that even paying by check isn't foolproof after a mailed check was intercepted, altered, and cashed by someone else. Resources and links to stories: Scam no more: how the Philippines is cracking down on online fraud centres with UN support WhatsApp rolls out new feature that flags potential scam messages PA man loses nearly $400K after online chess game leads to Cryptocurrency scam The ‘Jury Duty’ Scam That Cost This Family $25,000 New York back-to-school scams: Fake websites, AI ads and phishing texts to watch for Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.
Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. Definition one: The recognition of a set of repeatable attack patterns across the intrusion kill chain. Definition two: Determining the responsibility for offensive cyber operations. CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/attribution Audio reference link: Nunnikhoven, M., 2018. Cybersecurity Basics #9 - Attack Attribution [Video]. YouTube. URL www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlyMz5jN_Vs
This week, while Dave is out, hosts Maria Varmazis and Joe Carrigan are discussing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. Maria and Joe are joined by friend of the show Michele Kellerman. We start with some follow-up on the chicken coop, where the big news is that the chicks have officially hatched. Maria covers how AI is fueling a growing share of cybercrime in Africa as scammers use increasingly sophisticated digital tools to target victims. Michele looks at a multi-step gold bar scam targeting older New Yorkers, where criminals first compromise victims' devices and information before posing as government or law enforcement officials to steal their money. Joe breaks down the Fun Coffee crypto investment scam, which promised enormous returns before the platform suddenly shut down, leaving victims with more than HK$104 million in reported losses. Our Catch of the Day comes from Reddit, with another scam that proves if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably comes with a very suspicious backstory. Resources and links to stories: AI fuels more than half of cybercrime in Africa as digital scams surge, INTERPOL NYPD warning: Gold bar scam targeting older New Yorkers, stealing $100 Million+ Hong Kong Fun Coffee crypto scam losses top HK$104M Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.
Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. A type of cyber attack where an attacker sends a targeted and personalized email or other form of communication to a specific individual or a small group of individuals with the intention of tricking them into divulging sensitive information, such as a password, or convincing them to click a malicious link that will enable the attacker to take control of the victim's machine. CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/spearphishing Audio reference link: Richardson, T., 2014. What is the difference between phishing and spear-phishing? [Video]. YouTube. URL www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpx5IMduWX4.
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 asks Joe to finally reveal the backpack that's become a recurring character on the show—and whether it's really as airport-infeding as everyone says. Joe covers Myanmar's approval of the death penalty for convicted scammers and shares a real-world fraud case involving forged Little Debbie snack deliveries that shows scams don't always happen online. Maria explores the rise in foreclosure rescue and equity-stripping scams, where fraudsters target financially vulnerable homeowners and attempt to steal their money—or even their homes. Dave breaks down new research showing how AI-powered phone farms are making it easier than ever for scammers to automate fraud, manage hundreds of fake accounts, and scale their operations with minimal technical skill. Our Catch of the Day is on a scam-baiting exchange featuring an unforgettable tale of a supposed two-timing "Barb Johnson" that quickly spirals into absurdity. Resources and links to stories: Kitchen Sink Backpack Giant Backpack Your Backpack Got Worse On Purpose Burma approves death penalty for scammers months after FBI's $8 billion crypto crackdown Little Debbie snack fraud investigation leads to arrest of West Virginia man, who allegedly forged records for deliveries that never happened As foreclosures increase, so do warnings about some self-proclaimed 'home savers' Researchers Warn of AI-Enhanced Phone Fraud Ecosystem That Twotiming B**ch Barb Johnson Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.
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 week, Today, while Keith is off, Dave and Selena kick off a back-to-school special, exploring the cyber threats students, parents, educators, and universities should have on their radar. They examine the rise in job scams targeting university communities, discuss recent espionage activity aimed at higher education institutions in the U.S. and Canada, and look at how cybercriminals prey on younger audiences through online games, YouTube, and social media. From fake game cracks delivering information stealers to sextortion schemes targeting teens, they break down the tactics attackers are using and share practical advice for staying safe as the new school year begins. Sources: Job Scams Using Bioscience Lures Target Universities One Email Closer to the Edge: UNK_MassTraction & the Physics of Exploitation
Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. The ability to continuously deliver the intended outcome despite adverse cyber events. CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/resiliency Audio reference link: Cameron, J., 1984. The Terminator [Movie]. IMDb. URL www.imdb.com/title/tt0088247/. Clip Nation, 2012. The Arnold Schwarzenegger “I’ll Be Back” Supercut [Video]. YouTube. URL www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YEG9DgRHhA. Coops, C., 2013. Terminator 2 Theme [Video]. YouTube. URL www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVZ2NShfCE8.
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 Joe's chicken coop project. Dave covers a new FBI warning about scammers impersonating FBI agents and the IC3 to target fraud victims a second time with convincing deepfakes, fake websites, and recovery scams. Joe shares the story of a retired man who lost £1,800 after two scammers worked together to convince him they were protecting his Amazon account from fraud. Maria breaks down a new UN report revealing that scam networks stole up to $114 billion across Asia-Pacific in 2025 and are evolving into global criminal enterprises powered by specialization and AI. Our Catch of the Day comes from a listener who blames being left unsupervised for one of the funniest scam-baiting exchanges we've seen yet. Resources and links to stories: Fake FBI Agents Use IC3 Complaint Scams to Target Fraud Victims Amazon scam was so authentic - it got the better of me Crime gangs snare more than $88 billion in scams in Asia-Pacific, UN says Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.
Please enjoy this encore of Word Notes. A centralized facility or team responsible for monitoring, detecting, analyzing, and responding to cybersecurity incidents within an organization. CyberWire Glossary link: https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/security-operations-center Audio reference link: AT&T Tech Channel, 2012. A tour of AT&T’s Network Operations Center (1979) [Video]. YouTube. URL www.youtube.com/watch?v=cigc3hvMyWw.
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 hackinghumans@n2k.com.
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.
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 hackinghumans@n2k.com.
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.
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 hackinghumans@n2k.com.
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.
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. Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. 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 hackinghumans@n2k.com.
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.
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 hackinghumans@n2k.com.