
Show Notes
In episode 459 of Smashing Security, we dive into a chillingly clever account takeover attempt targeting WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg - involving MFA fatigue, real Apple alerts, a convincing support call, and a phishing page that oh-so-nearly worked. If a famous techie could have this happen to you, can you be sure you're immune? Plus: would you donate your lifetime medical history to science if you were promised anonymity? We unpack serious concerns around UK Biobank, where “de-identified” data may not be as anonymous as you think — and how surprisingly little information it takes to reveal everything. And! Human-powered “AI”, and a punishment worse than prison: eight hours on the RSA expo floor... All this, and much more, in episode 459 of the "Smashing Security" podcast with cybersecurity veteran Graham Cluley, and special guest Paul Ducklin.
EPISODE LINKS:
DOGE employee stole Social Security data and put it on a thumb drive, report says - TechCrunch. Foreign hacker in 2023 compromised Epstein files held by FBI, source and documents show - Reuters. New font-rendering trick hides malicious commands from AI tools - Bleeping Computer. Lockdown Mode - Apple support. Gone (Almost) Phishin’ - Matt Mullenweg. Listen to the Live Scam Call Targeting Matt Mullenweg’s Apple Account - YouTube. Confidential health records from UK BioBank project exposed online - The Guardian. A message from Professor Sir Rory Collins, Chief Executive and Principal Investigator of UK Biobank - UK BioBank. Psychotherapy data breach blackmailer sent to prison - Paul Ducklin. Your AI slop bores me. Post by Vaughan Shanks - LinkedIn. Judge Sentences CISO to 8 Consecutive Hours on RSA Expo Floor as Formal Punishment for Security Breach - The Exploit. Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)
SPONSORS: Vanta - Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation… while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off! Adaptive Security - request a custom demo featuring a real CEO deepfake simulation. Meter - Network infrastructure for the enterprise. Get a free personalised 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! Join Smashing Security PLUS via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes on our early-release feed!
FOLLOW THE SHOW: Follow us on Bluesky or Mastodon, or on the Smashing Security subreddit, and visit our website for more episodes.
THANKS: Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan. Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
More from Smashing Security
Imagine buying a brand new hardware wallet for your cryptocurrency with the shrink-wrap still on... what could possibly be hiding inside? We break out a Geiger counter and a cat to find out. Meanwhile, malicious ads are targeting journalists with zero-click attacks. Plus, Origin’s Spencer Thompson reveals what AI agents are really getting up to on your employees’ laptops when nobody’s looking. All this and more in episode 489 of the “Smashing Security” podcast with cybersecurity expert and keynote speaker Graham Cluley, and special guest Lianne Potter.
A ransomware negotiator attended a cybersecurity conference, only to be arrested by the FBI in connection with its investigation into the ShinyHunters gang. Meanwhile, hackers get the keys to ASOS's app and the chance to message every single customer. What did they say? And how did the company respond? We have thoughts. All this and more is discussed in episode 488 of the "Smashing Security" podcast with cybersecurity expert and keynote speaker Graham Cluley, and special guest Paul Ducklin.
Microsoft's Twitter account, with its 13 million followers, was hijacked by a paperclip. There was no ransomware or data theft, just Clippy, a dodgy crypto coin, and a corporate apology that wasn't from Microsoft either. Meanwhile, UK losses from hacked email and social media accounts have rocketed by 417%, as scammers pose as your friends to flog you tickets to gigs that don't exist. Plus, Hack The Box's Christine Bartlett joins us for a featured interview to ask what happens when AI agents join your security team, and whether anyone has thought to give them a performance review. All this and more in episode 487 of the "Smashing Security" podcast with cybersecurity expert and keynote speaker Graham Cluley, and special guest Danny Palmer.
A store in Auckland vibe-coded itself a new website. Within hours, its inventory had somehow expanded to include a pair of crusty socks, an $850 banana, and all of New Zealand's national parks. What could possibly have gone wrong? Meanwhile, a hacker collective backed a truck into one of the license-plate-reading Flock safety cameras popping up on American street corners, and took a very close look inside. All this and more in episode 486 of the "Smashing Security" podcast with cybersecurity expert and keynote speaker Graham Cluley, and special guest Dave Bittner.
Researchers wanted to test if LG's smart TVs come with any security risks - but their lawyers noticed a snag: the terms and conditions would forbid it. So they came up with a solution. They got plastered before setting up the TV, on the reasoning that you can't be legally bound to a contract you agreed to while drunk. What they discovered will make you look at your TV rather differently... Meanwhile, awful Android malware with the audacious name "Awesome" (in Indonesian) is doing the rounds, stealing your data, demanding a ransom, and then giving you a "jump scare"... Plus, in our featured interview, Andy Hornegold of Intruder explains why the mid-market is where cybercriminals are having the most fun right now - and how AI is helping attackers get from "first foot in the door" to "full ransomware disaster" in less than a working day. All this and more in episode 485 of the "Smashing Security" podcast with cybersecurity expert and keynote speaker Graham Cluley, and special guest Lianne Potter.