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Hacking Humans: Daily Summaries Delivered
by N2K Networks
Deception, influence, and social engineering in the world of cyber crime.
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- Yesterday10 min
Security Operations Center (SOC) (noun) [Word Notes]
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.
- 1 weeks ago49 min
Red flags ahead.
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.
- 1 weeks ago6 min
hunt forward operations (noun) [Word Notes]
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.
- 2 weeks ago35 min
Caught on ScamTok
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.
- 2 weeks ago8 min
Cyber gravity (noun) [Word Notes]
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.
- 3 weeks ago47 min
Wood you fall for this?
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.
- 3 weeks ago8 min
Artificial Intelligence (AI) (noun) {word Notes]
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.
- 4 weeks ago51 min
The delusional side of AI therapy.
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.
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About Hacking Humans
Deception, influence, and social engineering in the world of cyber crime.
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