Hacking Humans

spearphishing (noun) [Word Notes]

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 [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 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpx5IMduWX4].

Cosmic brownie crimes.

This week, hosts of N2K CyberWire ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/varmazis/] and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bittner-27231a4/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dave Bittner⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bittner-27231a4/] alongside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joe Carrigan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joecarrigan/] 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 [https://www.oakley.com/en-us/product/92060A?variant=887288724329] * Giant Backpack [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/y3PJlX0RGo0] * Your Backpack Got Worse On Purpose [https://www.worseonpurpose.com/p/your-backpack-got-worse-on-purpose] * Burma approves death penalty for scammers months after FBI's $8 billion crypto crackdown [https://www.foxnews.com/world/burma-approves-death-penalty-scammers-months-after-fbi-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 [https://fox8.com/news/little-debbie-snack-fraud-investigation-leads-to-arrest-of-west-virginia-man-allegedly-forged-records-for-deliveries-that-never-happened/] * As foreclosures increase, so do warnings about some self-proclaimed 'home savers' [https://abcnews.com/US/foreclosures-increase-warnings-proclaimed-home-savers/story?id=135126768] * Researchers Warn of AI-Enhanced Phone Fraud Ecosystem [https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/researchers-aienhanced-phone-fraud/] * That Twotiming B**ch Barb Johnson [https://www.reddit.com/r/scambait/comments/1v6pv3o/that_twotiming_bitch_barb_johnson/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Inside-the-alleged-2-5-million-Dubai-Crown-Prince-romance-scam-2020297]Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://therecord.media/fin6-recruitment-scam-malware-campaign]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hackinghumans@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [hackinghumans@n2k.com].

resiliency (noun) [Word Notes]

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 [https://thecyberwire.com/glossary/resiliency] Audio reference link: Cameron, J., 1984. The Terminator [Movie]. IMDb. URL ⁠www.imdb.com/title/tt0088247/⁠ [http://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 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YEG9DgRHhA]. Coops, C., 2013. Terminator 2 Theme [Video]. YouTube. URL ⁠www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVZ2NShfCE8⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVZ2NShfCE8].

Class is in session—for cybercriminals. [OMITB]

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 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/selenalarson/], ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Proofpoint⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.proofpoint.com/] intelligence analyst and host of their podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DISCARDED⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.proofpoint.com/us/podcasts/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 [https://www.n2k.com/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dave Bittner⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bittner-27231a4/] and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Keith Mularski⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-mularski-b737551/], former FBI cybercrime investigator and now Chief Global Ambassador at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Qintel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/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:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://cyberscoop.com/supply-chain-attack-shai-hulud-npm/] * Job Scams Using Bioscience Lures Target Universities [https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/job-scams-using-bioscience-lures-target-universities] * One Email Closer to the Edge: UNK_MassTraction & the Physics of Exploitation [https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/one-email-closer-edge-unkmasstraction-physics-exploitation]

Nothing but the spoof.

This week, hosts of N2K CyberWire ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/varmazis/] and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bittner-27231a4/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dave Bittner⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-bittner-27231a4/] alongside ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joe Carrigan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joecarrigan/] 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 [https://hackread.com/fake-fbi-agents-ic3-complaints-scam-victims/] * Amazon scam was so authentic - it got the better of me [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3wygj8qv8lo] * Crime gangs snare more than $88 billion in scams in Asia-Pacific, UN says [https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/crime-gangs-snare-more-than-88-billion-scams-asia-pacific-un-says-2026-07-21/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/business/Inside-the-alleged-2-5-million-Dubai-Crown-Prince-romance-scam-2020297]Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://therecord.media/fin6-recruitment-scam-malware-campaign]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hackinghumans@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [hackinghumans@n2k.com].