Smashing Security· Folge 419

Star Wars, the CIA, and a WhatsApp malware mirage

· 48 min

MP3

Shownotes

<p>Why is a cute Star Wars fan website now redirecting to the CIA? How come Cambodia has become the world's hotspot for scam call centres? And can a WhatsApp image really drain your bank account with a single download, or is it just a load of hacker hokum?</p><p>All this and much more is discussed in the latest edition of the award-winning "Smashing Security" podcast by computer security veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, joined this week by Allan Liska.</p><p>Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.</p><p><strong>Episode links:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="youtube.com/watch?v=TFfuzZC5Qpc"; rel="nofollow">How I found a Star Wars website made by the CIA</a> - Ciro Santilli on YouTube.</li><li><a href="reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-sp…; rel="nofollow">How the CIA failed Iranian informants in its secret war with Tehran</a> - Reuters.</li><li><a href="independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/isis-…; rel="nofollow">Isis and al-Qaeda sending coded messages through eBay, pornography and Reddit</a> - Independent.</li><li><a href="ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7467347"; rel="nofollow">Games Without Frontiers: Investigating Video Games as a Covert Channel</a> - IEEE.</li><li><a href="networkworld.com/article/743308/data-center-ge…; rel="nofollow">General David Petraeus used clever Gmail trick during affair</a> - Network World.</li><li><a href="scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3311602/ca…; rel="nofollow">Cambodia is home to world’s most powerful criminal network: report</a> - SCMP.</li><li><a href="faq.whatsapp.com/573786218075805?helpref=faq_c…; rel="nofollow">How to protect yourself from suspicious messages and scams</a>- WhatsApp.</li><li><a href="whatsapp.com/security/"; rel="nofollow">Is WhatsApp Safe? Tips for Staying Secure</a> - WhatsApp.</li><li><a href="bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2t83X5dkPsRbldB4…; rel="nofollow">Hacked on WhatsApp – how to stay safe when using the messaging app</a> - BBC.</li><li><a href="thehackernews.com/2019/10/whatsapp-rce-vulnera…; rel="nofollow">Just a GIF Image Could Have Hacked Your Android Phone Using WhatsApp</a> - The Hacker News.</li><li><a href="youtube.com/watch?v=gvBYfba8nv8"; rel="nofollow">Kon-Tiki: The Epic Raft Journey Across the Pacific</a> - YouTube.</li><li><a href="cbc.ca/television/stillstanding"; rel="nofollow">Still Standing with Jonny Harris</a> - CBC.</li><li><a href="hauserwirth.com/hauser-wirth-exhibitions/niki-…; rel="nofollow">Niki de Saint Phalle & Jean Tinguely - Myths & Machines</a> - Hauser & Wirth.</li><li><a href="smashingsecurity.com/store/"; rel="nofollow">Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)</a></li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p><strong>Sponsored by:</strong></p><ul><li><a href="vanta.com/smashing"; rel="nofollow">Vanta</a>– Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation… while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off!</li><li><a href="1password.com/smashing"; rel="nofollow">1Password Extended Access Management</a>– Secure every sign-in for every app on every device.</li><li><a href="metacompliance.com/planner"; rel="nofollow">MetaCompliance</a> - MetaCompliance's Security Awareness Planner is your free 12-month roadmap to reduce risk and build a culture of cyber awareness.</li></ul><br/><p><br></p><p><strong>SUPPORT THE SHOW:</strong></p><p>Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on <a href="apple.co/2J1YMCu"; rel="nofollow">Apple Podcasts</a> or <a href="podchaser.com/podcasts/smashing-security-24472…; rel="nofollow">Podchaser</a>.</p><p>Become a supporter via <a href="patreon.com/smashingsecurity"; rel="nofollow">Patreon</a> or <a href="apple.co/2J1YMCu"; rel="nofollow">Apple Podcasts</a> for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!</p><br><p><strong>FOLLOW US:</strong></p><p>Follow us on <a href="bsky.app/profile/smashingsecurity.com"; rel="nofollow">Bluesky</a> or <a href="smashingsecurity.com/mastodon"; rel="nofollow">Mastodon</a>, or on the <a href="reddit.com/r/smashingsecurity"; rel="nofollow">Smashing Security subreddit</a>, and <a href="smashingsecurity.com/"; rel="nofollow">visit our website</a> for more episodes.</p><br><p><strong>THANKS:</strong></p><p>Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.</p><p>Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.</p><br/><br/>Privacy & Opt-Out: <a href='redcircle.com/privacy'>https://redcircle.co…;

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