Paris Syndrome and Love in Unexpected Places

In this episode, Graham warns why it is high time we said goodbye to 2G - the outdated mobile network being exploited by cybercriminals with suitcase-sized SMS blasters. From New Zealand to London, scammers are driving around cities like dodgy Uber drivers, spewing phishing texts to thousands at once.

Meanwhile, Carole unpacks a painfully awkward tale of amour fou, as a 76-year-old Belgian man drives 476 miles to meet his dream woman... only to be greeted by her very-much-still-husband at the gate.

Plus: Sky Arts painting competitions get a thumbs up, Mark Zuckerberg never loses at board games, and the scandalous Facebook memoir Meta tried to silence.

All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault.

Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.

Episode links:

• Teen arrested for 'smishing scam' using technology never before seen in New Zealand - RNZ.
• Op Orca — smishing scam smashed - New Zealand police.
• SMS blasting incidents are rising - Risky Bulletin.
• Bangkok busts SMS Blaster sending 1 million scam texts from a van - Bleeping Computer.
• Police warn of SMS scams as ‘blaster’ is used to send thousands of texts - The Guardian.
• Reports of SMS Messages Sent by Fake Base Stations - Commsrisk.
• Keeping your Android device safe from text message fraud - Google Security blog.
• What is Paris syndrome? How culture shock can kill a trip - The Independent.
• Belgian man crushed after driving nearly 500 miles to meet French model he believed was his 'future wife' - Fox News. 
• French is the language of love: myth, reality, and romance - ICLS.
• Romance scam victim travels 700km 'to marry French beauty queen' - BBC News.
• Un homme se présente chez moi pour être mon futur mari… - YouTube. 
• Sky Artist of the Year.
• Careless People  - The Guardian Bookshop. 
• Careless People: We read the book that Mark Zuckerberg doesn’t want you to read - Slate. 
• Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

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• Vanta - Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation… while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off!

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Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.