Phishing Casting Calls and Social Engineering

When "bad actors" stop being hackers and start being... actual actors.

This week, Graham and special guest Jenny Radcliffe play “Hacker or Ham?” (yes, Steven Seagal, we’re looking at you), before diving into a campaign which saw an Iranian gang luring Israeli performers with fake casting calls for a serious film. We unpack why positive lures can short-circuit scepticism just as effectively as fear.

Plus, the UK's ICO says students are increasingly hacking their own schools.

Meanwhile, Graham heads to 1960s Oxford with Endeavour, while Jenny investigates the Wirral’s mysterious "Catman".

All this, and more, in episode 435 of the "Smashing Security" podcast.

EPISODE LINKS:

• Shai-Hulud Worm Compromises npm Ecosystem in Supply Chain Attack - Unit 42.
• Jaguar Land Rover extends production shutdown after cyber-attack - The Guardian.
• AI-Driven Deepfake Military ID Fraud Campaign by Kimsuky APT - Genians.
• Israel says suspected Iranian hackers targeted actors in phishing attack - Iran International.
• Iranian Educated Manticore Targets Leading Tech Academics - Check Point.
• Children hacking their own schools for 'fun', watchdog warns - BBC News.
• Endeavour - ITVx.
• Crowds armed with torches hunt the “cat man” every night - Liverpool Echo.
• 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 today from adaptivesecurity.com.

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THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

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