Exploring VPN Legitimacy and Emerging Phishing Threats

Three Buddy Problem - Episode 32: In this episode, we rummage through the DeepSeek hype and break down what makes it different from OpenAI’s models, why it’s stirring up existential controversies, and what it means for the broader tech landscape. We get into the privacy concerns, the geo-political implications, how AI models handle data, the ongoing debate over IP theft and innovation, and the challenges that come with a Chinese company shipping an open-source alternative.

Beyond AI, we dig into some of the latest headlines; from a Chinese ‘backdoor’ in medical devices, problems with CISA’s backdoor bulletin, the risks of insecure IoT, phishing attacks on influencers, and ongoing battles over censorship in the VPN space. We also touch on WhatsApp catching spyware vendor Paragon Solutions and potential shifts in U.S. government policy on commercial mercenary hacking and surveillance companies.

Cast: Juan Andres Guerrero-Saade, Costin Raiu and Ryan Naraine.

Links:

• Transcript (unedited, AI-generated)
• DeepSeek Privacy Policy
• White House evaluates effect of China AI app DeepSeek on national security
• Why ‘Distillation’ Has Become the Scariest Word for AI Companies
• Microsoft Probing If DeepSeek-Linked Group Improperly Obtained OpenAI Data
• U.S. Navy bans use of DeepSeek AI
• Wiz Research Uncovers Exposed DeepSeek Database Leaking Sensitive Information
• ScatterBrain: Unmasking the Shadow of PoisonPlug's Obfuscator
• ScatterBrain: Deobfuscation library for PoisionPlug.SHADOW's ScatterBrain obfuscator
• CISA, FDA Warn of Dangerous Backdoor in Contec Patient Monitors
• CISA advisory: Contec CMS8000 contains a backdoor
• Contec CMS 8000 product manual
• NordVPN NordWhisper
• WhatsApp: Spyware company Paragon targeted users in two dozen countries
• X Phishing Campaign Targeting High Profile Accounts, Promoting Crypto Scams
• LABScon24: Follow the Money -- CCP’s Ownership of Firms Investing in the USA (Elly Rostoum)
• Binarly Post-Quantum Readiness Technology