A GCHQ intern faces dire consequences after taking secrets home, showcasing the importance of cybersecurity. An Australian hacker's audacious exploits lead to an unexpected escape from legal trouble, only for him to face deportation. The hosts weave in humor through stories of flow states and engaging anecdotes, including a comedic reflection on a pet owl. With discussions around the ethics of hacking and the lessons learned from historical breaches, this lively conversation is both entertaining and thought-provoking.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
GCHQ Intern Copies Secret Code
Hassan Arshad, a GCHQ intern, copied 61.8GB of top secret code to a mobile phone given by GCHQ and took it home.
He claimed he did this out of curiosity to improve the software, but was later sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Control and Monitor Data Access
Organisations must carefully control access to sensitive data and monitor user activity closely.
Vigilant monitoring helped GCHQ detect the unauthorized copying of classified information by their intern.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Australian Hacker’s Bold Exploits
David Key Crees, aka Abdillo, began hacking as a teenager, stealing personal data from major Australian government and private sites.
After being extradited to the US for multiple cybercrimes, he pled guilty but was surprisingly sentenced to time served and is now being deported back to Australia.
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Bob Mortimer's autobiography, 'And Away...', is a reflective and humorous account of his life, prompted by his open-heart surgery. The book delves into his childhood, career, and personal experiences, offering a blend of comedy and poignant moments. It is celebrated for Mortimer's unique storytelling style, characterized by surreal observations and whimsical anecdotes. He shares intimate details about his health scare and its impact on his perspective. Throughout the narrative, Mortimer's distinctive humor and warmth shine through, captivating readers with his candid reflections and entertaining stories. It is a must read for his fans and general readers alike.
Flow
The Psychology of Optimal Experience
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
In this classic work, Csikszentmihalyi investigates 'optimal experience' and reveals that true happiness and satisfaction can be achieved through a state of consciousness called 'flow.' During flow, individuals experience complete concentration on the task, clarity of goals, and immediate feedback. The book demonstrates how this positive state can be controlled and how it can improve the quality of life by unlocking meaning, creativity, and peak performance.
A GCHQ intern forgets the golden rule of spy school — don’t take the secrets home with you — and finds himself swapping Cheltenham for a cell. Meanwhile, an Australian hacker flies too close to the sun, hacks his way into a US indictment, and somehow walks free... only to get booted back Down Under.
Plus: flow states, Bob Mortimer, and the joys of pretending to carry an owl around on a cushion.
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.
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