This week, our hosts Dave Bittner, Joe Carrigan, and Maria Varmazis (also host of the T-Minus Space Daily show) are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with another chicken update for everyone. Dave’s got the story of a Monotype font-licensing shakedown that totally backfired — automated claims, mass messages, and scary warnings that all unraveled when a typography-savvy employee proved every allegation was wrong, leaving Monotype empty-handed. Joe’s story is on a massive Walmart robocall scam targeting millions of customers. Fake calls, using AI voices claiming a pricey PlayStation 5 order, tricked people into giving personal info. The FCC is cracking down on SK Teleco, the U.S. voice provider behind the calls, threatening to cut them off from U.S. networks if they don’t act fast to stop the scam. Maria has the story on TSA warnings for travelers: avoid plugging phones into public USB ports and skip unsecured airport Wi-Fi. Hackers can sneak malware through USBs or intercept data over open networks, so TSA and the FCC recommend using portable chargers, charging-only cables, or a VPN to stay safe while traveling. Our catch of the day comes from a Microsoft looking email which says the user has been flagged.
Resources and links to stories:
- Monotype font licencing shake-down
- Millions of Walmart customers victims of major scam
- FCC Demands Cessation of Walmart-Impersonation Robocalls
- VIA ELECTRONIC DELIVERY AND CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
- Is charging your phone at the airport safe?
- An Open Letter
- Man behind in-flight Evil Twin WiFi attacks gets 7 years in prison
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.