A disgruntled data analyst decides that the best response to losing his contract is to steal the entire company payroll database and demand $2.5 million in Bitcoin – signing his extortion emails from a company called “Loot.”

Meanwhile, two people drive up to the entrance of the UK’s nuclear submarine base at Faslane and politely ask if they can have a look around. Tourists? Spies? Something in between?

Plus: Female Muslim punk rock group, and a little red book that might save your sanity in a post-truth world.

All this and more in episode 460 of the “Smashing Security” podcast with cybersecurity veteran Graham Cluley, and special guest Jenny Radcliffe.

Host:

Graham Cluley:

 @grahamcluley.com  @  / grahamcluley

Guest:

Jenny Radcliffe:
 / jenny-radcliffe-the-people-hacker

Episode links:

• A Top Google Search Result for Claude Plugins Was Planted by Hackers – 404 Media.
• Iowa-based Intoxalock cyberattack disrupts calibration service for interlock users – DysruptionHub.
• China hacker group leaks $7M crypto theft operation targeting wallet supply chains – Crypto News.
• Federal Jury Convicts Charlotte Man For Cyber Extortion Scheme That Targeted International Technology Company – DOJ.
• Iranian and Romanian charged after allegedly trying to enter UK nuclear naval base – Sky News.
• LadyParts – Spotify.
• On Disinformation: How to Fight for Truth and Protect Democracy – Lee McIntyre.
• Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

Sponsored by:

• ThreatLocker – Start your free trial and book a demo of ThreatLocker today to see how you can implement Zero Trust in your environment.
• Vanta – Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation… while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off!
• Meter – Network infrastructure for the enterprise. Get a free personalised demo.

Support the show:

You can help the podcast by telling your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

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Follow us:

Follow the show on Bluesky, or join us on the Smashing Security subreddit, or visit our website for more episodes.

Thanks:

Theme tune: “Vinyl Memories” by Mikael Manvelyan.
Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

Found this article interesting? Follow Graham Cluley on LinkedIn, Bluesky, or Mastodon to read more of the exclusive content we post.

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