Star Wars, the CIA, and a WhatsApp malware mirage

from Smashing Security · host Graham Cluley

Why is a cute Star Wars fan website now redirecting to the CIA? How come Cambodia has become the world's hotspot for scam call centres? And can a WhatsApp image really drain your bank account with a single download, or is it just a load of hacker hokum?All this and much more is discussed in the latest edition of the award-winning "Smashing Security" podcast by computer security veterans Graham Cluley and Carole Theriault, joined this week by Allan Liska.Warning: This podcast may contain nuts, adult themes, and rude language.Episode links:How I found a Star Wars website made by the CIA - Ciro Santilli on YouTube.How the CIA failed Iranian informants in its secret war with Tehran - Reuters.Isis and al-Qaeda sending coded messages through eBay, pornography and Reddit - Independent.Games Without Frontiers: Investigating Video Games as a Covert Channel - IEEE.General David Petraeus used clever Gmail trick during affair - Network World.Cambodia is home to world’s most powerful criminal network: report - SCMP.How to protect yourself from suspicious messages and scams- WhatsApp.Is WhatsApp Safe? Tips for Staying Secure - WhatsApp.Hacked on WhatsApp – how to stay safe when using the messaging app - BBC.Just a GIF Image Could Have Hacked Your Android Phone Using WhatsApp - The Hacker News.Kon-Tiki: The Epic Raft Journey Across the Pacific - YouTube.Still Standing with Jonny Harris - CBC.Niki de Saint Phalle & Jean Tinguely - Myths & Machines - Hauser & Wirth.Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)Sponsored by:Vanta– Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation… while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off!1Password Extended Access Management– Secure every sign-in for every app on every device.MetaCompliance - MetaCompliance's Security Awareness Planner is your free 12-month roadmap to reduce risk and build a culture of cyber awareness.SUPPORT THE SHOW:Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.Become a supporter via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes and our early-release feed!FOLLOW US:Follow us on Bluesky or Mastodon, or on the Smashing Security subreddit, and visit our website for more episodes.THANKS:Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

NOW PLAYING