In the latest episode of the Hacking Humans podcast, Dave Baggett from INKY joined Dave to discuss the current phishing trends and shed light on the ways in which both malicious actors and cybersecurity professionals are utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). The episode also highlighted an interesting story about a targeted social engineering attack, known as Midnight Blizzard, which was aimed at the popular communication platform, Microsoft Teams. Additionally, a captivating tale about a Facebook Marketplace user who narrowly escaped one scam, only to fall victim to another, was shared. The episode concluded with a hilarious catch of the day segment featuring a voicemail from listener Mauricio, who received a peculiar message about a “potential W-2 refund”.
Phishing has become a prevalent threat in the digital landscape, and it is crucial to understand the evolving tactics employed by cybercriminals. Dave Baggett shed light on the current phishing trends and emphasized the role of AI in both defending against and perpetrating such attacks. He highlighted that AI technology is not exclusive to cybersecurity professionals, as hackers are also leveraging its capabilities to carry out sophisticated phishing campaigns.
One particular attack discussed during the podcast was the Midnight Blizzard APT. APT (Advanced Persistent Threat) groups are highly skilled and well-funded organizations that conduct targeted attacks with specific objectives. The Midnight Blizzard APT was found to be engaging in social engineering tactics aimed at exploiting Microsoft Teams users. By crafting convincing phishing emails and luring unsuspecting individuals into clicking on malicious links, the hackers aim to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information.
In another story, a Facebook Marketplace user’s encounter with scams highlighted the importance of being vigilant while engaging in online transactions. The individual managed to thwart one scam but later stumbled upon another. This incident demonstrates the craftiness of scammers and the need for individuals to exercise caution and employ robust security measures when conducting online transactions.
The podcast episode concluded with a humorous catch of the day, featuring a funny voicemail left by listener Mauricio. The voicemail detailed a “potential W-2 refund” and served as a light-hearted reminder of the various tactics employed by scammers to trick innocent individuals.
Overall, the latest episode of the Hacking Humans podcast provided valuable insights into phishing trends, showcased the use of AI by both cybersecurity professionals and malicious actors, and served as a reminder to remain cautious and vigilant in the face of evolving cyber threats. By staying informed and adopting effective security measures, individuals and organizations can better protect themselves from falling victim to phishing attacks and other forms of cybercrime.