12 chapters across the catalog
International Phone Spoofing and Cybercrime Treaties
The hosts discuss the technical and diplomatic difficulties in stopping international phone scams. They explain how treaties between countries and complex switching systems allow scammers in places like the Philippines or India to spoof local numbers with impunity.
FBI Dark Code Takedown, Global Cybercrime Marketplace
The FBI announced the dismantling of Dark Code, an underground hacking forum, resulting in charges against 12 individuals across several countries. Those indicted include individuals from Sweden and Pennsylvania accused of operating botnets and designing Android malware like Dendroid. The operation is presented as a major international success, though skeptics characterize the targets as low-level "script kiddies."
The hosts discuss the prevalence of PayPal phishing emails and "Nigerian Prince" style scams that impersonate the FBI Director. They note that while PayPal has a dedicated address for reporting scams, the FBI makes it nearly impossible for citizens to report impersonation, reinforcing their advice to never talk to the FBI.
Secret Service Cybercrime Mission, Vladimir Drinkman Case
The Secret Service's mission has evolved from investigating counterfeit currency to leading cybercrime investigations, such as the case of Vladimir Drinkman. The U.S. Coast Guard is also identified as a player in cybersecurity, tasked with protecting maritime transportation systems and undersea fiber optic cables.
The Obama administration proposed modernizing the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act to include cybercrime under RICO racketeering laws. The new provisions would criminalize the trafficking of passwords and the possession of certain electronic interception devices, carrying penalties of up to 20 years in prison. Critics argue these laws could unfairly target system administrators and white-hat hackers.
Cyber Attack Attribution, Underground Malware Markets
Expert analysis from Carolyn Balan of Chatham House suggests that attributing the Sony hack to North Korea is problematic due to the thriving underground market for attack codes. The discussion highlights how automated toolkits and vulnerabilities are bought and sold by hacktivists, corporate spies, and disgruntled employees. This makes definitive state attribution difficult as the same code can be reused by various actors for fun, profit, or political purposes.
CBS is launching CSI: Cyber, a new franchise focused on crimes occurring in the "deep web." A pilot episode featured technically inaccurate dialogue regarding "nodes" and "icebergs" of the internet. This follows the success of Scorpion and indicates a broader trend in television to dramatize cyber warfare and untraceable digital currency heists.
New forms of "extortion-ware" are forcing victims to pay in Bitcoin to unlock their encrypted files, with some malware even providing instructions on how to acquire the digital currency. The hosts suggest that the anonymity of Bitcoin makes it a primary tool for these criminal activities.
Janet Napolitano cited a Norton study claiming that cybercrime costs $114 billion annually, a figure she suggested could actually be as high as $400 billion when including infrastructure repairs. Critics argue that using data from an antivirus company like Norton is a conflict of interest, as the company benefits from exaggerated threat assessments. The Department of Homeland Security is accused of using these inflated numbers to lobby for more funding and personnel.
UNODC Document, Internet for Terrorist Purposes, Global Law Harmonization
A 158-page document from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) outlines strategies for member states to harmonize laws regarding the "terrorist use of the internet." The document classifies propaganda, financing, and training as key terrorist activities, while suggesting that "legitimate advocacy" is a subjective assessment. The hosts warn that these guidelines will lead to global crackdowns on dissent and "xenophobic" speech online.
Hillary Clinton, Internet Freedom and the Budapest Convention
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a speech on Internet freedom, denouncing terrorists, human traffickers, and child pornographers. During the address, she mentioned the ratification of the Budapest Cybercrime Convention. This treaty is highlighted as a potential tool for international law enforcement to regulate online activity under the guise of security.
Madonna Horse Accident, Iranian Pornography Crackdown
Pop star Madonna suffered minor injuries after falling from a horse in Southampton, New York, an accident blamed on paparazzi. In unrelated news, Iranian authorities arrested 26 individuals for the production and distribution of pornography. The hosts note that Iran has a sophisticated cybercrime unit and a modern, tech-savvy population.
