Cyber Espionage
9 episodes
#5977: Spy Codenames, Dead Drops, and the Phrases That Fooled Everyone
Real recognition phrases from the 2010 Russian illegals case — and the twist that some were written by the FBI.
#5434: When Local AI Tools Phone Home
Local AI tools shouldn't need the network. So why is your on-device writing assistant uploading 40MB at 3am?
#5292: Ukraine's Cyber War: Hacking, Deception, and the IT Army
How Ukraine built a formidable cyber capability from almost nothing — and turned phone calls and phishing into artillery coordinates.
#4215: How Foreign Powers Quietly Shape Elections
From Roman bribery to Iranian botnets, the hidden history of election meddling and why it's getting harder to detect.
#1437: Handala: The New Era of Performative Cyber Warfare
Explore the rise of Handala, the hacking group using "hack and leak" tactics and wiper malware to wage psychological warfare on a national scale.
#1008: The Geo-Blocking Fallacy: Beyond Digital Borders
IP addresses are no longer reliable. Learn how TLS fingerprinting and behavioral analysis are replacing the outdated digital border.
#811: The Gig Economy of Treason: Iran's Digital Recruitment
How does a "side hustle" turn into high treason? Explore how Iranian agents use social media and crypto to recruit unsuspecting citizens.
#167: Why Are Hackers Hiding in Your System for Decades?
They don't just hack; they move in. Discover how state-sponsored APTs stay hidden in networks for years and the signatures they leave behind.
#50: When AI Hacks Without Humans
AI gone rogue. The first autonomous cyberattack by Claude against US targets changes everything we know about AI safety.