The Texting Network for the End of the World
Everyone knows what it’s like to lose cell service. A burgeoning open source project called Meshtastic is filling the gap for when you’re in the middle of nowhere—or when disaster strikes.
Security / Cyberattacks and Hacks
Cops in Germany Claim They’ve ID’d the Mysterious Trickbot Ransomware Kingpin
The elusive boss of the Trickbot and Conti cybercriminal groups has been known only as “Stern.” Now, German law enforcement has published his alleged identity—and it’s a familiar face.
Feds Charge 16 Russians Allegedly Tied to Botnets Used in Ransomware, Cyberattacks, and Spying
A new US indictment against a group of Russian nationals offers a clear example of how, authorities say, a single malware operation can enable both criminal and state-sponsored hacking.
Coinbase Will Reimburse Customers Up to $400 Million After Data Breach
Plus: 12 more people are indicted over a $263 million crypto heist, and a former FBI director is accused of threatening Donald Trump thanks to an Instagram post of seashells.
North Korean IT Workers Are Being Exposed on a Massive Scale
Security researchers are publishing 1,000 email addresses they claim are linked to North Korean IT worker scams that infiltrated Western companies—along with photos of men allegedly involved in the schemes.
An $8.4 Billion Chinese Hub for Crypto Crime Is Incorporated in Colorado
Before a crackdown by Telegram, Xinbi Guarantee grew into one of the internet’s biggest markets for Chinese-speaking crypto scammers and money laundering. And all registered to a US address.
ICE’s Deportation Airline Hack Reveals Man ‘Disappeared’ to El Salvador
Plus: A DOGE operative’s laptop reportedly gets infected with malware, Grok AI is used to “undress” women on X, a school software company’s ransomware nightmare returns, and more.
Customs and Border Protection Confirms Its Use of Hacked Signal Clone TeleMessage
CBP says it has “disabled” its use of TeleMessage following reports that the app, which has not cleared the US government’s risk assessment program, was hacked.
The Signal Clone Mike Waltz Was Caught Using Has Direct Access to User Chats
A new analysis of TM Signal’s source code appears to show that the app sends users’ message logs in plaintext. At least one top Trump administration official used the app.
Signal Clone Used by Mike Waltz Pauses Service After Reports It Got Hacked
The communications app TeleMessage, which was spotted on former US national security adviser Mike Waltz’s phone, has suspended “all services” as it investigates reports of at least one breach.