Cypher Tech Hacks podcast

4:30

Welcome to Cypher Tech Hacks , the podcast where host Alex Cipher takes you inside the most shocking, real-world hacks in digital history. In today’s episode, we uncover The CommBox Classroom Exploit —a ransomware attack that started with smartboards in schools. Attackers used unsecured CommBox devices to infiltrate school networks, encrypt critical systems, and demand Bitcoin ransoms. But this wasn’t your average ransomware campaign. This hack revealed just how dangerous unsecured IoT devices can be when left exposed online. 🎧 You’ll learn: How hackers found vulnerable CommBox devices via Shodan The exact method used to gain access and pivot through school networks What could’ve prevented this attack How Zero Trust, segmentation, and patching could save millions in recovery Subscribe now and learn how to outsmart even the most advanced digital threats. New episodes every week! Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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This Week in AI: Microsoft Recall, Adobe Firefly 4, OpenAI Deep Research, Intel’s Big Move | April 2025 3:40

4 days ago3:40

3:40

This week’s AI developments are shaking up the tech world! Microsoft introduces Recall for Copilot+ PCs, Adobe unveils Firefly Image Model 4, and OpenAI expands its Deep Research tool to free users. Intel steps up to challenge Nvidia with new AI chip ambitions, while the White House launches a major AI education initiative. Plus, DeepMind’s updated geometry solver hits 84% accuracy, Google’s Veo 2 revolutionizes 4K video generation, and Meta announces the first-ever LlamaCon. Tune in for a fast, insightful recap of how AI is evolving right now — and where it’s headed next. Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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T-Mobile Breached – How a 21-Year-Old Hacked One of America’s Largest Telecoms from His Bedroom 6:44

8 days ago6:44

6:44

One router. One testing server. One kid with internet access. In this episode of Cypher Tech Hacks , Alex Cipher unravels the wild story of how a 21-year-old hacker infiltrated T-Mobile’s internal systems , spent weeks undetected, and exfiltrated data on over 40 million customers — all without using a single line of malware. We break down: How a misconfigured router opened the door The path from dev environment to production databases Why logging and segmentation failures made this attack so easy And what it says about the state of security at major telecoms This breach wasn’t flashy. It was surgical. And the scary part? It could happen to almost any company still running on legacy infrastructure and lazy segmentation. If you’re building, managing, or securing anything — this is the episode you have to hear. Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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The Tesla API Hack: How Hackers Took Over Cars Remotely 5:57

9 days ago5:57

5:57

In this episode of Cypher Tech Hacks , host Alex Cipher uncovers the real-life Tesla API hack that let attackers remotely access and control Teslas across 13 countries. It wasn’t a bug in Tesla’s system—it was a deadly combination of exposed tokens, careless third-party developers, and silent API abuse. Learn how one security researcher responsibly revealed the flaw, what steps hackers would take to exploit it, and most importantly—how you can prevent similar breaches in your own apps, devices, or digital life. This story is a wake-up call for anyone using smart tech or developing connected apps. Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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AI News – April 13–20, 2025: OpenAI's O3, Veo 2, Apple’s AI Moves, & Claude Gets Smarter 2:55

9 days ago2:55

2:55

In this week’s AI roundup — we’re breaking down the biggest updates from April 13 to April 20, 2025. 🧠 OpenAI just launched O3 and O4-mini , two new multimodal models built to handle complex reasoning and visual input — even rough sketches. 🎬 Google Veo 2 is now available for Gemini Advanced users — unlocking AI video generation for creators. ⚙️ OpenAI also introduced Flex Processing , giving developers cheaper processing for non-urgent tasks. 🤖 Claude AI by Anthropic just went autonomous — it now reads your calendar, email, and even cites its own research. ⚖️ OpenAI is fighting back with a countersuit against Elon Musk . 🍏 And Apple is using synthetic data to train AI privately — no user snooping required. This week’s episode gives you everything you need to stay ahead in the world of artificial intelligence. 🔗 Subscribe now to Cypher Tech Hacks , and don’t miss future updates on AI, cybersecurity, and tech trends. Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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How the Okta Breach Happened: Vendor Laptops, LAPSUS$, and a Global Identity Crisis 8:07

9 days ago8:07

8:07

Welcome to Cypher Tech Hacks —the podcast where cyber legends come to light. In this week’s episode, Alex Cipher exposes the inside story of the Okta security breach that shook the tech world. You’ll hear how one compromised contractor laptop became the ignition point for a massive identity and access management failure . We’ll break down: What went wrong at Okta’s third-party vendor Sitel How the LAPSUS$ gang bypassed security using social engineering Why companies like Cloudflare were almost compromised What you can do to harden identity systems and monitor vendors Whether you’re a red teamer, a security analyst, or a tech-savvy exec, this episode is packed with real-world lessons from a high-stakes breach . 🎧 Subscribe for weekly deep dives into cybercrime, tech fraud, and digital deception. Visit CypherTechHacks.com for bonus content, transcripts, and toolkits. Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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The Great Twitter Heist – When Verified Accounts Became Crypto Bait 5:40

15 days ago5:40

5:40

On July 15th, 2020, the internet broke for a moment. Verified Twitter accounts from Elon Musk, Barack Obama, Apple, Kanye West, and more all posted the same message: “Send me Bitcoin, and I’ll double it.” It wasn’t a joke. It wasn’t a promo. It was a hack . In this episode of Cypher Tech Hacks , Alex Cipher takes you inside the wild story of how a crew of teenage hackers gained access to Twitter’s internal admin tools , hijacked high-profile accounts, and pulled off one of the most public crypto scams ever — all while flexing in underground forums and bragging to journalists. We’ll break down: How they social engineered Twitter employees What the “God Mode” admin panel looks like Why internal tools are your riskiest assets And how $118,000 in Bitcoin was just the beginning This is the blueprint for every insider threat nightmare — and the reason no platform, no matter how big, is untouchable. Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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This Week’s AI News | April 6–12, 2025 | OpenAI vs Elon, Google’s Gemini, Siri Delayed & More 4:15

18 days ago4:15

4:15

In this episode of This Week’s AI News, Alex Cipher unpacks the most important stories in artificial intelligence from April 6–12, 2025. We cover OpenAI’s legal clash with Elon Musk and its record-breaking $40B funding round, Google’s powerful new Gemini models and TPUs, and Apple’s delay on the much-anticipated Siri overhaul. Plus: ChatGPT rolls into Volkswagen cars, President Trump signs a bold AI executive order, SUNY launches AI ethics departments, and Beijing postpones the world’s first humanoid robot half-marathon. And to cap it off, Netflix drops Black Mirror Season 7 — and it’s diving headfirst into the future of AI. Tune in for your weekly download on what’s happening at the intersection of tech, policy, and machine intelligence Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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Spiders in the System – How Scattered Spider Breached the Big Leagues 5:43

22 days ago5:43

5:43

What happens when a group of Gen Z hackers picks up the phone — and takes down billion-dollar corporations without writing a single line of malware? In this episode of Cypher Tech Hacks , Alex Cipher unpacks the jaw-dropping story of Scattered Spider , a social engineering crew that breached MGM Resorts and Caesars Entertainment using nothing but charm, confidence, and a phone call. We break down the step-by-step playbook of how these attackers: Used LinkedIn and open-source intel to pick their targets Social engineered help desks into resetting multi-factor authentication Hijacked employee phone numbers with SIM swaps Escalated privileges and deployed remote access tools Pulled off millions in ransom demands — and got paid You’ll learn how the hack worked, what made it so effective, and most importantly — how you can defend against similar attacks. Because sometimes, the weakest link isn’t the software — it’s the human answering the phone. If you’re in IT, security, or just love a good cyber-heist, you don’t want to miss this one. Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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This Week in AI: Meta’s Llama 4, Amazon’s Nova Act, and the $600M Race to Cure Disease 2:38

22 days ago2:38

2:38

AI is moving fast—here’s what you need to know. In this episode, we break down the biggest AI developments of the week: Meta launches its most advanced open-source AI models yet: Llama 4 Scout, Maverick, and the upcoming Behemoth. Amazon debuts Nova Act, a powerful new AI agent that can take action across the web. Microsoft’s Copilot gets smarter with memory and multi-step task automation. Alphabet’s Isomorphic Labs secures $600 million to use AI in drug discovery. The UK explores how AI can lighten the workload for teachers in real classrooms. From health tech to education to the future of personal AI assistants, this episode covers how artificial intelligence is changing everything—right now. Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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AI on the Frontlines: Drones, Doctors & Daily Life 4:23

30 days ago4:23

4:23

In this episode of AI Insights, we dive into the most compelling recent developments in artificial intelligence from around the world. From North Korea’s autonomous military drones to Amazon’s web-browsing AI agent and Apple’s rumored AI health advisor, we explore how AI is transforming warfare, tech, healthcare, and more. Plus, we look at how cities are using AI to find potholes, how the UK is detecting impaired drivers with smart cameras, and how the BBC is personalizing news with machine learning. Stay ahead of the curve with this global roundup of cutting-edge AI innovations. Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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AI Just Changed EVERYTHING This Week – You Won’t Believe What’s Coming! 2:53

5 weeks ago2:53

2:53

This week in AI, the future got a whole lot closer. From Bill Gates predicting AI doctors and teachers within 10 years, to Amazon rolling out AI-powered shopping and health assistants – it’s clear we’re entering a new era. Plus, we dive into the viral Studio Ghibli-style AI art trend, legal controversies, and even what Santa might look like in 2050 (hint: he's a robot 🎅🤖). Don’t miss this packed update on the latest AI breakthroughs, trends, and debates. Subscribe for weekly deep dives on the tech shaping our world! 👉 Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:32 Studio Ghibli AI Art Controversy 1:45 Bill Gates' AI Predictions 3:12 Amazon’s AI Assistants 4:25 AI Bubble? CoreWeave’s Take 5:40 Futuristic Santa? 6:30 Final Thoughts Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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The Marriott International Hack – How Hackers Stole Data from 500 Million Guests 8:11

6 weeks ago8:11

8:11

In this gripping episode of Cypher Tech Hacks , host Alex Cipher takes you deep inside one of the most shocking cybersecurity breaches in history—the Marriott International hack . Imagine hackers infiltrating a major hotel chain and staying undetected for FOUR YEARS , quietly siphoning off passport numbers, reservation details, and personal data from up to 500 million guests. How did they get in? What vulnerabilities did they exploit? And most importantly— how can we stop it from happening again? This episode is a masterclass in real-world cybercrime as we break down: ✅ The exact steps the hackers took—from entry to data theft ✅ The weaknesses that allowed them to move undetected ✅ How you can protect your own data from similar attacks ✅ What businesses must do to stay ahead of cyber threats If you’re fascinated by digital heists, cybersecurity warfare, and the methods hackers use to infiltrate billion-dollar corporations, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. 🔒 Stay safe, stay smart, and stay one step ahead. Listen now on Cypher Tech Hacks! Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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The Citibank Hack of the 90s: How Russian Hackers Pulled Off the First Digital Bank Heist 9:09

7 weeks ago9:09

9:09

In the early 90s, as the internet was still in its infancy and banks rushed to move their financial operations online, one of the first major cyber bank heists in history unfolded. A group of Russian hackers discovered vulnerabilities in Citibank’s Cash Management System , leveraging outdated security protocols and X.25 network access to infiltrate financial systems. What followed was a months-long covert digital heist that siphoned over $10 million into offshore accounts worldwide, from Finland to Israel. This wasn’t your typical smash-and-grab. Unlike modern-day cyberattacks that rely on malware and ransomware , these hackers used war dialing, credential interception, and protocol exploitation to gain access to Citibank’s internal network. They didn’t need brute force; they simply eavesdropped on unencrypted financial data, harvested credentials , and executed perfectly disguised wire transfers using legitimate access rights . But the twist? Vladimir Levin , the man often credited with masterminding the attack, didn’t even break into Citibank’s systems himself. Instead, he purchased access credentials from the real hackers for a small fee and used their discovery to orchestrate the transfers . Levin, an opportunist rather than a mastermind, moved millions across international borders—until the FBI, Interpol, and Citibank analysts started noticing discrepancies. Authorities launched an intense international investigation, tracking the movement of stolen funds across continents. By cross-referencing withdrawals and monitoring suspicious transactions, they unraveled the intricate money laundering network behind the hack. The net finally closed in when Levin attempted to travel through London’s Heathrow Airport , where he was swiftly arrested in a groundbreaking moment— the first-ever hacker extradited for an online banking crime . But even with his arrest, the mystery was far from over . Out of the estimated $10 million stolen , only $3.7 million was ever recovered . The remaining funds vanished into offshore accounts , leaving many to wonder: Were other hackers involved? Was the money ever truly lost? And did Citibank learn from its mistakes? This episode of Cypher Tech Hacks dives deep into the technical exploits , the high-stakes chase , and the aftermath of a cybercrime that changed banking security forever . We’ll break down: ✔️ How hackers gained access to banking networks before the modern internet . ✔️ The tools and techniques they used to steal credentials and authorize transfers. ✔️ How authorities traced the money and uncovered the laundering operation. ✔️ Why Levin wasn’t actually the mastermind , despite taking the fall. ✔️ How this cyber heist forced banks to rethink security and adopt stronger protocols. This watershed moment in cybersecurity history paved the way for modern digital fraud investigations and showed the world just how vulnerable financial institutions were in the digital age. If you think your online bank account is safe, think again. Would this same hack work today? Could banks still fall for it? Join us on Cypher Tech Hacks as we uncover the full story of one of the most bold and game-changing cyber heists the world has ever seen. Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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Unmasking the Target Hack: The Anatomy of a Retail Cyber Heist 8:25

8 weeks ago8:25

8:25

Step into the world of high-stakes cyber espionage with this electrifying episode of Cypher Tech Hacks! In “Unmasking the Target Hack: The Anatomy of a Retail Cyber Heist,” I, Alex Cipher, take you on an in-depth journey through one of the most notorious breaches in modern retail history. This episode goes far beyond the headlines to reveal the intricate tactics and strategic missteps that allowed cybercriminals to penetrate Target’s defenses and execute a heist that would change the landscape of cybersecurity forever. In November 2013, a seemingly benign HVAC contractor—trusted with remote access to Target’s network—became the unwitting gateway for an elaborate cyber attack. I break down how attackers exploited this third-party relationship, using stolen credentials to slip past initial defenses without raising alarms. Once inside, they moved laterally through Target’s network, exploiting weak segmentation and accessing the critical point-of-sale systems where every customer transaction was processed. Learn how a specialized malware variant, known as “BlackPOS,” was deployed to capture sensitive data in real time, recording every card swipe without detection. Throughout this episode, you’ll follow the dramatic timeline: from the initial breach, through weeks of covert data extraction, to the eventual discovery triggered by unusual network activity. Discover how nearly 40 million credit and debit card records, along with up to 70 million customer details, were compromised in a single, sweeping attack. I reveal the operational details of the malware’s design and deployment—explaining how its stealth and sophistication allowed it to operate undisturbed in the background, all while the attackers amassed a treasure trove of sensitive information. Beyond recounting the events, I dissect the profound aftermath of the breach. The Target hack forced an industry-wide reckoning, spurring regulatory changes and an urgent reevaluation of supply chain security practices. In this episode, you’ll learn why robust access controls, effective network segmentation, and rapid incident response are essential defenses against modern cyber threats. I also share key lessons on how organizations can better safeguard themselves against similar attacks in the future. Whether you’re a seasoned cybersecurity professional or a curious tech enthusiast, this deep dive is designed to enlighten and empower. By revealing the anatomy of one of the most infamous cyber heists, I aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of how vulnerabilities can be exploited and, more importantly, how such breaches can be prevented. Get ready to uncover the secrets behind a retail disaster that reshaped digital security strategies around the globe. Tune in to this unmissable episode of Cypher Tech Hacks, and arm yourself with the knowledge you need to navigate the treacherous waters of modern cybersecurity. Stay secure, stay informed, and join me on this journey into the heart of a cyber heist that changed the game forever. Support the show…

Cypher Tech Hacks

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Deepfake Deception: Unmasking the $25 Million Heist 7:17

9 weeks ago7:17