Episode #197 - Déjà vu-lnerability - What is Old can be a Zero-day Again; Android Messaging Spyware App Steals Signal and WhatsApp Data; France balks at Worldcoin; China Misinformation; This Day, August 1 in Tech History

🎙️ Free access to “It’s 5:05!” on your favorite podcast platforms: bit.ly/its505-free-access-on-all-podcast-platforms 📌

Marcel Brown: This Day, August  1 in Tech History

🇺🇸 Marcel Brown, St. Louis, Missouri ↗

August 1st, 1981. MTV, presumably standing for "Music Television," launches on cable TV. As most people know, after the introduction sequence, the first video played was "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. However, a bit of trivia is that the second song played was "You Better Run" by Pat Benatar.

Edwin Kwan: Déjà vu-lnerability - What is Old can be a Zero-day Again

🇦🇺 Edwin Kwan, Sydney, Australia ↗

Researchers from Google's Threat Analysis Group released a review report of zero-day vulnerabilities that were exploited in the wild in 2022. A total of 41  zero-day vulnerabilities were detected and disclosed that year. This is a 40% decrease from the previous year, which had 69 detected zero-day vulnerabilities.

Ian Garrett: Android Messaging Spyware App Steals Signal and WhatsApp Data

🇺🇸 Ian Garrett, Arlington, Virginia ↗

SafeChat is anything but safe. The spyware app is being used by hackers to steal sensitive user data. Researchers at CYFIRMA have discovered that this malicious app is suspected to be a variant of the infamous " Coverlm" spyware, known for targeting popular communication apps like Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram.

Katy Craig: France balks at Worldcoin

🇺🇸 Katy Craig, San Diego, California ↗

Imagine walking into a sign-up location and encountering a shiny, futuristic sphere scanning your face like something out of Star Trek. That's exactly what's happening at various Worldcoin locations across the globe.  It seems to be working, as they've already attracted 2.1 million users. 

But not everything is smooth sailing for Worldcoin.

Hillary Coover: China Misinformation

🇺🇸 Hillary Coover, Washington, DC ↗

A Chinese marketing firm with connections to Chinese government actors has been involved in an influence campaign aimed at improving Beijing's image abroad. Who cares? Doesn't every government do this?