JadePuffer - the AI that ran a ransomware attack all by itself

A 15-year-old boy asked a chatbot for help - and cancelled nearly 47,000 anime streaming subscriptions in under four hours. Meanwhile, researchers have documented the first fully autonomous, agentic AI-driven ransomware attack, "JadePuffer". What does this tell us about the future of cybersecurity?

Also, Apple's "Hide My Email" feature turns out to hide rather less than it promises - despite Apple knowing it has a problem for over a year.

All this and more in this episode of the "Smashing Security" podcast with cybersecurity expert and keynote speaker Graham Cluley, and special guest Zoë Rose.

EPISODE LINKS:

Politician who investigated spyware abuses had his phone hacked with Pegasus spyware - TechCrunch.
Hackers breached DHS information-sharing network, people familiar say - Nextgov.
Hackers Use Fake FIFA World Cup 2026 T-Shirt Offers to Spread Voidrift Malware - Hackread.
Japanese teen arrested for cyberattack that unsubscribed over 46,000 anime accounts - The Straits Times.
Police arrest high school student over cyberattack on net cafe operator - The Japan Times.
Japanese teens arrested for using AI to create illegal phone contracts - The Peninsula Qatar.
JADEPUFFER: Agentic ransomware for automated database extortion - Sysdig.
Apple ‘Hide My Email’ Vulnerability Reveals Peoples’ Real Email Addresses - 404 Media.
Two people arrested in apparent marriage proposal atop Empire State Building - The Guardian.
Skywalkers: A Love Story - Netflix.
Thermomix - Vorwerk.
Operation Safe Escape.
Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

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THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

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