Smashing Security podcast #452: The dark web’s worst assassins, and Pegasus in the dock

In episode 452, a London-based YouTuber wins a landmark court case against Saudi Arabia after his phone was hacked with Pegasus spyware — exposing how a single, seemingly harmless text message can turn a smartphone into a round-the-clock surveillance device.

Plus, we go looking for professional hitmen online – only to uncover uncomfortable questions about why some crimes attract customers but very few complaints.

All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the “Smashing Security” podcast by cybersecurity veteran Graham Cluley, joined this week by special guest Joe Tidy.

Host:

Graham Cluley:

 @grahamcluley.com

 @
 / grahamcluley

Guest:

Joe Tidy:
 @joetidy.bsky.social‬

 / joe-tidy-1932764

Episode links:

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Thanks:

Theme tune: “Vinyl Memories” by Mikael Manvelyan.
Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

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About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

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