Darknet Diaries
133: I'm the Real Connor
· Summarized
Key takeaways
- Ethical dilemmas in job interviews can lead to unexpected outcomes; do not compromise your integrity.
- Identity theft is a growing concern and can manifest through fabricated online profiles for malicious purposes.
- The rise of remote work presents novel challenges, including the prevalence of scams and ethical ambiguity in job applications.
- Always verify the identity of the individuals you are dealing with in online environments to avoid falling victim to deceit.
Summary
The Job Interview from Hell
In this segment, Jack recounts a personal story from his early 20s when he interviewed for a casino surveillance position. After an engaging discussion with the head of security, the final question leaves him stunned: Would he report the head of security if he saw him stealing? Jack's initial allegiance to his 'boss' backfires, leading to an abrupt end to the interview. This anecdote highlights dilemmas of ethics and corruption, especially in workplaces influenced by organized crime.
Identity Theft in the Digital Age
The episode takes a sudden turn when Connor Tumbleson receives an alarming email claiming that his identity has been stolen. This shocking revelation leads to a chain of events uncovering how his information was appropriated to create a fake Upwork profile. The discussion explores the implications of identity theft, including the sophisticated methods scammers use, such as fabricating resumes and impersonating individuals during job interviews.
A Web of Lies: The Scandal Unfolds
As Connor digs deeper, he finds that the situation is more complicated than he initially thought. Someone was using his credentials to apply for jobs, while others were directly involved in misleading interactions over platforms like Slack and Upwork. This section covers Connor's attempts to follow the breadcrumb trail of fake personas and how they manipulate unsuspecting job seekers and employers alike.
The Bigger Picture of Remote Work Scams
The discussion shifts to the broader landscape of remote work and the potential for exploitation in the wake of rising scams facilitated by the anonymity of the internet. Connor speculates on how these deceptive practices may be targeting young or inexperienced job seekers, raising awareness about the ethical dilemmas of remote work stakes. Jack shares innovative yet dubious employment strategies emerging from this remote work phenomenon.
Sponsors
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- Quorum Cyber · We help good people win. If you’re looking for a partner to help you reduce risk and defend against threats targeting your business, reach out to Qurotum Cyber at quorumcyber.com.
- Skiff · Skiff is a collaboration platform built for privacy from the ground up. Every document, note, and idea you write is end-to-end encrypted and completely private.
- AttackIQ · AttackIQ’s security optimization platform emulates the adversary with realism to test your security program, generating real-time performance data to improve your security posture.
Show notes
One day Connor Tumbleson got an email saying his identity has been stolen. And this was one of the strangest days he’s ever had.
Sponsors
Support for this show comes from Quorum Cyber. Their mantra is: “We help good people win.” If you’re looking for a partner to help you reduce risk and defend against the threats that are targeting your business — and especially if you are interested in Microsoft Security — reach out to Qurotum Cyber at quorumcyber.com.
Skiff is a collaboration platform built for privacy from the ground up. Every document, note, and idea you write is end-to-end encrypted and completely private. Only you and your trusted collaborators can see what you’ve created. Try it out at https://skiff.com.
Support for this show comes from AttackIQ. AttackIQ’s security optimization platform emulates the adversary with realism to test your security program, generating real-time performance data to improve your security posture. They also offer free training. Head to attackiq.com to get a closer look at how AttackIQ can help you today.
Sources
https://krebsonsecurity.com/2022/10/glut-of-fake-linkedin-profiles-pits-hr-against-the-bots/
Snippet from Darknet Diaries ep 119 about North Korean’s getting tech jobs to steal bitcoin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1ik6bAwELA
Attribution
Assembled by Tristan Ledger.
Sound design by Garrett Tiedemann.
Episode artwork by odibagas.
Mixing by Proximity Sound.
Theme music created by Breakmaster Cylinder.
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