Guest Intro: Tax Scams and AI Fraud Rise

Dutch authorities warn Russia is escalating hybrid operations across Europe. Ransomware shuts down the University of Mississippi Medical Center. PayPal notifies customers of a data breach. The FBI says ATM jackpotting is on the rise. An FBI confidential informant had a hand in online fentanyl sales. TrustConnect malware masquerades as a legitimate remote monitoring and management tool. Researchers uncover the first Android malware to integrate generative AI. A critical zero-day hits Grandstream VOIP phones. The IRS slashes IT staff and technology executives. Our guest is James Turgal, a 22-year FBI vet and VP of global cyber risk and board relations at Optiv, discussing the latest wave of tax scams and IRS fraud. DOGE dudes deliver DEI deathblows.

Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app.

Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you’ll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn.

CyberWire Guest

Today we are joined by James Turgal, a 22-year FBI vet and VP of global cyber risk and board relations at Optiv, discussing the latest wave of tax scams and IRS fraud.

Selected Reading

Russia stepping up hybrid attacks, preparing for long standoff with West, Dutch intelligence warns (The Record)

University of Mississippi Medical Center Suffers Cyberattack, Closes All Clinics, Cancels Services (Mississippi Free Press)

PayPal discloses data breach that exposed user info for 6 months (Bleeping Computer)

FBI: Over $20 million stolen in surge of ATM malware attacks in 2025 (Bleeping Computer)

An FBI ‘Asset’ Helped Run a Dark Web Site That Sold Fentanyl-Laced Drugs for Years (WIRED)

(Don't) TrustConnect: It's a RAT in an RMM hat (Proofpoint US)

PromptSpy ushers in the era of Android threats using GenAI (We Live Security)

CVE-2026-2329: Critical Unauthenticated Stack Buffer Overflow in Grandstream GXP1600 VoIP Phones (FIXED) (Rapid 7)

DOGE bites taxman (The Register)

DOGE Bro’s Grant Review Process Was Literally Just Asking ChatGPT ‘Is This DEI?’ (Techdirt)

Share your feedback.

What do you think about CyberWire Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show.

Want to hear your company in the show?

N2K CyberWire helps you reach the industry’s most influential leaders and operators, while building visibility, authority, and connectivity across the cybersecurity community. Learn more at sponsor.thecyberwire.com.

The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices