--- title: Attacking the strongest link - New Cyber24 Podcast description: North Korean hackers use a sophisticated version of social engineering to dupe cybersecurity researchers and CISA warns against letting your cyber heart get broken this Valentine’s Day. image: https://blog.vlcm.com/hubfs/_cyber24/121-social.jpg --- [![VLCM Getting IT Right Logo](https://blog.vlcm.com/hubfs/_vlcmlogos/vlcm%20tagline.svg "VLCM Getting IT Right Logo")](https://www.vlcm.com) - [Home](https://www.vlcm.com) - [About](https://www.vlcm.com/about-us) - [About Us](https://www.vlcm.com/about-us) - [Contact Us](https://www.vlcm.com/contact-us) - [Careers](https://vlcmtech.applicantpro.com/jobs/) - [Awards](https://www.vlcm.com/awards) - [History](https://www.vlcm.com/history) - [Our Team](https://www.vlcm.com/team) - [Online Store](https://usm.channelonline.com/valcomslc/storesite/Login/?destination=/valcomslc/storesite/Search/Category/index.co) - [Sustainability](https://www.vlcm.com/sustainability) - Services - [Communication Technologies](https://www.vlcm.com/communication-technology-services) - [Cybersecurity Services](https://www.vlcm.com/cybersecurity) - [Cybersecurity Assessment](https://www.vlcm.com/cybersecurity/assessment) - [Penetration Testing](https://www.vlcm.com/cybersecurity/pentesting) - [vCISO Services](https://www.vlcm.com/cybersecurity/vciso) - [Enterprise Tech + Data](https://www.vlcm.com/enterprise-it-services) - [Professional IT Services](https://www.vlcm.com/it-services) - [Hardware Repair](https://www.vlcm.com/hardware-repair) - Solutions - [Audiovisual](https://www.vlcm.com/audiovisual) - [Data Center](https://www.vlcm.com/data-center) - [Backup & Recovery](https://www.vlcm.com/data-center/backup-and-recovery) - [Cloud](https://www.vlcm.com/data-center/cloud) - [Hyperconverged Infrastructure](https://www.vlcm.com/hyperconverged-infrastructure) - [Servers](https://www.vlcm.com/data-center/servers) - [Storage](https://www.vlcm.com/data-center/storage) - [Virtualization](https://www.vlcm.com/data-center/virtualization) - [End-User Computing](https://www.vlcm.com/computers) - [Mobile Computing/Printing](https://www.vlcm.com/zebra) - [Networking](https://www.vlcm.com/networking) - [Physical Security](https://www.vlcm.com/physical-security) - [Unified Communications](https://www.vlcm.com/unified-communications) - [Partners](https://www.vlcm.com/partners) - [Events](https://www.vlcm.com/events) - [Events](https://www.vlcm.com/events) - [On-Demand Webinars](https://www.vlcm.com/events/webinars) - [Support](https://www.vlcm.com/support) - [Support](https://www.vlcm.com/support) - [Audiovisual](https://www.vlcm.com/support/audiovisual) - [Voice](https://www.vlcm.com/support/voice) - [Physical Security](https://www.vlcm.com/support/physical-security) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.vlcm.com/blog) - [Customer Success Stories](https://www.vlcm.com/customer-success) - [Tech 2 Exec Podcast](https://www.vlcm.com/tech-2-exec) - [Contact Us](https://www.vlcm.com/contact-us) # Attacking the strongest link - New Cyber24 Podcast ![](https://blog.vlcm.com/hubfs/vlcm.png) VLCM July 16, 2026 [mailto:?subject=[SUBJECT]&body=Check%20out%20this%20site%20https://blog.vlcm.com/blog/strongest-link](mailto:?subject=[SUBJECT]&body=Check%20out%20this%20site%20https://blog.vlcm.com/blog/strongest-link)     ![121-social](https://blog.vlcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/_cyber24/121-social.jpg?width=690&name=121-social.jpg)   North Korean hackers use a sophisticated version of social engineering to dupe cybersecurity researchers and CISA warns against letting your cyber heart get broken this Valentine’s Day. **Panelists** - Dan Schuyler, VLCM - Paul Whittier, Adlumin **Related Stories **[North Korea targeted cybersecurity researchers](https://apple.news/AbGXtWZXxRGKrQGDQjRMk-Q) using a blend of hacking and espionage Sophisticated fake social media personas created by North Korean hackers offered to collaborate with cybersecurity researchers. Several US researchers fell for it. [Read in The Conversation US](https://apple.news/AbGXtWZXxRGKrQGDQjRMk-Q) [Verify Your Valentine](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMTEuMzUwNTMxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3VzLWNlcnQuY2lzYS5nb3YvbmNhcy9jdXJyZW50LWFjdGl2aXR5LzIwMjEvMDIvMTEvdmVyaWZ5LXlvdXItdmFsZW50aW5lIn0.4HAq0RlIgfq2R4fjdAZqHJyT49Ka5ZRa7fT7Au1qIIU/s/1193555412/br/97458892016-l&source=gmail-imap&ust=1613664519000000&usg=AOvVaw2jpLHtTidLfneuGRVIX8nH) 02/11/2021 07:23 AM EST Original release date: February 11, 2021 This Valentine’s Day, before you go looking for love in all the wrong chat rooms, CISA reminds users to be wary of internet romance scams. At first, cyber criminals promise the reward of romance after adopting an alias to appear as a potential partner. Once your heart is hooked on hope, they turn the tables. The scammer with the illusive identity will ask for money, making promises of phony matrimony, as they finagle funds from you as a fake fiancée.   If you don’t know who you are doting on when you are dating, be cautious with your cash and keep it. For more information, review CISA’s Tip on [Staying Safe on Social Networking Sites](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMTEuMzUwNTMxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3VzLWNlcnQuY2lzYS5nb3YvbmNhcy90aXBzL1NUMDYtMDAzIn0.D3oBwtur7HCnK8rbEu-RDDe_7tspxhFgGQ0J4XQh560/s/1193555412/br/97458892016-l&source=gmail-imap&ust=1613664519000000&usg=AOvVaw19Bnp32MX_dwd8W6h3ZCSR). If you believe you have been a victim of a romance scam, file a report with: - the online dating site, - the [Federal Trade Commission](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDIsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMTEuMzUwNTMxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL1JlcG9ydEZyYXVkLmZ0Yy5nb3YvIyJ9.OGOsYcU0Iz6Es7M9f6Jf8pPr4FIU-6y97QBU-IuNU7g/s/1193555412/br/97458892016-l&source=gmail-imap&ust=1613664519000000&usg=AOvVaw3vrCx0lg4yhELqFfJlE2YS), and - the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s [Internet Crime Complaint Center](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMTEuMzUwNTMxOTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5pYzMuZ292L2RlZmF1bHQuYXNweCJ9.IuOI13zgjvLFHDkGdai7OcOXWbC5Z7Nm-cdjG-gpYnw/s/1193555412/br/97458892016-l&source=gmail-imap&ust=1613664519000000&usg=AOvVaw27ND90VkQbSGeFIxcN3_TR).   ![](https://i0.wp.com/www.cyber24.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/cyber-lock.jpg?resize=1024%2C675&ssl=1) ### Episode 121: Attacking the strongest link [![Listen to the Podcast](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/416647/8b55816d-63dd-4bec-a602-ed2bfe653a62.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/416647/8b55816d-63dd-4bec-a602-ed2bfe653a62)   Subscribe: [Apple Podcasts](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cyber24/id1291806314?mt=2&ls=1#episodeGuid=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cyber24.us%2F%3Fp%3D648) | [Android](https://subscribeonandroid.com/www.cyber24.us/feed/podcast/) | [Google Podcasts](https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY3liZXIyNC51cy9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qv) | [Stitcher](https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/marty-carpenter/cyber24?refid=stpr) | [TuneIn](https://tunein.com/radio/Cyber24-p1041151/) | [RSS](https://www.cyber24.us/feed/podcast/)     ![sophos](https://blog.vlcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ITX%202020/Virtual%20ITX/_partners/sophos.png?width=187&name=sophos.png)   Ranked #1 in Malware Protection, Exploit Protection, Security Effectiveness, and Total Cost of Ownership, VLCM and Intercept X will protect your most vital information. [![Learn more about Intercept X.](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/416647/a2b7d325-94a4-4238-9289-e6908f6ee59b.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/416647/a2b7d325-94a4-4238-9289-e6908f6ee59b)     ![barracuda](https://blog.vlcm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ITX%202020/Virtual%20ITX/_partners/barracuda.jpg?width=200&name=barracuda.jpg)   Over 12 billion dollars has been lost to spear phishing and account takeover. Target attacks carry no malicious payload and are able to bypass email gateways.  Barracuda Sentinel uses AI to outsmart the attackers and protect your business and data. With Barracuda Sentinel, you can block threats that are already in your inbox (not just the incoming ones), you can stay a step ahead of attackers with AI-based threat detection, and you can stop wasting time managing static security rules with this silent, zero-administration tool.  [![Checkout Barracuda Sentinel. ](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/416647/9049a26a-e52f-4602-9993-d8db0c36fa31.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/416647/9049a26a-e52f-4602-9993-d8db0c36fa31)      ### Subscribe to VLCM Blog --- ## About Cyber24 [**CYBER24**](https://www.cyber24.us/) is a podcast and website designed to bridge the knowledge gap between cybersecurity experts, business leaders and policy makers. 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