Malicious actors are exploiting the popularity of game mods and cracks on GitHub by distributing seemingly legitimate files laced with malware. These compromised files often contain infostealers like RedLine, which can siphon off sensitive data like browser credentials, cryptocurrency wallets, and Discord tokens. The attackers employ social engineering tactics, using typosquatting and impersonating legitimate projects to trick users into downloading their malicious versions. This widespread campaign impacts numerous popular games, leaving many gamers vulnerable to data theft. The scam operates through a network of interconnected accounts, making it difficult to fully eradicate and emphasizing the importance of downloading software only from trusted sources.
The small town of Seneca, Kansas, was ripped apart by a cryptocurrency scam orchestrated by local banker Ashley McFarland. McFarland convinced numerous residents, many elderly and financially vulnerable, to invest in her purportedly lucrative cryptocurrency mining operation, promising astronomical returns. Instead, she siphoned off millions, funding a lavish lifestyle and covering previous losses. As the scheme unraveled, trust eroded within the community, friendships fractured, and families faced financial ruin. The scam exposed the allure of get-rich-quick schemes in struggling rural areas and the devastating consequences of misplaced trust, leaving Seneca grappling with its aftermath.
HN commenters largely discuss the social dynamics of the scam described in the NYT article, with some focusing on the technical aspects. Several express sympathy for the victims, highlighting the deceptive nature of the scam and the difficulty of recognizing it. Some commenters debate the role of greed and the allure of "easy money" in making people vulnerable. Others analyze the technical mechanics of the scam, pointing out the usage of shell corporations and the movement of funds through different accounts to obfuscate the trail. A few commenters criticize the NYT article for its length and writing style, suggesting it could have been more concise. There's also discussion about the broader implications for cryptocurrency regulation and the need for better investor education. Finally, some skepticism is expressed towards the victims' claims of innocence, with some commenters speculating about their potential complicity.
Reports are surfacing about new Seagate hard drives, predominantly sold through Chinese online marketplaces, exhibiting suspiciously long power-on hours and high usage statistics despite being advertised as new. This suggests potential fraud, where used or refurbished drives are being repackaged and sold as new. While Seagate has acknowledged the issue and is investigating, the extent of the problem remains unclear, with speculation that the drives might originate from cryptocurrency mining operations or other data centers. Buyers are urged to check SMART data upon receiving new Seagate drives to verify their actual usage.
Hacker News users discuss potential explanations for unexpectedly high reported runtime hours on seemingly new Seagate hard drives. Some suggest these drives are refurbished units falsely marketed as new, with inflated SMART data to disguise their prior use. Others propose the issue stems from quality control problems leading to extended testing periods at the factory, or even the use of drives in cryptocurrency mining operations before being sold as new. Several users share personal anecdotes of encountering similar issues with Seagate drives, reinforcing suspicion about the company's practices. Skepticism also arises about the reliability of SMART data as an indicator of true drive usage, with some arguing it can be manipulated. Some users suggest buying hard drives from more reputable retailers or considering alternative brands to avoid potential issues.
Thailand has disrupted utilities to a Myanmar border town notorious for housing online scam operations. The targeted area, Shwe Kokko, is reportedly a hub for Chinese-run criminal enterprises involved in various illicit activities, including online gambling, fraud, and human trafficking. By cutting off electricity and internet access, Thai authorities aim to hinder these operations and pressure Myanmar to address the issue. This action follows reports of thousands of people being trafficked to the area and forced to work in these scams.
Hacker News commenters are skeptical of the stated efficacy of Thailand cutting power and internet to Myanmar border towns to combat scam operations. Several suggest that the gangs are likely mobile and adaptable, easily relocating or using alternative power and internet sources like generators and satellite connections. Some highlight the collateral damage inflicted on innocent civilians and legitimate businesses in the affected areas. Others discuss the complexity of the situation, mentioning the involvement of corrupt officials and the difficulty of definitively attributing the outages to Thailand. The overall sentiment leans towards the action being a performative, ineffective measure rather than a genuine solution.
A French woman was scammed out of €830,000 (approximately $915,000 USD) by fraudsters posing as actor Brad Pitt. They cultivated a relationship online, claiming to be the Hollywood star, and even suggested they might star in a film together. The scammers promised to visit her in France, but always presented excuses for delays and ultimately requested money for supposed film project expenses. The woman eventually realized the deception and filed a complaint with authorities.
Hacker News commenters discuss the manipulative nature of AI voice cloning scams and the vulnerability of victims. Some express sympathy for the victim, highlighting the sophisticated nature of the deception and the emotional manipulation involved. Others question the victim's due diligence and financial decision-making, wondering how such a large sum was transferred without more rigorous verification. The discussion also touches upon the increasing accessibility of AI tools and the potential for misuse, with some suggesting stricter regulations and better public awareness campaigns are needed to combat this growing threat. A few commenters debate the responsibility of banks in such situations, suggesting they should implement stronger security measures for large transactions.
Summary of Comments ( 121 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43203158
Hacker News commenters largely corroborated the article's claims, sharing personal experiences and observations of malicious GitHub repositories disguised as game modifications or cracked software. Several pointed out the difficulty in policing these repositories due to GitHub's scale and the cat-and-mouse game between malicious actors and platform moderators. Some discussed the technical aspects of the malware used, including the prevalence of simple Python scripts and the ease with which they can be obfuscated. Others suggested improvements to GitHub's security measures, like better automated scanning and verification of uploaded files. The vulnerability of less tech-savvy users was a recurring theme, highlighting the importance of educating users about potential risks. A few commenters expressed skepticism about the novelty of the issue, noting that distributing malware through seemingly innocuous downloads has been a long-standing practice.
The Hacker News post titled "Github scam investigation: Thousands of “mods” and “cracks” stealing data" has generated a number of comments discussing the issue of malicious modifications and cracks hosted on GitHub.
Several commenters express concern over the prevalence of these malicious files, highlighting the potential danger they pose to unsuspecting users. One commenter points out the insidious nature of these scams, noting how they often target popular software and games, attracting a large pool of potential victims. Another user emphasizes the difficulty in distinguishing legitimate modifications from malicious ones, particularly for less technically inclined users. The ease with which these malicious files can be spread and the difficulty in policing them effectively are also mentioned as contributing factors to the problem.
A recurring theme in the comments is the apparent inaction or slow response from GitHub in addressing this issue. Commenters express frustration with what they perceive as a lack of proactive measures from GitHub to prevent the hosting and distribution of these harmful files. One commenter questions the effectiveness of GitHub's existing security measures, while another suggests implementing stricter upload filters and verification processes. The discussion also touches upon the legal implications and potential liabilities for GitHub in hosting such content.
Some commenters offer potential solutions, such as improved user education and awareness campaigns to help individuals identify and avoid malicious downloads. Others suggest community-driven initiatives, where users can report and flag suspicious files, potentially creating a crowdsourced system for identifying and removing malicious content. The idea of utilizing machine learning and automated systems to detect potentially harmful files is also proposed.
A few commenters delve into the technical aspects of these malicious modifications, explaining how they often work by injecting malware or stealing sensitive information. They discuss the methods used to disguise these malicious files and the challenges involved in detecting and removing them.
Finally, some commenters express a degree of skepticism about the scale of the problem presented in the article, suggesting that the headline might be somewhat sensationalized. They acknowledge the existence of malicious files on GitHub but question whether the numbers are as significant as portrayed. Despite this skepticism, there is a general consensus among the commenters that the issue of malicious software disguised as modifications and cracks is a serious concern that requires attention and action from both GitHub and the wider community.