One additional clarification about links that older folks might not understand: look at the url BEFORE the first slash. That’s the one that matters. I’ve seen fishing where they have the wrong url but the correct one is after that first slash, which just points to another page on the wrong website. So “www.subsstack.com/substack.com” is NOT okay because whatever comes before that first slash determines the website that you will be taken to.
Always look at the address that comes before the very first slash.
Yes, not looking at URL and quickly opening email will get you in trouble. Look before acting hastily because that's the trap where you get so caught up the message, that you get led on to a scam that will cost you your life's savings and you won't get it back.
Love knowing about your 🖥️ phenom self. Also dig sardonic humor ab The Phonecall. Your colleagues. THANK YOU for taking the road less traveled- of sued investigative journalist w/ gripping writing & heads up. ⚖️💻 Reposting.
Thank you! The "look it up if you are interested in it" bit is how I have dealt with the net for years. I don't click stuff that I'm not positive of. It's just good net hygiene. Your post needs to be bounced all over the internet and maybe some people will be safer.
Wow Wolf… Impressive work. With limited resources you manage to keep churning these perfectly targeted and no fluff informative micro posts… glad ur on the good side. How do u do it buddy, what keeps u going?
I mean, i won't say I 'hated' it... it had potential but i hated the new female lead. total woke pandering for the 'modern audience'. i'm good on the dyed hair, kung fu lesbian window washer turned superhero for 'vibes' crap.
i DID like the part where he was just a game developer making a sequel to an older successful game called the matrix and thought he was losing his mind. if the ENTIRE movie had been just him dealing with mental health, having flashbacks to the first three movies, and trying to decide if he was fucking nuts or not... that would have been a FAR better film but the studio had to turn it into... dead dude and his dead girlfriend come back from the dead to become super jesus and super mary and fly around for 30 seconds as the credits roll. the ending was ridiculous. I mean what was even the point? they are STILL in the matrix, the death cult robots STILL rule a destroyed earth. they succeeded in doing literally NOTHING but hooking up.
Thank You! I wish I had seen this 2 weeks ago, before I got an email that told me I was hacked and they got my info from my Substack account. They wanted $2,000 in bitcoin or they would provide private information about webpages I have been looking at.
First I laughed and wanted to tell them go ahead, my family and friends would laugh to think I was watching porn.
Second, I have no idea what or how a bitcoin was if I did feel the need to pay them.
Third, I was pissed! It's taken me over 2 weeks to get my bank accounts straightened out. I did not reply to them, but I did cut and paste the email and send it to the FCC for fraud. I am all about accountability.
I'm usually pretty careful about not opening links, so I don't know how they got in.
I actually was thinking about posting this when I saw your post. Thanks again.
I received the same email 2 weeks ago. Didn't you get the email from Substack approximately 2 months ago about the data leak? I received an email explaining that there was a leak that included my email address. The email assured me that that was all, no other info was leaked. I suspect these guys got their grubby paws on that list and sent this bitcoin porn threat to every address on the list. A shot in the dark. I'm sure someone somewhere has illegal porn preferences, a wife, a respectable job and money. Panic & pay! Right? I think it's quite clever, actually. On second thought, maybe I should delete this comment and send a few mails instead....
No, I did not get the email. I am sure those who tried to blackmail us are kids. It was amateurish, but it happened at the same time as I got hacked in my bank accounts and some kid is trying to get me pay off their Citi Bank card. Coincidence? Maybe, but it's still tying up my money until the bank can get it straightened out. I get so angry with those who try to steal because they are too lazy to actually hold down a regular job.
Honestly, I’m technologically challenged. I had to ask ChatGPT to instruct me, click by click, to move my domain and set up my email yesterday 🫣 So if you meant anything beyond changing my password, no, I don’t think so?
As a researcher on Mathematical probabilities, it is fascinating (and concerning) to see the 'brute force' math behind these automated scripts. It is a reminder that in the digital world, the odds are always stacked against the unprepared.
Thank you for translating this C-code into plain English-security is the one area where we can't afford to play the odds. I'll be sharing this warning with my own readers.
WOW! Really good article. Thank you. I wish I could give, but I am living in a shelter and have lost everything for speaking out against this regime and the entire political system in this nation. It’s hard to get a job because the federal government has been on my ass since 2020. I’m in DC in the Capitol Hill area in a women’s shelter.
Folks, please subscribe to this independent journalist. They are all we have right now for news.
Okay. But you know what? I worked in IT before it was IT, back when it was called Data Processing…which is STILL what it is, but smug young techies wanted a more elite name. Even though today’s youngsters use 4th and 5th level languages to code, which means they have no understanding of what computers actually do. What’s my real point? I know and understand the mind of technical people. Nearly all of them have been hackers. And anyone who was, still is. You can go ahead and SAY you don’t do it anymore, but I understand the curious mind and I know you do. But I also know that it is based on curiousity, not intent to harm. Just be careful.
I don't think computers are witches or black magic. I do believe that computers are alien life forms come here to make humans even crazier than they originally were. Food for thought
Another good tip for#6, passwords is to use a vault like Bitwarden, which generates and stores strong password for you, different for each login. My daughter set it up for me, as I am old, and it's great.
Above is the whole story on the breach which apparently affected a few hundred users in a business version, while bitwarden gas about 10 million users.
I know it's irrelevant but too bad we aren't even a tenth as rich as the hackers think we are. 400 people in the US have all the wealth, but the hackers are turning us working folks upside down and trying to shake out all the loose change. So annoying.
Thank you for the update and reminder that we need to be vigilant always, everywhere and anywhere. We appreciate your work
One additional clarification about links that older folks might not understand: look at the url BEFORE the first slash. That’s the one that matters. I’ve seen fishing where they have the wrong url but the correct one is after that first slash, which just points to another page on the wrong website. So “www.subsstack.com/substack.com” is NOT okay because whatever comes before that first slash determines the website that you will be taken to.
Always look at the address that comes before the very first slash.
Yeah good call 👍
Yes, not looking at URL and quickly opening email will get you in trouble. Look before acting hastily because that's the trap where you get so caught up the message, that you get led on to a scam that will cost you your life's savings and you won't get it back.
Thankyou 🫶✨
Love knowing about your 🖥️ phenom self. Also dig sardonic humor ab The Phonecall. Your colleagues. THANK YOU for taking the road less traveled- of sued investigative journalist w/ gripping writing & heads up. ⚖️💻 Reposting.
Thank you! The "look it up if you are interested in it" bit is how I have dealt with the net for years. I don't click stuff that I'm not positive of. It's just good net hygiene. Your post needs to be bounced all over the internet and maybe some people will be safer.
Good article sir, VERY good article.
Wow Wolf… Impressive work. With limited resources you manage to keep churning these perfectly targeted and no fluff informative micro posts… glad ur on the good side. How do u do it buddy, what keeps u going?
definitely glad!
I hate literally everything right now…except Wise Wolf. And my wife and dogs.
I know how you feel. I've had the urge to take heads for my porch for Halloween for some time, now.
Thanks, Wolfe, appreciate the great tutorial. So the movie Hackers was actually about you? How cool (well, awful for you but cool)
lol that movie was ridiculous and just as fake as the matrix in the way it depicts how hackers actually operated back then
I know, I know, but still over it as much as I love The Matrix. Let me have the fantasy- need it these days
what did you think the of the 4th one?
Meh. But still Matrix. What can I say? I have no refined taste in my mindless entertainment choices
Should have let him stay dead instead of the stupid resurrection story but I am a sucker for Keanu Reeves movies
I mean, i won't say I 'hated' it... it had potential but i hated the new female lead. total woke pandering for the 'modern audience'. i'm good on the dyed hair, kung fu lesbian window washer turned superhero for 'vibes' crap.
i DID like the part where he was just a game developer making a sequel to an older successful game called the matrix and thought he was losing his mind. if the ENTIRE movie had been just him dealing with mental health, having flashbacks to the first three movies, and trying to decide if he was fucking nuts or not... that would have been a FAR better film but the studio had to turn it into... dead dude and his dead girlfriend come back from the dead to become super jesus and super mary and fly around for 30 seconds as the credits roll. the ending was ridiculous. I mean what was even the point? they are STILL in the matrix, the death cult robots STILL rule a destroyed earth. they succeeded in doing literally NOTHING but hooking up.
Super choice. Take a break, you deserve it 🙂
Thank You! I wish I had seen this 2 weeks ago, before I got an email that told me I was hacked and they got my info from my Substack account. They wanted $2,000 in bitcoin or they would provide private information about webpages I have been looking at.
First I laughed and wanted to tell them go ahead, my family and friends would laugh to think I was watching porn.
Second, I have no idea what or how a bitcoin was if I did feel the need to pay them.
Third, I was pissed! It's taken me over 2 weeks to get my bank accounts straightened out. I did not reply to them, but I did cut and paste the email and send it to the FCC for fraud. I am all about accountability.
I'm usually pretty careful about not opening links, so I don't know how they got in.
I actually was thinking about posting this when I saw your post. Thanks again.
I received the same email 2 weeks ago. Didn't you get the email from Substack approximately 2 months ago about the data leak? I received an email explaining that there was a leak that included my email address. The email assured me that that was all, no other info was leaked. I suspect these guys got their grubby paws on that list and sent this bitcoin porn threat to every address on the list. A shot in the dark. I'm sure someone somewhere has illegal porn preferences, a wife, a respectable job and money. Panic & pay! Right? I think it's quite clever, actually. On second thought, maybe I should delete this comment and send a few mails instead....
No, I did not get the email. I am sure those who tried to blackmail us are kids. It was amateurish, but it happened at the same time as I got hacked in my bank accounts and some kid is trying to get me pay off their Citi Bank card. Coincidence? Maybe, but it's still tying up my money until the bank can get it straightened out. I get so angry with those who try to steal because they are too lazy to actually hold down a regular job.
Honestly, I’m technologically challenged. I had to ask ChatGPT to instruct me, click by click, to move my domain and set up my email yesterday 🫣 So if you meant anything beyond changing my password, no, I don’t think so?
As a researcher on Mathematical probabilities, it is fascinating (and concerning) to see the 'brute force' math behind these automated scripts. It is a reminder that in the digital world, the odds are always stacked against the unprepared.
Thank you for translating this C-code into plain English-security is the one area where we can't afford to play the odds. I'll be sharing this warning with my own readers.
thank you!
Like your posts, Man! Keep up the good work!
Thank you. At the tender age of 82, your information was helpful.
Old IS Gold !!!
WOW! Really good article. Thank you. I wish I could give, but I am living in a shelter and have lost everything for speaking out against this regime and the entire political system in this nation. It’s hard to get a job because the federal government has been on my ass since 2020. I’m in DC in the Capitol Hill area in a women’s shelter.
Folks, please subscribe to this independent journalist. They are all we have right now for news.
Shannon yes you are correct but there is no credible alternative to Trump. Prayers. Psalm 91,23,51.
Prayers for you too to be placed at home.
Thank you. I appreciate you. Been reading those, brother:) on a daily.
Okay. But you know what? I worked in IT before it was IT, back when it was called Data Processing…which is STILL what it is, but smug young techies wanted a more elite name. Even though today’s youngsters use 4th and 5th level languages to code, which means they have no understanding of what computers actually do. What’s my real point? I know and understand the mind of technical people. Nearly all of them have been hackers. And anyone who was, still is. You can go ahead and SAY you don’t do it anymore, but I understand the curious mind and I know you do. But I also know that it is based on curiousity, not intent to harm. Just be careful.
sshhhh
I don't think computers are witches or black magic. I do believe that computers are alien life forms come here to make humans even crazier than they originally were. Food for thought
Another good tip for#6, passwords is to use a vault like Bitwarden, which generates and stores strong password for you, different for each login. My daughter set it up for me, as I am old, and it's great.
Above is the whole story on the breach which apparently affected a few hundred users in a business version, while bitwarden gas about 10 million users.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2026/04/24/bitwarden-confirms-compromise-here-are-the-facts-for-10-million-users/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2026/04/24/bitwarden-confirms-compromise-here-are-the-facts-for-10-million-users/
I know it's irrelevant but too bad we aren't even a tenth as rich as the hackers think we are. 400 people in the US have all the wealth, but the hackers are turning us working folks upside down and trying to shake out all the loose change. So annoying.
THANKS WOLF!! 🐺😁👍🏽🙏🏽
I've never used a password on substack. I'm emailed a link to the originating account and then I remain logged in. I don't have a substack password.