Can computer hackers get inside your mind?
Planet MoneyThe cyber weapon that might have prevented nuclear war.
The U.S. and Israel have long been in conflict with Iran over their nuclear development program. Some of that conflict has been out in the open, with bombs and blockades, but some of it has been invisible.
Recently some security researchers discovered a cyberweapon likely tied to that invisible conflict. It looks like it was designed to hide on nuclear scientists computers, then throw off their calculations--just as they got close to achieving their goals.
Sounds like something out of science fiction. But it was created 20 years ago.
On today’s show: a whodunit about hackers, ‘Cyber Paleontologists’, spy-vs-spy protocols, cryptic intelligence leaks, nuclear physics, high-precision math, and epistemological warfare.
Pictured: Juan Andres Guerrero Saade (JAGS) and his ‘Fast16 - NOTHING TO SEE HERE, CARRY ON’ tattoo.
Support:
Read:
Follow:
This episode was hosted by Nick Fountain and Erika Beras. It was produced by Willa Rubin and edited by Marianne McCune. It was fact-checked by Charlotte Isidore and engineered by Kwesi Lee. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.
Music: NPR Source Audio - “High Tech Expert,” “Digital Wave,” and “Hyper Pop.”
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
The U.S. and Israel have long been in conflict with Iran over their nuclear development program. Some of that conflict has been out in the open, with bombs and blockades, but some of it has been invisible.
Recently some security researchers discovered a cyberweapon likely tied to that invisible conflict. It looks like it was designed to hide on nuclear scientists computers, then throw off their calculations--just as they got close to achieving their goals.
Sounds like something out of science fiction. But it was created 20 years ago.
On today’s show: a whodunit about hackers, ‘Cyber Paleontologists’, spy-vs-spy protocols, cryptic intelligence leaks, nuclear physics, high-precision math, and epistemological warfare.
Pictured: Juan Andres Guerrero Saade (JAGS) and his ‘Fast16 - NOTHING TO SEE HERE, CARRY ON’ tattoo.
Support:
Read:
- Our book: Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life
- Our weekly longform Planet Money newsletter
- Our weekly Indicator round-up newsletter
Follow:
This episode was hosted by Nick Fountain and Erika Beras. It was produced by Willa Rubin and edited by Marianne McCune. It was fact-checked by Charlotte Isidore and engineered by Kwesi Lee. Alex Goldmark is our executive producer.
Music: NPR Source Audio - “High Tech Expert,” “Digital Wave,” and “Hyper Pop.”
See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy
Read more
Share this episode:
The podcast:
The economy explained. Imagine you could call up a friend and say, “Meet me at the bar and tell me what’s going on with the economy.” Now imagine that’s actually a fun evening.
Explore more content:
Business A random podcastHow can I listen to other podcasts?
Click here to discover another podcast randomly, or here to browse our categories. Lazy? That's okay, we did some research and selected podcasts just for you.
And what is Podmust?
Podmust is a french project aiming to promote the best podcasts. You can help us by sharing this page (this also helps the podcast, by the way). Thank you! 🙏
Stay informed, the audio way.
Podmust curates what you need to listen.
Discover some of our collections:
our best TV & Film podcastsour best Business podcastsour best Sports & Recreation podcasts.
How campaigns are using digital influencers to win voters
Campaigns are increasingly hoping to win over voters by tapping into digital influencers’ large followings. We discuss what the strategy looks like and whether online followers can be… The NPR Politics Podcast80-Year-Old Man Loses War
Trump ends his war against Iran without accomplishing any of the goals he set at the war's onset. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett discuss how real the deal to end the war actually is, how it's… Pod Save AmericaDo social media bans actually protect kids?
The ExcerptTim Heidecker Thinks Twitter Should Be a World Heritage Site
Uncanny ValleyUS & Iran's Draft Deal, IEA Demand Damage Warning, More
Bloomberg News NowEverything Is Phone
ICYMIWhy Elizabeth Warren is worried about SpaceX
FT News BriefingSealed Deal, Iran World Cup Drama, Reflecting Pool Woes and more
CNN 5 Things
UK Edition
Will a ban keep the UK’s kids off social media?
Governments around the world want to keep under-16s off YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Australia has introduced a ban and now the UK is doing the same. Stephen Byrne and Chris Stokel-Walker… Today in Focus
Who is the “king of soccer" Gianni Infantino?
As England kick off their World Cup campaign tonight, one man will be impossible to ignore: FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Hailed by supporters as the man who transformed football’s… The Story
Ghostings and betrayals: Starmer's cabinet prepares for an Andy Burnham coup
Makerfield is the most consequential by-election in history. Andy Burnham is confident he'll win. What happens then? When and how does he make a move? What can Keir Starmer do to thwart… The State Of It
Dundee: a girl, an axe and the man guilty of assault
If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Aberfeldy case: how did police get it so wrong?’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002rp1l Ilia Belov (pictured left) has… ScotcastWell, the bad news is: we're French. But the good news is: Podmust curates the world's podcasts so you can focus on staying informed or entertained. And voilà!
© Podmust