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The suburban hacker house: She helped North Korea infiltrate American tech
This isn’t a ripped-from-the-headlines new Netflix series. This really happened in a quiet neighborhood called Litchfield Park that’s about a 20-minute drive from Phoenix, Arizona.
Christina Chapman, 50, looked like your average middle-aged suburban woman. But inside her humble home? A secret cyber ops center built to help North Korean IT workers buy equipment and tools for their military by infiltrating hundreds of U.S. companies.
That picture above was just a small part of her setup.
🇰🇵 Here’s how it worked
North Korean workers aren’t browsing LinkedIn or applying at Google, Amazon and Meta. They can’t. Sanctions block them from working for American companies, at least legally. So what do they do?
They steal real Americans’ identities, including names, birth dates, Social Security numbers and more. Then, they use them to pose as remote IT workers, slipping into U.S. companies under anyone’s radar.
But when companies send out laptops and phones to their “remote new hires”? Those devices can’t exactly be shipped to Pyongyang.
🙇🏻♀️ Enter Christina
Over the course of three years, Christina turned her suburban home into a covert operations hub for North Korea’s elite cybercriminals.
She received more than 100 laptops and smartphones shipped from companies all across the U.S. These weren’t no-name startups. We’re talking major American banks, top-tier tech firms and at least one U.S. government contractor.
All thought they were hiring remote U.S.-based workers. They had no idea they were actually onboarding North Korean operatives.
Once the gear arrived, Chapman connected the devices to VPNs, remote desktop tools like AnyDesk and Chrome Remote Desktop, and even rigged up voice-changing software.
Tools of the tasty trade
From meal-prepping to baking, these kitchen helpers work as hard as you do.
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We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
When you’re everyone’s unpaid emotional support intern
“Hey, Kim, This isn’t tech. I’m the one keeping the peace, at work, at home, with friends. I smooth things over and manage everyone’s moods. It’s exhausting, but if I stop, I’m scared everything unravels. What should I do?” — Megan from Cincinnati
🤖 Extortion, but make it software: Just a reminder, Microsoft’s killing Windows 10, and support ends Oct. 14. I’m sure hackers have the date penciled in their calendar. That’s 400 million computers going vulnerable overnight. Want security? Pay up, or replace your whole machine. Low-income families, seniors, remote workers, kids with homework? Too bad, Microsoft doesn’t care. See my new PC recommendations here.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
🛞 Smart rubber: Pirelli and Bosch are cooking up “Cyber Tyres” that talk to your car through Bluetooth tiny sensors that measure contact patches, pressure and acceleration, then beam lifesaving data like grip loss before aquaplaning. These Fitbits for wheels were spotted on a $2.5M Pagani, but hitting normal cars in ~3 years. Imagine explaining to your great grandpa, “The tire’s Bluetooth says slow down.”
Who gets the ticket?
Driverless cars are hitting the roads in major cities, but when they break traffic laws, police are left scratching their heads. Who gets the ticket when there’s no driver behind the wheel?
Are baby monitors really safe from hackers?
I talk to Adam from Boston, a new dad who wants to buy a video baby monitor but also wants to make sure he’s the only one watching it. Then, how Cracker Barrel went from the fastest-growing chain to dead last because of fake outrage. Plus, the future of driving isn’t touch screens, the government’s $42 billion internet money pit, and an influencer who almost lost his finger to his smart ring.
Paying too much for cloud services? Check this out. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, or OCI, is built for speed, power and serious savings, without the usual cloud headaches. That’s why some of the biggest AI innovators trust it. Try it for free right now.
Bring an old laptop back to life
Got an old laptop or PC? Don’t toss it. Install Chrome OS Flex and bring it back to life for free with minimal hassle.
📸 Back to basics: Kodak is doing something it hasn’t done in over a decade … selling its own film. Like, actual 35mm. Remember those yellow rolls in every junk drawer? Same stuff. Kodak’s cutting out the middleman to bring prices down. It’s a quiet comeback from a brand that basically shot every ’80s birthday party you’ve ever been to.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Stay cozy outside
From Halloween haunts to Friday night lights, these have you covered.
⚡ Outdoor stake timer (20% off): Let your Halloween or Christmas lights shine until dawn or just a few hours to save energy.
Extension cord covers (21% off): Waterproof latches protect your plugs from rain and snow. Fits multiple sizes.
🥑 Rechargeable hand warmers (30% off): Trick-or-treat with cute avocado-shaped heaters keeping you toasty.
Stadium seat cushion (20% off): Memory foam + adjustable straps = the best seat at the football game.
🛠️ Screen repair tape (33% off): Patch holes in minutes with this 30-foot roll. Saves you from replacing your whole door.
💡 Only bright ideas: For every season and reason, I’ve got more finds waiting for you on my Amazon shop.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Your streaming bill is robbing you blind
On my national radio show, I mentioned that the average American spends $110 a month on streaming subscriptions. Add in $80+ for decent internet, and suddenly cable doesn’t look so evil.
My inbox exploded: “Kim, how do I lower my streaming bill?”
📱 Android app shortcuts: Long-press certain apps for quick access to core features. Chrome lets you open a new tab or jump into Incognito mode. Gmail gives you options like composing a message or switching accounts. Social media apps like Instagram let you post right away or check your activity feed.
🤖 Don’t get caught in a Roomba doomba: iRobot founder Rodney Brooks (aka the Roomba guy) says stay 10 feet back from humanoid bots. Why? If one tips, it’s a 150-pound steel giraffe doing a trust fall. Also, video-only training won’t teach them real dexterity. Don’t let yourself become a YouTube tutorial with bones.
🐾 Doggy surveillance default: Ring cameras are now default detectives, scanning outdoor feeds for missing dogs if a neighbor posts on the app. If your cam spots one, you’ll get a ping, but the opt-in switch flipped without asking. Amazon insists it’s only for pets, but facial recognition just launched, too. You can see where this is headed. Suddenly Fido’s not the only one being tracked. To turn it off: Open the Ring app > go to menu (☰) > Control Center > tap Search for Lost Pets > toggle off for every device. Good thing you have me on your side.
Art heists, redacted documents and iPads … Oh my!
I talk to David from Gainesville, Florida, who was looking for advice to beef up his business but ended up spilling the tea on a wild unsolved mystery. Then, how that tracker on your cat could double as the perfect stalking device. Plus, why your computer may be headed for the garbage, Microsoft’s debut in the world of fashion, and why you’ll be seeing more iPads on college football sidelines this season.
AI has ears everywhere
Today on The Current AI Podcast, George takes you inside the hidden world of ultrasonic tracking, the creepy tech that links your devices through sounds you can’t even hear. Then it’s off to the Web Water Cooler, where we talk Samsung’s swollen Galaxy Ring, Alexa’s new paywall, AI-powered scams, and even China’s pay-to-wipe toilets. In Device Advice, learn how AI now fights ransomware in Google Drive, the fastest way to cancel sneaky app subscriptions, and smart tricks for Google Docs, YouTube, and Fire TV. From smart speakers to smart scams, this episode is packed with AI, security, and gadget hacks you don’t want to miss.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Old Chrome extensions can slow things down. Click the three-dot icon (top right), go to Extensions > Manage Extensions, pick the ones you don’t need, and hit Remove.
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