Bruce Schneier Hit

Security expert Bruce Schneier has been inundated with hundreds of automated emails responding to his newsletter subscription confirmation emails. The emails, which contain generic positive comments, are coming from Gmail addresses that have not actually subscribed to his newsletter, Crypto-Gram.

The emails started arriving last weekend, with comments such as 'Thank you for the positive impact your emails have had on my life' and 'Your emails are a game-changer'. Schneier initially responded to some of the emails, thinking they were genuine, but none of the senders have responded to his replies.

The Gmail addresses sending the emails, such as jnnvcddghjgfdryhj67@gmail.com and nbhgdfhjedty896565@gmail.com, appear to be fake and have not confirmed their subscription to Crypto-Gram. Schneier believes the scam is likely related to AI-generated emails, but is unsure of the ultimate goal.

## What's the Scam? The scam may be a form of 'pig butchering', where the scammer tries to start a conversation with the victim. However, since none of the senders have responded to Schneier's replies, it is unclear what the next step in the scam would be.

## Why it Matters The incident highlights the increasing use of AI-generated emails in scams, and the need for individuals to be cautious when responding to unsolicited emails. As a security expert, Schneier's experience serves as a reminder to be vigilant and to verify the authenticity of emails before engaging with them.

The fact that the scammer is using Gmail addresses and AI-generated emails suggests a level of sophistication, and it is likely that this scam is just one of many being attempted. As such, it is essential for individuals to be aware of the potential for scams and to take steps to protect themselves, including being cautious when responding to unsolicited emails and verifying the authenticity of emails before engaging with them.