# NSA warns AI exploits target power and water, Android malware leaks data via nearby phones, ransomware's sweet spot

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/cybersecurity-today-65508/nsa-warns-ai-exploits-target-power-and-water-android-malware-leaks-data-via-nearby-phones-ransomware-s-sweet-spot
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/cybersecurity-today-65508/nsa-warns-ai-exploits-target-power-and-water-android-malware-leaks-data-via-nearby-phones-ransomware-s-sweet-spot.md
Podcast: [Cybersecurity Today](https://stenobird.com/podcast/cybersecurity-today-65508)
Published: 2026-08-21T00:58:00+00:00
Episode link: https://cybersecuritytoday.libsyn.com/nsa-warns-ai-exploits-target-power-and-water-android-malware-leaks-data-via-nearby-phones-ransomwares-sweet-spot
Audio file: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/cybersecuritytoday/AI-driven_cyber_threats_and_mid-market_risk_roundup.mp3?dest-id=679928
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/cybersecurity-today-65508/episodes/nsa-warns-ai-exploits-target-power-and-water-android-malware-leaks-data-via-nearby-phones-ransomware-s-sweet-spot
Duration seconds: 864

## Resource

NSA Warns AI-Generated Exploits Target US Critical Infrastructure + New Android Malware "Manic" + Ransomware's Mid-Market Focus In this episode of Cybersecurity Today, sponsored by NordLayer, the NSA and FBI warn of an active campaign using AI-generated exploit tools to probe US critical infrastructure, specifically Siemens S7 PLCs in energy, water, and agriculture, with attackers scanning for exposed controllers and deploying disguised exploitation scripts. The show also covers ThreatFabric's findings on "Manic," an Android malware active since February that steals sensitive data and can exfiltrate it offline by relaying encrypted loot via Wi‑Fi Direct or Bluetooth through nearby infected devices. Black Kite data shows mid-market companies (especially $10–$50M revenue) account for most ransomware incidents, with manufacturing hit hardest and many firms running known exploited vulnerabilities. Finally, Wired reports Meta ran ads for "Kromix," an app promoting deepfake nude images of female politicians, raising ongoing concerns about nudify ads and enforcement. 00:00 Sponsor NordLayer 00:37 Headlines Preview 01:05 AI Exploits Hit PLCs 04:06 Android Malware Manic 06:49 Ransomware Targets Midmarket 09:19 Meta Nudify Ads Scandal 12:26 Wrap Up and Weekend Tease 13:23 Sponsor Message NordLayer

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