Topic: Cybersecurity Awareness Month

A routine software upgrade by Xerox caused a massive outage of the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system, affecting food stamp and SNAP recipients across 17 states including California. Adam Curry suggests the Saturday morning failure might have been a "dry run" or test of public docility during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The outage left millions unable to purchase groceries until the systems were rebooted hours later.

During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, reports surfaced of a Chinese "hack attack" on White House computers, which was later revealed to be a simple phishing email on an unclassified network. The hosts mock the sensationalized coverage by Fox News and the Free Beacon. They also discuss evidence that DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano does not use a computer in her office, relying instead on printed PowerPoint slides and possibly an iPhone.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open episode 448 from Los Angeles and Silicon Valley, noting the "Carmageddon 2" closure of the 405 freeway. They transition to discussing the presidential proclamation of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which coincides with Oracle World.