mikael-thalen

Mikael Thalen


Mikael Thalen is a tech and security reporter covering social media, data breaches, hackers, and more.

Rioters clash with police trying to enter Capitol building January 6, 2021

Why Ukraine is now being accused of secretly orchestrating the Capitol riot

Conservatives have blamed everyone—Antifa, the FBI, Ukraine—but themselves for Jan. 6.

On Sep 5, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

AI woman headshot with smashorpass.ai game

Harvard bro sparks immediate backlash with new ‘SmashOrPassAI’ site, where users rate AI-generated women

'Begging techbros to think about the things they make for, like, 10 seconds before jumping in.'

On Sep 5, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

hand holding phone with X logo on screen in front of X open on computer

Twitter again verifies account with N-word in handle

The account's verification comes as Twitter owner Elon Musk threatens to sue the ADL.

On Sep 5, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

ted cruz pushing biden two beers conspiracy

Ted Cruz pushes claim Biden will limit Americans to 2 beers—stages cringe group swig video to protest

Conservatives believe President Joe Biden is coming for their beer.

On Aug 31, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Ron Desantis in front of Twitter search results for 'Idalia'

‘Every one of these scumbags’: DeSantis fans accuse Trump supporters of intentionally ignoring Hurricane Idalia

'...many of whom live in Florida due to Governor Ron DeSantis’ Covid policies.'

On Aug 31, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Vivek Ramaswamy speaking into microphone outside (l) Pete Buttigieg speaking into microphone in front of blue with white stars background (r)

Vivek Ramaswamy, Pete Buttigieg both appearing in old MSNBC clips 20 years ago is driving people mad

Both men questioned presidential candidates on MSNBC in 2003 within a week of each other.

On Aug 30, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Elon Musk in front of black background (l) Tesla car interior with steering wheel and screen with X app logo (r)

‘Getting in a high-speed collision trying to find the perfect reaction meme’: Musk roasted for plan to add Twitter app to Tesla screens

A recipe for actual disaster.

On Aug 30, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

An email icon with a magnifying glass on it. The 'Your Password Sucks' column logo for the web_crawlr column is in the top right corner.

Y0ur P@ssw0rd S*cks: How do I stay safe from malicious pixels?

Tracking pixels have a wide range of users.

On Aug 29, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

what is a botnet - A person typing on a computer, with different dots connected to it representing a botnet. The Your Password Sucks logo for the web_crawlr newsletter is in the upper right corner.

Y0ur P@ssw0rd S*cks: What is a botnet?

Should you be worried about botnets and how can you protect against them?

On Aug 15, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

World Trade Center with sunset sky vivek Ramaswamy 9/11

Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy’s 2024 campaigns derailed by fight over who did 9/11

'I don’t believe the government has told us the truth.'

On Aug 9, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

electrical transmission towers with sunset

EXCLUSIVE: ‘Release our men’: Far-right used power grid threats to try and blackmail government into freeing neo-Nazi bank robbery suspects

The threat was picked up by the Department of Homeland Security.

On Aug 9, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Robert E Lee horse plaque reading 'The last home of Traveller through war and peace the faithful, devoted and beloved horse of General Robert E Lee placed by the Virginia division'

‘Untreatable tetanus, untreatable cancel culture’: Conservatives say Robert E. Lee’s horse has now died a second ignominious death

Markers dedicated to Traveller, the horse of Robert E. Lee, have been removed at a university.

On Aug 8, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

man using laptop for video call

Zoom forced to walk back AI data training plan after user outrage

The company quietly changed its Terms of Service in March to begin using consumer data to train AI.

On Aug 8, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Barack Obama in front of American Flag background (l) Tafari Campbell speaking in front of doorway (r)

Conspiracy theorists think Obama murdered his personal chef

None of the claims being made are backed up by any evidence.

On Aug 8, 2023 by Mikael Thalen

Elon Musk

‘Trying to find a way out’: Musk claims he now can’t schedule Zuckerberg fight because he ‘may require surgery’

'I'm getting an MRI of my neck & upper back tomorrow.'

On Aug 7, 2023 by Mikael Thalen