1 big thing: Influencer culture comes to cybersecurity 

2. Russia and China get a big win on internet "sovereignty"

3. Iran cuts internet during, and after, protests

4. DHS announces election audits tool

5. Other news from last week

6. Odds and ends

Welcome to Codebook, the cybersecurity newsletter that turns down bribes but is offended you didn't even offer one.

 Today's newsletter is 1,430 words, a 5-minute read.

The Cleveland Browns, who Codebook readers picked to win the Superbowl, won on Thursday in wildly inappropriate fashion, as Brown Myles Garrett ripped of a Steeler's helmet and tried to hit him with it. 

Codebook

A master lock with ones and zeroes instead of the regular numbers.

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Decode key cybersecurity news and insights. With Sam Sabin.

Axios Codebook

1 big thing: Facebook declares war on government spying

2. NSO and Facebook might be waging a proxy war over encryption

3. Russian hackers are keeping very busy

A calendar with photos of the Russian President Vladimir Putin is hanging on a wall in Moscow, Russia

4. Chinese spies are stealing text messages

5. Sanctions hamper Russian radio jamming operation

6. Twitter is banning political advertisements

7. Other news from last week

8. Odds and ends

Welcome to Codebook, the cybersecurity newsletter with a crippling fear of accidentally eating the freshness packets in bags of beef jerky.

Today's newsletter is 1,944 words, a 7-minute read.

Codebook fan pick the Cleveland Browns continued to struggle with play-calling, game-planning and football discipline in a loss to New England. They remain a team with on-field talent two or three letter grades better than their coaching. 

1 big thing: China's move on face-recognition standards

2. Report: Iran debuted new destructive wiper malware

3. The difference between Russia and Ukraine on election meddling

4. Other news from last week

5. Odds and ends

Welcome to Codebook, the cybersecurity newsletter with a line graph.

Today's newsletter is 1,308 words, a 5-minute read.

This is the last Codebook for 2019. We have decided there will be no more cyber news until next year.

1 big thing: All infrastructure is election infrastructure

Illustration of anonymous person in a hoodie with a “I voted” sticker.

2. Elsewhere in elections

3. Codebook club: "Sandworm" by Andy Greenberg

A photo of Maersk containers at a shipping yard

4. Kaspersky finds lost threat group

5. Other news

Welcome to Codebook, the cybersecurity newsletter honing its play-by-play skills just in case hacking becomes a televised sport.

Tips? Ideas? Sandwiches? Hit reply to this email. 

Today's newsletter is 1,691 words, a 6-minute read.

The Browns, who you suckers told me to bet $5 on, were unable to defeat even a struggling Broncos team with a backup quarterback, despite Cleveland quarterback Baker Mayfield's facial hair mysteriously shrinking throughout the day. 

1 big thing: The myth of the sophisticated hacker

2. Exclusive: Over half of Fortune 500 exposed to remote access hacks

3. Trial testimony: Trump team knew WikiLeaks email dump was coming 

4. The surprising cost of hacking payment processors

5. The Department of Justice's busy week

6. Other news from last week

7. Odds and ends

Welcome to Codebook, the irregular cybersecurity newsletter that's not as outlandish as it could be.

Today's newsletter is 1,608 words, a 6-minute read.

We'll return one more time before thanksgiving.

Browns update: Codebook reader pick to win the Super Bowl, the Cleveland Browns, won against a good Bills team on Sunday, but continue to not be on track to win the Super Bowl.

Joe Uchill

Newsletter editions

Axios Codebook: China succeeds through tech standards — Iran debuts malware — The difference between Russia and Ukraine

Axios Codebook: Cybersecurity influencer payola — UN's dubious cybercrime pact — New election audits tool

Axios Codebook: The myth of sophistication — Fortune 500 get hit — New DNC timeline

Axios Codebook: Election protection mind expansion — Epic "Sandworm" saga — New wrinkle in NSA leak

Axios Codebook: Facebook vs. NSO — A big month for Russian hackers — China's spies steal texts