How Do Ransomware Gangs Set Ransoms and Build Reputation?

Your computer's mouse might not be as innocent as it looks - and one ransomware crew has a crisis of conscience that nobody saw coming.

We talk about how something as ordinary as a web page could turn your mouse into a surprisingly nosey neighbour, and why ransomware gangs need to think carefully about their reputation.

Meanwhile, Graham reveals a baked potato hack that might just change your life, and we take an unexpected detour to South America for a bit of literary adventure involving inflatable pigs.

All this and more is discussed in episode 436 of the "Smashing Security" podcast with cybersecurity veteran Graham Cluley, and his special guest Geoff White.

EPISODE LINKS:

• Discord users' data stolen by hackers in third-party data breach - Bitdefender.
• North Korean hackers increasingly targeting wealthy crypto holders - BBC News.
• Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters offering $10 in Bitcoin to 'endlessly harass' execs - The Register.
• Vacanti mouse - Wikipedia.
• Mic-E-Mouse.
• Invisible Ears at Your Fingertips: Acoustic Eavesdropping via Mouse Sensors - Arvix.
• Mic-E-Mouse Pipeline Demonstration - YouTube.
• Hackers say they have deleted children's pictures and data after nursery attack backlash - BBC News.
• Baked Potato - Wikipedia.
• “At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig: Travels through Paraguay” - Penguin.
• Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)

SPONSORS:

• Vanta - Expand the scope of your security program with market-leading compliance automation... while saving time and money. Smashing Security listeners get $1000 off.
• Trelica by 1Password - Access Governance for every SaaS app. Discover, manage, and optimize access for any of your SaaS apps - whether managed or unmanaged.
• Drata - The world’s most advanced Trust Management platform – making risk and compliance management accessible, continuous, and 10x more automated than ever before.

SUPPORT THE SHOW:

Tell your friends and colleagues about “Smashing Security”, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser.

Become a supporter via Patreon or Apple Podcasts for ad-free episodes on our early-release feed!

FOLLOW THE SHOW:

Follow us on Bluesky or Mastodon, or on the Smashing Security subreddit, and visit our website for more episodes.

THANKS:

Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.

Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.

ENJOYED THE SHOW?

Make sure to check out our sister podcast, "The AI Fix".