Malware metamorphosis: 2024 reflections and 2025 predictions. [Only Malware in the building]
Jan 7, 2025
This episode dives into the wild world of cyber threats, revealing ransomware's alarming rise and the financial chaos it brings. The hosts discuss cutting-edge cybersecurity measures like zero-trust models and multi-factor authentication, stressing the importance of user education. Nation-state hacking, especially from China, raises eyebrows, while the ethics of AI get a critical spotlight. The mix of serious themes and humorous banter keeps the conversation engaging as they reflect on lessons learned and prepare for the challenges of 2025.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Jake's Clicking Problem
Emily's boyfriend, Jake, repeatedly clicks on suspicious email links, leading to financial losses and ransomware infections.
Despite Emily's warnings, Jake's unchecked curiosity puts him at risk, illustrating the common pitfalls of online scams.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Suspicious Minds
Be wary of emails promising unrealistic rewards, as they often conceal scams.
If a deal seems too good to be true, exercise caution and question its legitimacy to avoid cybersecurity risks.
insights INSIGHT
Ransomware's Evolution
Ransomware attacks remain prevalent and highly profitable, exceeding $1 billion in payments this year.
Threat actors constantly evolve their techniques, highlighting the need for continuous vigilance.
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In 'Revenge of the Tipping Point', Malcolm Gladwell returns to the subject of social epidemics and tipping points, this time focusing on the dark side of contagious phenomena. Through a series of riveting stories, Gladwell explores the rise of a new and troubling form of social engineering. He delves into various topics, including the world’s most successful bank robbers, a forgotten television show from the 1970s, an experimental neighborhood in Northern California, and alternate histories of the COVID and opioid crises. The book examines how individuals can use power and influence to shape collective narratives and societal trends, highlighting the ethical implications of social engineering and the role of superspreaders in propagating ideas and behaviors.
The Perfect Weapon
War, Sabotage, and Fear in the Cyber Age
David E. Sanger
In this book, David E. Sanger delves into the emergence of cyberconflict and its role in changing the nature of global power. He focuses on the 'Seven Sisters' of cyber conflict: the United States, Russia, China, Britain, Iran, Israel, and North Korea. Sanger explores how cyber weapons have been rapidly adapted and exploited by many nations to reshape their influence on global affairs, highlighting their capability to disrupt critical infrastructure and daily life. The book emphasizes the alarming speed and versatility of cyber weapons and the need for international standards to address these threats.
Welcome in! You’ve entered, Only Malware in the Building. Join us each month to sip tea and solve mysteries about today’s most interesting threats. Your host is Selena Larson, Proofpoint intelligence analyst and host of their podcast DISCARDED. Inspired by the residents of a building in New York’s exclusive upper west side, Selena is joined by N2K Networks Dave Bittner and Rick Howard to uncover the stories behind notable cyberattacks.
Being a security researcher is a bit like being a detective: you gather clues, analyze the evidence, and consult the experts to solve the cyber puzzle. On this episode, we talk about the year's most impactful cyber trends and incidents—from the Snowflake hack and Operation Endgame to the rise of multi-channel scams and explosive growth in web inject attacks. Ransomware continued to wreak havoc, especially in healthcare, while callback phishing and MFA-focused credential attacks kept defenders on high alert. Join us as we reflect on these challenges and look ahead to what’s next in 2025.
Hacking Humans 
