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CyberWire Daily

Proton66’s malware highway.

Apr 22, 2025
Bob Maley, CSO of Black Kite, shares his expertise on the escalating risks of third-party cyber incidents. The conversation dives into the nefarious activities of the Russian group Proton66 and emerging threats like a new Rust-based botnet targeting routers. Maley emphasizes the impact of CISA budget cuts and the rise of ransomware in healthcare. Additionally, the relaunch of the cybercrime marketplace Cracked raises alarms about compliance risks and the need for improved cybersecurity measures across industries.
42:36

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Proton66's involvement in cybercriminal activities emphasizes the need for organizations to prioritize robust cybersecurity measures against sophisticated threats.
  • The alarming rise of cyber-enabled fraud in Southeast Asia highlights the critical importance of international cooperation and effective regulations to combat transnational crime.

Deep dives

The Threat of Proton66 and Botnets

The Russian autonomous system Proton66 is linked to a range of cybercriminal activities, particularly through bulletproof hosting services that facilitate various attacks on the tech and financial sectors. This system has been involved in brute-force assaults and the exploitation of known vulnerabilities, affecting organizations globally. A specific instance includes the targeting of a compromised IP address by super black ransomware, impacting nonprofits and engineering firms. Additionally, a new Rust-based botnet, Rustobot, demonstrates the ongoing risks posed by IoT devices by hijacking routers and using them for large-scale DDoS attacks.

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