Hackers known as Scattered Spider paralyzed Las Vegas hotels, author Salman Rushdie shares his knife attack story, and the mystery of the Tasmanian tiger is explored. Ransomware attacks, cyber threats, and a modern-day de-extinction project are discussed in this intriguing podcast.
42:30
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Quick takeaways
English-speaking hackers formed Scattered Spider, targeting major Las Vegas establishments with ransomware attacks.
Author Salman Rushdie shares his harrowing experience surviving a knife attack and reflects on overcoming adversity in his new book.
Deep dives
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Ransomware Attacks Plague Las Vegas
Las Vegas faced costly ransomware attacks, with English-speaking hackers teaming up with Russian elites. MGM resorts experienced a devastating attack, triggering disruptions at renowned casinos like MGM Grand and Aria. The FBI warns of a growing threat with cybercriminals like Scattered Spider and Russian gangs targeting American businesses.
Salman Rushdie Survives Knife Attack
Author Salman Rushdie survived a knife attack by a 24-year-old man at a literary festival in New York. Rushdie lost his right eye and sustained multiple wounds, but his life was saved by surgeons. His attacker awaits trial for attempted murder, with speculations on his motives and the impact of the attack on Rushdie's life and work.
SCATTERED SPIDER – A surprisingly young cohort of hackers paralyzed some of Las Vegas' biggest hotels and casinos last fall, demanding an exorbitant ransom. The FBI and cyber security researchers call them "Scattered Spider" and say they are predominantly made up of native English-speaking hackers from Western countries, including the United States. Correspondent Bill Whitaker reports on the attack that brought operations at the MGM Grand, Aria and Bellagio, among others, to a standstill, and how the hackers teamed up with the notorious Russian ransomware gang behind the recent hack on UnitedHealth Group. Graham Messick is the producer.
KNIFE – In his first television interview since he was attacked at a literary festival in Chautauqua, New York almost two years ago, author Salman Rushdie details his experience to correspondent Anderson Cooper. Rushdie, who was stabbed 15 times and lost his right eye, has come to terms with the attack by writing about it in his new book, KNIFE (Penguin, 2024.) He talks to Cooper about Iran's religious decree—or fatwa—that called for his death 35 years ago, his years in hiding, and how he reclaimed his life in the U.S. before he was nearly killed by an assailant wielding a knife. Michael Gavshon and Nadim Roberts are the producers.
TASMANIAN TIGER – 60 MINUTES correspondent Jon Wertheim reports from the Australian island of Tasmania on the mysterious thylacine or Tasmanian tiger – an apex predator not seen since last century, but renowned through local folklore. Though the tiger was declared extinct 40 years ago, Wertheim meets those looking for the creature in the bush and the lab, and one way or another, are certain of its enduring survival. Jacqueline Williams is the producer.