Smashing Security The €600,000 gold heist, powered by ransomware
8 snips
Sep 24, 2025 
Zoë Rose, a seasoned cybersecurity professional and consultant, dives into the world of ransomware and digital crime. She recounts the audacious €600,000 gold heist at the Paris Natural History Museum, made possible by a cyberattack that disabled alarms. Zoë also explains the Shai Hulud worm, which infiltrates over 180 npm packages, stealing sensitive data. Listeners gain valuable insights on securing developer practices and preventing supply-chain attacks, alongside the amusing downfall of smart fridges now displaying ads!
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Ransomware Hits Paris Museum Hard
- The Natural History Museum in Paris suffered a massive ransomware attack that disrupted all sites and delayed exhibitions.
- The outage affected 600 scientists and caused loss of research funding and cancelled public displays.
Gold Heist Exploited Downed Alarms
- Thieves used angle grinders and a blowtorch to steal gold nuggets worth €600,000 from the museum's geology gallery overnight.
- Police say alarm and video systems had been out of service for weeks due to the ransomware incident.
Cyber Attacks Enable Physical Crime
- Traditional criminals may leverage cyber incidents as cover to execute physical crimes when security systems are disabled.
- Cross-disciplinary criminal collaboration or opportunistic timing increases overall societal risk.
