Risky Bulletin Srsly Risky Biz: The kids aren't alright
Sep 25, 2025
Amberleigh and Tom dive into the evolving landscape of youth cybercrime, exploring how online communities like Minecraft lure kids into illicit activities. They discuss the stark differences between technically skilled hackers and those who rely on social engineering. The conversation also highlights the dark reality of violence and coercion within cybercrime today. Finally, they introduce a strategic playbook for deterring cyber adversaries, emphasizing a shift in focus towards state-level interests as a means of prevention.
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From $50 Gigs To Millions
- Noah Urban started sim-swapping after being paid small amounts and quickly escalated to major thefts.
- He later claimed he stole about $15 million in roughly 18 months.
Skills That Opened Doors Have Shifted
- Technical skill used to be the entry ticket into cybercrime communities and led to legitimate security careers.
- Now, social skills alone can admit someone to lucrative criminal networks with no redemption path.
Crypto Supercharged Cybercrime
- Cryptocurrency made cybercrime vastly more lucrative and lowered technical barriers to entry.
- High rewards encourage escalation from small tasks into major thefts.