Hacking Humans Pseudoransomware (noun) [Word Notes]
Nov 25, 2025
This discussion dives into the intriguing world of pseudoransomware, a form of malware that obliterates data instead of encrypting it. Explore why cybercriminals often neglect recovery efforts, and how nation-state actors employ this tactic as a smokescreen for misdirection. Discover the implications of North Korea's cyber campaigns against financial institutions and the notorious NotPetya attack, which led to monumental corporate losses. Ultimately, the podcast raises chilling insights into the motivations behind chaos-driven cyberattacks.
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Pseudo-Ransomware Defined And Motivations
- Pseudo-ransomware is malware disguised as ransomware that intentionally destroys data rather than encrypting it for ransom.
- This shifts the attacker goal from profit to sabotage or deception, offering different motives and impacts.
Nation-State Use As A Smokescreen
- Nation-state actors sometimes use pseudo-ransomware as a smokescreen to hide destructive operations or deflect attribution to criminals.
- These attacks can cause massive collateral damage and aren't motivated by paying victims a decryption fee.
Historical Examples: Taiwan And NotPetya
- Rick Howard recounts North Korea's pseudo-ransomware use against Taiwan's Far Eastern International Bank to cover a SWIFT compromise in 2017.
- He also describes NotPetya's Russian-modified attack that destroyed hundreds of companies and caused multi-hundred-million-dollar losses.
