Darknet Diaries

Dustin Childs, a Senior Communications Manager for the Zero Day Initiative, Brian Gorenc, Senior Director at Trend Micro, and Pedro, a member of the renowned Team Flashback, discuss the thrilling Pwn2Own hacking contest. They delve into the discovery of zero-day vulnerabilities, showcasing how hackers exploit browsers, phones, and even cars. Ethical implications of the exploit broker market are explored, alongside personal stories of triumph and challenges faced in this competitive arena. Expect insights into the evolving relationship between security researchers and software vendors!

In this deep dive, former darknet marketplace vendor 'V' recounts his tumultuous journey from an upper-middle-class kid to an infamous online drug dealer. He candidly discusses the allure of the Silk Road, the intricacies of operating under anonymity, and the clever marketing strategies that helped him navigate the dark web. V reflects on his arrest, cooperation with authorities, and the heavy emotional toll of his choices, including the regrets of selling heroin and the personal growth that followed. It's a compelling tale of risk, redemption, and self-discovery.

Paint Parrot, an expert social engineer and former British Army personnel, dives into the fascinating world of manipulation. He shares gripping stories from his time in military intelligence, revealing the psychological challenges of drone warfare and moral dilemmas of whistleblowing. Parrot discusses the meticulous tactics used to build trust with insiders and the ethical complexities of social engineering. Listeners will be captivated by his insights on the emotional toll of whistleblowing and the undercurrents of corporate misconduct.

Matthew Earl, managing partner of Shadowfall Capital, shares his harrowing experience of being targeted in a hacking campaign while investigating Wirecard AG. Joining him is John Scott-Railton from Citizen Lab, discussing the relentless phishing attacks from the Dark Basin hacking group. They delve into the darker side of corporate fraud and the psychological toll on whistleblowers, exploring methods used by hackers to undermine accountability, particularly regarding climate change misinformation. The conversation sheds light on ethical dilemmas in the digital landscape.

This podcast features Ohm-I, a versatile Nerdcore musician, Dual Core, a dynamic hacking-hip-hop duo, and MC Whitey Cracker, a notable figure in the scene. They dive into the exhilarating intersection of technology and music, sharing tales from their nerdcore journeys. Listeners hear about the vibrant hacker culture of the 90s, the art of email spamming as a business, and how their rebellious roots shaped their music and identities. The energy culminates in spontaneous rap performances, showcasing the creativity of the Nerdcore community.

Andy Greenberg, a senior writer at Wired and author of Sandworm, dives into the startling cyber attack during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. He reveals how critical IT systems were crippled, creating chaos at the event. The discussion takes a sinister turn as Greenberg examines potential state-sponsored attackers like North Korea and Russia, showcasing the complexity of cyber warfare. He also highlights the implications of the landmark indictment of the hacking group Sandworm, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability in the realm of cybersecurity.

Dive into the audacious hacking of JP Morgan Chase, where deceitful knaves exploited a charity website to breach 83 million customer records. Discover the negligence of cybersecurity that allowed this massive data theft. The story reveals a web of crime, detailing the complex schemes of hackers and the alluring temptation of wealth. As investigations unfold, the connection between cybercrime and broader criminal networks highlights the dramatic consequences of unchecked ambition.

Jenna McLaughlin, a national security and investigations reporter for Yahoo News, and Zach Dorfman of the Aspen Institute, delve into a chilling period when the CIA's communications were compromised from 2009 to 2013. They discuss the devastating impact on intelligence operations and the tragic loss of agents due to a breach involving an Iranian double agent. The conversation sheds light on the vulnerabilities of communication systems, the need for secure methods in intelligence, and the bureaucratic hurdles whistleblowers face in raising alarms.

Mikko Hypponen, Chief Research Officer at F-Secure and a malware analysis expert, shares fascinating insights into the dark intersections of cybersecurity and poker. He discusses how hackers exploit online poker games, using malware to gain unfair advantages. Mikko also recounts a gripping story involving a hotel guest's mysteriously returned laptop, highlighting serious security vulnerabilities. Furthermore, he reflects on the evolution of malware over the decades and the ongoing battle against cyber threats, emphasizing the need for cybersecurity awareness in our increasingly connected world.

In this engaging discussion, Matt Suiche, founder of Comae Technology and an expert in incident response, dives deep into the infamous WannaCry ransomware attack of May 2017. He shares firsthand accounts from the UK’s NHS, revealing the chaos as medical staff scrambled to maintain patient care without their usual tech aids. Unpacking the attack's global disruption, Matt highlights the cybersecurity community's rapid response and the pivotal discovery of a 'kill switch' that halted the ransomware, tying it to larger threats from North Korea's notorious Lazarus Group.