DISCARDED: Tales From the Threat Research Trenches

Send us fan mail!Hello to all our Cyber Magicians! Join host Selena Larson and guest host,Tim Kromphardt, as they speak with Hannah Rapetti, the Takedown Services Manager at Proofpoint. Hannah shares her fascinating journey from librarian to cybersecurity expert, detailing her path into the industry through certifications, CTFs (Capture the Flag), and the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) community.The conversation dives into real-world examples, techniques, and strategies used to identify, track, and eliminate malicious domains.Key Topics Covered:Collaborative Efforts: How teams work together to identify scam websites, gather evidence, and escalate for takedown.Tools and Techniques: Using tools like domain search, backend kits identification, and IP-based connections to uncover related sites.Challenges in Takedowns: Managing lists of hundreds of domains across multiple providers, verifying live activity, and the need for ongoing monitoring.Threat Actor Behavior: How threat actors use multiple registrars or re-register domains to evade detection.Best Practices for Organizations:Preemptively purchasing lookalike domains.Monitoring new domain registrations for suspicious activity.Educating users to identify and avoid malicious domains.Ethical Considerations: Balancing infrastructure disruption with the need for ongoing research, particularly for cyber espionage threats.Favorite Wins: Memorable investigations, such as takedowns during the Super Bowl, fake Olympics ticket scams, and real-time disruption of pig-butchering schemes.The episode highlights the importance of domain takedowns not just for individual companies but for contributing to a safer internet ecosystem. It’s a mix of practical advice, real-life stories, and insights into the ongoing battle against cybercrime.Resources mentioned:Genina Po Discarded Episodehttps://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/pig-butchers-join-gig-economy-cryptocurrency-scammers-target-job-seekers https://www.wicys.org/ https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/pig-butchers-join-gig-economy-cryptocurrency-scammers-target-job-seekers https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/discarded-tales-from-the-threat-research-trenches/id1612506550?i=1000677061400 https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/security-brief-scammers-create-fraudulent-olympics-ticketing-websitesFor more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.Subscribe & Follow:Don't miss out on future episodes—subscribe to the Discarded Podcast on your favorite platform.

Send us fan mail!Hello to all our Cyber Pals! Join host Selena Larson and guest, ransomware expert, Allan Liska, CSIRT at Recorded Future, drops by to share his creative take on cyber-themed graphic novels, proving there’s nothing ransomware can’t inspire—even superheroes. In this episode, we uncover the shadowy ecosystem driving ransomware attacks, from the industrialization of cybercrime to the rise of "small-batch" threat actors redefining chaos. Explore how Operation Endgame dealt a devastating blow to malware powerhouses like Pikabot and SmokeLoader, shaking trust within underground networks and leaving cybercriminals scrambling to regroup.We’ll also decode the evolving tactics of ransomware gangs, from slick AI-powered voice disguises to the surprising shift toward consumer scams. Plus, we’ll discuss whether law enforcement’s crackdown will make ransomware too expensive for crooks, forcing them to rethink their game plans—or at least settle for less glamorous schemes like crypto theft.Don’t miss the Champagne pick that pairs perfectly with ransomware disruptions! 🥂Resources mentioned:https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/2024-crypto-crime-mid-year-update-part-1/https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/how-scammers-hijack-their-victims-brains/https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/review-attacks-associated-lapsus-and-related-threat-groups-reporthttps://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/major-botnets-disrupted-global-law-enforcement-takedownhttps://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-charges-russian-national-developing-and-operating-lockbit-ransomwarehttps://therecord.media/russian-national-in-custody-extraditedhttps://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa24-241ahttps://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/north-korean-threat-group-play-ransomware/https://therecord.media/chamelgang-china-apt-ransomware-distractionhttps://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.recordedfuture.com/research/outmaneuvering-rhysida-advanced-threat-intelligence-shields-critical-infrastructure-ransomware__;!!ORgEfCBsr282Fw!pYnNQZUQJLJTFlj5w7PcWRjyr6rh-logFnqo03_Mz19RUrK4rftQU1qbTj_iql3KNjn4Ub7a5LsDLpCJgdJQSA$For more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.Subscribe & Follow:Don't miss out on future episodes—subscribe to the Discarded Podcast on your favorite platform.

Send us fan mail!Hello to all our Cyber Frogs! Join host Selena Larson and guest host, Sarah Sabotka, explore the evolving tactics of China-based nation-state threat actors with guest Mark Kelly, Staff Threat Researcher at Proofpoint. They focus on TA415 (APT41 or Brass Typhoon), examining its combination of cybercrime and state-sponsored espionage. From the Voldemort malware campaign to targeting critical infrastructure, Mark sheds light on how these actors leverage tools like Google Sheets for command and control, exploit vulnerabilities, and adapt to evade detection.The discussion also highlights:the strategic importance of edge devices, pre-positioning for geopolitical escalations, and the intersection of espionage, gaming, and cybercrime Operational Relay Boxes (ORBs), covert networks used by Chinese Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups to mask cyber activities exploitation of non-traditional systems and vulnerabilitiesthe impact of compromised consumer devices on global cybersecurityResources mentioned:https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/26/us/politics/salt-typhoon-hack-what-we-know.htmlhttps://cyberscoop.com/salt-typhoon-us-telecom-hack-earth-estries-trend-micro-report/https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/malware-must-not-be-named-suspected-espionage-campaign-delivers-voldemorthttps://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/state-hackers-turn-to-massive-orb-proxy-networks-to-evade-detection/For more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.Subscribe & Follow:Don't miss out on future episodes—subscribe to the Discarded Podcast on your favorite platform.

Send us fan mail!Hello to all our Cyber Pals! Join host Selena Larson and guest, Genina Po, Threat Researcher at Emerging Threats at Proofpoint. She shares how she tackles emerging cyber threats, breaking down the process of turning data into detection signatures. Using tools like Suricata to create detections for malicious activity, she maps out her approach to writing rules that identify and block these threats.The goal? Equip companies to stay secure, and encourage listeners with the skills to spot and prevent scams on their own. Genina shares her journey tracking pig butchering scams through thousands of domains and URLs. She reveals patterns—certain headers and markers—that help identify these sites amid a flood of data, and she describes the challenges in detection, as scammers increasingly vary their setups to evade filters. Also discussed:proactive measures against phishing and fraud sites, with Proofpoint using "takedown" services to remove malicious domains, disrupting scams before they impact usersthe importance of questioning biases, particularly in cyber threat intelligence where assumptions can shape classifications and responsescollaboration with Chainalysis to connect various scams through cryptocurrency wallets, showing cross-over between different fraud typesResources mentioned:Book: Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu MillerFor more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.Subscribe & Follow:Don't miss out on future episodes—subscribe to the Discarded Podcast on your favorite platform.

Send us fan mail!A note to our listeners, this episode contains some content our listeners might find upsetting including mentions of human trafficking. Hello to all our Pumpkin Spice Cyber Friends! Join host Selena Larson  and guest host, Sarah Sabotka as they chat with senior threat researcher and fraud expert Tim Kromphardt. They talk about the world of pig butchering and crypto romance scams, where Tim discusses how these scams manipulate victims' feelings, making it incredibly hard to escape, even when presented with evidence of the scam. And how these threat actors have expanded their enterprises to include job scamming. He explains the challenges of tracking funds through cryptocurrency systems, and why these scams are so profitable.  The episode highlights the need for victims to speak out and share their stories without shame, breaking the cycle and raising awareness.Also discussed:how psychological manipulation can be just as damaging as technical vulnerabilitiesresources for victims, and how people can identify hallmarks of these types of scams the role of automation and AI in scaling scamsResources mentioned:globalantiscam.orgFor more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.Subscribe & Follow:Don't miss out on future episodes—subscribe to the Discarded Podcast on your favorite platform.

In this engaging conversation, Eilon Bendet, a Cloud Threat Researcher at Proofpoint, shares his expertise on the ever-evolving landscape of cloud security. He dives into account takeovers and the tactics hackers use, including credential brute force attacks and targeted phishing. Eilon highlights the growing challenges posed by state-sponsored actors and sophisticated reverse proxy toolkits. They also discuss the vital role of User and Entity Behavior Analytics in detecting anomalies, emphasizing the need for robust identity defense strategies to combat these cloud threats.

Joe Wise, Senior Threat Researcher, and Kyle Cucci, Staff Threat Researcher, from Proofpoint, dive into the crafty world of cybercrime. They discuss how attackers exploit legitimate services like Google Drive and Dropbox to blend in with normal traffic. Fascinating trends highlight the use of Cloudflare tunnels and malware like Xworm and Venom Rat. They also tackle the complexities of detection and the evolution of threat strategies, revealing the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between cybercriminals and defenders.

Send us fan mail!Hello to all our cyber citizens! Join host Selena Larson and today’s co-host, Tim Kromphardt, as they chat with Joshua Miller, Senior Threat Researcher and Rob Kinner, Senior Threat Analyst both from Proofpoint.With election season on the horizon, cyber attackers are sharpening their tactics—impersonating government agencies, emailing journalists, and crafting sophisticated phishing schemes. But how real is the threat? And what can be done to protect our democracy from the digital shadows? Today, we pull back the curtain on the unseen battles being fought in cyberspace and what it means for voters, journalists, and defenders alike.The discussion covers a range of election threats, from malicious domains, impersonation, and typo-squatting to sophisticated credential phishing campaigns that exploit government and election-related themes.Also discussed:how state-sponsored actors from DPRK, Russia, and China are interested in espionage around election related topics the impersonation of various government entities for phishing purposes, revealing the creativity and resourcefulness of threat actorswhile cyber threats are pervasive, the integrity of the voting process remains strong, backed by robust defenses and ongoing efforts by dedicated professionalsResources mentioned:https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/best-laid-plans-ta453-targets-religious-figure-fake-podcast-invite-deliveringhttps://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-disrupts-covert-russian-government-sponsored-foreign-malign-influencehttps://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/above-fold-and-your-inbox-tracing-state-aligned-activity-targeting-journalistshttps://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/media-coverage-doesnt-deter-actor-threatening-democratic-votersFor more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.Subscribe & Follow:Don't miss out on future episodes—subscribe to the Discarded Podcast on your favorite platform.

Send us fan mail!Hello to all our mindful and demure cyber sleuths! Join host Selena Larson and today’s co-host, Sarah Sabotka as they chat with Joshua Miller and Greg Lesnewich, Threat Researchers at Proofpoint about the ever-evolving world of advanced persistent threats (APTs).The team unravels the latest espionage tactics of threat actors from Iran, North Korea, and Russia, exploring everything from Iran’s sophisticated social engineering campaigns to North Korea’s customized Mac malware.They also highlight the increasing interest in MacOS malware in the cybercrime landscape and examine examine the threat posed by a group targeting AI researchers with unique malware like "SugarGh0st RAT."Also discussed:the quirky and often amusing names given to malware campaigns in the cybersecurity world.unexpected connections between cybersecurity and pop culture, featuring a discussion on how celebrities like Taylor Swift handle digital security.what recent activity suggests about the actors’ changing tactics.Resources mentioned:SleuthCon Talk: Presenter, Selena LarsonRivers of Phish from CitizenLabhttps://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/best-laid-plans-ta453-targets-religious-figure-fake-podcast-invite-deliveringhttps://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/security-brief-ta450-uses-embedded-links-pdf-attachments-latest-campaignhttps://www.elastic.co/security-labs/elastic-catches-dprk-passing-out-kandykornhttps://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/ta444-apt-startup-aimed-at-your-fundshttps://www.theguardian.com/music/shortcuts/2019/jan/29/digital-security-taylor-swift-facetime-privacy-bug-breacheshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYHmTjFW-nYhttps://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/ta422s-dedicated-exploitation-loop-same-week-after-weekhttps://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/security-brief-artificial-sweetener-sugargh0st-rat-used-target-american For more information about Proofpoint,

Eric Geller, a cybersecurity reporter and host of the Hoth Takes podcast, explores the fascinating intersections between Star Wars and cybersecurity. He discusses how iconic moments, like the Rebel infiltration of the Death Star, mirror modern hacking tactics. Geller and co-hosts analyze character traits that resonate with cyber roles, and even contemplate who would be the best CISO in the Star Wars universe. Dive into the lessons of social engineering and strategic vulnerabilities, revealing how a galaxy far, far away holds valuable insights for today’s digital defense.