
Click Here
The podcast that tells true stories about the people making and breaking our digital world. We take listeners into the world of cyber and intelligence without all the techie jargon. Every Tuesday and Friday, former NPR investigations correspondent Dina Temple-Raston and the team draw back the curtain on ransomware attacks, mysterious hackers, and the people who are trying to stop them.
Latest episodes

6 snips
Nov 8, 2024 • 20min
181. A hacker’s final frontier — Space
Joseph Cox, host of the 404 Media Podcast, dives into the pressing issues discussed at the Value of Space Summit, where experts worry about hackers targeting satellites and space debris. They explore critical cybersecurity threats in space exploration and national security implications regarding adversarial countries. Cox highlights the role of commercial space ventures during the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the urgent need for collaborative efforts to tackle space debris and protect vital infrastructure from emerging technological challenges.

18 snips
Nov 5, 2024 • 19min
180. Mic Drop Exclusive: Gen. Nakasone says reports about influence campaigns are ‘a sign of success’
Retired General Paul Nakasone, former commander of U.S. Cyber Command, shares insights on cybersecurity and election integrity. He discusses the proactive measures being taken to secure the 2024 elections against foreign influence, particularly from Russia and China. Nakasone highlights the role of AI in detecting malicious activity, especially foreign bots. He also addresses the rise of election-related extremism fueled by conspiracy theories, underlining the importance of communication and countering misinformation.

5 snips
Nov 1, 2024 • 11min
179. Mic Drop: Guardians of the Galaxy are sitting in Colorado Springs
This discussion uncovers the hidden dangers posed by solar storms, revealing their potential to disrupt critical infrastructure like the internet and power grids. The role of the Space Watch Center in monitoring these threats is crucial for national security. Insights into coronal mass ejections highlight their significant effects on technology and satellite operations. Additionally, the podcast sheds light on efforts to enhance resilience in the space sector amid rising cyber threats, emphasizing the importance of communication and data sharing in safeguarding our space assets.

Oct 29, 2024 • 23min
178. Saving Odie: A team of space geeks, a scrappy lunar lander and today’s hackable space race
Tim Crane, co-founder of Intuitive Machines, discusses the thrilling journey of the Odysseus lunar lander as part of NASA's Artemis program. The team faced significant challenges, including a critical failure in Odie’s laser altimeters, prompting innovative solutions to save the mission. Crane shares how coding and cyber skills became essential for navigating unexpected malfunctions. The excitement peaks when a coding team manages to reboot the lander, raising important discussions on cybersecurity vulnerabilities in space exploration.

14 snips
Oct 25, 2024 • 12min
177. Mic Drop: NSA’s David Luber on Russia, China and the power of partnerships
David Luber, Director of Cybersecurity at the NSA and an expert in cybersecurity and national security, discusses the critical landscape of cyber threats linked to geopolitical tensions. He explains how U.S. Cyber Command has proactively aided Ukraine against malware threats. Luber highlights the importance of partnerships in countering evolving cyber warfare, particularly focusing on the challenges from Russia and emerging threats from China's hacking units. The conversation underscores the necessity of intelligence sharing and collaboration in the fight against ransomware and cyber threats.

Oct 22, 2024 • 21min
176. Spamouflage: Is China’s best known disinformation gang taking new aim at the US?
Darren Linville, a Professor at Clemson University and co-founder of the Media Forensics Lab, discusses China's unique disinformation tactics. He delves into how the Chinese strategy differs from Russia's, focusing on the Spamouflage group’s influence on U.S. political discourse, particularly around Senator Marco Rubio. Linville explains the evolution of these tactics from previous elections, the implications for future campaigns, and the role of automated accounts in shaping public opinion. His insights reveal a complex landscape of misinformation that poses challenges for democracies.

Oct 18, 2024 • 9min
175. Mic Drop: Kraken CSO Nick Percoco’s unusual anti-scamming campaign
Nick Percoco, Chief Security Officer at Kraken, teams up with YouTube scambaiter Kitboga to launch a unique anti-scam campaign. They delve into the comedic yet powerful world of scam baiting, revealing how humor can educate the public and frustrate scammers. Percoco discusses the devastating impact of the Mt. Gox scandal and how Kraken is developing tools to protect clients, especially vulnerable retirees. Their innovative tactics even include using information from scammers themselves to aid law enforcement in their efforts.

13 snips
Oct 15, 2024 • 26min
174. Beyond Ukraine: Russia wages low-grade, hybrid attacks on Europe
Max Bergman, a Russia expert from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins Adam Siegel, a cybersecurity authority at the Council on Foreign Relations; Keir Giles, who studies Russian foreign policy; and Andrea Kendall-Taylor, a senior fellow focusing on Russian influence. They delve into Russia's hybrid warfare tactics across Europe, detailing acts of sabotage and the dangers of disinformation. The panel emphasizes the need for robust countermeasures and public awareness to combat these destabilizing actions and maintain global security.

Oct 11, 2024 • 11min
173. Mic Drop: Hear ye, Hear ye, the Hacker’s Court is in session
Jon DiMaggio, Chief Security Strategist at Analyst1 and expert in dark web activities, discusses the unconventional world of hacker disputes. He likens the underground system to a people's court, highlighting how cybercriminals resolve conflicts through established rules. DiMaggio reveals the impact of law enforcement's infiltration of the Lockbit gang and how it has upended hacker dynamics. He delves into a dramatic conflict over a hefty ransom payment, illustrating the tension and ethics within this covert community.

13 snips
Oct 8, 2024 • 24min
172. Want a crypto education? A new WhatsApp scam is tailor-made just for you.
Gary Warner, the Director of Research at the Computer Forensics Lab in Alabama, dives into the murky waters of cryptocurrency scams. He shares a harrowing tale of a WhatsApp group masquerading as an educational resource, drawing unsuspecting investors into traps. Learn how cybercriminals gather personal data to craft targeted scams and the staggering impact of fraudulent schemes like XMedcoin. Warner emphasizes the vital role of blockchain analysis in unraveling these scams and urges us to educate ourselves and others about the hidden dangers in the crypto world.