Stealth, Scale, and Strategy: Exploring China’s Covert Network Tactics

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hello to all our Cyber Ghosts! Join host Selena Larson  as she chats with Eilon Bendet– Cloud Threat Researcher from Proofpoint. ​​From account takeovers to state-sponsored hacks, they uncover how cybercriminals are outsmarting traditional defenses – and why even multi-factor authentication might not be enough to keep them out. Together, they discuss the complexities of cloud threat detection, including the role of User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) in identifying suspicious activities and preventing account takeovers (ATO). Eilon breaks down two primary ATO threat vectors—credential-based brute force attacks and precision-targeted phishing campaigns. Also discussed:how these groups exploit cloud environmentsconcerning trends such as the rise of reverse proxy-based toolkits and MFA bypass techniquesthe importance of identity-focused defense strategies and how threat actors customize tools to infiltrate cloud systems, steal data, and monetize compromised accountsResources mentioned:MACT or malicious applications blog: https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/cloud-security/revisiting-mact-malicious-applications-credible-cloud-tenantsFor 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.

Hello to all our Pumpkin Spice cyber friends! Join host Selena Larson and today’s co-host, Tim Kromphardt, as they chat with Joe Wise, Senior Threat Researcher and Kyle Cucci, Staff Threat Researcher both from Proofpoint.Together, they unpack recent campaigns involving the abuse of legitimate services, particularly focusing on the clever tactics used by cybercriminals to evade detection.Joe and Kyle discuss a fascinating trend where attackers are leveraging Cloudflare’s temporary tunnels, bundling Python packages, and deploying a range of malware like Xworm and Venom Rat. They explore the increasing abuse of legitimate services like Google Drive, Adobe Acrobat, and Dropbox, which allow attackers to blend in with regular business traffic. The conversation also touches on a range of threat clusters, including Exormactor and Voldemort malware, and TA2541, who have consistently leveraged Google Drive URLs to spread malicious content. Also discussed:the challenge of detecting and mitigating these types of threats and the importance of staying ahead of the evolving attack strategies the motivations behind these campaignswhy traditional defense mechanisms may fall shortResources mentioned:https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/malware-must-not-be-named-suspected-espionage-campaign-delivers-voldemorthttps://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/scammer-abuses-microsoft-365-tenants-relaying-through-proofpoint-servers-deliverFor 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.

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.

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, check out our website.Subscribe & Follow:Don't miss out on future episodes—subscribe to the Discarded Podcast on your favorite platform.

Hello, cyber rebels! Ever wondered what lightsabers, the Force, and intergalactic battles have in common with the world of cybersecurity? Welcome to a special episode of the Discarded Podcast. Join host Selena and co-host Greg Lesnewich, Senior Threat Researcher at Proofpoint, along with our guest, Eric Geller, cybersecurity reporter and host of the Hoth Takes Star Wars podcast, as they dive into the fascinating intersection of Star Wars and cybersecurity. He reveals how the tactics and strategies from a galaxy far, far away can be applied to modern-day digital defense.Greg and Eric share their love for Star Wars while drawing parallels between iconic moments from the saga and modern cybersecurity practices. Ever wondered how the Rebels' infiltration of the Death Star reflects real-world hacking techniques? Or how the Empire's security flaws could be lessons for today's digital defenses? We've got you covered. They highlight how living off the land techniques, identity protection failures, and internal security oversights in the Star Wars universe can teach us valuable lessons for defending against cyber threats.From red teaming with Han and Chewbacca to intelligence analysis with Princess Leia, and even hardware hacking with Babu Frik, we cover a broad spectrum of cyber roles through the lens of Star Wars. We also delve into who would make the best CISO in the Star Wars universe, with some surprising nominations and entertaining analogies.Whether you're a Star Wars enthusiast or a cybersecurity professional, this episode provides a unique and entertaining perspective on the skills and strategies essential for both realms. Tune in for a fun and insightful conversation that bridges the gap between fiction and reality in the most engaging way possible.Resources mentioned:Hoth Takes (podcast)NIST Frameworkhttps://www.wired.com/author/eric-geller/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.

Hello, Cyber Stars! In today's episode of the Discarded Podcast, hosts Selena Larson and Sarah Sabotka are joined by Randy Pargman, Director of Threat Detection at Proofpoint. Randy shares his extensive experience in cybersecurity, from working at the FBI and understanding law enforcement’s role in cyber defense, to endpoint detection and response, to his current role at Proofpoint.We explore the relentless cat-and-mouse game between cyber defenders and threat actors. Randy discusses the importance of Detection Engineering and Threat Hunting (DEATH) and how these disciplines work together to outsmart cybercriminals. He also highlights the significance of log data retention and how investing in longer retention periods can drastically improve the efficacy of detection measures.Randy touches on the upcoming DEATHCon, a must-attend event for cybersecurity professionals. He shares fascinating stories and analogies, making complex cybersecurity concepts accessible and engaging.We also talk about: the concept of the "pyramid of pain" and how spending too much time on IOCs can be a losing battle against agile threat actorsthe value of empathy and collaboration among security teamspractical steps for building shared lab environmentsResources mentioned:DeathCONOperation Endgame Clipboard to Compromise Blog: https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/clipboard-compromise-powershell-self-pwnDFIR Report Labs: https://thedfirreport.com/services/dfir-labs/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.