The Ransomware Ecosystem: An Encore Holiday Episode

Jim takes a break for some R&R during the holidays and shares his favorite podcast episodes from the year. He acknowledges that some listeners might have heard these episodes already, while others may find them new. The podcast's production is supported by Meter, a company providing integrated networking solutions. Additionally, support from listeners through the Buy Me a Coffee program has helped sustain the shows and expand their content offerings. Jim thanks Meter and the listeners, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 00:00 Introduction and Holiday Plans 00:33 Sponsor Acknowledgment 01:08 Support and Growth 01:55 Final Thoughts and Episode Introduction

Over the holidays we are rerunning some of our favourite episodes. This one first aired this summer and was one of my first conversations with the fascinating head of Operation Shamrock.  We'll be back with regular programming on January 5th. 

Global Cybercrime Crackdowns and Rising Threats This episode of 'Cybersecurity Today' hosted by David Shipley covers significant cybersecurity news. Nigerian police arrested three suspects linked to a Microsoft 365 phishing platform known as Raccoon O365. U.S. prosecutors charged 54 individuals in an ATM malware scheme tied to a Venezuelan criminal organization. Two incident responders pleaded guilty to conducting ransomware attacks while employed to help victims of such attacks. Denmark officially blamed Russia for a cyber attack on a water utility, exacerbating geopolitical tensions. Each segment highlights the intricate and international nature of modern cybercrime and the ongoing challenges in cybersecurity. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:20 Nigerian Police Arrest Phishing Suspects 03:28 US ATM Malware Scheme Uncovered 05:46 Insider Ransomware Attackers Plead Guilty 08:21 Denmark Blames Russia for Cyber Attack 11:08 Conclusion and Holiday Wishes 12:20 Sponsor Message and Closing

Cybersecurity Today brings you a special year-end episode, featuring noteworthy guests Tammy Harper from Flare, Laura Payne from White Tuque, David Shipley from Beauceron Security, and John Pinard, co-host of Project Synapse. This episode delves into the pivotal cybersecurity stories of 2025, including a detailed discussion on MFA phishing attacks, the effectiveness of cybersecurity training, and the troubling trends in ransomware payments. Also covered are the evolving roles of AI in both defending and perpetrating cyber crimes. The guests share their insights, hopes, and concerns for the industry's future, emphasizing the importance of awareness, empathy, and community. Tune in as they reflect on the past year's challenges and successes, and look forward to more resilient and innovative cybersecurity practices in 2026. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:20 Meet the Panelists 01:30 Reflecting on the Year: Achievements and Goals 02:08 Naughty and Nice: Cybersecurity Challenges 03:44 The Rise of Fake Torrents and Piracy 07:07 Ransomware and Data Extortion Trends 18:00 The Importance of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) 26:15 The Persistent Threat of Email Phishing 27:24 AI Vulnerabilities and Security Concerns 28:18 The Role of AI in Social Engineering 29:07 The Impact of AI on Cybersecurity 31:15 The Future of AI and Security Measures 34:40 The Human Element in Cybersecurity 39:49 Hopes and Predictions for the Future 45:33 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Cybersecurity Today: Cisco Zero Day Exploited & Maritime Cyber Attack Unfolds In this episode of Cybersecurity Today, host David Shipley discusses a series of critical cybersecurity incidents, including the exploitation of a zero-day flaw in Cisco email security infrastructure by a China-linked group, a Hollywood-style attack on an Italian ferry involving remote access malware, and a new data theft spree by the ClOP ransomware gang targeting file-sharing servers. Shipley also highlights the broader implications of cybersecurity on physical safety and national security. This episode is brought to you by Meter, a complete networking stack provider for enterprises. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:20 Massive Patch List and Zero-Day Flaw in Cisco 03:41 Latvian Arrested in Italian Ferry Cyberattack 06:31 ClOP Ransomware Gang's New Target 08:54 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

In this episode of Cybersecurity Today, host Jim Love discusses a range of pressing cybersecurity threats. The show covers the escalating React2Shell vulnerability, which has led to widespread automated exploitation campaigns involving crypto miners and back doors. Additionally, Jim reports on the Black Force phishing kit, which bypasses multifactor authentication and is gaining traction among cybercriminals. Microsoft OAuth consent attacks are also highlighted, with users being tricked into granting access to their accounts. Finally, the episode touches on PornHub's data breach involving the Shiny Hunters cybercrime group and the importance of patching vulnerabilities and being cautious during the holiday season. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:22 React2Shell Vulnerability Deep Dive 03:46 Black Force Phishing Toolkit 05:44 Microsoft OAuth Consent Phishing 07:29 PornHub Data Breach by Shiny Hunters 10:21 Holiday Cybersecurity Tips and Final Thoughts

In this episode of Cybersecurity Today, host David Shipley discusses significant developments in the cybersecurity landscape. Apple releases security updates to address two actively exploited WebKit vulnerabilities. Scammers manipulate AI-powered search tools to recommend fake support numbers, reflecting a growing security risk. Bitdefender uncovers malware hidden in torrent subtitles for the movie 'One Battle After Another.' Lastly, an AI named Artemis outperforms human penetration testers in a Stanford hacking experiment, highlighting the evolving role of AI in cybersecurity. Also included are insights on the implications of these events for future cybersecurity challenges. Cybersecurity Today would like to thank Meter for their support in bringing you this podcast. Meter delivers a complete networking stack, wired, wireless and cellular in one integrated solution that's built for performance and scale. You can find them at Meter.com/cst 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:52 Apple's Urgent Security Updates 03:24 AI-Powered Scams: A Growing Threat 06:59 Malware Hidden in Torrents 10:03 AI Outperforms Human Pen Testers 13:25 Conclusion and Contact Information

In this episode of Cybersecurity Today, host Jim Love discusses the shocking discovery of over 80,000 leaked credentials and secrets in online code formatting tools with Jake Knott, a principal security researcher from Watchtower. They delve into the vulnerabilities exposed by these tools, the inadvertent leaking of sensitive information, and how attackers can easily exploit these weaknesses. The conversation covers the types of secrets found, the responses from various organizations, and best practices to prevent such exposures. Tune in to understand the critical importance of protecting your credentials and the steps you can take to avoid falling victim to these types of security breaches. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:22 Accidental Data Leaks: A Growing Concern 00:55 Supply Chain Vulnerabilities 01:47 Shocking Discovery: 80,000+ Secrets Exposed 06:29 Interview with Jake Knott from Watchtower 08:19 The Risks of Using Online Tools 28:23 Best Practices and Mitigation Strategies 35:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity Today: Spider-Man Phishing Kit, Gogs Zero-Day Exploits, and Recent Patches In this episode, host Jim Love discusses recent cybersecurity issues including the Spider-Man phishing kit targeting European banks and cryptocurrency users, a zero-day vulnerability in the self-hosted Git service Gogs, and various security updates. The Spider-Man kit creates highly convincing phishing pages, while the Gogs vulnerability allows remote code execution by exploiting symbolic links. Additionally, updates are covered for a Windows PowerShell zero-day and a zero-click flaw in Google's Gemini Enterprise. The show emphasizes the importance of vigilance and timely patching to mitigate these threats. 00:00 Introduction and Technical Issues 00:20 Sponsor Message: Meter Networking Solutions 00:43 Spider-Man Phishing Kit Targets European Banks 03:13 Gogs Zero-Day Vulnerability Exploited 05:57 Windows PowerShell Zero-Day Patched 08:05 Google Patches Gemini Zero-Click Flaw 10:42 Conclusion and Weekend Show Teaser

Cybersecurity Today: Google Chrome's AI Safety Plan, React2Shell Fixes, & New Ransomware Tactics In this episode of Cybersecurity Today, host Jim Love discusses Google's new security blueprint for AI-powered Chrome agents, highlighting measures against indirect prompt injections and model errors. Learn about Next JS's new tool for addressing the critical React2Shell vulnerability and the emerging threat from Storm 0249 using EDR tools for ransomware. The episode also covers new data showing manufacturers remain top ransomware targets. Sponsored by Meter. 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:22 Google's New Security Plan for Chrome Agents 03:41 Next JS Scanner for React2Shell Vulnerability 05:41 Storm 0249: Malware Hidden in EDR Tools 07:45 Ransomware Targets Manufacturing Sector 09:34 Conclusion and Final Notes