Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast

• The Professionalization of the Ransomware Criminal Ecosystem

  In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by ransomware experts Allan Liska from Recorded Future and Jonathan Braley, Director of Threat Intelligence for IT-ISAC, to get a pulse check on the current state of ransomware.   They discuss how ransomware has shifted from simple attacks, like Locky, to more sophisticated, high-stakes campaigns targeting entire networks and demanding millions of dollars. Allan and Jonathan also highlight the rise of ransomware-as-a-service, the emergence of big game hunting attacks, and the increasingly professionalized criminal ecosystem surrounding ransomware. The conversation further explores the psychological aspects of cybercrime, focusing on the mindset of ransomware operators—particularly in Eastern Europe and Russia—where the line between crime and business can often be blurred.  In this episode you’ll learn:       Why attackers now target entire networks instead of just single machines  How cybercriminal groups turned ransomware into a profitable business model  The unique challenges healthcare employees face during ransomware attacks  Findings from IT-ISAC's recent ransomware reports    Some questions we ask:        How did the Colonial Pipeline attack lead to real-world actions?  Will paying the ransom restore the organization's data and operations?  What are the differences between ransomware from 10-12 years ago and ransomware today?    Resources:   View Allan Liska on LinkedIn   View Jonathan Braley on LinkedIn   View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn     IT-ISAC Ransomware report  Food and AG-ISAC Ransomware report  Related Microsoft Podcasts:                    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  The BlueHat Podcast  Uncovering Hidden Risks        Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts     Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider      The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

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• Malvertising Campaign Leads to Info Stealers Hosted on Github

  In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Senior Microsoft Security Researcher Kajhon Soyini to explore the Luma Stealer cryptocurrency mining campaign targeting individual computers as part of a large-scale malvertising campaign. They discuss the sophisticated attack chain, which includes DLLs, clipboard malware, process injection via Explorer.exe, and how this impacted nearly one million devices around the globe.   Kajhon explains how attackers use registry modifications, WMI event consumers, and obfuscation techniques like non-standard ports and reverse shells to maintain persistence and evade detection. The duo also covers Microsoft's defense efforts and the challenges of tracking down the origins of these attacks.  In this episode you’ll learn:       Why the attack chain incorporates legacy malware like NetSupport RAT  The overlap between the Luma Stealer and Donarium malware families  How Luma Stealer uses GitHub repositories and redirector networks to deliver malicious payloads    Some questions we ask:         Can you explain how the malware uses the “image file execution objects” registry path?  What role does Netcat play in this campaign’s command and control?  Why do people still mine cryptocurrency today, with all the complexities and attack methods?    Resources:   View Kajhon Soyini on LinkedIn   View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn   Connect with Sherrod and the team at RSAC    Related Microsoft Podcasts:                    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  The BlueHat Podcast  Uncovering Hidden Risks        Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts     Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider      The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

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• A Blizzard Is Impacting NATO and Ukraine – The Latest on Russian Cyber Threats

  In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by two Microsoft security researchers to analyze the latest Russian nation-sponsored cyber threat activity. They discuss how Russian threat actors—collectively referred to by Microsoft with the Blizzard suffix—are primarily targeting Ukraine and NATO member states, focusing on espionage, influence operations, and cyber disruption. The conversation covers Russia’s reliance on cybercrime infrastructure, the vulnerabilities of academic and IT supply chains, and the evolving tactics of groups like Secret Blizzard and Seashell Blizzard.     In this episode you’ll learn:       Why 90% of Russian cyber-attacks target Ukraine and NATO member states  How Russian threat actors exploit academic identities to infiltrate government networks  The role of cybercriminal marketplaces in supplying tools and access to nation-state actors    Some questions we ask:         How does Secret Blizzard leverage infrastructure from other threat groups?  Is there evidence of collaboration between different Russian cyber groups?  Why is identity security such a critical factor in cyber defense?      Resources:   Attending RSAC? Connect with Sherrod and Microsoft  View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  The BlueHat Podcast  Uncovering Hidden Risks        Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts     Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider      The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

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• Microsoft’s CVP of Fraud on Combating Ecosystem Abuse

  In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by two expert guests to explore critical challenges in today’s evolving threat landscape.  First, Sherrod sits down with Kelly Bissell, CVP of Fraud at Microsoft, to discuss the complexities of combating fraud and product abuse. Kelly digs into the unique challenges Microsoft faces, highlighting prevalent schemes such as crypto mining, tech support scams, and the exploitation of deepfakes. Kelly also shares insights into Microsoft’s proactive approach, including recent Azure policy changes and efforts to detect and prevent fraud across its services, especially those attempting to use the compute power for crypto mining.  Later, Sherrod is joined by Priyanka Ramesha, Senior Threat Researcher on the Defender Experts team, to examine the rising risks of cloud-native attacks. They unpack why threat actors are increasingly targeting the cloud, exploiting its complexity, scalability, and common misconfigurations. Priyanka explains how attackers gain initial access through tactics like phishing, API exploitation, and OAuth abuse, and outlines their methods for credential theft, lateral movement, and data exfiltration.  In this episode you’ll learn:       What crypto mining looks like in Azure and how Microsoft detects and prevents it  The five main areas of fraud and product abuse that Microsoft focuses on  How attackers exploit the complexity and misconfigurations in cloud infrastructures    Some questions we ask:         How long do crypto mining operations run unnoticed in a customer's environment?  What changes did Microsoft make to its policy regarding crypto mining?  Why are legitimate apps sometimes compromised and used in attacks?    Resources:   View Kelly Bissell on LinkedIn    View Priyanka Ramesha on LinkedIn   View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  The BlueHat Podcast  Uncovering Hidden Risks        Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts     Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider    The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

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• Seashell Blizzard Ramping Up Operations and OSINT Trends of DPRK Threat Actors

  In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by security researchers Elise Eldridge and Anna Seitz to discuss the most recent notable developments across the threat landscape.   The threat actor, also known as Sandworm or APT44, has also been observed resuming the use of the wrappers WalnutWipe and SharpWipe, and expanded the use of the Prickly Pear malware downloader. The team highlights the geopolitical implications of these attacks, particularly in the context of Russia's influence on energy and global events. Sherrod also touches on the history of wipers in cyber operations and transitions to a discussion with Elise about trends in North Korean cyber activity, emphasizing Microsoft's ongoing efforts to analyze and mitigate these threats.  In this episode you’ll learn:       Why recent attacks have targeted the European energy sector  How Seashell Blizzard’s attacks in 2024 involved spear-phishing campaigns  Why North Korean hackers infiltrate companies through remote IT job programs    Some questions we ask:        How has Seashell Blizzard returned to using wipers, and what might explain this shift?  After sending out crafted spear-phishing emails, what happens next in the attack chain?  How might global geopolitics impact Seashell Blizzard's campaigns?     Resources:   View Elise Eldridge LinkedIn   View Anna Seitz on LinkedIn   View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn     Related Microsoft Podcasts:                    Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson  The BlueHat Podcast  Uncovering Hidden Risks        Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts     Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider      The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of N2K media network.

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