The Extortion Economy

The Extortion Economy

Ransomware is proliferating across the country, disabling computer systems and harming critical infrastructure — hospitals, city governments, schools, even an oil pipeline. The technology that enables ransomware may be new, but extortion and ransom are not. So why is this happening now? And can it be stopped? In this 5-part series from MIT Technology Review and ProPublica we look at the money, people and technology behind the explosion of ransomware that is delivering hundreds of millions of dollars to cybercriminals around the world. Hosted by Meg Marco.

Episodes

November 4, 2021 2 mins
A five part series about the money, technology and people behind the ransomware epidemic from MIT Technology Review and ProPublica.
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After the Colonial Pipeline payment, the FBI followed the money and cybersecurity researchers followed the ransomware group. We followed both. This is part three. We Meet:  Fabian Wosar, CTO, Emsisoft Elvis Chan, Assistant Special Agent in Charge, FBI San Francisco Credits: This series is hosted by Meg Marco and produced by Emma Cillekens, Tate Ryan-Mosley and Anthony Green. It’s inspired by reporting from Renee Dudley and Danie...
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November 23, 2021 21 mins
A new-age iteration of the old-age extortion problem. A ransomware vigilante, a piracy (as in actual boats) expert, a school administrator, and a kidnapping victim share their experiences. This is part one. We Meet: Fabian Wosar, CTO, Emsisoft  Doug Russell, Director of Technology, Haverhill Public Schools Lisa Forte, Co-founder, Red Goat Cyber Security Credits:  This series is hosted by Meg Marco and produced by Emma Cillekens...
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November 23, 2021 22 mins
In an absurd contract, look into the criminal world where the stakes are high, but the methods are increasingly business-like and meet the people who interact with the ransomware hackers. This is part two. We Meet: Chester Wisniewski, Principal Research Scientist, Sophos Allan Liska, Principal Research Scientist, Recorded Future Fabian Wosar, CTO, Emsisoft  Kurtis Minder, CEO, GroupSense Lisa Forte, Co-founder, Red Goat Cyber Sec...
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December 23, 2021 18 mins
We look at the reasons ransomware is so hard to solve and ask hard questions about who is really helping the victims. This is part four. We Meet: Fabian Wosar, CTO, Emsisoft.  Bob Wice, Head of Underwriting Management. Cyber and Tech, Beazley. Bill Siegel, CEO and cofounder, Coveware. Sounds From:  Video: CDOT employees dealing with yet another SamSam ransomware attack, Source: Denver7, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lubGaiNT1IU...
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December 23, 2021 15 mins
The problem of ransomware has many causes but no clear solution. What's coming next? This is part five. We Meet: Fabian Wosar, CTO, Emsisoft  Jake Johnson, North Carolina State Representative Abishur Prakash, Geopolitical Futurist Paul Rosenberg, Mayor, Village of Rye Brook, New York Kimberly W. LaGrue, CIO, City of New Orleans, Louisiana Allan Liska, Principal Research Scientist, Recorded Future Sounds From:  Video: Governor dec...
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