DISCARDED: Tales From the Threat Research Trenches

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 users
• the importance of questioning biases, particularly in cyber threat intelligence where assumptions can shape classifications and responses
• collaboration with Chainalysis to connect various scams through cryptocurrency wallets, showing cross-over between different fraud types

Resources mentioned:
Book: Why Fish Don’t Exist by Lulu Miller

For more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.

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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 vulnerabilities
• resources for victims, and how people can identify hallmarks of these types of scams 
• the role of automation and AI in scaling scams

Resources mentioned:
globalantiscam.org


For more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.

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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 environments
• concerning trends such as the rise of reverse proxy-based toolkits and MFA bypass techniques
• the importance of identity-focused defense strategies and how threat actors customize tools to infiltrate cloud systems, steal data, and monetize compromised accounts

Resources mentioned:
MACT or malicious applications blog: https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/cloud-security/revisiting-mact-malicious-applications-credible-cloud-tenants

For more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.

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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 campaigns
• why traditional defense mechanisms may fall short

Resources mentioned:
https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/malware-must-not-be-named-suspected-espionage-campaign-delivers-voldemort
https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/scammer-abuses-microsoft-365-tenants-relaying-through-proofpoint-servers-deliver

For more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.

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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 actors
• while cyber threats are pervasive, the integrity of the voting process remains strong, backed by robust defenses and ongoing efforts by dedicated professionals

Resources mentioned:
https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/best-laid-plans-ta453-targets-religious-figure-fake-podcast-invite-delivering

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-disrupts-covert-russian-government-sponsored-foreign-malign-influence

https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/above-fold-and-your-inbox-tracing-state-aligned-activity-targeting-journalists

https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/media-coverage-doesnt-deter-actor-threatening-democratic-voters


For more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.

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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 Larson

Rivers of Phish from CitizenLab

https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/best-laid-plans-ta453-targets-religious-figure-fake-podcast-invite-delivering

https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/security-brief-ta450-uses-embedded-links-pdf-attachments-latest-campaign

https://www.elastic.co/security-labs/elastic-catches-dprk-passing-out-kandykorn

https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/ta444-apt-startup-aimed-at-your-funds

https://www.theguardian.com/music/shortcuts/2019/jan/29/digital-security-taylor-swift-facetime-privacy-bug-breaches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYHmTjFW-nY

https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/ta422s-dedicated-exploitation-loop-same-week-after-week

https://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.

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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 Framework
https://www.wired.com/author/eric-geller/

For more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.

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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 actors
• the value of empathy and collaboration among security teams
• practical steps for building shared lab environments

Resources mentioned:

DeathCON
Operation Endgame 
Clipboard to Compromise Blog: https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/clipboard-compromise-powershell-self-pwn
DFIR Report Labs: https://thedfirreport.com/services/dfir-labs/


For more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.

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Hello, Cyber Stars! In today's episode of the Discarded Podcast, hosts Selena Larson and Pim Trouerbach are joined by Andy Greenberg, Senior Writer at WIRED. Known for his deep dives into the world of hacking, cybersecurity, and surveillance, Andy shares his journey of uncovering and telling compelling stories about the digital underworld.

The conversation kicks off with Andy detailing his extensive experience in cybersecurity journalism and his knack for long-form storytelling. He shares insights into his acclaimed Wired article on the Mirai botnet hackers and discusses his latest book, Tracers in the Dark: The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency. 


We also talk about: 

• the intricate world of cryptocurrency and its unintended consequence of fueling ransomware attacks 
• the rise of pig butchering scams, now dwarfing ransomware in financial impact
• the ethical dilemmas and real-world consequences of cybercrime

Resources mentioned:
Sandworm: A New Era of Cyberwar and the Hunt for the Kremlin's Most Dangerous Hackers by Andy Greenberg
Tracers in the Dark: The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency by Andy Greenberg
https://www.wired.com/story/mirai-untold-story-three-young-hackers-web-killing-monster/
https://www.wired.com/story/crypto-home-invasion-crime-ring/
https://www.wired.com/story/tigran-gambaryan-us-congress-resolution-hostage-nigeria/ 


For more information about Proofpoint, check out our website.


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