May 22, 2025

What is ransomware and what can be done to stop it?

28 minutes

In the past few weeks Marks & Spencer, the Co-op and Harrods have all been grappling with the effects of cyber attacks. The most profitable form of cyber attack at the moment is ransomware where criminals infiltrate computer systems, shut them down and then demand a ransom to restore services, or even to stop them publishing data they’ve stolen. This is now a global criminal industry which can affect the running of whole businesses. Marks & Spencer said this week that disruption to its online ordering service would continue throughout June and into July. David Aaronovitch asks his guests how ransomware works, who is responsible and what can be done to stop it.

Guests:

Emily Taylor, CEO of Oxford Information Labs and co-founder Global Signal Exchange

Geoff White, investigative journalist and author and co-host of the BBC’s podcast series, The Lazarus Heist

Susan Landau, Professor of Cyber Security and Policy at Tufts University

Professor Alan Woodward, a computer security expert at the University of Surrey

Presenter: David Aaronovitch

Producers: Caroline Bayley, Kirsteen Knight and Nathan Gower

Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison

Sound Engineers: James Beard and Neil Churchill

Editor: Richard Vadon

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