In this “best of” episode of the Shared Security Podcast, we revisit a discussion from September 2020 that’s just as relevant today as it was then. First, we cover how ransomware attacks forced several school districts—including Hartford, CT and Toledo, OH—to delay or shut down classes on the very first day of school. Then we dive into Google Chrome’s new (at the time) update designed to block resource-heavy ads, making browsing faster and safer. Finally, we look at Microsoft’s warning about foreign interference attempts targeting the 2020 U.S. election.

What makes this episode especially powerful to revisit is how little has changed since we first talked about these threats. Schools and universities continue to be prime targets for ransomware attacks, with districts across the U.S. still struggling to protect their students and staff from disruptions. Browser security remains a critical piece of the puzzle as online ads continue to be exploited for tracking, scams, and malware delivery. And concerns about foreign interference in democratic elections are just as pressing in 2025 as they were in 2020.

Cybersecurity may evolve, but the challenges we face remain strikingly familiar.