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.
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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.
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 Daniel Golden from ProPublica. We're edited by Bobbie Johnson, Michael Reilly, Mat Honan and Robin Fields. Our mix engineer is Erick Gomez. Our theme music is by Jacob Gorski. Art is from Lisa Larson-Walker and Eric Mongeon. Emma Cillekens is our voice coach. The executive producers of The Extortion Economy podcast are Meg Marco and Jennifer Strong.
Sounds From:
Video: Colonial Pipeline hack leads to gas shortage
Source: ABC News, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be3gpaTQJlA
Video: Cyberattack of Colonial Pipeline drives panic buying in Tampa Bay
Source: WFLA News Channel 8, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgDyz31sIhI
Video: Fuel starts flowing after Colonial Pipeline restarts operations
Source: ABC News, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgWSgQf_dSc
Video: Department of Justice officials discuss Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack
Souce: PBS News Hour, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwjDMJi8hOQ
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.
