The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast
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Recent Episodes
Microsoft’s CVP of Fraud on Combating Ecosystem Abuse
In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by two expert guests to explore critical challenges in today’s evolving threat landscape. First, Sherrod sits down with Kelly Bissell, CVP of Fraud at Microsoft, to discuss the complexities of combating fraud and product abuse. Kelly digs into the unique challenges Microsoft faces, highlighting prevalent schemes such as crypto mining, tech support scams, and the exploitation of deepfakes. Kelly also shares insights into Microsoft’s proactive approach, including recent Azure policy changes and efforts to detect and prevent fraud across its services, especially those attempting to use the compute power for crypto mining. Later, Sherrod is joined by Priyanka Ramesha, Senior Threat Researcher on the Defender Experts team, to examine the rising risks of cloud-native attacks. They unpack why threat actors are increasingly targeting the cloud, exploiting its complexity, scalability, and common misconfigurations. Priyanka explains how attackers gain initial access through tactics like phishing, API exploitation, and OAuth abuse, and outlines their methods for credential theft, lateral movement, and data exfiltration.
Seashell Blizzard Ramping Up Operations and OSINT Trends of DPRK Threat Actors
In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by security researchers Elise Eldridge and Anna Seitz to discuss the most recent notable developments across the threat landscape. The conversation centers around Seashell Blizzard, a threat actor also known as Sandworm or APT-44, which has been active since at least 2013. Recently, Seashell Blizzard has resumed using spear-phishing campaigns targeting the European energy sector and Ukrainian entities, deploying destructive malware like Walnut Wipe and Prickly Pear. The team highlights the geopolitical implications of these attacks, particularly in the context of Russia's influence on energy and global events. Sherrod also touches on the history of wipers in cyber operations and transitions to a discussion with Elise about trends in North Korean cyber activity, emphasizing Microsoft's ongoing efforts to analyze and mitigate these threats.
Threat Landscape Update: North Korean IT Workers, OSINT, and Remote Monitoring and Management Abuse
In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by security researchers Caitlin Hopkins, Diana Duvieilh, and Anna Seitz to discuss the latest trends in cybersecurity threats. The team explores OSINT observations around Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools like Screen Connect by nation-state actors and reveals how they are used to deploy malware like AsyncRAT, ransomware, and execute phishing scams. They also uncover alarming tactics, such as North Korean IT workers posing as legitimate coders to infiltrate organizations, who steal cryptocurrency and use it to fund their regime. Since 2017 they have contributed to the theft of more than $3 billion.
Doctors’ Perspective: The Rise of Healthcare Ransomware
In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Christian Dameff and Jeff Tully, co-directors from the UCSD Center for Healthcare Cybersecurity, and contributors to our recent Healthcare Ransomware report.
A Couple of Rats Pick Up New Tricks, Un Proposes Cybercrime Treaty
In this episode of the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast host Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Microsoft’s Dinesh Natarajan, Senior Threat Hunter, and Thomas Ball, Senior Security Researcher. They unpack recent findings around AsyncRAT, a remote access Trojan (RAT) used for keylogging, data exfiltration, and deploying further malware. Dinesh explains how attackers are now using screen-sharing tools, like Screen Connect, as part of a new infection chain that makes the malware delivery process more deceptive. Thomas then shares insights on SectopRAT, another threat targeting browser data and crypto wallets. Uniquely, this RAT creates a second desktop, allowing attackers to operate undetected. Next, Sherrod talks with Microsoft’s Senior Director of Diplomacy, Kaja Ciglic, about the UN’s proposed cybercrime treaty. Originally spearheaded by Russia, the treaty aims to create a global framework for prosecuting cybercrime, but critics worry about its potential impact on freedom of expression and human rights.