Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast

Latest Episodes:

A Journey through Cyberwarcon Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Judy Ng, Mark Parsons, and Ned Moran. Together, they delve into the riveting world of Cyberwarcon, exploring the activities of threat actors such as Volt Typhoon from China and Iranian-based adversaries. Sherrod sheds light on Volt Typhoon's strategic targeting of critical infrastructure while the team elaborates on the Iranian actors' reactive and opportunistic approach to current cyber attacks. The episode unfolds with insightful discussions of sophisticated techniques like "living off the land" and the intricacies of information operations while providing a deep dive into the evolving landscape of cyber threats and intelligence.

In this episode you’ll learn:

The use of AI in the current world of cybersecurity
Why North Korean cyber activity is often referred to as Lazarus
Unique challenges and motivations for tracking APT groups

Some questions we ask:

What are some challenges when following chaotic and unpredictable threat actors?
How do you balance secondary projects like incident response and ransomware?
What motivates someone to pursue a career in APT tracking and analysis?

Resources:

View Mark Parsons on LinkedIn

View Ned Moran on LinkedIn

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.

Threat Landscape with Wes Drone Nov 29, 2023

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Microsoft Threat Research and Intelligence Leader Wes Drone. Wes has spent five years investigating criminal and national security computer intrusions for the FBI Cyber Division. After the FBI, he helped a Fortune 25 healthcare organization mature its security operations while gaining first-hand experience in risk management. Sherrod and Wes discuss his current role at Microsoft, where he focuses on messaging and web research. They also touch on the evolving landscape of phishing attacks and the impact of ChatGPT on code writing and security.

In this episode you’ll learn:

How ChatGPT has improved code and empowered security to create better code
Why phishing attacks have evolved with new techniques and capabilities
The preferences of threat actors and their willingness to adapt

Some questions we ask:

How have ransomware attacks shifted to a broader issue for entire businesses?
Why should defenders be constantly adapting to new tactics from threat actors?
What challenges and strategies have you noticed from the existing threat landscape?

Resources:

View Wes Drone on LinkedIn

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.

Punching Miscreants with Jack Mott Nov 15, 2023

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Jack Mott to discuss the movie "Heat" and its relevance to social engineering and threat actor psychology. They also chat about the challenges of identifying real threats in the world of information security, highlighting the need for vigilance in detecting both evident and subtle threats. The conversation revolves around the complexities of distinguishing between genuine and malicious activity and the importance of a nuanced approach to cybersecurity.

In this episode you’ll learn:

Why experimentation and new approaches in the security industry are so necessary
Microsoft's approach to handling and investigating blocked threats
The importance of an adaptive system to stay updated on evolving threats and behaviors

Some questions we ask:

Why is curiosity a crucial quality for success in the information security field?
How do you deal with making mistakes and taking risks in your work?
Why do you foster relationships and share information with other professionals?

Resources:

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn

Microsoft Ignite Panel, The risk of trust: Social engineering threats and cyber defense

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.

Octo Tempest Threat Actor Profile Nov 01, 2023

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Microsoft threat research experts to talk about the activities of a threat actor known as Octo Tempest (which overlaps with research associated with 0ktapus, Scattered Spider, and UNC3944) and the blog released by Microsoft threat intelligence and Microsoft incident response groups. The discussion covers various tactics, techniques, and procedures Octo Tempest employs, such as SIM swapping, SMS phishing, and living off the land rather than using traditional malware. Octo Tempest is portrayed as a highly bespoke and hands-on threat actor, often engaged in "keyboard-to-keyboard combat" and showing extreme persistence even after being detected.

In this episode you’ll learn:

Techniques used to modify email rules and evade defensive tools
The contrast between tailored attacks and automated targeted threat actors
Why organizations should separate high-privileged accounts from normal user accounts

Some questions we ask:

Is there an end game for OctoTempest, and is it always ransomware?
What is the importance of assuming the first-factor password is already compromised?
How can organizations test controls and alerting for their security posture?

Resources:

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn

https://aka.ms/octo-tempest

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.

China Threat Landscape: Meet the Typhoon Oct 25, 2023

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Microsoft Senior Security Researcher Graham Dietz. Graham provides intelligence-led recommendations to improve cybersecurity posture in the future. They are creating customer-ready reports and presentations incorporating threat actor attribution, threat detection and hunting guidance, and remediation recommendations. Sherrod and Graham discuss China's extensive history in cyber operations, targeting domestic and international entities, including diplomatic organizations and industrial espionage.

In this episode you’ll learn:

How patriotic hackers are thriving inside the Chinese cybercrime underground
The complexity and diversity of Chinese cyber activities
China's economic strategies and how they relate to cyber operations

Some questions we ask:

What should someone do when handed an unknown USB device by a stranger?
Why does China target organizations without staying completely hidden?
What sets China apart as an advanced persistent threat?

Resources:

View Graham Dietz on LinkedIn

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.

Exploring Mobile Threats Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Christine Fossaceca. Christine is a senior mobile security researcher at Microsoft, specializing in iOS and mobile exploit development. Christine and Sherrod discuss mobile device security and privacy concerns, mainly focusing on Apple AirTags and similar tracking devices, concentrating on the potential for misuse of these devices for shady purposes, the challenges of tracking and detecting them, and steps individuals can take to protect themselves if they suspect they are being tracked. They also examine the evolving landscape of mobile security and offer practical advice for safeguarding personal information and privacy in increasingly interconnected devices.

In this episode you’ll learn:

How attackers gain access to banking apps and iCloud accounts
The privacy implications of Bluetooth trackers
Why the landscape of mobile security is constantly evolving

Some questions we ask:

What's a mobile zero day?
How can I and people listening protect themselves on their iPhones?
What common technique do fishers use to make URLs appear legitimate?

Resources:

Follow Christine on Twitter @x71n3 & @herhaxpodcast

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.

Incident Response with Empathy Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Matthew Zorich, a Principal Consultant with Microsoft Incident Response. Sherrod and Matt discuss his motivation for creating accessible and open-source forensics tools and resources for entry-level forensics, aiming to guide those without extensive resources. They also examine the importance of helping smaller businesses and individuals understand and practice incident response and forensics, considering the potentially devastating impact of cyberattacks on them. Matt also emphasizes the importance of knowledge sharing and practical experimentation in incident response and identity forensics to help individuals and organizations better defend against cyber threats.

In this episode you’ll learn:

The challenges of identity-based forensics
Tactics threat actors use to compromise accounts without raising suspicion
The importance of distinguishing personal and work identities when assessing threats

Some questions we ask:

Why is it important to distinguish personal and work email from a threat perspective?
How do you protect essential accounts in a large organization?
Would you consider text messages as a reliable method to enhance security?

Resources:

View Matthew Zorich on LinkedIn

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.

Peach Sandstorm Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

On this week's episode of The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast, Sherrod DeGrippo is joined by Threat Intelligence Analyst Simeon Kakpovi, Intelligence Analyst Lauren Podber, and Senior Hunt Analyst Emiel Haeghebaert. In this episode, Sherrod and guests explore the evolving nature of the Iranian APT group known as "Peach Sandstorm." They discuss how they mature over time while providing valuable insights into APT actors and their evolving strategies. They discuss techniques such as password spraying and the next steps attackers take to establish persistence within the victim's environment. Sherrod also highlights Iran's unique approach to cyber operations, where they exhibit creativity and perseverance in achieving their objectives, even when they may only sometimes be the most technically sophisticated group among nation-state actors.

In this episode you’ll learn:

The contrast between APT actors and cybercriminals
How organizations can protect themselves against password spray attacks
The importance for defenders to understand the motivations and tactics of APT actors

Some questions we ask:

What is the difference between a brute force attack and a password spray attack?
How does Iran's cyber capabilities compare to those of other countries?
What are some key differences between Iran and APT actors like Russia and China?

Resources:

How Microsoft Names Threat Actors

Peach Sandstorm

View Simeon Kakpovi on LinkedIn

View Lauren Podber on LinkedIn

View Emiel Haeghebaert on LinkedIn

View Sherrod DeGrippo on LinkedIn

Peach Sandstorm

Ingredients:

- 1 ripe peach, peeled and pitted

- 1 1/2 oz Arak (a traditional Middle Eastern aniseed-flavored spirit)

- 1 oz fresh lemon juice

- 1 oz rose water

- 1/2 oz simple syrup

- A pinch of saffron strands (soaked in 1 tablespoon of warm water for 10 minutes)

- Crushed ice

- Fresh mint leaves for garnish

- Edible rose petals for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine the peach, Arak, lemon juice, rose water, simple syrup, saffron water, and a good amount of crushed ice.

2. Blend until smooth and frosty.

3. Pour into a chilled glass.

4. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and edible rose petals.

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast - Trailer Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

Join us to hear stories from the Microsoft Threat Intelligence community as they navigate the ever-evolving threat landscape - uncovering APTs, cybercrime gangs, malware, vulnerabilities, and other weird and cool tools and tactics in the world of cyber threats. Featuring tales of innovation, teamwork, and cyber espionage, tune in to hear in-depth analyses of Microsoft's influence on the threat landscape and behind-the-scenes stories from the tireless researchers and analysts that take part. This enthralling and insightful podcast is delivered in a casual, conversational style that transports you to the frontlines of cyber defense.

Related Microsoft Podcasts:

Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts

Get the latest threat intelligence insights and guidance at Microsoft Security Insider

The Microsoft Threat Intelligence Podcast is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.

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