Ransomware’s new strategy: naming and shaming victims

Marketplace Tech

American Public Media

Technology, News

4.6 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 19 March 2025

⏱️ 11 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Federal officials are warning consumers against a type of cyberattack that’s been on the rise. It’s called Medusa, a ransomware program that uses tactics like phishing to infect a target’s system and encrypt their data, which hackers then threaten to publicly release unless a ransom is paid. Medusa is just one example of how hackers are evolving their strategies at a time when federal cybersecurity resources are being cut by the Donald Trump administration. Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino spoke with Lesley Carhart, director of incident response for North America at cybersecurity firm Dragos, to learn more about the use of embarrassment as a weapon and the impact of funding cuts on digital safety.

Transcript

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1:36.2	Trying to stop cyber attacks is like killing the multi-headed hydra, and our monster slayer just got a budget cut.
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1:41.5	I'm Megan McCarty Carrino.
1:52.3	Thank you. This is Marketplace Tech. I'm Megan McCarty Carrino. Federal officials are warning consumers against a type of cyber attack that's been on the rise.
1:58.7	It's called Medusa, sticking with Greek mythology references.
2:02.9	It's a ransomware program that uses tactics like fishing to infect a target system and encrypt their
2:09.0	data, which hackers then threaten to publicly release unless a ransom is paid. Medusa is just one
2:15.6	example of how hackers have been evolving their strategies at a time
2:19.9	when federal cybersecurity resources are being cut back by the Trump administration. That's according
2:26.2	to Leslie Carhart, director of incident response at the cybersecurity firm Dragos Incorporated.
	...

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