Wizard Spider
Summary
Investigative journalist Jeff White joins Hacked to discuss the Conti ransomware gang, revealing how the group operated like a corporate enterprise with HR departments and salaries. White details his analysis of massive chat leaks that exposed internal debates over targeting hospitals and the gang's eventual collapse after supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The episode also covers the identification of alleged leader Vitaly Kovalev, known as Stern, and his surprising presence in social media influencer videos.
Topics discussed
Introduction to Conti ransomware gang and Jeff White
The corporatization of cybercrime and ransomware business models
The 2022 Conti leaks and challenges of analyzing chat logs
Translating slang, the Graf heist, and threats from victims
Profile of Vitaly Kovalev (Stern) and his social media presence
Internal politics, affiliate dynamics, and healthcare targeting debates
Conti's collapse, the Costa Rica attack, and Dubai connections
Sponsor segment: Shopify
Russian government links and patriotic hacking during the Ukraine war
Victim, villain, hero dynamics and the psychology of hackers
Conclusion: Reframing crime as business and final thoughts
Sponsor segments: Vanta, Stitch Fix, and Spotify
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