In this episode, Dr. Rick Hanson interviews Joe Tidy, a cybersecurity correspondent, about the rise of teenage hacking gangs, particularly Scattered Spider, and their impact on cybercrime. They discuss the motivations behind these hackers, the shift from hacktivism to cybercrime for profit, and the role of social media and cryptocurrency in facilitating these activities. Joe Tidy explains how social engineering is used to breach security systems, the dangers of ransomware, and the potential for cyberattacks on autonomous vehicles. The conversation also covers the challenges of regulating cybercrime, the involvement of countries like Russia and North Korea in hacking activities, and the personal stories of hackers like Julius Kivamaki, highlighting the lack of remorse and the devastating consequences of their actions. The episode concludes with a discussion on cybersecurity best practices and the potential threats posed by quantum computing.
