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Explore true stories of the dark side of the Internet with host Jack Rhysider as he takes you on a journey through the chilling world of hacking, data breaches, and cyber crime. ¿Hablas español? Escucha en español aquí ➔ https://darknetdiaries.com/es/
Jack Rhysider detailed the creation and takedown of Blackshades, a remote access Trojan sold online for forty dollars that allowed attackers to secretly control victims' computers. Law enforcement executed a massive global operation resulting in multiple arrests, including co-creators Alex Yucel and Michael Hogue, as well as employee Brendan Johnston.
Jack Rhysider explained how the FBI set up a dark web credit card exchange honeypot as part of Operation Card Shop. Michael Hogue, co-creator of Blackshades, submitted his malware to become a vendor on the forum, providing investigators with clear evidence of criminal intent that led to his 2012 arrest.
Jack Rhysider and Cassidy Wolf discussed how Wolf was targeted by a former high school classmate using Blackshades to capture intimate images via her webcam and demand extortion. Wolf reported the crime to law enforcement, leading to the perpetrator's eighteen-month prison sentence before she was crowned Miss Teen USA 2013.
Jack Rhysider reported that during the 2012 Syrian civil war, researchers at the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Citizen Lab discovered that the Syrian government used Blackshades malware to spy on pro-democracy activists, monitor protest plans, and compromise opposition communications.
Ricky Handschumacher recounted his conviction and sentencing for running a multi-million-dollar SIM-swapping and cryptocurrency theft ring. According to Ricky and court records, he was sentenced to four years in federal prison and ordered to pay $7.6 million in restitution after being arrested in July 2018.
Mark Kreitzman described his experience being targeted by a SIM-swapping attack while driving through the Arizona desert in 2018. Kreitzman stated that hackers bypassed security protocols at a third-party phone store to steal 2.2 Bitcoin from his Coinbase account.
Jack Rhysider and Ricky discussed the arrest and sentencing of fellow SIM-swapper Joel Ortiz, who was sentenced to ten years behind bars for stealing millions of dollars in cryptocurrency. Prosecutors noted that Ortiz was the first SIM-swapper to be sentenced to prison in the United States.
Ricky announced that he is teaming up with fellow former SIM-swapper Joseph Harris to build a penetration testing company. The pair plan to launch the business to help companies secure their systems against the types of social engineering attacks they once executed.
Jack Rhysider shared an anecdote about his father's difficulty navigating modern digital interfaces, specifically with saving photos on a tablet and filling out online medical forms. His father expressed frustration with cloud storage integration and the disappearance of familiar 'Save' buttons, highlighting a generational gap in digital literacy.
Penetration testers Justin Wynn and Gary DeMercurio detail their experience conducting a physical security assessment of five Iowa courthouses. They discuss the challenges of breaching various doors and security systems, including using specialized tools and lock-picking techniques, all within the scope of an authorized engagement.
Penetration testers Justin Wynn and Gary DeMercurio explain some of the tools and techniques they use to bypass physical security. They describe using an 'under-the-door tool' and a modified plastic cutting board to manipulate door latches, highlighting creative problem-solving in their profession.
Penetration testers Justin Wynn and Gary DeMercurio were arrested and initially charged with felony burglary and possession of burglary tools after a security assessment at the Dallas County Courthouse. Despite having authorization from the state, county officials pursued charges, leading to a lengthy legal battle.
After being arrested and facing felony charges for a penetration test at the Iowa County Courthouse, Justin Wynn and Gary DeMercurio, now Gabby DeMercurio, sued the county and sheriff. The lawsuit, initially dismissed by the county, was eventually settled for $600,000, establishing a new precedent for penetration testing rights.
Nick Merill, a guest on Darknet Diaries, recounts his early experiences with computers and the internet, starting with discovering 2600 magazine at age 14. At 20, he leveraged a small inheritance to start one of the first internet service providers (ISPs) in New York City, called Calix.
The podcast begins with a story about an undertaker named Stroker in 1888 who, due to a rival diverting his business, invented the first automatic telephone switch. This innovation bypassed the need for manual operator connections and was driven by a desire to overcome human-driven interference in call routing.
Nick Merill discusses his early belief that the internet was a powerful tool for making real change and connecting people with shared ideas. He contrasts the unregulated, low-barrier-to-entry internet with the tightly controlled, high-cost traditional media landscape of newspapers, television, and radio.
Nick Merill pursued a dual degree in computer science and philosophy during college, though he found it challenging to focus. He also took a constitutional law class that deeply interested him, particularly learning about landmark Supreme Court cases that function as law.