A look at Cybercrime in 2021

Ransomware attacks have never been so successful. The returns from these attacks are soaring and only becoming easier to conduct. In chapter two of the Microsoft Digital Defense Report, the growing threat of cybercrime is covered in great detail. As we continue to go over the MDDR, it's more apparent than ever that the cybercrime economy and services it provides are stronger and more complex than ever. Cryptocurrency, malware, and adversarial machine learning are just a few of the topics we believe need to be covered in more detail.   In this episode of Security Unlocked, host’s Natalia Godyla and Nic Fillingham are joined by Jason Lyons, principal investigator in the digital crimes unit at Microsoft. Jason is an experienced investigator specializing in computer investigations. He is trained and experienced in hacker methodology/techniques, computer forensics, and incident response. Jason joined the show to discuss Chapter two of the Microsoft Digital Defense Report, which focuses on the state of cybercrime. He also speaks on how cryptocurrency has created new challenges in ransomware, why ransomware continues to grow, and recent trends we are currently seeing in malware.      In This Episode You Will Learn:      How to decide whether to pay the ransomware or not  New ways for security teams to protect against malware  Why we are seeing a rise in cybercrime due to cryptocurrency.     Some Questions We Ask:     What's new in the way the cybercrime economy operates?   Why is ransomware still such a big thing and maybe even getting bigger?  What trends are we seeing with malware right now?     Resources:    Microsoft Digital Defense Report   View Jason Lyons on LinkedIn   View Nic on LinkedIn   View Natalia on LinkedIn      Related:    Listen to: Security Unlocked: CISO Series with Bret Arsenault      Listen to: Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson       Security Unlocked is produced by Microsoft and distributed as part of The CyberWire Network.