How to mine millions without paying the bill
Smashing Security
Graham Cluley
4.7 • 579 Ratings
🗓️ 20 August 2025
⏱️ 34 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In episode 431 of the "Smashing Security" podcast, a self-proclaimed crypto-influencer calling himself CP3O thought he had found a shortcut to riches — by racking up millions in unpaid cloud bills.
Meanwhile, we look at the growing threat of EDR-killer tools that can quietly switch off your endpoint protection before an attack even begins.
And for something a little different, we peek into the Internet Archive’s dystopian Wayforward Machine and take a detour to Mary Shelley’s resting place in Bournemouth.
All this and more is discussed in the latest edition of the "Smashing Security" podcast by cybersecurity veterans Graham Cluley, joined this week by special guest Allan "Ransomware Sommelier" Liska.
Episode links:
- Crypto Influencer Sentenced to Prison for Multi-Million Dollar “Cryptojacking” Scheme - US Department of Justice.
- Ransomware crews don't care about your endpoint security – they've already killed it - The Register.
- Way Forward Machine - The Internet Archive.
- Mary Shelley’s grave - Atlas Obscura.
- Smashing Security merchandise (t-shirts, mugs, stickers and stuff)
Sponsored by:
- Proton Drive - Protect your files with end-to-end encryption in Switzerland’s secure cloud — only on Proton Drive.
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THANKS:
Theme tune: "Vinyl Memories" by Mikael Manvelyan.
Assorted sound effects: AudioBlocks.
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| 0:32.9 | Smashing Security, Episode 431, How to Mine Millions without paying the bill with Graham Cluley. |
| 0:42.1 | Hello, hello, and welcome to Smashing Security episode 431. |
| 0:45.7 | My name's Graham Cluley. |
| 0:47.9 | Oh, and I'm Ellen Liska. |
| 0:51.0 | Hello, Alan. |
| 0:51.9 | Thank you so much for coming back on the show. |
| 0:53.6 | Of course, regular listeners will know you as the ransomware Somolier. |
| 0:59.7 | That is correct. Yes, I am the guy that helps pair the right ransomware with the right vulnerabilities in your network, just like a good restaurant, Somali. |
| 1:08.9 | But I think you are also a bit of a fan of the old clonk, is that right? Oh, yeah. Especially Bordeaux. I love my Bordeaux and any other kind of wine I can get my hands on. Fantastic. Well, we breathalize all of our guests before we begin on the show each week to make sure things don't get too raucous. I mean, obviously you've had some of the past episodes |
| 1:28.9 | and sometimes things can get rather out of hand. |
| 1:31.8 | Before we kick off, let's thank this week's wonderful sponsor, Proton. |
| 1:35.2 | We'll be hearing about them later on in the podcast. |
| 1:39.5 | This week on Smashing Security. |
| 1:41.3 | We won't be talking about how UK telecom's firm cult has taken |
| 1:45.1 | its systems offline after being hit by the Warlock ransomware. |
| 1:50.6 | You'll hear no discussion of... |
| 1:52.2 | How the White House says the UK has backed down over its demand for an Apple backdoor. |
... |
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