Highlighting the Year’s Top Cybersecurity Stories
Since 2018, I’ve had the privilege, alongside colleagues at VICE Motherboard and now at TechCrunch, to curate a year-end list spotlighting outstanding cybersecurity reports from other media outlets. The fields of cybersecurity, surveillance, and privacy are vast and complex, often necessitating a collaborative journalism approach. Though journalism is competitive by nature, it also thrives on collaboration. Directing our readers to significant works by other publications helps unravel these intricate topics. Without further ado, here are our top picks for this year’s most compelling cybersecurity stories from our peers.—Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai.
The Great Cloud Storage Heist: A Bold Attack on Snowflake
This year witnessed one of the most audacious mass-hacks in recent memory when hackers breached numerous cloud storage accounts hosted by Snowflake—a key service provider for major tech and telecom giants. The attackers demanded ransom for the vast amounts of stolen data. AT&T was among those hit, losing call and text records for nearly all of its 110 million customers, amounting to over 50 billion records. Shortly after AT&T disclosed the breach, independent journalist Kim Zetter revealed that AT&T had secretly paid $370,000 to keep the stolen data under wraps. Zetter’s investigation shed light on the culprits—initially known as UNC5537 but later identified as Connor Moucka and John Binns—indicted for their roles in this sweeping cyber theft.—Zack Whittaker.
Automakers Under Scrutiny: Sharing Driving Data with Third-Parties
Kashmir Hill’s penetrating report in The New York Times uncovered that automakers are sharing drivers’ behavior with data brokers and insurers who then adjust rates based on this data—an unsettling use of personal information. GM vehicle owners often unknowingly enroll in its Smart Driver feature, leading to third-party data sharing. This revelation sparked a congressional inquiry, exposing instances where carmakers sold consumer data for mere pennies.—Zack Whittaker.
An Intelligence Operation Unveiled: A Story That Reads Like Fiction
This narrative could easily be mistaken for a blockbuster movie plot, yet it happened in reality. Zach Dorfman’s reporting delves into the secretive world of intelligence operations—stories typically kept hidden. This piece is so compelling that I encourage reading it without spoilers; it’s an extraordinary account.—Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai.
Crypto’s Dark Turn: From Libertarian Dream to Far-Right Tool
Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies have drifted from Satoshi Nakamoto’s original vision. Today, they serve as power tools for far-right movements, as Charlie Warzel articulates in his insightful analysis.—Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai.
“Bloomberg’s Katrina Manson secured an exclusive about Cencora paying $75 million to prevent the release of sensitive personal data after a cyberattack affecting over 18 million people.”—Zack Whittaker.
{Bloomberg}
The Human Cost of Ransomware: The Fall of Knights of Old
Bloomberg’s Ryan Gallagher achieved what seemed impossible by getting Knights of Old—an established UK delivery firm—to openly discuss a ransomware attack that led to its closure after 158 years. Co-owner Paul Abbott shared their decision not to negotiate with hackers, which resulted in devastating consequences, including leaked documents preventing loans or sales.—Carly Page.
Surveillance Concerns: Tracking Abortion Clinic Visits
404 Media’s Joseph Cox highlighted troubling implications of cellphone location tracking in identifying visitors to abortion clinics—a concern growing amid political shifts threatening abortion rights.—Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai.
