In the Shell

A Few Thoughts on the Future of Tech

Josh — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Season 3 has come to an end. For this final episode, I wanted to share a few thoughts on the future of computing and where I think it’s headed.

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I/O

Josh — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000

From keyboards to mice, they are the human interface to the computer.

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References

https://www.nngroup.com/articles/mouse-vs-fingers-input-device/

https://esevel.com/blog/device-peripheral

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS/2_port

https://www.viewsonic.com/library/tech/usb-c-usb-b-and-usb-a-whats-the-difference/

SoC

Josh — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000

A System on a Chip (SoC) integrates the CPU, GPU, memory, and connectivity onto a single chip, powering everything from smartphones to smart devices.

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References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualcomm_Snapdragon

https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/11/apple-unleashes-m1/

https://www.synopsys.com/glossary/what-is-system-on-a-chip.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_on_a_chip

https://www.wired.com/story/google-pixel-6-tensor-chip-security/

https://www.wallboard.us/blog/what-is-a-system-on-chip-soc-display-benefits-for-digital-signage-explained

Cooling

Josh — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Overheating can cripple performance in everything from PCs to phones. Cooling systems like fans, heat sinks, and vapor chambers work behind the scenes to keep your tech stable and efficient.

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References

https://maker.pro/blog/design-measures-to-prevent-overheating-in-electronics

https://maker.pro/blog/exploring-cooling-technologies-for-electronic-systems

https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2020/tc/c9tc05415d

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/industry-articles/edge-ai-meets-next-gen-cooling-the-breakthrough-of-silicon-based-micro-cooling-fans/

https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/news/data-centers-only-getting-hotter-circuit-cooling-techniques-help/

https://newsroom.intel.com/5g-wireless/nexalus-intel-deliver-innovative-cooling-tech-computing-demand-grows

https://www.digitaltrends.com/phones/what-is-vapor-chamber-cooling-smartphones-tested-explained/

Power Supply

Josh — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The essential but often overlooked components that power our tech: desktop PSUs and portable device batteries.

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References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_Plus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply_unit_(computer)

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/explorer/diy-builder/power-supply-units/what-is-a-psu-power-supply-units-explained/

https://www.inmotionhosting.com/blog/power-supply-units/

https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/smartphone-plugged-in-battery-health-apple-samsung-google-5/

https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-charge-android-phone-80-percent/

GPU

Josh — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The GPU is your computer’s visual powerhouse, rapidly crunching numbers to turn data into images, animations, and 3D worlds. It is the engine behind stunning graphics, smooth gameplay, and the brains of today’s AI revolution, all packed into a chip designed for massive parallel processing.

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References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graphics_processing_unit

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/products/docs/processors/what-is-a-gpu.html

https://www.onlogic.com/blog/what-is-a-gpu-a-beginners-guide/

https://blog.siggraph.org/2025/04/evolution-of-gpus.html/

https://thefuturemedia.eu/the-ai-gold-rush-how-nvidia-and-its-allies-built-a-4-trillion-stronghold/

Motherboard

Josh — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +0000

The motherboard is your computer’s central hub, connecting the CPU, RAM, GPU, storage, and more into one unified system. It’s the story of how all the pieces of your PC come together on one board to make everything function.

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References

https://www.britannica.com/technology/motherboard

https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/computer-organization-architecture/difference-between-north-bridge-and-south-bridge/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motherboard

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BIOS

https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/BIOS-basic-input-output-system

Storage

Josh — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we’ll talk about the differences between hard drives, SSDs, and NVMe storage, and how technologies like RAID and file systems keep information reliable. We’ll also discuss different file system types and full disk encryption.

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References

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/explorer/diy-builder/storage/raid-0-raid-1-and-raid-5-explained/

https://klarasystems.com/articles/openzfs-understanding-zfs-vdev-types/

https://www.open-e.com/blog/introduction-to-zfs/

https://www.kingston.com/en/blog/personal-storage/understanding-file-systems

https://freebsdfoundation.org/resource/an-introduction-to-the-z-file-system/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_RAID_levels

RAM

Josh — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 14:00:00 +0000

This episode is all about RAM. The part of your computer that holds everything it’s working on right now. What it is, how it works, and why more of it can mean the difference between smooth operation and constant lag. Plus a look at DDR4 vs. DDR5, memory speeds, and why RAM is still way faster than your SSD.

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References

https://www.crucial.com/articles/about-memory/support-what-does-computer-memory-do

https://www.kingston.com/unitedkingdom/en/blog/pc-performance/memory-assessor

https://www.crucial.com/articles/about-memory/what-is-the-difference-between-memory-and-storage

https://www.tomshardware.com/features/ddr5-vs-ddr4-is-it-time-to-upgrade-your-ram

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic-core_memory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_random-access_memory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random-access_memory

CPU

Josh — Mon, 06 Oct 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Ever wonder what’s really doing the thinking inside your computer or phone? Let's talk about the CPU.

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References

https://newsroom.intel.com/tech101/the-transistor-explained

https://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/digital-logic/12/285

https://www.computerhistory.org/revolution/digital-logic/12/284

https://www.computerhistory.org/siliconengine/microprocessor-integrates-cpu-function-onto-a-single-chip/

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/history/virtual-vault/articles/the-intel-4004.html

https://ieeemilestones.ethw.org/Milestone-Proposal%3AIntel_4004_Microprocessor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_processing_unit

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_architecture_family

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU_socket

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instruction_cycle

Margaret Hamilton

Josh — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Margaret Hamilton may not have stepped on the Moon, but her code helped get us there. From stacks of code taller than she was to a Medal of Freedom decades later, Hamilton’s story is one of intellect, innovation, and true engineering brilliance.

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References

https://science.nasa.gov/people/margaret-hamilton/

https://www.wired.com/2015/10/margaret-hamilton-nasa-apollo/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution/margaret-hamilton-led-nasa-software-team-landed-astronauts-moon-180971575/

https://news.mit.edu/2009/apollo-vign-0717

https://www.theguardian.com/global/2019/jul/19/apollo-women-man-walk-on-the-moon

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Hamilton_(software_engineer)

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/11/16/president-obama-names-recipients-presidential-medal-freedom

Ken Thompson

Josh — Mon, 26 May 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Long before Linux, there was Unix. Ken Thompson was at the center of it. The quiet legacy of a developer who shaped how computers, code, and operating systems work today.

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References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Thompson

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_(programming_language)

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kenneth-Lane-Thompson

https://amturing.acm.org/award_winners/thompson_4588371.cfm

https://catonmat.net/unix-philosophy

https://research.swtch.com/utf8

Steve Jobs

Josh — Mon, 12 May 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Steve Jobs is often hailed as a visionary who reshaped the technology and entertainment industries. From humble beginnings and Apple’s meteoric rise, to the creation of Pixar, and the legacy he left behind.

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References

https://www.biography.com/business-leaders/steve-jobs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/fundamental-analysis/12/steve-jobs-apple-story.asp

https://www.cultofmac.com/apple-history

https://www.leadershipstorybank.com/steve-jobs-death-and-legacy/

https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/steve-jobs-technology-alone-is-not-enough

https://www.apple.com/stevejobs/Apple

https://www.apple.com/stevejobs/

https://pixar.fandom.com/wiki/Steve_Jobs

https://www.biography.com/business-leaders/steve-jobs-pixar-animation-history

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/09/bob-iger-remembers-steve-jobs

https://www.forbes.com/sites/timbajarin/2019/10/07/steve-jobs-legacy-still-drives-apples-current-and-future-products/

https://time.com/3466506/apple-steve-jobs-tim-cook/

https://masonbates.com/2022/02/04/blog-the-legacy-of-steve-jobs/

https://goodwhale.com/how-steve-jobs-saved-disney-from-bankruptcy-and-made-it-a-global-leader/

https://commoncog.com/c/cases/jobs-second-act-apple/

Steve Wozniak

Josh — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 14:00:00 +0000

From his childhood fascination with electronics to co-founding Apple Computer and helping ignite the personal computing revolution. A story of quiet genius, loyalty, and a lasting legacy in technology.

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References

https://www.biography.com/inventors/steve-wozniak

https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/steve-wozniak-on-apple-steve-jobs-and-the-value-of-a-good-prank/

https://woz.org/

https://agentpalmer.com/secret-files/steve-jobs/

https://www.museumofplay.org/blog/steve-jobs-breakout-pioneer/

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/databank/entries/btwozn.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Wozniak

https://www.invent.org/inductees/steve-wozniak

https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-wozniak-gave-early-apple-employees-10-million-in-stock-2014-9

Bill Gates

Josh — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:00:00 +0000

From Harvard dropout to tech titan, Bill Gates helped ignite the personal computing revolution and built Microsoft into a global powerhouse.

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References

https://www.gatesnotes.com/

https://www.gatesfoundation.org/

https://forum.beyond3d.com/threads/microsoft-50th-anniversary-from-gates-days-to-dark-ages-ballmer-to-embracing-open-source-loving-linux-nadella-to-saving-open-ai-worlds-1st.64009/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Microsoft

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Altair_8800

https://youtu.be/5J3FUOCRXPo

https://youtu.be/lahX_ARGTqA

https://youtu.be/zZrgVG2k8vU

https://youtu.be/I3fBW6XkL34

Steve Ballmer

Josh — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Steve Ballmer is often remembered for his wild stage antics and the infamous “Developers!” chant, but there’s so much more to the man behind the memes. Passionate, bold, and endlessly energetic, Ballmer’s journey from Detroit math whiz to Microsoft CEO is anything but typical.

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References

https://youtu.be/8fcSviC7cRM — “Developers, Developers, Developers, Developers”

https://youtu.be/lAkuJXGldrM — Windows 95 Launch

https://youtu.be/f__n8084YAE — “I LOVE THIS COMPANY”

https://youtu.be/eywi0h_Y5_U — Ballmer laughs at iPhone

https://youtu.be/xqmj-9XlDzY — Ballmer farewell speech

https://youtu.be/5woKTCFXems — Ballmer at LA Clippers Conference

https://www.pcworld.com/article/434836/in-his-own-words-best-quotes-of-steve-ballmer.html

https://www.britannica.com/money/Steve-Ballmer

https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/bill-gates-got-steve-ballmer-to-quit-school-join/486932

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Ballmer

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-steve-and-connie-ballmer-give-away-billions-60-minutes/

https://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/07/former-microsoft-ceo-steve-ballmer-wrong-iphone/

https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-ballmer-microsoft-zaniest-moments-chanting-dancing-la-clippers-2023-11

https://www.geekwire.com/2014/real-reason-ballmer-left-board-battles-growing-tension-gates-difference-hardware-strategy/

John McAfee (Part 2)

Josh — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 14:00:00 +0000

After stepping away from his antivirus empire in 1994, John McAfee's life spiraled into a web of intrigue, controversy, and adventure. Part 2 dives into his astonishing transformation from tech pioneer to international fugitive.

This is part 2 of a two part series.

Become a Member

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References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McAfee

https://www.businessinsider.com/the-insane-life-of-john-mcafee-2015-7

https://www.wired.com/2012/12/ff-john-mcafees-last-stand/

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-27/john-mcafee-internet-security-virus-software-dead-crime/100244606

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57591682

https://screenrant.com/john-mcafee-2020-presidential-campaign/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKgf5PaBzyg

https://www.adweek.com/creativity/john-mcafee-goes-full-charlie-sheen-bizarre-ad-full-guns-drugs-and-women-150493/

https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2013/06/john-mcafees-wild-video-how-to-uninstall-mcafee-anti-virus

https://wired.me/news/john-mcafee-found-dead-in-spanish-prison-after-extradition-order/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/john-mcafee-wife-suicide-note-b1883585.html

https://firstdraftnews.org/articles/conspiracy-theories-are-spreading-about-john-mcafees-death/

John McAfee (Part 1)

Josh — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:00:00 +0000

John McAfee faced the Brain virus and built the world’s first commercial antivirus from his tiny California home, sparking a cybersecurity revolution. From a troubled childhood to coding for NASA, the wild early life and relentless drive of the man who shielded the digital world—until he walked away.

This is part 1 of a two part series.

Become a Member

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References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McAfee

https://www.businessinsider.com/the-insane-life-of-john-mcafee-2015-7

https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/john-mcafee-6497.php

https://nasa.fandom.com/wiki/John_McAfee

https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/5-lesser-known-facts-software-mogul-john-mcafee

https://www.cybersecurityeducationguides.org/john-mcafee-godfather-of-antivirus-software/

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/john-mcafee-antivirus-criminal-obituary-b1875513.html

https://hive.blog/interview/%40jasonnavallo/interview-with-john-mcafee-founder-mcafee-software

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McAfee

https://locall.host/where-is-mcafee-antivirus-made/

https://historyofbranding.com/mcafee/

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/john-mcafee-obituary-remembrance-1188855/

https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/television/info-2022/running-with-the-devil-the-wild-world-of-john-mcafee.html

Gordon Moore

Josh — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Gordon Moore, the co-founder of Intel and the mind behind Moore’s Law—the prediction that has shaped the pace of technological advancement for decades. From his early fascination with chemistry to revolutionizing the semiconductor industry, let's talk about transistors.

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References

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/newsroom/resources/gordon-moore-at-intel.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Moore

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/24/technology/gordon-moore-dead.html

https://www.societyforscience.org/isef/awards/gordon-e-moore-awards/

https://www.forbes.com/profile/gordon-moore/

Linus Torvalds

Josh — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 15:00:00 +0000

Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel. From his early coding days on a VIC-20 to launching an open-source revolution, Linus’s journey is packed with innovation, bold decisions, and even a little penguin-inspired fun.

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References

https://subsurface-divelog.org/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Git

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Linus-Torvalds

https://computerhistory.org/profile/linus-torvalds/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds

https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/linus-torvalds

Stuxnet

Josh — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000

The world changed forever in 2010. Stuxnet revolutionized the way nations waged war in cyberspace, and there was no turning back. At Iran’s nuclear facility, centrifuges were mysteriously failing, leaving engineers baffled.

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References

https://spectrum.ieee.org/the-real-story-of-stuxnet

https://www.wired.com/2014/11/countdown-to-zero-day-stuxnet/

https://www.trellix.com/security-awareness/ransomware/what-is-stuxnet/

https://www.cfr.org/cyber-operations/stuxnet

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuxnet

Conficker

Josh — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000

The infamous Conficker worm, a piece of malware that shook the cybersecurity world in 2008. Conficker exploited a vulnerability in Windows systems (MS08-067) to spread rapidly across millions of machines, from government networks to critical infrastructure.

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References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conficker

https://www.csl.sri.com/users/porras/

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/29/opinion/sunday/conficker-worm-ukraine.html

https://www.csl.sri.com/users/vinod/

https://www.csl.sri.com/users/vinod/papers/Conficker/P2P/index.html

https://www.csl.sri.com/users/vinod/papers/Conficker/

https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/NetBIOS

Agent.BTZ

Josh — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we dive into the Agent.BTZ cyber incident—a sophisticated worm that penetrated U.S. military networks through a simple USB drive. Traced to Russian cyber espionage actors, this attack exposed critical vulnerabilities in military cybersecurity, leading to the creation of USCYBERCOM and fundamental changes in digital defense strategies. The episode reveals how a single piece of malware triggered a global reassessment of cyber warfare, highlighting the critical role of human behavior in technological security.

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References

https://www.wired.com/2008/11/army-bans-usb-d/

https://www.wired.com/2010/03/ff_cyberwar/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/08/AR2008120803722.html

https://www.symantec.com/security-center/writeup/2008-071813-2408-99

https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-20-241

https://www.nsa.gov/news-features/speeches-testimonies/speeches/

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Dark-Territory/Fred-Kaplan/9781476763279

https://www.kimzetter.com/countdown-to-zero-day

https://www.cfr.org/defense-and-security/cyber-operations-and-cybersecurity

https://ndupress.ndu.edu/Media/News/News-Article-View/Article/571543/cyber-power-and-national-security/

https://www.rsaconference.com/Library

https://www.blackhat.com/html/archives.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7751641.stm

https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/us/politics/29cyber.html

https://www.brookings.edu/experts/peter-w-singer/

https://symantec-enterprise-blogs.security.com/

Zeus (Money Mules)

Josh — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 15:00:00 +0000

Let's dive deep into the shadowy world of money mules—unwitting intermediaries in online scams and cybercrime. From stolen banking credentials to elaborate parcel reshipping schemes, scammers rely on these individuals to move stolen funds and goods, leaving the mules to bear the legal and financial consequences.

https://darknetdiaries.com/episode/111/ - Darknet Diaries EP 111: ZeuS

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References

https://www.schwab.com/schwabsafe/think-twice-before-assisting-money-movement

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2020/04/how-cybercriminals-are-weathering-covid-19/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vthPmLORVrM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxR4EMFH8GU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_HFHd9E1Fk

https://krebsonsecurity.com/2016/09/money-mule-gangs-turn-to-bitcoin-atms

https://chargebacks911.com/reshipping-scams/

https://www.ukfinance.org.uk/press/press-release/money-mule-recruiters-use-fake-online-job-adverts-to-target-generation-covid

https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/money-mules

Poison Ivy

Josh — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 15:00:00 +0000

In college, I once showed my class the reality of Remote Access Trojans (RATs) with a live demo—showing how easily someone could take over a computer with the right tool. Years later, the real-world ramifications of these tools are even more chilling. Today, we’re diving deep into Poison Ivy, a notorious RAT that took the cybersecurity world by storm in the mid-2000s, and was linked to high-profile cyberattacks on government agencies, human rights organizations, and corporate giants.

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References

https://www.theregister.com/2012/08/31/nitro_hackers_abuse_java_exploit

https://www.darkreading.com/cyberattacks-data-breaches/poison-ivy-trojan-just-won-t-die

https://www.mandiant.com/sites/default/files/2021-09/rpt-poison-ivy.pdf

https://web.archive.org/web/20080208054011/http://www.poisonivy-rat.com/

https://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/us/threat-encyclopedia/malware/poisonivy

Mydoom

Josh — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 14:00:00 +0000

In this episode, we dive into the chaotic rise of the Mydoom worm, one of the fastest-spreading computer worms ever recorded. From its origins in Russia to its DDoS attacks on SCO Group and Microsoft, Mydoom wreaked havoc on the internet in the early 2000s. We explore how the worm’s clever tactics—like blocking antivirus websites and spreading through email and peer-to-peer networks—made it a formidable threat. Despite the $500,000 bounty, its creator remains a mystery to this day.

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References

https://www.getsupport.co.uk/blog/2021-10/mydoom-the-fascinating-story-behind-the-worlds-fastest-computer-virus/

https://www.mrbrown.com/blog/2004/07/google_attacked.html

https://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/novarg.shtml

https://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/mydoom-b.shtml

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbIkueFe8E4

Fizzer

Josh — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:00:00 +0000

In 2003, the Fizzer worm took advantage of the growing peer-to-peer file-sharing trend, spreading across Kazaa and beyond. What seemed like a harmless music download on Limewire could turn into a backdoor for hackers. In this episode of In The Shell, I share my personal experience with file sharing on my Blue Dell Inspiron 1100 and how I unknowingly encountered malware for the first time. We’ll explore the origins of the Fizzer worm, its unique ability to auto-update, disable antivirus software, and install keyloggers to steal personal information.

I’ll explain how Fizzer spread through file-sharing platforms and network shares, how it spoofed emails, and the sophisticated techniques it used to stay one step ahead of antivirus programs. From peer-to-peer networks to corporate environments, Fizzer’s reach was global—and the impact on users was profound.

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References

https://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/fizzer.shtml

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/threats/malware-encyclopedia-description?Name=Win32%2fFizzer

https://www.kaspersky.com/about/press-releases/fizzer-a-multi-threat-worm-that-attacks-via-e-mail-and-kazaa

https://www.infoworld.com/article/2234751/fizzer-worm-spreading.html

https://threats.kaspersky.com/en/threat/Email-Worm.Win32.Fizzer/

https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2003/05/13/fizzer-e-mail-worm-is-spreading-at-an-alarming-rate/

http://virus.wikidot.com/fizzer

https://www.giac.org/paper/gcih/450/w32-fizzera-analysis-infection-prevention-handling/103564

SQL Slammer

Josh — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 14:00:00 +0000

In this episode of In the Shell, we dive into one of the most notorious cyber incidents of the early 2000s—the SQL Slammer worm. Join me as we explore how this tiny 376-byte worm caused massive internet disruptions worldwide in 2003. From its rapid spread across 75,000 servers in under 10 minutes to its impact on global infrastructure, the SQL Slammer worm serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of patching vulnerabilities and maintaining strong network security.

We’ll break down the technical aspects, including SQL Server vulnerabilities, the difference between TCP and UDP, and how the worm exploited a buffer overflow to wreak havoc. Plus, we’ll discuss the lessons learned and how cyber threats have evolved since then.

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References

https://www.netscout.com/blog/asert/remembering-sql-slammer

https://www.historytools.org/docs/the-sql-slammer-virus-how-it-works-and-how-to-protect-yourself

https://threatpost.com/inside-story-sql-slammer-102010/74589/

https://www.caida.org/catalog/papers/2003_sapphire/

https://www.wired.com/2003/07/slammer/

Code Red

Josh — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 14:00:00 +0000

In this episode of In the Shell, we dive into the story of the Code Red worm, one of the most notorious cyberattacks in history. We explore how it all began with a vulnerability in Microsoft IIS web servers, leading to the rise of multiple versions of the worm. From defaced websites to failed DDOS attacks, and the eventual rise of the dangerous Code Red II, this episode uncovers the chaos it caused and the lessons we can still learn from it today.

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References

https://www.caida.org/archive/code-red/

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/code-red-worm-assault-on/

https://www.sans.org/white-papers/87/

https://www.xenonstack.com/insights/virus-codered-worm/

https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-01-1073t.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiXRxZ5CPa0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMSnmAcG1XM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajbmCtB8tNo

ILOVEYOU

Josh — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 14:00:00 +0000

On May 4th, 2000, an email with the subject “ILOVEYOU” spread like wildfire across the internet. What seemed like a harmless message turned into one of the most notorious worms in history, infecting millions of computers worldwide. In this episode of In the Shell, I dive into the story behind the ILOVEYOU worm—how it was created, who was behind it, and the chaos it unleashed. We'll explore the origins of this infamous piece of malware, the mind of its creator, and the lessons learned from one of the first major cyberattacks. Join me as we take a closer look at how a simple email caused global disruption and forever changed the way we think about online security.

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