In this episode of Breaking Badness, host Kali Fencl is joined by DomainTools' Daniel Schwabe
and disinformation expert Scot Terban to uncover how modern Russian disinformation
campaigns are using domain registrars, homoglyph attacks, and generative AI to mimic
legitimate news outlets and manipulate public perception. From the eerie sophistication of
Doppelganger operations to the exploitation of domain infrastructure, this episode sheds light on how truth is being weaponized in the digital era.

We also explore how AI is accelerating the speed and scale of these attacks, and the limited
levers defenders have to push back.

How Russian Disinformation Campaigns Exploit Domain Registrars and AI

In Part 1 of this special two-part panel, the Breaking Badness podcast gathers leading
cybersecurity experts to explore the foundations of DFIR - Digital Forensics and Incident
Response. Featuring Daniel Schwalbe (DomainTools), Lesley Carhart (Dragos), David Bianco
(Splunk), and Sarah Sabotka (Proofpoint), the panel dives into what makes an effective incident
response program, why preparation is often overlooked, and how to bring technical and human
elements together during high-stakes security events.

DFIRside Chat: Lessons from the Frontlines of Incident Response

In this powerful continuation of our DFIR series, cybersecurity experts Daniel Schwalbe, David
Bianco, Lesley Carhart, and Sarah Sabotka dissect the heart of effective incident response,
containment, eradication, recovery, and lessons learned. Packed with firsthand war stories,
sharp tactical advice, and honest debates, this episode is a must-listen for anyone building or
refining their digital forensics and incident response capabilities. Tune in to learn why planning
matters, what to do (and not do) during a breach, and how to make the adversary's job harder,
one containment plan at a time.

DFIR Foundations: Real-World Lessons in Containment, Eradication, and Recovery

In this episode of Breaking Badness, the crew investigates two escalating threats in the cybercrime ecosystem: the cleverly named phishing-as-a-service platform Morphing Meerkat, and the bulletproof hosting provider Proton66, a favorite among amateur cybercriminals.

First, they dig into how Morphing Meerkat uses DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) and clever phishing kits to evade detection. Then, they shift focus to Proton66, a Russian-based bulletproof host that shelters a new generation of low-skill attackers, including a threat actor known as "Coquettte" with ties to the Horrid Hacking group.

Inside Morphing Meerkat and Proton66: How Cybercrime Is Getting Easier

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we sit down with John Donovan of ZEDEDA to unpack the
lighter and more profound sides of cybersecurity’s biggest gatherings. From RSA’s unexpected
baby goats and vendor booth antics to BSides San Francisco’s community-driven keynote
stage, John shares personal stories, industry insights, and valuable advice on how newcomers
and veterans alike can navigate events like RSA, BSides, and DEF CON. You’ll hear how he
"hacked" his way onto the main stage, what it means to wear a “No Purchasing Authority” pin,
and why protecting your mom from scams might be more urgent than defending your enterprise.

Hacking the Stage: John Donovan on RSAC, BSides SF, and the Human Side of Cybersecurity

In this episode of Breaking Badness, Kali Fencl sits down with Mick Baccio, Global Security
Advisor at Splunk and former CISO for Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential campaign. Mick
shares his journey from aspiring Navy nuclear engineer to leading security in some of the
highest-stakes environments, including the White House.

They explore how threat intelligence, storytelling, and mentorship shape the future of
cybersecurity. From his early days in government to his work on the Splunk SURGe team, Mick
opens up about what it takes to build secure systems, stronger teams, and more empathetic
leadership in cybersecurity.

Building Secure Campaigns and Better Humans: A Conversation with Mick Baccio

In this episode of Breaking Badness, we sit down with Raji Vannianathan, a cybersecurity leader at Microsoft driving the charge on AI security and safety. Raji shares her experience leading the team responsible for managing the end-to-end lifecycle of AI vulnerability disclosures, building proactive safety frameworks, and cultivating a global community of AI security researchers.

From developing Microsoft's AI Bug Bar to launching the "Guardians of AI Safety" Discord
community, she brings both vision and practical strategies to a rapidly evolving field.
We discuss the shifting threat landscape as threat actors begin to leverage generative AI, the
critical need for shared language and cross-functional collaboration, and how Microsoft is
thinking about trust, transparency, and incident response in the AI era. If you’re navigating the
challenges of AI risk, vulnerability coordination, or ethical deployment, this is an essential listen.

It Takes a Village to Secure AI

Welcome to a special RSAC 2025 episode of the Breaking Badness Cybersecurity Podcast!

Today, we delve into the critical role of domains in modern cyber attacks. From sophisticated nation-state operations to AI-powered phishing kits and malicious browser extensions, domains are the foundational infrastructure for threat actors. 

Host Kali Fencl is joined by four leading cybersecurity experts Joe Slowik, Robert Duncan, John Fokker and Vivek Ramachandran to
break down how domains are weaponized and what organizations can do to defend themselves on this ever-evolving frontline

Beyond the Perimeter: How Attackers Use Domains, Phishing & AI and How to Fight Back

In this RSA Conference 2025 special episode, we explore two critical frontiers shaping the
future of cybersecurity.

First, Jon DiMaggio (Author of The Ransomware Diaries, Analyst1) breaks down the hidden
supply chains behind ransomware gangs, including the economics of affiliate betrayal and the
challenge of accurate attribution. He walks us through his methodology for identifying
ransomware rebrands like BlackCat and RansomHub using evidence-based frameworks
designed to eliminate human bias.

Then we’re joined by Matt Radolec (VP of Incident Response at Varonis), who brings a fresh
perspective on talent development in cybersecurity. Drawing from his keynote "From Gamer to
Leader", Matt argues that gamers possess untapped potential as cybersecurity professionals
and it’s time to design leadership pipelines like quest lines.

From ransomware negotiations on underground forums to using AI-enhanced playbooks and
transforming threat response teams into RPG-style guilds, this episode blends technical insight
with cultural reflection.

Inside Ransomware’s Supply Chain: Attribution, Rebrands, and Affiliate Betrayal

In this RSA Conference 2025 special episode, we dive into the evolving world of cyber
attribution, AI-powered threat tactics, and real-world incident response in AWS and GCP
environments.

Our guests include:
● Tal Darsan and Etay Maor from Cato Networks, discussing stealthy attacker techniques,
AI-powered evasion, and lessons from ransomware groups like Medusa, Play, and
Hunters International.

● Yonaten Khen from Hunters, who walks us through how his team discovered a privilege
escalation vulnerability in Google Workspace and what it reveals about modern cloud
attacks.

Zero-Knowledge Threats, Shadow AI, and the Future of Cyber Attribution

Where timely and relevant security meets puns and witty banter. Our goal is to keep defenders apprised of pertinent news and trends in under forty-five minutes.

Inside Morphing Meerkat and Proton66: How Cybercrime Is Getting Easier

Breaking Badness

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