Show Notes
Big thanks to Proton Drive for sponsoring this video. You can use my link http://proton.me/drive/davidbombal to sign up for Proton Drive and get 40% discount.
John DiMaggio created fake identities, profiled ransomware operators and spent approximately 18 months earning the trust of LockBit.
In this interview, John explains how his investigation led to work with the FBI and the UK’s National Crime Agency, contributed to indictments and resulted in death threats against him. He also reveals how the work affected his mental health, relationships and everyday life.
John shares the remarkable story of a young REvil hacker connected to the Kaseya ransomware attack and its $70 million ransom demand. He explains how ransomware operators are recruited, manipulated and sometimes controlled by intelligence agencies.
You will also learn why stolen cryptocurrency is difficult to spend, how Bitcoin tracing and money-laundering mistakes expose cybercriminals and why technical hacking skills do not make someone good at hiding money. Finally, John warns aspiring researchers not to approach ransomware gangs without professional training and support. He discusses his new book, Owned, and how he plans to use his experience to help cybersecurity teams and business leaders prepare for ransomware attacks.
// Link to No Starch Website for Jon DiMaggio’s Book // Order Owned on No Starch: https://nostarch.com/owned Use Coupon Code OWNED30 for 30% off Owned at NoStarch.com
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// MENU // 0:00 - Coming Up 0:36 - Introduction 01:28 - Infiltrating the LockBit Ransomware Gang 03:45 - Working With the FBI & NCA 04:55 - Sponsor – Proton Drive 06:54 - Stories From the Ransomware Gang 07:35 - Befriending a Hacker 10:21 - The Kaseya Ransomware Attack 12:10 - Arrest, Extradition & a 14-Year Sentence 13:12 - An Unexpected Message From Prison 14:57 - The LockBit Story & the Mental Health Toll 16:30 - Advice for Young People Drawn to Cybercrime 18:09 - Why Hackers Can’t Easily Spend Their Money 19:12 - How to Become a Jon DiMaggio 21:58 - What’s Next for Jon DiMaggio 23:08 - Preparing Companies for Ransomware Attacks 23:52 - Final Thoughts
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Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only. #lockbit #ransomware #revil
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Big thanks to Cisco & Splunk for sponsoring my trip to .Conf 2026 and also for sponsoring this video.
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Big thanks to Proton Drive for sponsoring this video. You can use my link http://proton.me/drive/davidbombal to sign up for Proton Drive and get 40% discount.
Big thanks to @Cisco & @Splunkofficial for sponsoring my trip to .Conf 2026 and also for sponsoring this video.