The Tools Hackers Use: From Manual Hacks to Automated Exploits | A Zero Trust World Conversation with Alex Benton | On Location Coverage with Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli

Recorded during ThreatLocker Zero Trust World 2025 in Orlando, this episode of the On Location series features an engaging conversation with Alex Benton, Special Projects at ThreatLocker. Benton shares insights from his Metasploit lab, a beginner-friendly session that demonstrates the power of tools like Metasploit and Nmap in cybersecurity. The lab’s objective is clear: to illustrate how easily unpatched systems can be exploited and reinforce the critical need for consistent patch management.

Understanding the Metasploit Lab

Benton explains how participants in the lab learned to execute a hack manually before leveraging Metasploit’s streamlined capabilities. The manual process involves identifying vulnerable machines, gathering IP addresses, examining open ports, and assessing software vulnerabilities. With Metasploit, these steps become as simple as selecting an exploit and running it, underscoring the tool’s efficiency.

A key demonstration in the lab involved Eternal Blue, the exploit associated with the WannaCry virus in 2017. Benton emphasizes how Metasploit simplifies this complex attack, highlighting the importance of maintaining patched systems to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

The Real-World Implications of Unpatched Systems

The discussion dives into the risks posed by cybercriminals who use tools like Metasploit to automate attacks. Benton points out that malicious actors often analyze patch notes to identify potential vulnerabilities and create scripts to exploit unpatched systems quickly. The conversation touches on the dark web’s role in providing detailed information about exposed systems, making it even easier for attackers to target vulnerable machines.

Lessons from WannaCry

The episode revisits the WannaCry incident, where a vulnerability in Windows systems led to a global cybersecurity crisis. Benton recounts how outdated systems and the absence of a strong security culture created an environment ripe for exploitation. He also shares the story of cybersecurity researchers, including Marcus Hutchins, who played pivotal roles in mitigating the virus’s impact by identifying and activating its kill switch.

Tune in to Learn More

This episode offers valuable insights into cybersecurity practices, the dangers of unpatched environments, and the tools that both ethical hackers and cybercriminals use. Listen in to gain a deeper understanding of how to secure your systems and why proactive security measures are more crucial than ever.

Guest: Alex Benton, Special Projects at ThreatLocker | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-benton-b805065/

Hosts:

Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber] | On ITSPmagazine:  https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martin

Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast | On ITSPmagazine: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli

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This Episode’s Sponsors

ThreatLocker: https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974

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Resources

Learn more and catch more stories from ZTW 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/zero-trust-world-2025-cybersecurity-and-zero-trust-event-coverage-orlando-florida

Register for Zero Trust World 2025: https://itspm.ag/threat5mu1

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