Cybersecurity Today Cybercrime and the Future: An In-Depth Discussion with Tammy Harper, Flare.io
Nov 15, 2025
Tammy Harper, a Senior Threat Intelligence Researcher at Flare, dives deep into the dark web and cybercrime ecosystems. She discusses how state-backed sanctuaries are becoming cybercrime havens. The conversation explores 'extortion as a service' and the role of affiliates in ransomware attacks. Artificial intelligence's impact on social engineering and attacks takes the spotlight, alongside the looming threat of quantum computing on encryption. Harper also highlights how digital sovereignty could reshape the future of cybercrime, making it a must-listen for cybersecurity enthusiasts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Extortion As A Service Emerges
- Extortion as a Service (EAS) crowdsources extortion under a brand without tying affiliates to a single ransomware tool.
- Harper notes EAS risks brand tarnish when copycats or extreme attacks cross red lines.
Scattered/ShinyHunters' Salesforce Heist
- The Scattered‑ShinyHunters campaign used vishing and OAuth abuse to exfiltrate data via APIs and dashboards.
- Harper cites Salesforce as a prime target because it centralizes rich customer data useful for follow‑on attacks.
Affiliates Get Public Bragging Rights
- Ransomware operators increasingly spotlight affiliates on leak sites to recruit and build credibility.
- Promoted affiliates gain 'calling card' visibility that doubles as a decentralized reputation mechanism.
