Podcasts

On a new episode of DISCARDED, Selena Larson and guest host Sarah Sabotka join Saher Naaman, Senior Threat Researcher at Proofpoint, for a deep dive into how modern espionage and cybercrime are increasingly blurring lines.

On this DISCARDED episode, our threat research sleuths crack open Proofpoint’s new Human Factor series and explore one of the most deceptively dangerous tactics in a threat actor’s playbook: the benign conversation.

This episode of DISCARDED features Andrew Couts, Senior Editor, Security and Investigations at WIRED. Listen in as Andrew shares insights into his work overseeing cybersecurity coverage and investigative reporting, collaborating with newsrooms, and uncovering the hidden threats lurking in the digital world.

On this episode of DISCARDED, Proofpoint's threat researchers explore the broader shift from traditional malware to commercially available tools that fly under the radar and how cybercriminals are increasingly abusing Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools (sometimes called Remote Access Software) to gain initial access in email-based attacks.

On this episode of DISCARDED, the Proofpoint threat research team dives into the realities of current social engineering schemes —especially during high-risk times like tax season. Cybercriminals exploit fear, urgency, and excitement to manipulate victims, from IRS impersonation scams and fraudulent tax payment requests to deepfake cons and TikTok frauds.

On this episode of DISCARDED, the team explores the evolving world of image-based threat detection and the deceptive tactics cybercriminals use to evade defenses.

On this episode of DISCARDED, host Selena Larson and guest host Joshua Miller are joined by external guest, Kristina Walter, Chief of NSA’s Cybersecurity Collaboration Center. They explore the cutting-edge collaborations between the NSA and industry partners to combat cyber threats, with a deep dive into the NSA’s Cybersecurity Collaboration Center (Triple C).

Hannah Rapetti, takedown services manager at Proofpoint, joins host Selena Larson and guest host TimKromphardt for the first DISCARDED episode of 2025. Hannah shares her fascinating journey from librarian to cybersecurity expert, detailing her path into the industry through certifications, CTFs (Capture the Flag), and the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) community.

On this DISCARDED episode, host Selena Larson is joined by ransomware expert Allan Liska, CSIRT at Recorded Future. Allan drops by to share his creative take on cyber-themed graphic novels, proving there’s nothing ransomware can’t inspire—even superheroes.

On this episode of DISCARDED, Selena Larson and guest host Sarah Sabotka explore the evolving tactics of China-based nation-state threat actors with guest Mark Kelly, Staff Threat Researcher at Proofpoint. They focus on TA415 (APT41 or Brass Typhoon), examining its combination of cybercrime and state-sponsored espionage.