E54: How Russia Started Recruiting Hackers

Kevin reads the full text of a new investigative report by Meduza’s Daniil Turovsky about how Russia’s war in Georgia sparked Moscow’s modern-day recruitment of criminal hackers. The story is timely not just because we’re currently marking the 10-year anniversary of the Russo-Georgian war, but also because we’re still living in a world dominated by news about Russian election interference, cyber-threats, and more. This is an important story, but most of the reporting has happened in the United States, where the victims are located and the fallout has occurred. Turovsky’s new report is worth reading because it offers some insight into the other side of things: the world of the hackers who were likely mobilized for Moscow’s efforts in 2016. Read the text for yourself here, and share it with your pals:https://meduza.io/en/feature/2018/08/07/it-s-our-time-to-serve-the-motherlandIf you enjoy this podcast, please consider making a pledge at Patreon, where you can send Kevin money for all his grand efforts. Many thanks to the listeners already ponying up.www.patreon.com/kevinrothrockOpening music: Assmack by Podington Bearhttp://freemusicarchive.org/music/Podington_Bear/Haplessly_Happy/AssmackClosing tune: Бременские музыканты (1969), Олег АнофриевSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/kevinrothrock)