Episode 4 - NotPetya: The Malware That Destroyed Everything

In this gripping episode of Cyber Chronicles, we explore the story of NotPetya, a piece of malware that rewrote the rules of cyber warfare in June 2017. Disguised as ransomware, NotPetya spread rapidly across the globe, leaving behind a trail of destruction and causing over $10 billion in damages.

Discover how this devastating malware:

• Exploited the stolen EternalBlue vulnerability from the NSA, combined with tools like Mimikatz to infiltrate networks.
• Targeted Ukrainian systems through a compromised accounting software (MeDoc) but quickly spread to global giants like Maersk, Merck, and FedEx.
• Locked critical systems by encrypting the Master Boot Record (MBR), rendering machines unusable.

Unlike traditional ransomware, NotPetya wasn’t about profit—it was about destruction. Believed to be a state-sponsored cyber weapon, it highlighted the vulnerability of global supply chains and critical infrastructure.

This episode breaks down the timeline of the attack, the technical details of how it spread, and the unprecedented impact on businesses, governments, and economies worldwide. We’ll also discuss the key lessons it taught us about cyber resilience, patch management, and the escalating stakes of cyber warfare.

Perfect for cybersecurity professionals, enthusiasts, or anyone curious about how a single piece of malware brought the world to its knees, this episode simplifies complex technicalities while delivering a suspenseful and educational narrative.