131: Welcome to Video

Dec 27, 2022 1h 8m

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Episode Description

Andy Greenberg (https://twitter.com/a_greenberg) brings us a gut wrenching story of how criminal investigators used bitcoin tracing techniques to try to find out who was at the center of a child sexual abuse darkweb website.

This story is part of Andy’s new book “Tracers in the Dark: The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency”. An affiliate link to the book on Amazon is here: https://amzn.to/3VkjSh7.

Sponsors

Support for this show comes from Varonis. Do you wonder what your company’s ransomware blast radius is? Varonis does a free cyber resilience assessment that tells you how many important files a compromised user could steal, whether anything would beep if they did, and a whole lot more. They actually do all the work – show you where your data is too open, if anyone is using it, and what you can lock down before attackers get inside. They also can detect behavior that looks like ransomware and stop it automatically. To learn more visit www.varonis.com/darknet.

Support for this show comes from Axonius. The Axonius solution correlates asset data from your existing IT and security solutions to provide an always up-to-date inventory of all devices, users, cloud instances, and SaaS apps, so you can easily identify coverage gaps and automate response actions. Axonius gives IT and security teams the confidence to control complexity by mitigating threats, navigating risk, decreasing incidents, and informing business-level strategy — all while eliminating manual, repetitive tasks. Visit axonius.com/darknet to learn more and try it free.

AI-Generated Summary

Introduction to Bitcoin's Impact

The episode begins with the host sharing his personal journey with Bitcoin, starting from 2014 when he initially bought Bitcoin for $600. This introduction sets the tone for the discussion on Bitcoin's transformative effects on his life and the world of finance, while highlighting the challenges of trading and the unpredictable nature of cryptocurrency markets.

The Dark Side of Bitcoin

Jack Recyder introduces the darker aspects of Bitcoin, exploring its use in illicit activities on the dark web and child exploitation. Through the story of Welcome to Video, a dark web marketplace for child sexual abuse materials, the podcast underscores how Bitcoin’s perceived anonymity can lead to heinous crimes, contrasting its revolutionary potential with its capacity for abuse.

Investigating Welcome to Video

Andy Greenberg, a seasoned journalist, discusses his book 'Tracers in the Dark,' detailing how Bitcoin tracing techniques aided investigators in the case. Law enforcement's meticulous tracking of Bitcoin transactions revealed the site’s vast criminal network, and significant investigative breakthroughs occurred with the help of tools developed by companies like Chainalysis.

The Survivors and Victims of Abuse

The investigative process highlights the chilling revelations of abuse tied to Welcome to Video. Not only does it discuss the horrendous activities of users and the case’s implications, but it also emphasizes the importance of prioritizing victims, showcasing how investigators worked tirelessly to protect children being exploited, leading to the rescue of 23 victims around the world.

Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Tracking

The podcast raises questions about the legal enforcements within the realms of dark web crime. It discusses the challenges faced while tracking down criminals, involving various law enforcement agencies, and navigating complex legal systems, revealing the ethical dilemmas in distinguishing between anonymity, privacy, and accountability.

Aftermath and Awareness

The episode concludes with a discussion on the sad realities of the perpetrators and the consequences of their actions, alongside a look at the societal implications. It opens a dialogue on cryptocurrency, underscoring the ease with which anonymity can be compromised through exchanges, and inspiring caution against the false sense of security within the digital currency realm.