This is episode 181 of You, Me, and BTC – your liberty and Bitcoin podcast.
If the title of today's show threw you for a loop, good. It might shock some people, but it's dead true. The NSA's policies promoted the spread of a ransomware computer virus that wreaked havoc on US hospitals this week.
The virus uses a Windows exploit called EternalBlue to propagate itself across networks. The technique was supposedly developed by the NSA and kept secret so that it could be used offensively against other nations, militaries, or regimes. But EternalBlue was leaked in April and is has been used in multiple ransomware attacks since. Some of these viruses are still spreading, including one that hit US hospitals this week.
How on earth could something like this happen? Even if the NSA could safely avoid leaks, is it right for them to hoard exploits like EternalBlue? We'll share more details and dive into these questions during tonight's stream.
Then later in the show, we'll touch on a Russian Burger King franchise that plans to start accepting Bitcoin this summer.
Tune in at 9PM Eastern and check the list below for some of the specific stories we'll cover!
- U.S. hospitals have been hit by the global ransomware attack
- A Scary New Ransomware Outbreak Uses WannaCry's Old Tricks
- EternalBlue
- Burger King to Accept Bitcoin in Russia This Summer
Your hosts this week are Daniel Brown and Tim Baker. Don't forget to scroll down so you can keep up with our open tweet lines, vote in this week's Bitcoin poll, and share your thoughts in the comments!
Every click helps. If this Bitcoin podcast was interesting, entertaining, obnoxious, or anything else, use the share buttons to let others know that it exists.
Or to support YMB more directly, subscribe on Patreon and earn perks.
Tips appreciated: 1Kiy8x4pwMS7RQuH7xDeVcfqeup7gUTqA
The #YMBLive Open Tweet Lines
If you have a comment, a question, or a Bitcoin headline that you'd like us to cover on the air, use the button below to send us a tweet! The tweet lines are open all week long, so you can send a shoutout even when we're not live and we'll still get to it during the show. We'll do our best to read all #YMBLive tweets on the air and respond to any questions.
Tweet #YMBLive Follow @YouMeAndBTC//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Vote
On a scale of 1-4, how responsible is #NSA for #EternalBlue/#EternalPetya/#NotPetya #ransomware attacks? Tune in! https://t.co/3q9dDidSjr
— You, Me, and BTC (@YouMeAndBTC) June 29, 2017