Max Smeets

I am excited to announce my new book “Ransom War: How Cyber Crime Became a Threat to National Security” published by @OUPAcademic & @HurstPublishers, out in February 2025.

Happy Publication Day @Maxwsmeets! #RansomWar: How Cyber Crime Became a Threat to National Security is out now. Smeets sheds light on the inner workings of the groups responsible for deploying ransomware, and on how governments and businesses can combat the threat. ‘An expert look at the ins and outs of ransomware.’ — @KirkusReviews Get 25% off with code RANSOM25 ➡️ tinyurl.com/mrxcf4ek

It’s time! 🥁 @BindingHook & @MunSecConf proudly announce the AI-Cybersecurity Essay Prize Competition’s five winning essays. Read more: bindinghook.com

Join us for a book talk with Dr @Maxwsmeets on how ransomware is reshaping national security. Learn about the rise of cybercrime, the 2022 Costa Rica crisis, and more. Stay for a discussion with Max and light refreshments. 📅05 Feb |📍 Strand Campus 🎟️: bit.ly/4gUvGC1

Join Dr @Maxwsmeets for an eye-opening talk on the rise of ransomware and its impact on national security. Uncover how these attacks are threatening global stability and learn about the Costa Rica cyber crisis. 📅05 Feb |🕚16:30 |📍Strand Campus Register:bit.ly/4gUvGC1

The 3buddyproblem podcast has definitely added some fun to my commutes home this year

The Best Cybersecurity Stories of 2024 you might have missed: @costin.raiu/the-top-cybersecurity-stories-of-2024-40171d446136" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">medium.com/@costin.raiu/t… featuring @ryanaraine and @juanandres_gs

In my latest analysis for @bindinghook I explore how 🇬🇪’s shifting political landscape is affecting its cybersecurity capacity. As the government takes an increasingly anti-democratic turn, Western partners are cutting critical aid and strategic programming. #GeorgiaProtests

‘Predatory Sparrow’, a mysterious ‘hacktivist’ group, targets Iran’s critical infrastructure, claiming ethical restraint while violating international cyber norms. Who are they? @Maxwsmeets, @jamessshires and @Hannah_Soph investigate for @bindinghook. bindinghook.com/articles-bindi…

The emotional layer of hostage negotiation—de-escalation through empathy—doesn’t exist in ransomware. Attackers see businesses as faceless targets, making negotiations cold, transactional, and often futile. bindinghook.com/articles-bindi…

@iiyonite @CSS_ETHZurich @swisscyberinst @CyberMyri @eubenincasa @JScurrell @LenMaschmeyer You even wore a jacket for the occasion!

This week the @CSS_ETHZurich was awarded the "Excellence in Cybersecurity Research Award" during the Global Cybersecurity Conference (@swisscyberinst) in Zurich. Congrats to @CyberMyri, @eubenincasa, @JScurrell, @Maxwsmeets, @LenMaschmeyer, Clemence Poirier, and Sarah Wiedemar.

Ransomware isn’t just digital hostage-taking. While both involve leverage and ransom demands, ransomware’s dynamics are fundamentally different. Read @Maxwsmeets' analysis: bindinghook.com/articles-bindi…

My thoughts on why the hostage negotiation analogy falls short for understanding ransomware bindinghook.com/articles-bindi…

Very happy to see this article with @aa_gilli out. Thanks to all the editorial team of The Republic for their support and help.

Check out our new website: virtual-routes.org. In the coming months, we will be adding more resources and launching new programs!

A big day: Virtual Routes launches! This is a major milestone for our team and mission. Really excited to see what lies ahead!

📣 Virtual Routes is here! ECCRI and ECCRI CIC are now Virtual Routes, an organization dedicated to tackling the impact of digital technologies on global affairs through research, education, and public engagement. Learn more on our new site: virtual-routes.org #VirtualRoutes

Is ransomware organized crime? It seems obvious, but it’s not. In my latest @bindinghook piece, I explain why ransomware groups don’t fit traditional definitions and what this means for understanding their operations. bindinghook.com/articles-bindi…

Germany cybersecurity strategy evolved in the wake of the 2015 Russian hack of the Bundestag and the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but still faces limitations on countering cyber operations in peace time, writes Matthias Schulze: bindinghook.com/articles-bindi…

North Korea’s sanctions evasion is evolving – now with cyber freelancers raising millions for the regime’s nuclear ambitions. Read more from Chandana Seshadri on @bindinghook. bindinghook.com/articles-hooke…