Title: The Evolution of Malware: 50 Years of Digital Infection

From the earliest boot sector viruses of the 1970s and 1980s to today's highly sophisticated malware campaigns, this talk explores how malware has evolved over the past five decades. We'll examine the major technological shifts that shaped modern threats—including polymorphism, fileless malware, ransomware, and living-off-the-land techniques—before taking a deep dive into real-world malware currently targeting the web hosting industry. Drawing on current threat hunting and incident response experience, the session will demonstrate how attackers operate today, how defenders detect them, and what lessons history still teaches us about protecting modern infrastructure.

Speaker: Robbie Abraham

Robbie Abraham is the Cyber Threat Operations Lead at Newfold Digital, the parent company of brands including Crazy Domains, Digital Pacific, and Network Solutions. With more than 20 years of experience in the web hosting industry, Robbie leads threat hunting and cyber threat intelligence initiatives focused on protecting Newfold's global infrastructure while contributing intelligence that helps strengthen the security of the broader internet community.

How to find us on the day?

An organiser will be on the ground floor until 6:15 to assist attendees with accessing the lifts.

Speed hiring

There is an opportunity for potential employers to do an impromptu 30-second description of their open role. If you are interested, speak with one of the organisers before the start of the session.

Please note the best way to support SecTalks and tell others about your open roles is through sponsorship. We encourage companies, small or large, to come forward and support their local community.

Sponsors

Notes

For sponsoring SecTalks Sydney and supporting the non-profit community, contact sydney@sectalks.org
To speak or submit CTF challenges at SecTalks, fill up https://sessionize.com/sectalks

Thanks to you for

1. Keeping your RSVP up-to-date. We are usually overbooked and have a long waitlist. We will sign you in and keep track of RSVPs and attendance.

2. Aligning with SecTalks no-bullshit code of conduct

3. Keeping the venue nice and tidy during and after the session

Contact the host of The Evolution of Malware - SecTalks SYD0x66 (102nd)