Episode 9: The Hacker Who Accidentally Saved the World

In Episode 9 of The Rook & Rage Podcast, I’m flying solo while James is away, and we’re doing something a little different. Join me as I dive deep into the incredible story of Marcus Hutchins, the hacker who accidentally saved the world from one of the largest cyberattacks in history: WannaCry.

In May 2017, a ransomware attack spread like wildfire, crippling hospitals, banks, and governments across 150 countries. But in the middle of this chaos, a 23-year-old hacker stumbled onto a kill switch that stopped the attack cold. This episode explores how Hutchins went from an unlikely hero to someone facing his own dark past—and the complicated line between redemption and consequence in the hacker world.

Get ready for a solo deep dive into a story full of twists, moral grey areas, and how one person can change the course of a global disaster with just a few clicks.