To try everything Brilliant has to offer for free for a full 30 days, visit https://brilliant.org/davidbombal or scan the QR code onscreen – You’ll also get 20% off an annual premium subscription.
In this 2025 deep-dive, David Bombal sits down with John Hammond to map the real state of hacking: classic ransomware/infostealers meet AI-assisted malware (including code that leverages LLMs). We unpack the ClickFix and FileFix social-engineering patterns, fake CAPTCHA and “save/upload” flows that trick users into running payloads, and the practical Windows mitigations (policy/registry ideas) you should know.
John shares why he estimates 20–30% of attacks now have some AI touch, how social engineering scales, and where defenders can push back. For your career, he argues opportunities are expanding: use CTFs, show your work on GitHub/video, and consider OSCP for signaling. He also introduces Just Hacking Training (JHT), handson hack-alongs, archived CTFs, free upskill challenges, and pay-what-you-want courses with industry all-stars.
What you’ll learn:
• How ClickFix/FileFix actually trick users
• Realistic mitigation tactics you can apply
• The current role of AI in malware
• Career roadmap: CTFs → OSCP → portfolio
• Where to get hands-on: JHT resources
// John Hammond’s SOCIALS //
YouTube: / @_johnhammond
X: https://x.com/_johnhammond
LinkedIn: / johnhammond010
Discord: / discord
Instagram: / _johnhammond
TikTok: / johnhammond010
GitHub: https://github.com/JohnHammond
Humble Bundle: https://www.humblebundle.com/?partner...
Just Hacking Training: https://www.justhacking.com/
ClickFix Website: https://clickfix-wiki.github.io/
// YouTube video REFERENCE //
Linux got hacked with this AI Image: • Linux got Hacked with this AI image!
Hackers trick everyone to run malware (FileFix): • hackers trick everyone to run malware (Fil...
OSINT Tools to track you down: • OSINT tools to track you down. You cannot ...
// David's SOCIAL //
Discord: discord.com/invite/usKSyzb
Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbombal
Instagram: www.instagram.com/davidbombal
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidbombal
Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidbombal.co
TikTok: tiktok.com/@davidbombal
YouTube: / @davidbombal
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3f6k6gE...
SoundCloud: / davidbombal
Apple Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
// MY STUFF //
https://www.amazon.com/shop/davidbombal
// SPONSORS //
Interested in sponsoring my videos? Reach out to my team here:
[email protected]
// MENU //
0:00 - Coming up
0:58 - Intro & Current State of Hacking
03:42 - Brilliant Advert
05:14 - The Wave of AI Attacks
07:43 - Click(Fix) Hack
10:10 - FileFix: The Future Hacks
11:14 - Current Affairs & Social Engineering
15:17 - Raising Awareness
19:18 - Security Research
20:51 - Is There a Future for Younger People in This Industry?
22:54 - What Should I Do to Get There?
24:11 - Recommended Certifications
26:34 - Where Do I Start?
28:26 - About John Hammond’s Work
31:12 - Outro
Please note that links listed may be affiliate links and provide me with a small percentage/kickback should you use them to purchase any of the items listed or recommended. Thank you for supporting me and this channel!
Disclaimer: This video is for educational purposes only.