Easy Prey

Security risks are dynamic. Projects, employees, change, tools, and configurations are modified. Many companies utilize PEN testers on an annual basis, but as quickly as systems are revised, you may need to implement threat emulation for regular monitoring. Today's guest is Andrew Costis. Andrew is the Chapter Lead of the Adversary Research Team at Attack IQ. He has over 22 years of professional industry experience and previously worked in the Threat Analysis Unit Team at Firmware, Carbon Black, and Logrhythm Labs, performing security research, reverse engineering malware, and tracking and discovering new campaigns and threats. Andrew has delivered various talks at DefCon, Adversary Village, Black Hat, B Side, Cyber Risk Alliance, Security Weekly, IT Pro, Bright Talk, SE Magazine, and others. Show Notes: [1:14] - Andrew shares his background and what he currently does in his career at Attack IQ. [3:49] - At the time of this recording, there has been a major global security panic. [6:06] - There are many programs that we use on a regular basis that we don't always consider the security of. [8:09] - Historically, companies would pay for an external pen test. Andrew describes the purpose of this and how they usually went. [9:33] - Pen tests and threat emulation do not need to be limited to just once a year. [10:45] - Andrew's team is in the business of testing post-breached systems. But they preach prevention. [11:55] - Attackers are lazy in the sense that they will reuse the same strategies over and over again. [14:13] - Many programs we use may be caught in the crosshairs of attacks and vulnerabilities in other companies. [16:41] - Andrew discusses the frequency of really critical CVEs. [19:01] - What do attackers go after when they've breached a system? [21:04] - The priority for attackers is to get in quickly and make the victim's data unavailable. [22:24] - A lot of people are under the impression of vulnerability testers. "Fire and forget it" is not a beneficial mindset. [24:56] - If we run every test, the amount of data will be overwhelming. [27:03] - In his experience, there has been client testing that has been overwhelmingly easy to breach. [29:07] - There are also organizations that have done a fantastic job. However, vulnerabilities will still be found. [30:18] - The red team is not going to be able to cover your entire organization. [32:15] - Threat emulation and pen testing are technically the same thing. Andrew explains how she sees the difference. [33:50] - How are vulnerabilities and tests prioritized? [36:19] - Andrew describes the things his team works on and their objectives for customers and clients. [38:34] - The outage at the time of this recording had a big impact. It gave a really good idea of what could happen if it were a real security breach. [41:37] - There are a ton of free resources out there. The primary resource at Attack IQ is the free Attack IQ Academy. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Andrew Costis at Attack IQ

Ransomware may not be on your machines due to your negligence or mistakes. It could be there because of third-party software you are utilizing. Do you know what to do if this happens to you? Today's guest is Amitabh Sinha. Amitabh has a PhD in Computer Science and more than 20 years of experience in enterprise software, end-user computing, mobile, and database software. He co-founded Workspot in 2012. He was the General Manager of Enterprise Desktop and Applications at Citrix Systems. In his five years at Citrix, he was the VP of Product Management for XenDesktop and VP of Engineering for the Advanced Solutions Group. Show Notes: [1:03] - Amitabh shares his background and current role and contributions at Workspot. [4:35] - The first sign of ransomware in an organization is widespread blue screens and Microsoft machines shutting down. [5:40] - How does ransomware find its way to a device? [6:59] - Ransomware in your organization is not necessarily your fault. [10:37] - Amitabh describes how he has helped client organizations back up and running after having been infected with ransomware. [13:11] - Typically, it is not recommended to pay the ransomware, but it may be a viable option for some organizations. [15:59] - Most small companies are not prepared to prevent or handle ransomware. [17:34] - In most large companies, not all PCs are up to date on security patches. [20:41] - Cloud storage is much safer and can be accessed on other physical machines in the event that ransomware shuts down an organization. [24:41] - For those who work from home, sometimes multiple machines makes things even more complicated. [27:35] - What are you willing to pay to not have something happen? That's how ransomware takes advantage of people. [31:20] - For small companies, there is typically an architectural solution, but that isn't always viable for large organizations. [33:14] - Consider the critical functions of your organizations and what a plan could be if computers were not accessible. [34:37] - These types of attacks are more and more frequent. [36:44] - Amitabh is confident that AI will make preventing ransomware even more challenging. [40:38] - Most people have accepted that a lot, if not all, their information has already been leaked on the internet. But businesses are particularly vulnerable. [42:30] - A whole organization can be drastically impacted by just one machine being hit by ransomware. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Amitabh Sinha on LinkedIn Workspot.com

We all use technology. Things like internet browsers, search engines, instant messaging, and payment apps. But we aren't always aware of the data being collected. This information can not only impact your privacy, but those around you as well. Today's guest is Carey Parker. Carey is the author of Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons, a step-by-step guide to computer security and privacy for non-techies. He also hosts a podcast by the same name. He recently retired from a career in software engineering to focus on teaching others how to defend their digital devices and protect their personal data. Show Notes: [0:53] - Carey shares his background and what provoked the motivation for a career shift. [4:07] - If we all did the small things that protect privacy, we would all be stronger. [5:20] - Even if you have already shared a lot of your information online, it is not hopeless and it's not too late. [6:32] - Your security and privacy overlap with other people's. [8:35] - We need to be protecting privacy for all of us, not just ourselves as individuals. [10:17] - Carey explains why and how apps and companies collect data. [11:48] - Foreign governments would love to get their hands on the data that is collected by countless companies and apps. [13:53] - Data is valuable to software developers for honest reasons. Collecting data isn't inherently bad. [17:16] - When determining what connection to use, you are trading off who you trust - your ISP, the public wifi connection, or a VPN. [23:10] - Carey shares some easy things you can change right now to protect your privacy. [25:25] - Companies love to get your email address and your phone number. These become unique identifiers. [27:05] - Search engines collect data as well. This is important to remember. [28:05] - Payment apps are another obvious type of website that collects data. Which ones should you avoid? [30:32] - There is value in social media. Make sure the things you post are not public by default. [32:19] - Metadata and location tools are used on any social media image. [34:37] - Messaging apps collect data and share it. There is a gold standard app though that Carey suggests. [36:31] - Email is trickier because it is open standard. It wasn't designed with encryption in mind. [38:55] - Carey discusses automated AI systems like Alexa. [41:26] - When using AI tools, assume that the information is collected and could be public. [42:35] - Car privacy is horrible and there is almost nothing you can do about it. [46:18] - It is not true that you need to give up privacy for security. Carey discusses the differences. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons Website Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons Podcast Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons by Carey Parker

Finding a solution to stop spam calls to you, your family, or your business isn't easy. We may not win this war, but we don't want the government making this decision for us. We can make it more manageable in the meantime. Today's guest is Aaron Foss. After winning the FTC Robocall Challenge in 2013, Aaron started Nomorobo. Since then, Nomorobo has stopped billions and billions of unwanted robocalls and spam texts from reaching our phones, and it was acquired by Applause group in August 2023. Aaron has been featured in The New York Times, Wired, CNN, CNBC, Fox News, and countless other media outlets. He has testified in front of Congress, not once, not twice, but three times. Show Notes: [1:14] - Aaron shares his background as a serial entrepreneur in the intersection of technology and business. [3:57] - At the beginning, Aaron didn't even know what a robocall was. [6:47] - Robocalls have this negative connotation. They can actually be good. But there are many that are unwanted. [8:13] - There are different types of robocalls and there is a differentiation between spam and scam calls. [10:08] - Aaron explains why spam emails are easier to block than robocalls. [12:20] - There are some robocalls that are necessary and helpful for some people. That is one reason why not all robocalls can be blocked. [13:40] - Not answering the phone is not a plausible solution. [15:50] - Nomorobo is basically a series of bots talking to other bots. [16:50] - Aaron describes caller ID and how spoofing a number is possible. [19:42] - This is such a big problem because the barrier of entry is low. [21:08] - It is amazing that we can call anyone in the world. But that also means that scammers can, too. [22:53] - This is a complicated problem, and the future solution is a combination of government regulation, companies like Nomorobo, and AI. [26:29] - We are never going to win the war, but we can keep it manageable. [29:45] - What is the role of the carriers when it comes to robocalls? [31:47] - Keeping scammers on the phone does not make the problem go away. [33:52] - Some scams are seasonal and some are evergreen, like Medicare calls. [36:26] - Aaron explains the different ways these scams can be done and the range of damage they can do. [39:56] - At best, this is an annoyance. But there are people in our lives that are vulnerable and less protected. [44:42] - Sometimes, Nomorobo users have to turn it off for specific reasons and specific calls they're waiting for. [47:56] - This problem is an example of "death by a thousand papercuts." [49:30] - There are some red flags and things you might notice if you answer robocalls that could indicate that they are scams. [50:46] - This seems like an easy problem to solve, but it is far more complicated than most people think. [52:00] - Aaron describes what it was like to testify in front of Congress. [56:43] - Listen and educate yourself. Talk to other people about these things. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Nomorobo Website

Most businesses rely on some type of software, either for scheduling, payment, banking, customer lists, or something else. It's important to know where this information is stored and what would happen if that software was hacked or you weren't able to access it. Today's guest is Kris Burkhardt. As Accenture's Chief Information Security Officer, Kris leads a team of over 800 security experts charged with protecting company client and customer data. Show Notes: [0:49] - Kris describes his role at Accenture and what Accenture is known for in the security industry. [2:26] - Part of their program is sending phishing tests and Kris has failed one before as well. It happens, especially when we are in a rush. [5:39] - We are so highly connected that when something goes down, it impacts us in ways we never considered. [7:10] - Many small businesses rely on software service providers because there is a lot of good about them. But what happens when they go down? [9:56] - Defenders have to get it right all the time. [11:13] - The last ten years have seen an immense amount of growth in how we store data. We have to stay ahead of change when it comes to security. [13:59] - It is hard to understand how much we rely on technology. [17:34] - Kris describes a time when the CEO of Accenture was used in a deep fake and the threat actor was very clever. [21:17] - Kris believes that advances in technology will make it harder to pretend to be someone else. [23:20] - Children are growing up in a technological world and are naturally more skeptical and cautious as a result. [25:49] - Safety has always been an afterthought. [27:15] - Kris shares what he thinks scams and deep fakes will look like in the near future. [30:12] - Pay attention to things that don't seem consistent. [32:57] - People feel like there is a trade off when it comes to efficiency and security. [39:37] - Having a plan ahead of time is absolutely beneficial in staying ahead of security problems. [44:25] - As deep fakes become more and more of a problem, Kris suggests having code words with family members. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Accenture Website

Is it right for parents to be the ones to have to put limits on their children's screen time or to monitor the content they consume? Knowing the impact of social media and kids can influence the decisions that are made. Today's guest is Steve Lazarus. Steve is a retired FBI agent, crime fiction author, and Instagram influencer specializing in personal and child safety topics. Show Notes: [0:42] - Steve shares his background and his career history in the FBI and the military. [4:02] - For a long time, Steve was anti-social media. However, since the publication of his book, he has garnered a significant social media following. [5:50] - He started his Instagram with posts of things that he would never do as a retired FBI agent. [7:08] - Steve describes the post that went super viral on TikTok and Instagram. [9:00] - Parents need to know what their kids are looking at on the internet and control the amount of access they have online. [10:40] - Sextortion is a very real and serious problem, especially for young boys. [12:27] - Always report any case of sextortion or sexual content involving a minor. Law enforcement becomes involved immediately. [14:09] - Steve lists some of the things to look for when children and teens that could be red flags. [16:01] - The internet is on almost every device in your home. A child's access is not limited to just a computer. [17:59] - Covid did not help the increasing amount of time children spend online. [20:52] - We're asking kids to have good judgment without teaching them how. [22:13] - The first question that needs to be asked by anyone, but especially a child is, "Do I know this person?" [26:07] - To deal with the digital world now, common sense is crucial and we can't take everything at face value. [27:56] - A relatively new issue is AI generated images that are very convincing and look so real. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Steve Lazarus Author Website Steve Lazarus on Instagram Steve Lazarus on TikTok

Synthetic IDs can be used to open fake accounts, but without a person to file the fraud claim, how should companies deal with this type of deceit? There is no crime where someone doesn't need to pay for the loss. Either way, the loss is passed on to the consumers in some way or another. Today's guest is Steve Lenderman. Steve is currently the Head of Fraud Solutions North America at Quantexa and has over 25 years of experience in financial crimes investigation. His previous roles include being the Senior Vice President of Fraud Prevention Investigations at Bank Mobile Technology, the Director of Strategic Fraud Prevention at ADP, and the Fraud Operations Lead for PayPal Business Loans. He is a certified fraud examiner and actively contributes to the anti-fraud community. Show Notes: [1:07] - Steve shares his background and what his current role is at Quantexa. [4:04] - For those who are interested in a career path in cybersecurity or fraud, Steve has some tips. [6:07] - What is synthetic identity? Steve describes what it is and why we should be concerned about them. [8:59] - Although still mostly built around financial data, synthetic IDs have also morphed into other nefarious uses. [10:56] - All fraud in general is underreported, but synthetic IDs are extremely underreported, so data is not accurate, although still very high. [12:37] - Synthetic IDs can be used to open a credit card and then after several purchases, fraudsters leave the card open and unpaid. [14:21] - Some think that synthetic IDs and fake accounts are victimless. [18:59] - To understand how fraud works, Steve had to create synthetic IDs. [22:15] - Over the years, it has gotten even easier to do, which is alarming. [25:13] - Credit repair using a CPN is illegal fraud using synthetic IDs. [26:40] - Synthetics are all built around data and the ease of collecting data in the last few years has increased the ease of creating them. [27:57] - Criminals have learned that they can use synthetic IDs in more ways and in more industries. [31:04] - Small businesses are particularly easy targets for synthetic ID use. [33:16] - It is possible for synthetic IDs to also be used to create a new business. [34:53] - Technology has also made it possible for a deep fake to be created to match a synthetic ID. [36:49] - A lot of synthetic IDs are created with unused credit. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Steve Lenderman's Website Quantexa Website

Criminals do their own recon to study how vendors craft their emails and how they can structure them to match. Scammers know employees are busy and that they want to act promptly on requests, but they also understand it takes time to verify the validity of the email. How do we train employees to know what is real and what isn't? Today's guest is Josh Bartolomie. After joining Cofense in 2018 as the Director of Research and Development, Josh currently serves as the Vice President of Global Threat Services. He has over 25 years of IT and cybersecurity experience. He designed, built, and managed security operations centers, incident response teams, security architecture, and compliance for global organizations. Show Notes: [1:08] - Josh shares his background and what he does in his current role at Cofense. [4:06] - After all these years, email continues to be an easy way for scammers to target many people at one time and victimize a percentage of them. [5:52] - Wherever there are a lot of people, that is where attackers will go because that is a bigger pool of success for them. [7:08] - You used to be able to block emails with an unsubscribe button, but now we rely on those emails, too. [9:50] - The goal is not to stop them altogether, because at this point it isn't possible. The goal is to dissuade people from clicking links and trusting emails. [11:47] - With AI and LM, crafting emails has never been easier for scammers. [13:48] - Organizations get hit in different ways, but HR generally gets targeted a lot. [16:54] - Intellectual property theft is also a part of email crafting. [20:14] - Chris shares the story of an unfortunate experience. [25:10] - Acknowledge that these things do happen and they can happen to you. [27:33] - Always call the vendor. It's an extra layer and extra work, but never trust an email that says something has changed when it comes to finances. [28:54] - Organizations should have a strong reporting culture. [30:55] - Employees can report emails that seem suspicious. The majority of them are spam emails, rather than scams, but they should be reported. [34:02] - What constitutes a spam email? What is the difference? [36:13] - Organizations tend to cut IT and cybersecurity when there are budget cuts. [39:18] - This is changing every single day. [41:46] - Scammers collect data and create profiles. They are very sophisticated in their strategies to target organizations. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Cofense Website John Bartolomie on LinkedIn

Some scammers love the challenge of deceiving those they target while others are forced to scam. Those that thrive off of destroying others try to heighten your emotions very quickly. Both excited and angry responses can get you into making irrational decisions. Today's guest is Doug Shadel. Doug is a former fraud investigator and special assistant to the Attorney General at the Washington State Attorney General's office. He served as state director for AARP Washington and Strategy Director for AARP's national anti-fraud efforts. Doug has collaborated on numerous educational videos and academic studies and co-authored five books about fraud. He also co-authored the AARP Fraud Frontier 2021 Report. He is currently Managing Director of Fraud Prevention Strategies LLC, a Seattle-based consulting firm. Show Notes: [1:08] - Doug shares his background and career in fighting fraud. [2:43] - Robo-calls have been a long lasting problem that Doug has been working on with AARP and Nomorobo. [7:11] - Over the years, Doug has interviewed numerous scammers. They all say their primary goal is to get a victim in a heightened emotional state. [9:07] - Doug describes the research that shows when people are in a heightened emotional state, they are more likely to fall victim to a scam. [10:57] - Block the incoming robocalls to begin with to help avoid a scammer manipulating you into a heightened emotional state. [13:17] - It still is very dangerous to answer these phone calls because a lot of them are really persuasive and really good at what they do. [14:34] - There isn't a specific demographic profile. Doug explains what people who fall victim to a scam have in common. [16:49] - The FCC has come down hard on robocallers, but this has just caused scammers to be more careful and even more skilled. [18:09] - Have you recently received calls asking for a donation? Doug describes how these work. [21:12] - The number one red flag of a robocall is the threat of loss. [25:22] - Caller ID is not reliable. It is very common and easy for scammers to spoof a call. [27:48] - There are some legitimate needs for people to be able to spoof a call. [29:42] - Assume it is a scam if you did not initiate the contact. [33:08] - By and large, scammers will not cause violence on a victim, even if they threaten them. They follow the path of least resistance. [36:02] - Doug describes some software he uses to edit videos that incorporates AI. These tools are great, but are also used by scammers. [39:26] - Grandparent scams are really common. Doug describes what people have said after falling victim. [40:40] - There is an illusion of invulnerability. If you are convinced that you are not vulnerable to something, you won't do anything to prevent it. [43:04] - There's a lot more money for scammers to make in scamming an employee of a large company than individuals. [46:10] - The pandemic also had a big impact on the scamming industry. [50:50] - The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline is 1-877-908-3360. [53:00] - Always report a scam when you know of one. It helps more than you know. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest

Please stop yourself from saying, "This could never happen to me or my family." We can all have vulnerable blindspots when it comes to those we love being exploited or endangered. Even the best trained educators can be manipulated into making a mistake. Today's guest is Clayton Cranford. Clayton is the founder of Cyber Safety Cop. He is a retired sergeant from the Orange County Sheriff's Department who served as a school resource officer, juvenile investigator, and behavioral threat assessor. He is one of the nation's leading law enforcement educators on social media, child safety, teen drug abuse prevention, and behavioral threat assessments. He is the author of the definitive parent guide to online safety, Parenting in a Digital World. Show Notes: [1:10] - Clayton shares his background as a school resource officer in 2012, which was the year that saw the adoption of smartphones by teens. [2:48] - It all amounts to a simple and common narrative: a good kid made a bad choice and a parent who had no idea what was going on. [4:08] - The turning point in Clayton's career was his first day as a school resource officer. [6:14] - There are things that parents can do to absolutely make a difference. [8:20] - Technology has changed our kids, particularly their mental health. [10:06] - Schools and counselors are alarmed at the number of children who are struggling with anxiety and depression. [12:50] - Clayton shares some of the data that shows an increase in depression and suicidal ideation in teens. [15:40] - Parents could come together to make real change, but oftentimes, parents don't often make a change until it's too late. [17:51] - A lot of parents are using devices to help their kids regulate their emotions. [21:06] - Boys tend to lean more into video games, but girls tend to spend more time on social media. There are differences in the effect on their brains. [24:52] - When it comes to friends, teens have gone from quality to quantity. [27:02] - Every new generation that is now exposed to social media from the time they are born are experiencing severe mental health concerns. [30:03] - Parenting styles have changed through each generation. [32:03] - Why are parents giving their children phones so young? [36:41] - Clayton says not to give your child a smartphone until high school. [37:48] - There are apps that you can put on your child's phone that will help regulate screen time. [39:45] - Clayton discourages parents from putting technology, particularly mobile devices in your child's bedroom. [40:49] - Parenting in a digital world is more about how to talk to your children than telling them what they should and shouldn't do. [42:16] - Snapchat is an especially big problem. How can we have this conversation? [44:51] - The number 1 app that puts drugs in a child's hands is Snapchat. [45:50] - Your relationship with your child is important, but you need to be aware of what each app can do and what it can lead to. [47:10] - Parents are saying that they are glad they didn't have the internet when they were growing up. [49:02] - Interacting online takes away the sense of consequence that we feel when we interact in person. [52:10] - The way kids think is normal. But they don't understand the consequences of their online behavior. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Cyber Safety Cop Website Parenting in a Digital World by Clayton Cranford

Thieves used to rob banks and steal physical money, but in a digital world, it is much easier to sit behind a keyboard and deceive you into giving it to them. Fortunately, there are specific things you can do to protect your finances before scammers get into your accounts. Today's guest is John Buzzard. John is a nationally recognized financial industry fraud expert who has delivered significant influence in credit card fraud, risk, and security services for financial institutions throughout the United States. Show Notes: [0:56] - John shares his background and what he does currently in the financial industry fraud space. [2:31] - Everything old is new again. Things come back in a cyclical fashion but have a new digital spin. [3:49] - There's a price to pay for convenience especially if we don't keep an eye on things and be aware of what can go wrong. [5:19] - Be conscious of where you bank and make purchases. [7:46] - Set up alerts so any activity in your bank accounts, including deposits, is made known. [11:34] - There are different viewpoints on freezing your credit. [17:15] - There are some capabilities in apps that can block certain types of activity. [20:35] - During and post-Covid, we have gotten into a "tap and go" contactless experience when making purchases. [22:20] - New payment techniques are safe. John discusses Apple Pay as something secure that he likes to use for safety and convenience. [25:40] - John explains card chips and what happens when they aren't working. [27:59] - If there is fraud, it is handled differently if it is a chip transaction or a mag swipe. [31:01] - John shares an experience in wanting to create a new PIN for an account. [33:39] - What shouldn't you share on social media to help prevent scams and fraud? [37:54] - When you have a complete stranger reaching out to you, no matter how they do it, they're job is to get you disturbed and upset so that you react. [40:24] - Speaking in passcodes and passphrases is totally acceptable. That is often the thing a criminal does not have, even if they have your password. [44:16] - From a resolution standpoint, when you go to your financial services provider, as a consumer you do have rights. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest John Buzzard on LinkedIn

After a data breach, many criminals are beginning to use deep learning AI to categorize the information they have stolen. They're using a steady amount of micro attacks on individuals and businesses and not just full-scale assaults. Today's guest is Robert Blumofe. Bobby joined Akamai in 1999 to lead the company's first performance team. While serving as one of Akamai's chief architects, he was instrumental in the design and development of their intelligent edge platform which now handles trillions of internet requests daily. Bobby's technical past lends itself to a passion in machine learning and AI and he holds a PhD in Computer Science from MIT. Show Notes: [1:02] - Bobby shares his background and current role at Akamai. [2:32] - When he joined the company in 1999, he didn't really know what Akamai did. [4:29] - Customers recognized that Akamai could have the capabilities to see all the traffic to their websites and potentially block attacks. [7:02] - Machine learning is really remarkable. Akamai has been using deep learning as a tool to solve problems for their security products. [9:25] - AI has become a big part of everything we do. [10:35] - The quantity and quality of the data used by AI is what differentiates the machine learning and models of an enterprise. [12:36] - Bobby discusses what the next five years could look like for cyber criminals. [15:24] - Criminals only need one success out of thousands or millions of targets. [17:32] - Social media platforms really do want to do the right thing but there's only so much they can do. [18:39] - As a consumer, you have to be on guard and not necessarily trust where information is coming from. [20:42] - Any new significant development in technology is hard to differentiate from magic, especially in the early days of development. [23:04] - Machine learning is remarkable and as a technologist, Bobby wants to love it. But there are so many examples of misuse. [25:29] - Use the technology, but check the output. [29:10] - When solving a simple problem, does the AI really need to know everything? They access so much data that isn't useful. [31:19] - Just because an entity can carry on a conversation, doesn't mean it has authoritative knowledge. [33:04] - What is zero trust? [34:51] - A misconception is that AI will take over and plan like sci-fi movies. [39:11] - You need to have all the checks and balances in critical areas. [42:07] - Leadership in organizations needs to prioritize efforts and be very involved. [44:52] - We need to assume that AI will continue to develop and criminals will continue misusing the technology in new ways. [47:23] - The changes and advances have been so fast recently, that we may need the opportunity to pause. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Akamai Website Robert Blumofe on LinkedIn

AI search tools are being used by criminals to sort through data breaches and data dumps they've stolen to target as many individuals as possible. After your phone has been swapped, they'll have the ability to access all your SMS messages and phone calls. But there are precautions you can take. Today's guest is Mark Kreitzman. Mark is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with over 20 years of experience in building cybersecurity companies. Mark brings insights into evolving threats facing mobile security and data privacy. His expertise in our increasingly mobile world makes him a valuable resource in discussing how to mitigate your risks as it pertains to mobile communications. Show Notes: [1:02] - Mark shares his background in cybersecurity and what he does now in his career. [2:08] - In 2017, Mark experienced a SIM swap scam. [5:30] - He used his anger and paranoia to help develop Efani, a cybersecurity focused mobile service. [8:51] - When you get SIM swapped and the carrier recognizes that you've been attacked, they go into liability protection mode. [11:16] - Mark shares some of the details of what happened in his experience and explains that he still doesn't know if he was specifically targeted. [14:00] - Through fraud, scammers can actually become resellers. [17:27] - SIM swapping started as a way to target and harass celebrities. [20:52] - Once scammers have information, they can get into many different accounts because people tend to use the same passwords. [23:14] - Everybody's information is floating out there. Data breaches give scammers and fraudsters access to so much. [24:19] - Mark describes what you will see on your phone from your end when a SIM swap scam has occurred. [28:42] - Efani is a mobile service provider. Mark explains how they are different. [31:28] - With a $5 million insurance policy, Efani does everything possible to protect it. [34:54] - Efani is extremely busy because there are so many cases of this problem. [37:07] - When you give a carrier your social security number to open an account, you are essentially opening a credit account. [39:58] - Unfortunately, many people don't know about this type of scam. It is a silently growing trend. [42:08] - With Efani, mobile carriers are never given a customer's information. [45:45] - Mark tends to live on the paranoid side after being a victim of this type of scam. He shares what he does when he travels. [49:05] - Using a VPN while traveling is a great idea to help protect yourself. [51:44] - Right now, Efani has a promo code you can use for your plan just for Easy Prey listeners: Efani.com/EasyPrey Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Efani Website Efani.com/EasyPrey

Many assume that scammers just target the more mature in age, but they go after everyone. Younger people who may have been manipulated may not have the same amount of money to lose, but that doesn't mean they aren't being targeted. Today's guest is Kathy Stokes. Kathy is the Director of Fraud Prevention Programs with AARP. She leads the AARP social mission work to educate older adults on the risks that fraud represents to their financial security. She currently serves on the advisory council to the Board of International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators and on the advisory council to the Senior Issues Committee of the North American Securities Administrators Association. Show Notes: [1:02] - Kathy shares her background, what she does at AARP, and what AARP actually is. [3:50] - AARP has had a Fraud Watch Network for a while, but its current form is different from years past. [5:29] - There is a concerted effort to bring the generations together to educate others in the community. [7:26] - It is a common misconception that older people are targeted more often than other age groups. [10:38] - The biggest barrier is something that is beginning to break down. It's the shame and victim blaming. We are at a turning point. [12:50] - Unfortunately, police officers are not able to do much for financial crimes, but it is still important to report them. [16:01] - Most scams are considered "low ticket" items, even if it is several thousand dollars and that's all you have. [18:08] - AARP has a resource for how to talk about scams with family members who have been a victim of a scam. https://www.aarp.org/saythis [20:50] - Rewording how we talk to and about victims of scams is changing. [24:23] - You have to have a strong and unique password for literally everything. [25:27] - Even just one extra layer of protection in the form of two-factor authentication is helpful. [28:10] - No one will ever ask you for an authentication code over the phone. [30:20] - There's got to be something we can do as a society to help victims with the money they've lost. [32:48] - We cannot trust incoming communication, including calls, emails, and texts. [36:45] - Education and continuing to talk about this will help keep the trend of less victim shaming going. [39:30] - Victims can change the verbiage as well. Report the scam and file a police report. [41:29] - You can and should also report scams you know about even if you did not experience a loss. [43:10] - A number to use to reach the Fraud Watch Network is 877-908-3360. [48:09] - If someone you know has been a victim of a scam, don't get mad at them for "falling for it," get mad that this was done to them. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest AARP: Say This Fraud Watch Network

Moving money has never been easier. We no longer need to go into a bank, fill out a slip, and hand it to a teller to receive our money. We can now transfer money instantly. Scammers are taking advantage of unfamiliar technology to either hack in and take our money or to deceive you into sending it to them yourself. Deciding if the bank is responsible for the loss is becoming more and more of a conversation. Today's guest is Uri Rivner. Uri has been fighting financial crime for 20 years working closely with the world's largest banks on developing strategies against online fraud and scams. Prior to founding Refine Intelligence, Uri was co-founder and Chief Cyber Officer at BioCatch, the global leader in behavioral biometrics for fraud detection. Earlier, Uri served as Head of New Technologies at RSA. Innovations Uri spearheaded, such as risk-based authentication, are now saving the industry billions of dollars each year in fraud. Show Notes: [1:19] - Uri shares his background in fighting fraud for the last 20 years. [3:43] - The companies Uri has worked for, founded, and co-founded work with banks and financial institutions to help protect against fraud. [5:10] - In a fraud situation, people are tricked through social engineering to hand over their information, but the fraudsters move the money. [6:41] - Fraud is unauthorized. A scam is an authorized payment. [7:39] - Uri describes some of the history of frauds changing over to scams. [10:42] - Although there's a difference between fraud and scams, the lines can be blurred. [14:10] - Remote access malware became a real problem. [17:13] - What are the differences between how the banks handle fraud and how they handle scams? [19:08] - Banks can look at data and account action to determine if a criminal moved money or if the victim did it for them. [20:36] - It is much more difficult for banks to detect scams. [23:29] - If banks see something unusual, they typically reach out to the customer to hear the reason. This doesn't always work due to social engineering. [28:13] - Engaging customers is tricky because people don't typically answer the phone or criminals are coaching the victim through what to say. [30:17] - This year, in the UK, banks will be held liable. [33:17] - By design, banks are supposed to know their customers. But that's not the case these days. [36:48] - For banks, it is harder now to connect with customers to find out exactly what happened. [39:31] - Uri explains what happened with the US introduction of instant money transfers through Zelle. [41:50] - There is an increase in Zelle scams, but banks were able to offer some support and reimbursement. [43:59] - Scams are the most effective tools criminals have. [46:45] - Uri describes what we can look out for and how to best prepare ourselves to prevent scams. [49:19] - When money is moved from a bank account, it is the end of a chain of events that led to it. What is the responsibility of the platform that transferred it? Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Uri Rivner on LinkedIn

It sounds like an episode straight out of Criminal Minds. The FBI's Highway Serial Killers initiative hunts for long-haul truckers behind at least 850 murders of mostly female sex trafficking victims along our nation's highways. Today's guest is Frank Figliuzzi. Frank was the FBI's Assistant Director over Counterintelligence. He served 25 years as an FBI Special Agent in assignments across the country. As the head of all espionage investigations, Frank frequently briefed the White House, the DNI, and the Attorney General. For the past seven years, Frank has been a national security analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. He's the author of a national bestseller, The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau's Code of Excellence, and now Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers. Show Notes: [1:30] - Frank shares his background and what his role was in the FBI for 25 years. [3:52] - His most recent book is Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers and is about the FBI's Highway Serial Killers initiative. [5:57] - These cases go back several decades and remain unsolved. [7:13] - Trucking is a crucial part of our society, but there are different types of truckers and some are more likely to commit crime. [9:12] - The success of the initiative really relies on local police departments. [11:13] - Frank describes some of the things he learned from experts in street-level human trafficking. [14:27] - Frank gives examples of some of the things he did for research. [15:53] - The type of trucker that Frank is most concerned about are the ones with very little interaction with other people. [17:21] - There is more security and tracking of truckers in more corporate organizations. [18:44] - The corporate job is less attractive to someone who is motivated to commit crime. [20:03] - Frank was amazed at how high tech trucking is these days and the brains needed to understand it all. [23:03] - Frank describes his experience as he shadowed a trucker and immersed himself in the lifestyle. [26:43] - The number one profession for serial killers is a trucker. What is it about the job? Does it attract killers or make killers? [29:17] - Most people think that people they know would never be a victim of a crime like this. [31:06] - Human trafficking is most commonly initiated by someone the victim knows. [32:56] - Get rid of the notion that this can't happen to your family. That's dangerous in and of itself because you'll never see it coming. [34:40] - Connecting with potential victims has moved online. [37:57] - Trafficking victims are often victimized more and treated like criminals themselves. [40:01] - What are the similarities between crime scenes in many of these cases? [42:42] - The 850 unsolved cases only account for the ones that are known. [43:46] - There is an organization called Truckers Against Trafficking (T.A.T.). Frank explains what they do and how they help. [46:48] - Technological advances are making a huge difference, particularly in DNA. [49:19] - These crime scenes are the worst Frank has ever seen even after his 25 years in law enforcement. [52:40] - Sometimes, a victim's name is not known for many years if at all. It is hard to track the solve-rate of these crimes. [55:12] - There are DNA testing organizations that work with police departments. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Frank Figliuzzi's Website

Scammers have gone from postal mail and faxes to email and phone calls where you never see the person, but now with AI, you can even have a live video call that seems completely real with deep fake technology. It's no longer safe to just see a person, but there are other things you can do to know if you're communicating with the individual they claim to be. Today's guest is Anna Rowe. Anna is the founder of Catch the Catfish and co-founder of LoveSaid. She is a Subject Matter Expert in Romance Fraud and Victim Support. Show Notes: [0:55] - Anna shares her background as a teacher and describes how she was catfished in 2015. [2:52] - How can you make genuine informed consent when someone is deceiving you at that level? [3:45] - A therapist's suggestion of researching narcissists and psychopaths started her healing journey. [5:35] - Anna learned that this type of scam commonly comes from West Africa and the scammers are known as Yahoo Boys. [7:44] - Romance fraud can be in person, like with Anna's experience. But there are romance scams that are online only. [9:32] - It is common for romance scammers to also be perpetrating other types of fraud at the same time. [11:44] - Pig butchering includes another problem, where scammers themselves are also trafficked. [13:59] - A lot of victims don't realize they are interacting with a scammer for a long time because they aren't asking for money. [17:51] - In years past, Photoshopping an image to appear realistic wasn't as easy as it is now with AI. [19:26] - Blending a new face onto an existing photo can even be used in video. [21:15] - Voice cloning is also often used and apps to do this are free. [24:24] - Deep fake scammers use content on social media stories and live streams to record long pieces of video. [26:20] - This technology is improving quickly, but Anna shares some of the ways you can tell if something is a deep fake. [28:51] - There are simple things to check on profiles that you can notice as red flags before getting involved with someone. [33:01] - Scammers also really like using cryptocurrency because it is unregulated. [34:14] - Scammers build a reality typically by using the 5 C's of reasons why their spouse is gone. [37:30] - There are different strategies to look for certain things as you "become your own detective" on various social media platforms. [40:57] - When scammers know that you are "onto them" they know what they can change. [43:36] - Every decision a scammer makes is premeditated. [46:50] - Scammers will keep you hooked and space away from them could get you in a space of trusting your gut. [53:32] - Reverse image searches are extremely helpful. [57:50] - Anna describes some of the ways she was able to determine what her scammer was doing. [61:10] - Anna was put into an open relationship without her consent. [63:05] - Future faking is common in narcissists and psychopaths. [64:26] - These scams are really damaging and it is important to not use victim shaming language when discussing it. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest LoveSaid.com Catch the Catfish

Many years ago, people chose to stay with the same employer for decades. Today, employees are changing jobs more regularly. Each company needs to have processes in place allowing access to systems needed to do their jobs, but there's also a risk of when they leave that they may still have access to certain programs. Today's guest is Craig Davies. Craig started in banking, holding many roles including CSO. As the CISO and the Executive Director of Gathid Ltd., he is passionate about helping organizations strengthen access management without completely overhauling their people, processes, physical infrastructure, and technology. Craig has spent more than 25 years in cybersecurity working with infrastructure operations, security architecture and software, web development and operations. He was the first CEO of Ost Cyber and at Atlassian he helped develop the security program for all aspects of their business, including security, cloud operations and protection. Show Notes: [1:32] - Craig shares his background and what his roles are at Gathid. [4:52] - When bringing on new employees, there are several front-end issues that a company and employee can face. [6:22] - It can be really frustrating for a new employee when there are so many different programs to learn and manage. [8:18] - We have to think about the employee's journey. [10:59] - In many cases, new employees receive a ton of access without learning the process during onboarding. [11:49] - Offboarding can be a nightmare because we don't always think about all the things that are connected. [15:26] - We need to protect the person who is leaving. [18:06] - One of the challenges is knowing who should be responsible. [19:12] - There needs to be a list of all the programs and systems that an employee may have access to. [21:17] - Offboarding is not typically a priority but not focusing on it can be a huge risk. [24:43] - Smart use of control is important especially in onboarding and offboarding. [27:26] - Working remotely makes systems and access even trickier. [29:39] - There is a reason the large companies have large systems. [31:50] - Every company has the same problems. The ones that have a process in place have likely experienced a crisis. [34:57] - What are the challenges to the new ways of working post-pandemic? [36:26] - You can't get rid of risk, but you can manage it. [44:50] - These processes all start with a conversation. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Craig Davies on LinkedIn Gathid Website

There are entire communities set up to fight fraud that use synthetic IDs as well as scammer gangs that are advancing their creative ways to use these documents. This is changing regularly as biometric authentication advances continue. Today's guest is Stuart Wells. Stuart is the CTO of Jumio and is responsible for all aspects of Jumio's innovation, machine learning, and engineering. He is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of tech experience. He was previously the Chief Product and Technology Officer at FICO, and held executive positions at Avaya and Sun Microsystems. Show Notes: [1:18] - Stuart shares his background and what he does at Jumio as the Chief Technology Officer. [3:20] - The science behind document protection is literally decades old. [5:06] - Stuart describes the process of verifying a document at Jumio. [5:57] - What are the practical uses of synthetic IDs? [7:39] - There are large volumes of both fraudulent and honest individuals creating and using synthetic IDs. [9:25] - A lot of businesses are seeking verification from places like Jumio to protect themselves and their reputation. [11:49] - Biometrics as a tool to use against fraudsters has grown globally. [13:54] - Biometrics are very useful, but there are challenges. [15:31] - Stuart shares a recent story about a fake video interaction that cost the victim millions of dollars. [17:37] - At this point in the technology's development, there are some signs of deep fakes that we can spot. [19:03] - How can this negatively impact an individual? [20:18] - Listen to your inner voice and check with another source before sending money. [22:52] - You don't have to be a programmer to use these tools. The creators have made them easy to use and people are using them to do harm. [25:46] - The early versions of deep fake technology had a lot of easy-to-see abnormalities, but they are getting tougher to spot. [27:26] - Although these negative impacts are concerning, there is some excitement about the positive uses of these advances. [32:07] - What direction is verification headed when it comes to biometrics? [33:54] - Documents have anatomy and security measures in place. [36:43] - Most security systems are layered. [40:00] - This landscape is continuously changing. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Jumio Website

Imagine booking a vacation only to find out that the company files for bankruptcy a week later. As a consumer, would you know what your rights are? There's a big difference between travel insurance and travel protection. One can leave you with no way to get your money back. Today's guest is Michelle Couch Friedman. Michelle is the founder and CEO of Consumer Rescue. She is an experienced consumer reporter, advocate, mediator, author, and licensed psychotherapist. Michelle has also been a columnist, contributing editor, and former executive director for Elliott Advocacy, a non-profit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy. Show Notes: [1:02] - Michelle shares her background and what she does through Consumer Rescue. [5:00] - The only way to get money back from a bankrupt company is through your credit card company if you paid with one, or if you have travel insurance. [6:36] - Right before announcing their bankruptcy, Vantage did a "sales blitz" and offered great deals to loyal customers, knowing that they wouldn't deliver. [9:49] - Vantage was unique in that it had been a successful business for 40 years and had a loyal customer base. [12:44] - Looking back at the way Vantage behaved after the pandemic, there were some red flags. [15:43] - Michelle explains the difference between travel insurance and travel protection. [17:36] - Travel insurance should be purchased away from the company taking you on the trip. [19:47] - Make sure you can find a clause somewhere that says you are protected against the insolvency of the tour operator with or without bankruptcy. [22:10] - If the tour operator is not able to deliver, you could file a credit card dispute. But there are some limitations. [26:04] - You should always pay with credit cards. Don't be tempted by discounts offered with bank transfers. [31:21] - The average age of Vantage Travel clientele was older and scammers took advantage of their vulnerability. [33:10] - When filing claims and filling out forms, personal information makes its way to scammers on a "victim list." [36:09] - Cryptocurrency is a red flag in cases like this as well. [38:41] - There is some information you can find by contacting the court in the jurisdiction of the bankrupt company. [41:53] - A company bought Vantage Travel's customer list and had all of their contact information. [43:57] - In order to protect yourself, even if you have full trust in the company, do research and find red flags and reports. [46:26] - Never pay with a bank transfer, even if they offer a discount. [50:40] - Make sure the travel insurance policy protects against insolvency, not just bankruptcy. [53:34] - Michelle shares how to reach Consumer Rescue and what services they provide for free. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Michelle Couch-Friedman LinkedIn Consumer Rescue Website

Learning how to keep your business safe and protect your online data can be advantageous for your home and personal life as well. Your children and family can create awareness at school and with friends. Today's guest is Greg Tomchick. Greg is a former professional baseball player turned award-winning cybersecurity coach. He has worked with more than 250 world-renowned companies, including American Airlines, Caterpillar, and Trinity Rail. He is regularly featured live on ABC, Fox, and is an expert contributor to Inc. Magazine. He is now the CEO of Valor Cybersecurity and host of The Connected Mindset. Show Notes: [1:10] - Greg shares his background coming from a military family and then as a professional baseball player before learning cybersecurity's impact. [2:42] - As an entrepreneur, Greg's business experienced a cybersecurity attack. [5:45] - The Connected Mindset is helping people become more consciously aware of how they navigate life both physically and digitally. [7:26] - Greg explains why they set up budgets of companies and individuals for cybersecurity at Valor. [9:25] - The focus should be on the mindset first. [10:27] - An unexpected positive is that cybersecurity gives a company or business a competitive advantage. [12:58] - Most people don't think about security until after something has gone wrong. [14:43] - What is the difference between culture and mindset? [15:50] - Greg shares some of the mindsets and cultures that are unhelpful. [18:09] - As connected as we constantly are through technology, we have never been more disconnected. [20:50] - When Greg's business had been attacked, there was no place to report the incident. Things have improved in recent years. [24:48] - No matter the size of the business or amount of money an individual has, everyone can be a target. [27:08] - Some companies are risking things by going remote without any plan, structure, or security in place. [28:45] - Every new device or software that is introduced needs to be considered. [30:16] - Greg discusses AI, including the costs and benefits. [34:03] - What is the minimum cybersecurity mindset that the everyday person needs to have? Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest The Connected Mindset Greg Tomchick's Website Greg Tomchick on LinkedIn Valor Cybersecurity Website

The media loves sensationalized romance scams, but we need to understand that anyone can be emotionally seduced and it's not just the lonely. No one is off limits to being targeted, no matter the age, status, or career. And the impact is far greater than just financial. Today's guest is Becky Holmes. Becky is the creator and voice behind the popular Twitter account Death to Spinach. Becky's book Keanu Reeves is Not in Love With You looks at all aspects of romance fraud, from the heartbreaking to the hilarious, the academic to the anecdotal, and discusses where we've gone wrong in dealing with those affected. Show Notes: [1:08] - Becky runs a Twitter account where she spends a lot of time wasting the time of romance fraudsters. [2:38] - An unintended consequence of messing with fraudsters, Becky became a sounding board to victims of romance fraud. [4:56] - Once you engage with a fraudster, your name is put on a "sucker list." [6:13] - Becky explains what romance fraud is. [7:22] - Victims of romance fraud are generally assumed to be lonely, middle-aged women, which is a stereotype. [8:27] - The media sensationalizes victim stories, but this could happen to anyone. [9:53] - There's not a lot of services and support for victims of romance fraud. [11:40] - The damage extends farther than the financial loss. [13:43] - When it comes to scams, we focus so much on a victim "falling for it" which implies that they are somehow complicit. [16:31] - Becky describes an experience she had as a victim of fraud. [18:19] - Coercive control is at the center of all types of romance fraud. [19:56] - Becky explains confirmation bias and its prevalence in all types of scams. [21:25] - Romance fraud is really hard to deal with because it involves the heart. [22:43] - Becky shares how scammers usually start conversation and how they navigate getting you on a different app. [26:44] - In addition to social media and dating apps, fraudsters also send messages on online games. [28:07] - Another common technique is for scammers to pretend to be a celebrity. [31:24] - A very successful tactic is when fraudsters pretend to be a part of a charity. [34:18] - Becky explains the inspiration behind the title of her recent book. [35:56] - We should be looking out for our friends and family. [37:21] - If we see something happen, how can we help someone? Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Death to Spinach on Twitter

We can easily stereotype those we believe are susceptible to a scam. But the scammers are keeping up with current events and are prepared to take advantage of our basic human emotions. The impact of these frauds is underreported due to the shame and embarrassment. Today's guest is Alan Castel. Alan is a Psychology professor at The University of California Los Angeles. He studies learning, memory, fraud, and aging. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Time Magazine. He recently published a book entitled Better With Age: The Psychology of Successful Aging. Show Notes: [1:08] - Alan shares his background and what he focuses on as a psychologist. [3:33] - We are all susceptible to scams, regardless of the stereotypes. [5:50] - Scams focus on our human nature of trying to make sense of the world and our emotional brain. Scams prey on our basic emotions. [7:34] - Scams are tailor made to expose our vulnerabilities. [8:50] - Some scams are situational and can be completely believable. [10:05] - There are people who are much more vulnerable to scams, but it's not based on stereotypes. [12:48] - Education and awareness can come from podcasts like this, but it also needs to come from people who have experienced a scam. [15:33] - Although scams don't only target older adults, the elderly tend to be more susceptible to scams that target their need to help others. [18:19] - There are some phrases that aren't always recognized as false because they sound scientific. [20:48] - There are websites and organizations that support scam victims, and it is highly recommended that you report anything that happens. [22:32] - Alan admits that he has fallen victim to a scam on a website, entering his credit card information to purchase something. [26:37] - Alan describes a reinforcement schedule, which is a psychological tactic to build relationships. [28:10] - Scams are clever and Alan sees their potential to use psychological principles to part people from their money. [32:30] - How does memory play a role in scam vulnerability? [35:05] - Alan describes the "foot in the door" technique. [37:02] - It comes down to curiosity as human nature. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Alan Castel at UCLA Alan Castel on LinkedIn

In this episode, we're shining a light on a pervasive threat that often lurks in the shadows of corporate environments: insider fraud. We'll explore the insidious nature of insider threats, the various forms they can take, and most importantly, how organizations can arm themselves with knowledge and strategies to mitigate these risks effectively. Today's guest is Claire Mailet. Claire is an award-winning financial crime prevention expert and has worked in the field for over ten years. In her spare time, Claire assists universities in the UK to support staff and students who stammer and she's currently undertaking a part time Ph.D at the University of Portsmouth, looking at internal fraud in FinTechs. Show Notes: [1:05] - Claire shares her background and what she does now in her career. [5:18] - The growth of counter-fraud in academia has increased in the last few years. [6:31] - Insider fraud is a type of fraud that isn't really well known right now. It is under researched and underestimated. [7:59] - When people think about fraud, they think about the customer. They will very rarely think about people on the inside. [9:09] - What is insider fraud? [10:13] - An underestimated form of insider fraud is when employees who leave a company aren't removed from internal systems and still have access. [12:50] - Organizations need to have vetting measures in place at the time of onboarding to ensure fraud is not committed on a CV. [15:18] - The more in depth you can go, the more safe and secure you are. [16:41] - Deterrents get lost when prevention is focused on. [18:35] - Cost is a real issue for many companies. [21:35] - Companies need to get on board with the idea of having things in place for protection. [23:40] - Current employees working from home can be a risk to data. [27:07] - It doesn't matter how ethical and good someone is. [30:22] - In a lot of startups and small businesses, business owners will hire best friends or family members over someone who can best do the job. [33:50] - What could someone's motivation be to commit insider fraud? [36:30] - There are a lot of different ways to commit insider fraud, such as falsified time sheets and information on a resume. [38:42] - For every possible way a person can commit fraud, there needs to be something in place. Owners need to think through these possibilities. [40:27] - The whole business needs to be involved in the education and prevention of fraud. [42:20] - It is common for employees to think that if "fraud" is not in their job title, they don't have to worry about it. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Claire Maillet on LinkedIn Fraudible Podcast

Understanding our cognitive biases can help us realize that we sometimes are too trusting of emails, texts, or calls from someone we perceive to be an authority. Today's guest is Martina Dove. Martina is a researcher with a fervent passion for fraud prevention. Her expertise focuses on persuasion, scam techniques, and individual characteristics that make people susceptible to fraud. She is passionate about fighting fraud by teaching people how to spot scammer techniques and has recently published a book on fraud psychology. Show Notes: [0:50] - Martina shares her background in cybersecurity and what she does in her career now. [1:56] - Martina learned a lot about techniques scammers use by noticing cognitive bias. [3:27] - Through interviews with scam victims, Martina learned that it is not always the case that victims are just gullible. She has also been scammed. [5:48] - One of the scales that Martina developed is about how people perceive authority and how gullible they think they are. [7:03] - There are five fraud vulnerability factors: compliance, impulsivity, decision time, vigilance, and the belief in justice. [9:57] - Somebody who follows rules more than breaks them, there's a persuasion technique that scammers use to dupe them. [11:19] - We tend to rationalize why bad things happen to other people. [13:06] - When we are under visceral influence, we lose our ability to reason. [15:42] - Some scams evoke social norms, especially in charity scams and fake social media posts. [19:06] - Scammers are always one step ahead. [21:37] - A good scammer will go a long way to support their story. [23:20] - Websites are very believable. How can you tell when one is legitimate? [24:36] - Fraud situations are complicated because no two human beings will be the same. [26:44] - Even if you have to lie, make it a rule for yourself to not make a decision right away. [29:20] - Scams work because humans are vulnerable and can be persuaded. [30:47] - Martina describes the way scammers control the conversation with a victim. [33:51] - The grooming component of fraud is hard to break. [35:17] - Prevention is always better than intervention. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Martina Dove's Website Martina Dove on LinkedIn The Psychology of Fraud, Persuasion, and Scam Techniques by Martina Dove

The tech world is ever-changing and it can be difficult to keep up. As businesses and individuals, it's important to remember to keep your software up to date and apply patches as they are released. Today's guest is John Hammond. John is a cybersecurity researcher, educator, and content creator. As part of the Adversary Tactics Teams at Huntress, John spends his days analyzing malware and making hackers earn their access. He is an online YouTube personality showcasing program tutorials, malware analysis, dark web threats, and other cybersecurity content. Show Notes: [1:01] - John shares his role at Huntress and his side work as a YouTuber that creates content to help educate people about cybersecurity. [2:26] - John explains how he found himself in cybersecurity as a career. [4:10] - He hasn't been a victim of a scam, but in his pursuit of catching hackers in the act, he has certainly been a target. [5:25] - What is doxxing and how can someone track down your information? [7:23] - When popular software is compromised, it is a really big deal. [9:22] - There's a balance between companies releasing information about a threat and that information causing more damage. [13:17] - It is so important to update software and patch right away. [15:22] - Consumers are not always on the lookout for patches and updates. It's crucial for companies to relay this information. [17:49] - One tactic for hackers is the use of remote software to access devices. [19:37] - It is best practice to not allow anyone to use your computer. [21:28] - Since 2020, there has been an increase in people working from home, which means that company devices are now out of their safety and control. [23:54] - John describes the People's Call Center collaboration and the mission of bringing the fight back to scammers. [25:28] - John explains some of the tricks he has used to social engineer the scammers right back. [29:43] - The experience of keeping someone from being scammed or even just making a scammer's life more difficult was rewarding for John. [31:09] - What is the dark web? [35:09] - John shares why he interacts on the dark web to research and learn how threat actors operate. [39:02] - By researching on the dark web, John has learned a lot about how cybercriminals work and think. [41:01] - Some of the ways cybercriminals work are better and more successful than some legitimate businesses and startups. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest John Hammond on YouTube John Hammond on LinkedIn

As businesses embrace digital transformation and rely on interconnected networks for their operations, the vulnerabilities within the digital supply chain become increasingly apparent. From data breaches to third party vulnerabilities, the threats are multi-faceted and ever-evolving. Today's guest is Kevin Kumpf. Kevin has more than 20 years of IT Security and Compliance experience including over 10 years of cybersecurity, governance, and critical infrastructure experience working in the energy, medical manufacturing, transportation, and fedramp realms. Show Notes: [0:54] - Kevin shares what he does in his current role and his background in the industry. [3:38] - He began his career in cybersecurity at a time when cybersecurity was not a priority. [4:30] - Scammers target anyone and everyone. Even Kevin has been a victim. [6:53] - It comes down to ownership. [8:19] - Know your baseline and who is responsible. [10:07] - Kevin makes an analogy to help us better understand the supply chain. [12:30] - Most of the time, people don't know where and how their data is being transferred back and forth. [14:12] - You trust a process and then when something breaks, how do you find out about it? [17:01] - Kevin describes an example of observing an organization's work and discovering crypto mining. [19:51] - What should be asked about the organization's environment? [21:34] - Think about all the things you use regularly that are connected to something. Now expand that thinking to companies and businesses. [23:27] - Where do all of these components come from? [26:47] - Kevin points out the challenges in the cybersecurity legislature. [28:46] - Ask questions and accept the answers. Determine what is acceptable risk. [31:22] - The trickle down of data is really what the supply chain is. [33:17] - Kevin shares some information about articles for further reading on this topic as well as some interesting numbers about recent breaches. [35:48] - If you don't know what is normal, you won't know what is abnormal. This is why knowing the baseline is so important. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Cyolo Website Kevin Kumpf on LinkedIn

There are significant risks to be aware of when using crypto and over the past two years, many tokens have imploded. As you choose to invest digitally, do your research and understand the commodity that you use. Today's guest is Natalie Burnell. Natalie is the host of the #1 woman-led show in the bitcoin space, Coin Stories. She is a bitcoin educator, a frequent media commentator, and an award-winning journalist. Show Notes: [0:50] - Natalie shares her background and the mission behind the Coin Stories Podcast. [2:19] - Learning about bitcoin gave Natalie a little more hope as she came from having no background in financial literacy. [3:48] - Anyone can issue a token and it is hard to tell what cryptocurrency is legitimate. [6:42] - There are some that are regulated and unregulated. Natalie shares some red flags. [8:09] - Choosing to work with companies that are Bitcoin only is one way to stay safe because of regulatory clarity. [10:01] - A major red flag is overpromising and guaranteeing unrealistic returns. [11:59] - Longevity should stand out. [14:08] - Natalie explains how Bitcoin custodians work and how you can take your own custody of Bitcoin. [16:29] - Self-custody could be intimidating, but it just takes a few steps to learn. [19:15] - Natalie shares a clever analogy to make the concept easier to learn. [20:47] - Bitcoin offers more privacy than other monetary technology. [22:38] - There are a lot of frictions in banks and the system is ultimately very fragile. [26:07] - If exchanges receive Bitcoin and they don't know where it came from, they are contacted by agencies like the IRS. [28:56] - The knee-jerk reaction to people wanting privacy is to assume that they want to do something bad. [31:17] - Look for verified accounts to interact with. Be careful if someone says they'll send you money. [33:39] - Some companies are trying to help people recover their funds. But most of the time, it is impossible. [34:50] - If you send your money somewhere, you are likely not getting it back. [36:40] - Natalie has several tutorials on her YouTube channel that can help you protect yourself and your money. [38:52] - Bitcoin the block chain was built beautifully for security, but that means it can only fit so much. Bitcoin is "slow" for a reason. [41:20] - Consider Bitcoin built in layers. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Coin Stories Podcast Natalie Brunell on YouTube

In this episode, we uncover the intricate web of tax-related scams that prey on unsuspecting individuals every year. From phishing emails promising tax refunds to elaborate identity theft schemes, join us as we expose tactics used by scammers to exploit fear and ignorance during tax season. Today's guest is Richard Gilbert. Richard is the Director of the Examination Division with the North Carolina Department of Revenue. He has been with the department for over 25 years. He is a licensed CPA and has received his Bachelor's of Business Administration from North Carolina Central University. Show Notes: [1:10] - Richard shares his background and what he does in the Examination Division at the North Carolina Department of Revenue. [2:38] - Taxes can get very complicated for a lot of people. [5:17] - The vast majority of tax professionals do their job well and serve their clients honestly. But there are some people who don't focus on the right thing. [8:09] - Tax preparers who say they can get you the largest return, ask questions. [9:36] - Like any other business you employ, you should ask for references. [11:43] - If you can afford a CPA, hire one. [12:39] - Be wary of YouTube tutorials and advice. You are responsible for your taxes and if you are audited, it is all on you. [13:52] - Richard shares some of the things that a good tax preparer will ask for. [15:11] - There are scammers that will try to file someone else's tax return before they do and direct their refund somewhere else. [17:49] - There are things in place that slow down the process that can be frustrating, but are there to protect you. [19:29] - It is highly recommended to file your tax return as early as possible. [20:10] - You will never be contacted over the phone, via text, social media, or email by a legitimate tax collector. It will always begin through the mail. [21:28] - If someone is telling you there is only one way to make a payment, be suspicious. [24:33] - The biggest problem in mail correspondence is when people do not respond. Open your mail especially during tax season. [26:31] - There is a form of identity theft in which people use another person's Social Security number to gain employment. [28:06] - Be sure that you have everything available to validate your identity when verification is asked for. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest North Carolina Department of Revenue

In this episode, we shine a light on the sinister phenomenon of virtual kidnapping. From deceptive phone calls to the psychological manipulation tactics, join us as we delve into the dark world where fears are exploited for profit, leaving victims shaken and families torn apart. Today's guest is Titania Jordan. Titania is a nationally renowned tech, social media, and family expert who has appeared on programs such as the Today Show, Good Morning America, Fox News, CNN, and more. She is the author and founder of Parenting in a Tech World and serves as Chief Parent Officer of the online safety company Bark Technologies. Show Notes: [1:06] - Titania Jordan shares her background and what she does at Bark Technologies. [3:04] - Virtual and cyber kidnapping are the same thing. Anything that involves kidnapping without actually moving a person's physical location against their will. [4:26] - Titania explains a recent event in which an exchange student was targeted. [6:18] - Children and adults alike are targeted everyday, but Titania explains that older teenage boys are heavily targeted and impacted. [9:20] - Another type of scam is actually targeting the family and loved ones of someone to require a ransom for a kidnapping that hasn't happened. [11:17] - Built-in location services are very helpful. Parental controls and alerts are also something important to have in place. [13:53] - Be careful answering the phone from a number you don't know. [16:20] - Contact law enforcement immediately if this is something that happens to you. [19:51] - It is never a bad idea to be prepared. [22:17] - These events are opportunities to have really important conversations with your children. [24:41] - Flip the script and ask your children to help you do a safety audit. [27:52] - If it feels off, it probably is. Don't hesitate to report it and talk about it. [30:26] - Bark Technologies offers a lot of programs and even a family smartphone that can help keep kids safe. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Bark Technologies

In this episode, we navigate the ever evolving landscape of messaging app dynamics, examining the challenges and opportunities in striking the right balance between preserving user privacy, ensuring robust security measures, and maintaining accountability in an ever changing digital landscape. Today's guest is Kurt Long. Kurt is an entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in starting, growing, and building Information Security and Privacy businesses. Kurt is the Executive Director of The Long Family Force for Good Foundation which focuses on supporting not-for-profits dedicated to improving the mental health of families and children. Kurt is also the Co-Founder and CEO of BUNKR. Show Notes: [1:09] - Kurt shares his background and what he does through The Long Family Force for Good Foundation and BUNKR. [5:01] - He found himself interested in technology and the idea of doing something bigger than himself with a team. [9:26] - Currently, Kurt's work is directed to messaging apps. [13:22] - In the early days of messaging, there was an inherent trust. We didn't think about the bad guys yet. [15:57] - Communication platforms were never intended to secure communication. [17:31] - Most communication apps now do begin with good intent. Kurt describes WhatsApp as an example until it was purchased by Facebook. [19:50] - We want information and access, but we want safety, too. [21:38] - We have to put trust in someone to strike a balance. [23:41] - The Federal Trade Commission has announced apps that don't support legal due process and implemented a fine for use of them. [25:56] - Kurt shares a true story that is a great example of inside trade problems in messaging apps. [28:28] - Using secret messaging apps or apps that feature disappearing messages are hard to track. You could be affiliated with someone doing something illegal. [30:29] - Privacy and security do help us retain rights we have. [32:35] - Messaging issues also impact the medical industry. [34:07] - Some countries have legislation that ban secret messaging apps, but they aren't really being enforced. [36:25] - BUNKR has consumers and public usage in 32 countries worldwide and is popular with families. [37:52] - When companies have more control over their app, there is less criminality involved. [40:02] - This service is invitation based. You cannot receive random messages from anyone you do not invite. [41:55] - "The entire planet deserves to conduct their affairs with dignity at bank level security." [44:29] - Kurt leans towards following United States laws and legal action, but also has a large legal team to help guide through unusual situations. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest BUNKR

The fundamentals of scams are the same. However the technology used is increasingly more clever. It is important to know how to spot identity theft and credit card fraud and where to report it if and when it happens. Today's guest is Paige Hanson. Paige is an authority in consumer and digital safety with nearly 20 years of experience in identity management. As co-founder and Head of Communications and Partnerships at Secure Labs, Paige has dedicated her career to protecting consumers and businesses from identity theft and cyber threats. She is a certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist and holds a certificate in Identity Leadership from the University of Texas. Paige also serves as an advisory board member to R.O.S.E. (Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly). Show Notes: [1:16] - Paige shares her background and what she does in her current roles. [3:02] - She worked with LifeLock in the early days of her career, but the experience led to her expertise in identity theft now. [6:08] - Chris shares what happened to a friend and their experience with identity theft. [7:40] - The Federal Trade Commission has an Identity Theft Affidavit. [9:25] - If you pay a bill that was made by a fraudster, it will be considered that you made the charge. Paige explains what best practice is. [12:06] - Always watch your credit card bills and take note of things that look unusual. Pay attention, even to the small charges. [13:47] - Notifications from your credit card company are a must have. [16:07] - Sometimes the notifications can seem annoying, but when something is out of the norm, these tools are critical. [17:48] - When you get an email that includes a link to login to an account, even if you recognize the sender, don't click it. Develop the habit of using your browser. [20:22] - It can happen to anybody! Chris and Paige are security-minded, but it could happen to them as well. [22:48] - Paige shares an experience of noticing charges that she did not make and how noticing it early, she could cancel the order. [24:29] - Always use multi-factor authentication. Paige also recommends using an app in addition to what is included with your credit card company. [26:37] - Check links and make sure they are correct. [29:02] - At one time, Chris owned a business and shut it down because of the number of people making a fraudulent order. [30:45] - Online shopping and online payments are so common and a credit card doesn't even need to be present to make a purchase. [32:35] - Paige explains how skimmers work and how they store card numbers. [35:19] - The likelihood of this happening is slimmer than other scams, but there are low-inconvenience and low-cost preventative measures you can take. [36:07] - The safest way to make in person payments is through mobile pay. If a location is breached, it doesn't have your card info. [37:18] - If you use mobile pay, it is crucial that you keep your operating system up to date. [41:23] - When it comes to ATMs, it is best to go inside your bank's branch and use the one inside. The worst ATMs to use are stand alone that are not attached to a bank. [44:33] - Identity theft could be accomplished by fraudsters by just taking advantage of low hanging fruit. [46:29] - Paige recommends using a credit card rather than a debit card. [49:11] - When traveling, Chris has a specific card that limits the amount of loss in the event of an issue. [52:47] - Using a service like PayPal helps with keeping things updated on accounts. [54:33] - When we make a convenient choice, we need to consider all the parts of risk management. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest SecureLabs

Advances in technology are increasing at a rate we've never experienced before. Many will need to decide how much privacy they're willing to give up for the sake of convenience and the impact that AI will have on that decision. Today's guest is Leo Laporte. Leo is a broadcaster, author, tech pundit, the former host of The Tech Guy weekly radio show, and the founder and host of Twit.tv which is a podcast network focused on technology. Show Notes: [1:20] - Leo has been in broadcasting since 1976. He explains how he got into the industry. [5:02] - Eventually, Leo found himself learning more about technology which led to him writing for magazines. [9:32] - In 2004, Leo started a podcast network. [13:02] - Podcasting didn't peak until 2018 and Leo already had a lot of podcast content online. [15:13] - Leo explains that if he were to start Twit.tv now, it would be a completely different business. [19:01] - Although technology has advanced, Chris admits he still loves listening to the radio and often has it on in the background. [21:40] - What motivated Leo to keep up was the terror and desperation callers showed when asking him questions. [24:09] - The goal has always been to educate people on technology but it is harder now than ever with how fast things are changing. [26:46] - A common problem right now is pig butchering. It is also becoming more and more apparent that many scammers are laborers. [31:04] - People in the field have to have the hope that people are good and we can help each other. [32:29] - Leo shares the experience of his ex-wife falling victim to a scam. [35:14] - A lot of people have the misconception that social media sites like Facebook operate like smaller businesses. [37:22] - Initially, AI like ChatGPT was pretty basic, but as it improves over time, scammers will be even stronger. [39:42] - What sounds impossible right now will be not only possible but a reality soon. [42:37] - If you are willing to give up some privacy, there are some real benefits you will get out of that. [44:17] - Leo shares what he expects will be available by the end of this year. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Twit.tv

Our golden generation, rich with wisdom and experience, unfortunately often finds itself in the crosshairs of deceitful schemes. In today's episode, we shine a spotlight on the tactics employed by scammers, share real-life anecdotes, and provide practical advice to help safeguard our beloved seniors. Today's guest is Joyce Petrowski. Joyce started her professional career in the public accounting sector and is an accountant and tax preparer. As an avid volunteer and philanthropist, she shares her focus on the non-profit sector and co-founded a non-profit in 2014. Since leaving that non-profit in 2021, she saw a need to educate people, especially the older adult population about the financial scams and how to protect themselves and their hard earned assets. In August 2021, Joyce founded R.O.S.E. (Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly), with the mission to prevent financial exploitation and frauding older adults through advocacy and education. Show Notes: [1:16] - Joyce shares her background and the mission of her non-profit, R.O.S.E. [3:42] - R.O.S.E. provides education and resources for older adults so they are aware of how these scams are happening. [5:54] - When speaking and meeting with people, Joyce sees the hesitation in people coming forward with past experiences with scams. [8:01] - It has been difficult for the general population, specifically the older generation, to keep up with the evolution of scams and red flags. [9:38] - The first sign that should raise some suspicion is unexpected contact. [12:07] - There is an option in your phone that can silence calls from unknown numbers so there is no accidentally answering scam calls. [15:03] - If you're not sure, talk to somebody else that you know and trust. Them asking questions might help you determine if it is a scam. [18:51] - Many older adults feel uncomfortable sharing their experiences with their children to avoid losing their independence. [21:18] - Scammers don't discriminate. They don't care about age, gender, or even how much money you have. [23:34] - It can be very confusing and overwhelming when considering the ways to deal with this problem. [26:00] - Joyce shares some of the things that scammers are looking for and why it can be easy for them to get a victim into an emotional state. [29:44] - Scams are very sophisticated now compared to just ten years ago. [31:45] - Everybody needs to be aware and have conversations about this with the older adults in their lives. [33:17] - Joyce has recently started a podcast called Let's Talk About Scams. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest R.O.S.E. Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly Let's Talk About Scams Podcast

There are so many things to learn about utilizing crypto, understanding the benefits as well as the benefits. It can be used to save time and money, but you need to be careful and only interact with reputable companies. Today's guest is Bam Azizi. Bam is a tech entrepreneur and the co-founder and CEO of Mesh, which provides FinTech companies with a seamless and secure one-click system for users to transfer their assets for deposit, payment, and payout. He previously founded No Password, a cybersecurity identity company acquired by LogMeIn in 2019. Show Notes: [0:53] - Bam shares his background and current endeavors with Mesh, of which he is co-founder and CEO. [2:26] - Bam explains how he found himself working in FinTech with his background in cybersecurity. [5:01] - You cannot educate every single user on the planet. People make mistakes all the time and there should be no shame about that. [7:37] - Defense needs to get it right 100% of the time, but to move the scam forward, the scammer only needs to get it right once. [11:01] - Security and compliance act like guardrails. [12:30] - There are mechanisms in place that can protect users, but there are pitfalls and disadvantages. [13:41] - Crypto is like any other type of data, but how it is stored is different. [14:57] - Crypto is inherently secure, but transit becomes a problem. [17:34] - Sometimes, you just don't know who you are sending money to or if the company receiving funds is legitimate. [19:40] - Bam explains what happens when we initiate a transaction and try to rescind it. [22:02] - We should be able to identify the people interacting with blockchain. [23:40] - The industry wants crypto to be adopted world wide, but if that were to happen, some things need to be accepted. [24:48] - The blame can't be placed on one entity. [26:40] - One major benefit to crypto is global transfers. [30:44] - There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to crypto and you never actually see it. It's hard to think about in-transit security. [33:30] - There is a huge pushback against crypto from banks and financial institutions. [35:09] - Crypto has been demonized to some extent, but as a technology and the advances we will see in coming years, it's not inherently bad. [37:34] - We can build practices and mechanisms that can prevent collapses. [40:36] - There are some risks in using crypto but some risks are much bigger than others. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Mesh Payments Website Bam Azizi on LinkedIn

There are times we can answer a question without much thought. If we were to examine the reasons why we gave the answer, would we change our response? Today's guest is David McRaney. David is a journalist, author, and lecturer fascinated with brains, minds, and culture. He has created a blog, book, and ongoing podcast entitled You Are Not So Smart which is about self-delusion. His most recent book, How Minds Change, is all about the science behind how and why people do and do not change their mind and the intricacies and nuances of persuasion. Show Notes: [1:09] - David shares what he does as a science journalist and how he found himself interested in the topics he writes and speaks about. [4:38] - The way people work has always fascinated him. [6:50] - David shares a story about psychology that really excited him. [8:35] - In the height of blogging's popularity, David began his blog You Are Not So Smart. [9:57] - David explains what the Introspection Illusion is. [12:31] - If you want something, you will come up with reasons why. [13:40] - An example of this is when you share what you like about another person. [15:59] - This concept can be looked at as delusion, but it's really just how brains work. [19:30] - What do you have in place to approach your own feelings and beliefs? [23:08] - David and Chris go through an exercise to demonstrate guided metacognition. [27:00] - We can answer some questions quickly, but others need more thought. [30:00] - The technique that David demonstrated is used to allow people more introspection. [32:22] - Start with things that you love and practice this technique. [33:37] - David and Chris talk about conspiracy theories and how to improve critical thinking. [35:27] - ConspiracyTest.org is a site that gives you a score on how susceptible you are to conspiratorial thinking. [37:48] - Conspiracy theories seem much more prevalent now, but conspiratorial thinking is no more rampant than it has been in the past. [39:32] - What should we do if a friend or family member has fallen into conspiratorial thinking? [42:17] - Finding reasons to rationalize conspiracy theories has never been easier with the internet. [44:31] - There are reasons that some people are more attuned to this thinking and some are more skeptical. [48:36] - Think about a scenario and imagine your initial reaction. [49:33] - Build rapport and assure the other person that you are not out to shame them. Get out of the debate frame. [52:01] - You can have conversations that don't end in a dead end. [55:13] - Reactance is when someone takes away your agency. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest David McRaney's Website The Conspiracy Theory Test You Are Not Smart Podcast

The advent of technology has created both advantages and challenges for people trying to protect themselves from harmful situations. Being aware of the capabilities of the technology around us, the data that can be collected, and how it can be accessed can lead us to being physically safer. Today's guest is Audace Garnett. Audace provides assistance nationally and internationally supporting crime victims and domestic violence survivor organizations. She worked at the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office where she served as Teen Services Coordinator in the Victim Services Unit. She is current a Technology Safety Project Manager with Safety Net at the National Network to End Domestic Violence, where she focuses specifically on the intersection between domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and technology. Show Notes: [1:12] - Audace shares what she does with Safety Net and the National Network to End Domestic Violence. [5:18] - 97% of cases include tech misuse, but Audace explains that domestic violence is very underreported. [8:06] - Technology is not the problem. It's the person behind the technology that is causing harm. [9:22] - A common problem is the sharing of images without consent. Victims can report this to StopNCII.org. [11:42] - Survivors should trust their instincts. [13:17] - Audace shares some tips on protecting online identification. [15:54] - A major and unfortunately common concern and problem is location tracking through mobile devices. [18:25] - Tracking devices like Airtags and apps on smartphones can alert abusers of your location. [20:33] - Some vehicles also come with integrated GPS tracking. [22:14] - Although these services and tracking/monitoring devices can be used maliciously, the technology itself is not the problem. [24:20] - Another technology misuse possibility is abusers interacting in a victim's social media platform as the victim. [25:56] - The impact of this interferes greatly with day to day life. [28:11] - The Domestic Abuse Hotline is a space to not only report domestic violence, but they can also help with support, resources, and a plan. [30:20] - How can community members help with this problem and build awareness? Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest National Network to End Domestic Violence StopNCII.org

Social engineering has become so creative and clever with the ways scammers are trying to infiltrate your world. AI and deep fakes are only going to make things worse. Over the past 30 years, fighting viruses and malware has only increased with no end in sight. Today's guest is Roger Grimes. Roger is a Data-Driven Defense Evangelist for KnowBe4. He is a 34-year computer security expert and an author of 14 books and over 1,300 articles on computer security. Show Notes: [1:06] - Roger shares his background and his drive to continue writing in the field of computer security. [3:17] - In his career as an accountant, Roger found himself more interested in the computer side of things. [7:45] - Things have gotten worse every year. Ransomware has attacked hospitals and law enforcement in addition to personal devices. [10:21] - In many cases, older devices are very hard to replace. [11:44] - Most employees of a company don't know how devices work when it comes to security and things go without updates and patches. [15:10] - Some companies are getting better about making sure products are set to auto-patch. [16:20] - Social engineering is involved in about 70-90% of all successful hacks. [17:23] - Compromised credentials is another common way hackers are easily able to gain access to accounts. [19:38] - Social engineering is all about getting you to perform an action that is harmful to yourself or your organization. [19:50] - Three qualities to look for: unexpected, asking you to do something you've never done before, asking you to do something harmful. [21:12] - If something has those qualities, slow down before clicking anything within an email. [23:26] - Really good scammers will prepare you for the scam. [25:06] - It is hard to retrain yourself to think about these things during any communication. [27:14] - People shouldn't get in trouble with their organization for taking precautions. [29:47] - Scammers prey on vulnerable populations, including the elderly. [32:10] - Always remember that no legitimate organization accepts payments in gift cards. [34:10] - The best we can do right now is educate people to help prevent successful scammers. There's no stopping it. [36:04] - Try to use a MFA that is phishing resistant. [38:55] - Roger shares the experience of his fingerprints being stolen. [41:20] - Security questions are surprisingly guessable in a lot of situations. Your password might not be guessable, but the security questions aren't always secure. [44:31] - Roger shares some data about patches and what is important to remember. [48:31] - Roger sets a time every few months where he sits down and changes every single one of his passwords. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest KnowBe4.com Roger Grimes on LinkedIn

As we approach the next season, threat actors will be keeping a close eye on dating apps. These apps have become a prime target for threat actors due to the size of the market expanding to over 300 million users and the rich information stored in these apps. Today's guests are Jason Kent and Will Glazier. Jason is a hacker-in-residence at Cequence Security. He has a diverse information security, networking, and IT background and a generous level of knowledge for most pieces of the IT spectrum including firewalls, security architecture, security controls, and security infrastructure. Will Glazier is the Head of Threat Research at Cequence Security where they protect some of the world's largest brands from sophisticated bot attacks and threats against the public facing APIs. Will has a background in fraud abuse and prevention as well as building threat intelligence systems. Show Notes: [1:18] - Jason and Will share their backgrounds and current roles at Cequence Security. [5:24] - As common as scams and fraud are, even Jason and Will have personal experience with them. [7:39] - Dating app attacks are particularly hard because they prey on vulnerable people. There are so many cases, that there should not be shame around talking about it. [9:32] - The first red flag is when someone you are talking to on a dating app tries to get you over to texting or another app. [11:37] - In any given month, the amount of malicious API transactions that Cequence is blocking is in the billions. [13:52] - Fake accounts are constantly made but not as heavily used as taken over accounts. [16:08] - Scammers are now paying for premium accounts to appear more legitimate and the investment pays off when they scam someone. [18:11] - There are tools people can buy to make all accounts look real through automation. [19:29] - It is essential that people in a fraud department can trust the information and push it out to Cequence. [22:04] - Some organizations will pay a ransom to decrease the time wasted and money lost. In their eyes, the money lost to pay the ransom isn't as much. [26:11] - Margins are getting tighter for the bad guys. [30:31] - The infrastructure that scammers use varies. There are some that are really well known at Cequence and some that are more difficult. [32:51] - It is easier to take out one big player than to take out hundreds of small ones. [36:03] - There are human and political pressures that make things more challenging for security. [38:07] - Romance scammers are employing new tactics and switching them up. [39:48] - If you put too much trust in the platform that it makes you trust the random person you're talking to, take a step back. [42:40] - Take a look online for things that have been done by scammers historically, especially if you are new to dating apps. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Cequence Security Website

Everyone who's on the internet is exposed to risk. Every time you set up a new account or app, you create another place where your data can be hacked or breached. This makes your differing passwords crucial. Today's guest is Troy Hunt. Troy is a Pluralsight author and instructor, Microsoft Regional Director, and Most Valued Professional specializing in online security and cloud development. He is a conference speaker and runs workshops on how to build more secure software with organizations. He is also the creator of the popular data breach aggregation service known as Have I Been Pwned. Show Notes: [1:26] - Troy shares what he currently does and the work he is known for. [2:57] - You can put your data in one place and it can traverse the internet and end up in places you don't expect. [6:54] - There's a challenge in running a site that has millions of queries at any time. [9:25] - Troy shares some of the accomplishments of Have I Been Pwned. [13:32] - Does he experience a lot of malicious traffic? He used to. Troy explains how he has managed this. [18:14] - Have I Been Pwned has been around for a while and began as a lot of manual labor for Troy. [23:10] - It is crucial for organizations to be receptive to security reports. [25:09] - In a lot of ransoms, data of specific groups of people are used as threats. [27:56] - Troy lists some of the things that happen on the back end of running a site like Have I Been Pwned. [30:36] - Cloud services have been an amazing advancement in technology, but they open up more points of entry. [33:35] - There is a hierarchy of multi-factor authentication. Troy discusses the current strategies that are best practice. [35:45] - For users, what is the second-factor authentication you can manage to use? [37:27] - There are different risk levels to different things. What do you actually need to carefully protect and what level of inconvenience are you willing to bear? [39:59] - Troy shares how his parents have been impacted by confusing technology. What is the right technology for a demographic? [43:15] - Some data is more important than other pieces of information. [45:33] - Some data is also more or less important to different individuals. [46:54] - For those managing and discussing data breaches, we also need to be aware that there are pieces of data that could be important to someone but isn't important to others. [48:24] - Unfortunately, data breaches haven't gotten less common and aren't really getting better. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Have I Been Pwned? Troy Hunt's Website

As people age and their physical and mental health declines, conservatorships are often considered. If you're not careful, the entire estate can be spent on management costs and abuse can occur. There are things a family can do for better outcomes. Today's guest is Diane Dimond. Diane is the author of four books and is a veteran investigative reporter for radio, TV, and print. Crime and justice is her preferred genre and she broke the Michael Jackson story twice. Currently abusive guardianship and conservatorships are her focus. Show Notes: [0:55] - Diane shares her background as an investigative reporter. [2:48] - Her recent book We're Here to Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong is all about the possible pitfalls and risks of conservatorships. [5:15] - Diane explains how guardianship and conservatorship is granted. [6:21] - In a lot of cases, Diane has found that judges assume if conservatorship is being asked for that the family is dysfunctional. [8:59] - Guardians are paid out of the ward's estate and many charge an outrageous amount of money. [10:31] - The most public conservatorship that went wrong was Britney Spears's. But some celebrity guardianship scenarios have been beneficial. [12:29] - Diane firmly believes that guardianship needs to be harder to establish. [14:06] - Anybody can initiate a petition. [17:14] - Once it is in front of a judge, it can become a catch-22 situation. [19:11] - Every state is different and many are starting to pass some reform. Florida in particular is a terrible state for this system. [20:42] - SEAR is a very useful resource if you are in an abusive guardianship situation. [23:07] - It is almost impossible for the ward to make any decisions. [25:50] - It is you against a whole system. [27:52] - Unfortunately there is a lot of criminality that is possible. [29:51] - It isn't impossible for abusers to be caught and punished, but it is not common. [31:59] - There are alternatives to guardianships that really should be considered. [34:21] - If these abusers were punished, they would go somewhere else and commit a different crime, but they would at least leave these vulnerable people alone. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest We're Here to Help: When Guardianship Goes Wrong by Diane Dimond Diane Dimond Website

Many parents assume that their children will never be groomed by a predator and then miss the opportunity to educate their kids on the techniques that are used. Every child, regardless of gender, can be manipulated and tricked into making poor choices and put themselves in dangerous situations. Today's guest is Michael Buraimoh. Michael joined Breck Foundation as CEO in January 2022. He is dedicated to the foundation's mission to create a better online world for children and young people and is helping take the foundation's important work to new heights. He is an author, and having his own children inspires him to create a safer digital world for them to grow up in. Show Notes: [1:01] - Michael shares the background and the reason behind the creation of the Breck Foundation. [4:02] - Michael's own background is in criminal justice, specifically with young people. [6:23] - It is crucial that parents are honest and open with their children about this discussion. [7:51] - Ignore the misconceptions about grooming. [10:37] - Safety doesn't mean having to put every form of digital activity aside. Parents need to be involved. [12:07] - Trust is the key to ensuring that a child will tell their parents things that are happening online. [14:05] - There are signs to look out for that could be indicative of something going on. [16:32] - It can be hard to determine what is unsafe and what is normal teenage conversations, but it's important to be aware of red flags. [18:11] - Young people now are digital natives. They have to be able to engage online. [19:52] - There is a place and time for parental controls and limiting access, but relationships are far more important. [21:42] - The Breck Foundation educates parents but also the children and young people themselves. [23:08] - Young people need to know that if someone is trying to isolate them from their friends and family through secret conversations, something isn't right. [24:52] - Look for a trusted adult to report to. For parents, contact authorities. [28:30] - Screenshot, shutdown, and report. The Breck Foundation has a lot of resources for this education. [31:51] - Play virtually, but live real. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Breck Foundation Website

Currently we have hard copy passports and driver's licenses, but as our digital identities evolve, we may find ourselves with a worldwide digital standardized way of proving who we are. Today's guest is Philipp Pointner. Philipp leads Jumio's digital identity strategy and the initiative to enable multiple digital identity providers in its ecosystem. Prior to Jumio, Philipp was responsible for paysafecard, Europe's most popular prepaid solution for online purchases. Show Notes: [0:53] - Philipp shares his background and current role at Jumio. [2:12] - Our online identity has changed very quickly over the last decade. [3:47] - Over time, this evolution has made people a lot more comfortable with technology. [5:50] - The changes that Philipp thinks are coming may cause problems with some countries not accepting them. [7:30] - The digital identity will likely be more secure than physical copies of important documents like passports and driver's licenses. [10:47] - Chris and Philipp discuss a recent experience in verifying the credibility of physical documents. [12:52] - With more sophisticated benefits to a digital identity comes more sophisticated attack attempts. [15:40] - Where does one turn if they are a victim of identity theft? [17:11] - Philipp believes that it should be the responsibility of an organization to ensure the end user is safe. [18:48] - Philipp shares the results of a survey that asked people if they were willing to take more steps to ensure that they were secure online, but the exception was social media. [22:02] - Education around scams is improving and increasing, but not about everything. [26:20] - The technology exists to keep people more secure, but it isn't employed as often as is necessary. [27:47] - At the end of the day, the inconvenience is always put on the end user. [29:07] - Biometrics are strong and have a lot of well governed standards already in place. [31:40] - Research shows that the requirement to change passwords every 90 days is ineffective. [32:59] - Currently, there isn't a one-stop shop to receive the education they need to better understand cybersecurity. [35:48] - Philipp and Chris talk about the recent issue with concert tickets being purchased by bots for scalping. [38:28] - The general public has become an easier target than in years past because of the increase in online activity. [40:09] - People vastly overestimate their ability to detect fake images and deep fakes. [41:42] - Philipp explains what it means to have a reusable digital identity. [43:30] - When digital identity is used to verify in the future, will users have the ability to revoke their provided information? [46:58] - Pursue education on this topic and then take action. [50:01] - Your data is definitely online and it's important to be aware of what is available for potential scammers to know. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Jumio's Website

Cyber criminals are growing in their attack planning. CISA is continuing training their teams to look for vulnerabilities and help out not only the government, but other entities secure their networks and products. Today's guest is Robert Karas. Rob came to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in 2010. He has over 30 years experience in the information security field and significant experience in building nationally recognized security platforms. At CISA, Rob built the Cyber Hygiene Program, risk and vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing programs. He has also created the Cyber Defense Education training programs to address industry challenges. Rob was also recognized by Cyber Patriot as Mentor of the Year. Show Notes: [1:03] - Robert shares his background, what he does at CISA, and what CISA does as an agency. [4:01] - At CISA, agents hack into a company's system with their permission to see where the vulnerabilities are. [5:53] - Phishing and social engineering continue to be the most successful attacks. [8:41] - A lot of times it feels like good security equals bad customer service. [10:27] - Playbooks are all the same or similar but the tools that CISA uses are unique. [12:29] - With the introduction and evolution of AI, there is some preparation to be done for an inevitable increase in attacks. [14:07] - Attackers prey on human vulnerability and emotion. [15:53] - Phishing emails are so good now that many times they really appear to come from someone you know. [17:15] - Over the last ten years, the statistics of people reporting a scam have improved. [20:16] - It is important for organizations to be prepared. For help with this, you can email [email protected]. [23:39] - CISA has implemented Secure by Design. [25:30] - If you suspect you are communicating with a scammer, stop communicating right away. [27:02] - It is overwhelming when you think about the amount of devices we have that are connected and relied on. [30:16] - The amount of data we have and can have access to is so immense. How can we inspect everything? [32:09] - When it comes to purchasing new devices, ensure that frequent updates are part of the guarantee. [34:41] - A great place to start for resources on CISA's website. Robert shares some of the resources available, including Secure Our World. [35:54] - CISA also offers free vulnerability scans for businesses. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest CISA Secure Our World CISA's Website

Everyday people are falling victims to scams and fraud. Embarrassment and guilt can prevent people from reporting the incident. Not everyone is aware that there are resources available to help navigate the justice system. Today's guest is Rachel Gibson. Rachel is the Director of the Center of Victim Service Professionals at the National Center for Victims of Crime where she works to further the mission by supporting and overseeing programs for victim service professionals, providing training and technical assistance. Show Notes: [0:48] - Rachel shares her background and her role as the Director of the Center of Victim Service Professionals. [2:53] - We talk a lot about prevention work, but there aren't as many resources for what to do after an incident. [3:47] - Rachel explains the background and how the Center for Victims of Crime was founded. [5:46] - Many victims are experiencing polyvictimization and may not realize they are victims of a crime at first. [7:14] - 24-hour hotlines are available and very impactful. [8:51] - Rachel describes the different programs that she is involved in at the Center for Victims of Crime. [9:57] - Part of the work she does is helping people realize the intersection and connections between different types of crime. [12:08] - Oftentimes in these cases, this is the first time victims have been involved with the justice system. [14:02] - Maybe a victim doesn't want to go to law enforcement, but the crime should still be reported. [15:12] - Financial fraud is a crime where society victim blames right out of the gate. [16:24] - The conversation shouldn't be about who is victimized, but rather who is being targeted. [19:17] - Google is a great first step in determining legitimacy. [21:51] - Fraudsters are banking on targets not being knowledgeable. [23:55] - We have to come to the conversation with an attitude of empowerment. [26:26] - Rachel explains how partnerships are important as service professionals will likely hear about crimes. [28:47] - Legally, there's a difference between a scam and fraud. But there's always an opportunity to connect people to resources. [32:07] - Think about what someone needs in the moment. It might not be to go to law enforcement. [35:03] - Talk to your friends and family. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. [36:24] - A big trend right now in questions and concerns is the intersection of AI and fraud. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest National Center for Victims of Crime Website Victim Connect Resource Center

It's hard to imagine finding a job, advancing into a second interview, they send you a ticket to their overseas office, only to find out that you're about to be trafficked into a life of forced labor while they threaten your family. But this is happening all around the world today. Today's guest is Matt Friedman. Matt is an international human trafficking expert with more than 35 years of experience. He is the founder and CEO of The Mekong Club, an organization of Hong Kong's leading businesses which have joined forces to help end all forms of modern slavery. Show Notes: [0:57] - Matt shares his background and the extensive experience he has in this field. [2:09] - Matt explains some of the terrible situations that he has seen in human trafficking and the reason he became an activist. [5:31] - Covid-19 impacted criminal activity in China. They started to trick and deceive people into accepting a job at a scam center. [6:51] - There are tens of thousands of people who have been human trafficked into scam call centers. [9:12] - A red flag is if it sounds too good to be true. [12:15] - Matt describes the buildings these call centers are in. [13:34] - In Myanmar and Cambodia, the people being trafficked into call centers tend to be citizens of other countries. [16:04] - The scams that they are forcing people to do are pig butchering. [18:20] - Matt shares some of the types of scams that they do from these call centers. [20:28] - In these call centers, if a person does not hit their daily quota, they are beaten and tortured. [22:56] - If you think that you want to have a job opportunity overseas, you need to know without a doubt that it is legitimate and have a system in place to make sure your friends and family know where you are. [25:21] - Matt's organization The Mekong Club works with businesses on understanding scams and trafficking. [27:09] - Where does this laundered money go? [28:41] - The Mekong Club has a large social media presence in multiple languages and PSA campaigns to provide education. [31:32] - We've entered a time where scams are commonplace and it's getting harder to tell what is real and what is not. [33:40] - If we don't take action now, we will find ourselves in a situation that we cannot control. [37:33] - Share this information with other people. This is the most important step to take and right away. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest The Mekong Club Website

No one ever wants to find themselves in an active shooter situation. But if you are, it's important to know how to respond. Today's guest is Katherine Schweit. Katherine is an attorney, consultant, and retired FBI special agent who created and led the FBI's Active Shooter Program after the horrible tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School. She joined a White House team working on violence prevention matters, led by then Vice President Biden. She is the author of Stop the Killing: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis, How to Talk About Guns With Anybody, and the FBI's research on mass shootings, a study of 160 active shooter incidents in the United States between 2000 and 2013. She was part of the crisis team responding to shooting incidents including at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Pentagon, and the Navy Yard in Washington, DC. Show Notes: [1:14] - Katherine shares her background, her experience in the FBI, and her work in the Active Shooter Program. [3:05] - In her work, she spent time with parents and families of those killed in mass shootings. [4:23] - What constitutes a mass shooting or an active shooter situation? There is no real definition. [6:10] - Most mass killings are domestic, particularly murder/suicides, but those will not show in data. Katherine explains what the FBI looks at. [8:44] - Journalists and media impact what stories are news-worthy. [10:21] - Katherine released her book How to Talk About Guns With Anyone to keep the conversation going. [13:19] - In 2020, the CDC determined that gun deaths in youth 19 and younger exceeded the deaths by traffic accidents in the same age group. [15:56] - Safety isn't about when it happens. It's about if it happens. [16:58] - The shooting at Columbine changed the way the American public viewed and feared shootings, although public shootings were not new events. [18:32] - Katherine explains the response and training of law enforcement officers during the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary. [21:06] - The numbers of incidents have increased but we have not seen the number of casualties increase. [25:00] - Television shows and movies create misunderstandings on what law enforcement officers and FBI agents can accomplish. [26:37] - See something, say something. [28:00] - In most cases, someone close to a shooter had information and didn't say anything. [29:48] - What do you do when something happens? People should have Run, Hide, Fight training. [32:51] - In 13% of shootings, a civilian was successful in getting in to help incapacitate the shooter. [37:40] - A simple thing to be prepared with is knowledge of the exits in your location. [39:19] - It is important when hiding to hide where there is actual cover. [40:27] - Don't stay where there is no protection. [42:51] - Shooters come in with a plan and it is always intentional. [44:11] - Sometimes an unexpected distraction makes a difference because it throws off a shooter's plan. [47:37] - While school shootings are terrible incidents, children are actually more in danger in their homes and neighborhoods. [49:45] - Although they are major news stories when they happen, elementary school shootings are rare. [51:29] - Listen to Katherine's podcast, Stop the Killing, for more information. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest How to Talk About Guns With Anybody by Katherine Schweit Stop the Killing: How to End the Mass Shooting Crisis by Katherine Schweit Katherine Schweit's Website Stop the Killing Podcast

With the use of passwords, we're hoping to ensure privacy and security, but sometimes it is at the expense of convenience. As technology changes and biometric databases become more utilized, we need to remember that they may also be hacked. Today's guests are Philippe Desmarais and Thierry Gagnon. Philippe is a tech entrepreneur who co-founded Kelvin Zero and currently serves as its CEO, overseeing the company's strategic direction. He is also a member of the Next Generation Advisory Council at Rockefeller Capital Management. Before creating Kelvin Zero, Philippe played a significant role in various start-ups, focusing on data analytics for political campaigns, remote hardware device management, and cybersecurity. Thierry Gagnon is co-founder and Chief Technology at Kelvin Zero. He is an expert in software development, malware analysis, cryptography, and reverse engineering. He has been actively involved in the cybersecurity community, participating in renowned competitions and projects such as Malware Information Sharing Platform. Show Notes: [1:18] - Philippe and Thierry share their backgrounds and their roles in the company they co-founded together, Kelvin Zero. [2:34] - Thierry's expertise is in cybersecurity but Philippe's interest was more in crime. They combined their strengths and passions to create Kelvin Zero. [6:18] - Passwords have been around for millennia. [7:24] - We often confuse being smarter with being faster. [9:45] - Passwords are not often attached to an individual. We have so many passwords and can't actually know them all. [11:53] - We can compromise passwords at scale. [13:20] - The attackers only need to be right once. The defenders need to be right 100% of the time. How can we flip this? [15:47] - The average person is tasked with trying to keep up with cybersecurity and, in most cases, they are not qualified to do this. [17:11] - What does it look like to take a password-less approach? [19:20] - If cybersecurity is done successfully, the opportunities are massive. But regulation holds us back. [21:51] - Once a tech company can serve protection, then companies can focus on their services and products. [24:46] - There are differences between the physical world and the logical world. [28:41] - How do you convince people to share medical data for research when there are constant breaches? [31:33] - Is privacy the same as anonymity? [33:52] - Technology should be able to do what we want it to do, but that's not the case. [36:36] - In a password-less environment, how can we validate a user? [39:40] - Thierry believes we should get away from the server authenticating because then it is the responsibility of the organization. [43:18] - Sci-fi movies sound far-fetched, but a lot of them predict technology. [46:35] - Thierry and Philippe share their thoughts on what we should be putting our focus on now. [49:40] - Stay away from single-factor authorization. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Kelvin Zero Website

Staying safe online requires you to be an active participant. You need to do your own research and not rely entirely on other people's tools, some of which are intended to actually take advantage of you. Today's guest is Patrick McNamara. Patrick holds a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from University of Maryland Global along with multiple certifications. He operates the cyber awareness site DIYSecurityTips.com and is currently a cybersecurity engineer for a software company. Show Notes: [0:52] - Patrick shares his background and current role in cybersecurity. [3:09] - Chris and Patrick discuss the changes in cybersecurity in education in just a few years. [7:18] - When it comes to working in the industry, there are a lot of misunderstandings and inflexible definitions of what cybersecurity is. [9:35] - Volunteer as much as you can. [10:48] - A great place to start for your own online security is with passwords. [13:17] - Literally anything can be breached. A password manager can at least mitigate risk. [15:40] - Is it safe to connect to public wifi? [17:56] - Using your cell phone's hotspot is a lot safer than using public wifi. VPNs are also fantastic to invest in. [20:42] - VPNs that are free could be dangerous as well. How are they making money if they are offering the service for free? [21:33] - Pay attention to the developer before downloading any app on your phone or mobile device. [23:16] - Check the permissions for the apps you download. For example, a calculator app doesn't need access to your contacts and pictures. [25:01] - Anything that is new and exciting, malware developers will be on it very quickly. [27:40] - Understand how crypto works before investing in it. [28:52] - Patrick believes that it is possible to be completely anonymous online but there are a lot of very difficult steps to follow to do so. [32:13] - Privacy is easier to maintain than anonymity. [34:41] - There's special malware for every type of attack. Patrick shares some scenarios on different types of attacks. [35:57] - VPNs cannot protect you from social engineering. [37:21] - Some malware is downloaded through files online on a site that was recently breached. [39:01] - Chris shares an experience in supply chain crypto mining that happened unintentionally. You never know. [40:34] - You should at least know how to back up your data. [44:13] - Patrick shares about his website and how to learn more about online safety. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest DIYSecurityTips.com

Everyone is being targeted by organized crime to separate you from your money. If you've been scammed, don't allow embarrassment to keep you from reporting it. Your story could keep someone else from going through the same thing. Today's guest is Ryan Kelly. Ryan is a stand-up comedian who hunts scammers with his master's degree in Homeland Security. Show Notes: [0:45] - Ryan shares his background and how he wound up hunting scammers. [2:12] - Just a few months ago, Ryan himself was scammed. [3:25] - Through social media, Ryan shared his experience and all of the comments showed that an incredible amount of people experienced it as well. [6:13] - We do victims an injustice when we describe a hacker as a bored man in a basement and a hoodie. There are incredibly organized scam crime rings. [9:07] - Your phone sells a lot of data. [10:53] - Ryan shares what he does initially when tracking down a scammer. [13:47] - Knowing an IP address can be helpful in knowing a little information, but it's not exact. [15:46] - Some military personnel cannot use fitness trackers or other devices that transmit data. [18:08] - Ryan explains how a fan of his social media content recognized the background of a video and found him in person. [21:03] - If you possibly feel like you are being targeted as a scam but you are unsure, you can ask a series of questions to see if they are lying. [22:16] - Sometimes scammers purposely use bad grammar and spelling to weed out the people who are suspicious. [24:37] - Two factor authorization should be a requirement on every login. [27:01] - Your information is easy to find. There are ways to take some things down. [29:01] - LinkedIn is a great tool, but it can be dangerous as scammers can create a false connection. [32:09] - If you're paying for something and it feels like a weird way to be paying for something, stop. [34:51] - If you are looking at investing in something, think about the risk. Can you afford to possibly lose it all? [37:36] - Scammers also target people under the pretense of helping them get their money back after a scam. [40:25] - Don't send photos to people you don't know. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Ryan Kelly on TikTok Ryan Kelly on Instagram Ryan Kelly Website