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There are methods used to influence us to either buy or do something. We may even be persuaded to participate and only later on wonder how they got us to join. It is beneficial to know these seven principles that compel us to react. Today's guest is Dr. Robert Cialdini. Dr. Cialdini is an author and keynote speaker as a leading expert on influence and persuasion. His books are published in 44 different languages and have sold over 7 million copies. He's a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best-selling author. He's also been elected to membership in the National Academy of Sciences. Show Notes: [1:10] - Dr. Cialdini got into this field because he was easily persuaded in the past. [3:05] - Incognito, Dr. Cialdini answered as many ads and training programs he could get into to see how advertisers convinced people to buy. [4:40] - In his research, he found that there are seven principles to persuasion. [5:44] - The first principle is the principle of reciprocation. This is present in every culture. [6:57] - First someone gives you something and then you feel obligated to give back. [9:03] - Chris shares an experience at a restaurant to receive something for free that actually required him to do something first. [11:37] - Is something genuinely giving you something or trapping you into compliance? [12:19] - The second principle is the principle of "liking." You will be influenced more by those who you like. [13:48] - One way to get people to like us is to give them something which ties right into the principle of reciprocity. [16:12] - Step back from the situation and separate the salesperson from what he or she is offering. [17:18] - The next principle is the principle of social proof. If a lot of people are choosing or favoring something, it seems like something you should do, too. [18:28] - We recognize when there are fake reviews. 5 star reviews generally make us skeptical. [21:04] - Dr. Cialdini describes a study done in McDonald's that boosted sales of one menu item by 40%. [24:48] - The next principle is similar to social proof and decreases someone's uncertainty. It is the principle of authority. [25:58] - The problem with assuming someone is an expert is the appearance of actors and influencers being paid to promote. [27:34] - Ask yourself, "Is this person an authority on the topic at hand?" [28:32] - Also ask if the person is being unbiased in their testimonial. [30:19] - The next principle is the principle of consistency. [32:01] - Dr. Cialdini shares why he no longer signs petitions. The pressure to be consistent can motivate us to do things we don't want to do. [35:28] - Sometimes sales sites will list an item or booking that there are only two left at this price and list a number of people also looking at the listing. [37:38] - We don't know all the time if something is legit. [39:55] - Dr. Cialdini added a seventh principle to his book called the principle of community. [41:17] - Dr. Cialdini demonstrates how this works with a personal example. [43:11] - Be wary of promotions within your "tribe." [44:12] - Some companies will ask for collaboration to create unity and produce customer loyalty. [47:09] - Dr. Cialdini shares a story about letting people into one's house. [50:55] - Check out Dr. Cialdini's website for a Harvard article to help prevent digital attacks on your organization or business. 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 Influence at Work Website Influence, New and Expanded: The Psychology of Persuasion by Dr. Robert Cialdini

Criminals feel safe to hide behind the internet. They hire people and train them to be effective salespeople with the goal of taking your money. Let's look at a few ways to do our due diligence to be sure that who you are working with online are who they say they are. Today's guest is Ken Gamble. Ken is a professional investigator, corporate security specialist, and cybercrime expert with 33 years of experience working for individuals and multinational corporations. He is the co-founder and executive chairman of IFW Global that conducts fraud investigations, asset tracking, fraud recovery, disruption and prevention of global cybercrime, monitoring enforcement actions to protect and recover assets for worldwide clients. He is the current Australian chairman of the International Association of Cybercrime Prevention, a non-profit association founded in Paris in 2006. Ken is an accomplished surveillance specialist and former surveillance advisor contractor to a commonwealth government agency in Australia and a consultant to numerous law enforcement agencies in the US, Asia, and Europe as well as several foreign governments. Show Notes: [1:23] - Ken shares his background and international experience. [2:41] - In his career, Ken has worked in all sectors of investigation. [3:50] - What inspired Ken to get into this field? The internet. [6:00] - International crimes are very complicated to pursue which has made crime on the internet so impactful. [8:01] - Although challenging, it is possible to track people down by following a digital footprint and mistakes. [9:39] - The type of work Ken does is very high-end. [10:47] - Ken has worked for foreign governments and government officials for many high-end cases. [11:37] - Following the money doesn't lead to the scammer. Ken describes other methods to track the location of criminals. [13:05] - A lot of success comes from informants and whistle-blowers. [13:55] - Sometimes people work in a call center not knowing that they are working for a scam organization. [15:02] - This is a male-dominated industry, specifically young men. [17:06] - Although these criminals are ruthless, they are well spoken, polished speakers and are generally very charming. [18:03] - Craigslist is often used to attract job applicants. [19:37] - Criminal organizations are extremely manipulative to those who come to realize that the operations are wrong. [22:38] - A big red flag is talking to someone and not ever seeing them either in person or on a video chat. [24:25] - Do your due diligence and research who you're talking to. [26:54] - Criminal organizations train employees through very well rehearsed scripts. [29:23] - The number one red flag is that criminal organizations are not regulated firms. [30:52] - Cryptocurrency is a big trend in scams currently. [33:18] - There are a lot of new challenges with cryptocurrency fraud. [35:22] - Cybercrime organizations are extremely sophisticated. [36:55] - Many organizations have mastered moving funds to other countries that won't cooperate with law enforcement. [38:29] - Being able to reveal who the criminals are leads to a better chance at asset recovery. [40:02] - If Ken can identify a criminal and freeze accounts, it worries them. Paying back a client is how they can get out of their predicament. [41:18] - Some countries are more favorable to the victim and others are not. [42:37] - Ken now takes the media along to busts to expose criminals and educate the public. [44:09] - Financial crime is devastating to the victim. [46:50] - Criminals sometimes feel extreme guilt but they justify their actions. [51:15] - If you want to invest in something, ask for second opinions and do your due diligence and research. 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 IFW Global Website Ken Gamble on LinkedIn

Surveillance cameras and other student monitoring tools are becoming more and more common in schools today. Laptops are distributed to the students and software is installed on them for their own protection, but it is important to know what is being done with the data collected outside of classroom use and if your students or your own privacy is being invaded. Today's guest is Jason Kelley. Jason is the Associate Director of Digital Strategy at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, focusing on how privacy and surveillance impact digital liberties. Before joining EFF, Jason managed marketing strategy and content for a software company that helps non-programmers learn to code, and advertising and marketing analytics for a student loan startup. Show Notes: [0:53] - Jason describes his current role at Electronic Frontier Foundation. [2:32] - Big tech companies who offer devices to schools collect data from them. [4:17] - Physical surveillance has increased due to the continuous problem of school shootings. [6:01] - Surveillance cameras can be accessed directly by local police. Jason explains how this can be controversial. [8:34] - Jason and Chris discuss the reason for using school-issued devices only for education purposes. [9:53] - Surveillance cameras do have blind spots. Facial recognition also has some issues. [11:03] - When devices are provided, parents, young people, and even administrators don't always know the capabilities. [12:22] - Jason shares an example of one of the pitfalls of student monitoring apps that are on school issued devices. [14:07] - Schools can take screen captures from issued devices which isn't done out of malice but does raise questions about privacy. [15:12] - We have to choose which is more important: safety or privacy. [16:37] - Students and parents need to know that school issued devices have features that will impact privacy. [17:32] - Jason describes some of the differences between the types of alerts school administrators receive. [19:12] - Sometimes software blocks things that are safe and doesn't block things that could potentially be inappropriate. [20:50] - Teachers cannot have their eyes on every student's computer at all times and often rely on software to help. [22:04] - Teachers shouldn't be expected to know how surveillance software works. [23:01] - Jason describes a recent problem at Dartmouth with Canvas logs. [26:27] - This issue at Dartmouth was very serious and could have impacted the students' careers drastically. [28:21] - There is an epidemic of misunderstandings of technology. [29:24] - EFF offers guides for students on what to do and expect with school-issued devices. [30:42] - There have been a lot of successful petitions in recent years about data tracking in universities. Parents have some leverage here as well. [33:00] - Sometimes, there's not anything you can do about student surveillance. [34:20] - The Covid-19 pandemic made things very challenging as students needed access to education remotely very quickly. [36:50] - Jason describes some of the features of remote proctoring programs. [38:33] - This vastly impacted thousands of students who took the BAR exam. [40:36] - EFF has been pushing back on proctoring and Jason explains a recent win. [42:18] - Jason is hopeful that the pandemic has made it more clear where technology fails us. 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 Electronic Frontier Foundation Website Jason Kelley on LinkedIn Jason Kelley on Twitter EFF on Twitter EFF on Facebook EFF on Instagram EFF on YouTube

The term "gaslighting" is becoming more commonly used as people come to understand the psychological impact. It is important to identify the techniques used by someone to maintain an unhealthy relationship so you can avoid it or change it. Today's guest is Dr. Deborah Vinall. Dr. Vinall is not only a licensed marriage and family therapist, but also a doctor of psychology. She is a certified trauma therapist that uses EMDR and brain spotting. Dr. Vinall is the author of Gaslighting: A Step by Step Recovery Guide to Heal From Emotional Abuse and Building Healthy Relationships. Show Notes: [1:18] - Dr. Vinall explains why she wrote her recent book as gaslighting is something a lot of people experience but don't understand. [2:42] - What is gaslighting? Dr. Vinall gives an example. [3:18] - Gaslighting can happen anywhere and with anyone. [4:06] - There are different types of gaslighting that range from fully calculated to more defensive in nature. [5:01] - Many people exhibit gaslighting at some point in their lives, but patterns are when things get problematic. [6:19] - Insecurity is one reason many people tend to gaslight. [7:29] - What are some signs for pattern gaslighters? [8:22] - Pattern gaslighters are often very charming in public but are much different behind closed doors. [10:00] - What is "normal" and what is problematic? Look inside and see how you feel around this person. [11:03] - Dr. Vinall gives tips on how to manage situations where it is a co-worker that you can't make a break from. [12:53] - When confronted, pattern gaslighters may dismiss accusations or could "fly off the handle." [13:49] - In relationships, gaslighters tend to move very fast. [15:22] - In cases where relationships are deeply connected, Dr. Vinall suggests reaching out to a lawyer. She also discusses the impact of violence escalation. [18:02] - There is a distinction between occasional gaslighting and chronic pathological gaslighting. [19:39] - Try some different strategies in the workplace and think of an exit plan in case a change is needed. [21:12] - Journaling is an excellent tool to help you release and sort through your thoughts and can also be used later to confirm to yourself that you are not crazy. [22:58] - A red flag of gaslighting is someone trying to pull you away from your support system and external relationships. [24:11] - It's important to grieve the loss of a relationship and all the things that go with it. [25:26] - Notice your self-talk. You can start internalizing the negative talk that you hear from someone who gaslights you. [27:19] - Being a gaslighter may be difficult to overcome as there's something deeper going on and you must want to heal. [28:07] - Take your time in a relationship and listen to your intuition. [29:49] - Figuring out your boundaries for those in your life who you don't want to cut out. 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 Gaslighting: A Step by Step Recovery Guide to Heal From Emotional Abuse and Building Healthy Relationships by Dr. Deborah Vinall Counseling Services with Dr. Deborah Vinall Dr. Deborah Vinall on LinkedIn

Home technology can be hacked. Anything from a coffee machine or LED light to a TV or a doorbell. We understand the risk of being vulnerable on our tablets and phones, but you'll be shocked to realize how much data is collected from our other smart devices and how those very same devices can lead to a much wider compromise. Many of us don't even know how many devices are on our connected networks, so we better listen up. Today's guest is Amanda Fennell. Amanda is the Chief Security Officer and Chief Information Officer at Relativity. In her role, she is responsible for championing and directing their tech and security strategies including risk management and compliance practices. She has a Master's degree in Forensic Science and over 15 years of experience in Forensics and Cyber Security. Show Notes: [1:12] - Amanda explains Relativity, her roles in the company, and how she was drawn to this field. [3:35] - Many people assume Amanda has all the new and greatest technology but knowing the risks of exploitation, she is selective. [4:25] - There are a multitude of devices that people don't even realize they connect to their network. [5:23] - Because of the sheer volume of devices, hackers can do a sweep and use the information gathered. [6:32] - The number one security problem is keeping things up to date. [8:16] - Amanda walks through the simple steps of hacking smart devices. [9:40] - Amanda demonstrates how hacking something seemingly inconsequential can lead to accessing more. [11:23] - You need to know what's connected to your network. You have more than you think. [12:41] - Surprisingly, there are connected lightbulbs that people sacrifice security for ease of access. [14:02] - When guests come over and you share your password, did you take their access back? [15:15] - Amanda is a big fan of segregating your network. She describes what this means. [16:29] - How can you segregate your network? [18:08] - Amanda suggests using WireShark. [19:39] - Many people hang on and use old routers because they still function, but most are not supported with updates after just a few years. [21:18] - It is also common practice to use identifying information as passwords and device names. [22:33] - Even Direct TV can be hacked. How can this be used against you? [23:30] - Amanda shares an investigation and how she used a printer spool file. [25:06] - Medical devices, printers, and copiers can be hacked. [27:29] - Amanda describes the differences between two security companies and what she advises doing to stay secure. [31:40] - How can you implement ongoing monitoring and detection in your home network? [33:52] - Implement updating devices into your monthly or weekly routine. [36:03] - You can do a scan on your network and even ask a friend for help. [37:28] - Smart coffee and smart fridges seem simple but can be used for targeting phishing and even when you are leaving the house. [39:33] - Just making yourself a little less accessible could deter a hacker because others will be easier. [41:43] - Amanda shares how false donations were used in fraud. [43:25] - We all deserve to have our information private and secure but it also needs to be personally accessible. That's the risk. 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 Relativity Website Security Sandbox Podcast Amanda Fennell on Twitter Relativity on Twitter

Fear can cause people to hoard. Blockchain would allow transparency that could alleviate those fears. Understanding the trivergance of AI, IoT, and Blockchain can transform your thinking even for those resistant to change. Today's guest is Don Tapscott. Don is one of the world's leading authorities on the impact of technology on business and society having authored 16 widely read books, including the global bestseller Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin is Changing Money, Business, and the World, now translated into 20 different languages. He is currently Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of the Blockchain Research Institute, an Adjunct Professor at INSEAD, recently a two-term Chancellor of Trent University in Ontario and Member of The Order of Canada. Show Notes: [1:22] - Don shares his professional background, career, and work as an author. [2:55] - The Blockchain Research Institute researches how industries are affected by blockchain technology. [4:41] - Don and Chris think back to the earlier days of the internet. [7:02] - This new generation of technology represents a new paradigm. [8:04] - What is happening in Congress at the moment that could change everything about the industry? [11:35] - New paradigms create a crisis in leadership. Don's life work has been to find leaders who embrace the shift. [13:12] - We view this current time as the second era of the internet. What is different from the previous era? [14:23] - We are moving from an internet of information to an internet of value. [15:21] - People hoard out of fear and this impacts supply chains. [17:09] - Blockchain can be a solution for health records. Many people consider it a problem due to lack of understanding. [18:25] - Blockchain gives people the control to manage their transparency. [20:29] - It takes time for us as a society to figure things out. What is the future of blockchain? [22:19] - Don is speaking at an event about the vision of how industries will be changed by blockchain. [24:43] - Don references years past when CEOs didn't type because that was a secretary's job. It took time to change and it will take time to make these changes as well. [26:06] - There are industries that will be very resistant to change. [26:51] - On the Blockchain Research Institute's website, there are reports on various industries. 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 Don Tapscott Web Page Men In Suits Music Web Page Blockchain Research Institute Web Page Don Tapscott on Facebook Don Tapscott on Twitter Don Tapscott on Instagram Don Tapschott on LinkedIn Books by Don Tapscott

At some point in our life we will encounter a cyber intrusion, either through somewhere we have done business or because we are targeted as an individual. It is important to know how to prevent identity theft as well as how to respond if you've already been compromised. Today's guest is Adam Levin. As a graduate of Stanford University and the University of Michigan School of Law, Adam Levin is a nationally recognized expert on cybersecurity, privacy, identity theft, fraud, and personal finance. He is an author and the former director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Levin is the chairman and founder of Cyber Scout and co-founded Credit.com. He has been featured in the New York TImes, Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, USA Today, and The Chicago Tribune. In addition to that, he has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Evening News, CNBC, MSN, and many others. Show Notes: [1:14] - Adam shares his background and education in law and politics. [2:29] - In 2003, Adam created an Identity Theft company that later became a global business called Cyber Scout. [4:49] - Adam believes that security breaches are a certainty of life these days. [6:35] - While hacking has been around for a long time, Adam shares how he got into the business of identity theft protection. [8:36] - Over time, insurance companies have come to be support in identity theft. [10:01] - Chris shares a scenario of a friend that had their identity stolen. [12:23] - Many victims feel like they were in the wrong when in reality they may not have done anything wrong at all. [13:56] - In recent years, the IRS has been a lot more proactive. [16:02] - What is Adam's definition of identity theft? [19:01] - Adam explains why you should be vetting your vendor as well. [21:13] - There are four kinds of threat actors - state sponsored, for-profit, cause-related, and "because I can." [23:29] - Social engineering is the most successful method of identity theft. [25:42] - Adam wrote the book Swiped and explains that there needs to be a new framework around mitigating the threat of identity theft. [26:32] - How do we minimize your risk of exposure? This is very difficult. [27:46] - Two factor authorization is extremely helpful in protection. [28:41] - Always verify that the person you're speaking to is who you think they are. [30:12] - How can you monitor everything on your accounts and reports? [31:37] - One of the ways credit card numbers are sold on the dark web is by zip code which causes many banks to miss fraudulent use. [32:51] - The third "M" is to manage the damage. What can you do after an incident? [34:05] - Identity theft protection programs are relatively inexpensive. [37:01] - You can set the threshold for when you are notified. But you should choose to be notified of any purchase, even the really small ones. [38:50] - How do banks know when there's a fraudulent charge? [40:38] - There are features where you can lock the use of your card before having to change account numbers. [42:33] - The best protector of your portfolios, including your identity, is you the consumer. [44:37] - Adam describes his new podcast called What the Hack. [50:23] - Remember that many people are not who they claim to be. 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 Adam Levin Web Page What the Hack Podcast with Adam Levin Adam Levin on Twitter Cyber Scout Web Page Cyber Scout on Twitter

We can sabotage ourselves by the way we prioritize our day by not differentiating between the urgency of emails and getting distracted or manipulated by the media. Today's guest is David Kadavy. David is the author of the books Mind Management, Not Time Management, The Heart to Start, Design for Hackers, and multiple short reads. David is a self-published coach and the host of the podcast Love Your Work. David has spoken in multiple countries and has been featured in The Overserver, The Huffington Post, Upworthy, and Life Hacker. Show Notes: [1:02] - Welcome to the show, David! David explains what he does in the writing field. [2:50] - Chris admits he is a master procrastinator and tends to spend his time doing tasks that are not as important as others. [3:45] - David explains how he divides things up by mental state. [5:57] - A way to avoid emails that don't need attention right away, David uses a program called Boomerang. [7:38] - David demonstrates how open loops apply to click-bait. [8:56] - The looming possibility of urgent emails can waste energy. [10:10] - David keeps his phone on do not disturb and uses the favorites feature. [12:22] - The news and media can be a huge distraction. [13:10] - If the media captures your attention, it is not a mistake. We are attracted to negativity. [15:47] - You don't need to know everything that is going on every single moment of every single day. But it is hard not to get sucked in. [18:10] - The immediate availability to communication creates urgency that hijacks your attention. [19:30] - The first person that should get your attention is yourself. [21:00] - As you start prioritizing different things, people may stop demanding your attention immediately. [22:23] - David lives in Columbia and the cultural values are much different there than in the United States. [25:19] - People in different countries may look at time differently as well. [28:33] - People also tend to change how they think about time. [30:03] - If there is a specific set of steps to complete a task, AI can do it. But human creativity is missing. [32:27] - David describes a typical writing day for him and how he manages his mind. [35:01] - David explains the science behind why morning grogginess is actually a prime state to be in for creativity. [38:29] - While resting, free association gets a chance to manifest. [41:15] - Arguing viewpoints on social media has become a priority for a lot of people. [44:50] - There's so much fighting for our attention. [45:55] - David shares the titles and brief description of his books linked below. [48:01] - kdv.co is shared as an opportunity to download a free writing toolkit. 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 Kadavy Web Page David Kadavy on Twitter 100-Word Writing Habit Books by Author David Kadavy Love Your Work Podcast David Kadavy's Writing Tools

Gifted pick-pocketers can use social engineering skills to choose their victims. Many times as we travel, we may not realize that our body language makes us an easy target. Today's guest is Chris Kirsch. Chris is the CRO and co-founder of Rumble. With a background in product marketing and technical mindset, he has helped formulate go-to marketing strategies at PGP, Rapid7, and Veracode. In 2017, he earned the black badge for winning the social engineering capture the flag competition at DEFCON. He has a passion for InfoSec, OSINT, and is a volunteer advisor for the National Child Protection Task Force. Show Notes: [1:05] - Welcome Chris! Chris shares his background. [2:20] - Chris co-founded Rumble, an asset discovery company to help clients secure their network. [3:48] - Pick-pocketers are masters of misdirection. [6:34] - Chris explains why he got into the social engineering side of DEFCON. [8:18] - When in Paris, Chris's father was pick-pocketed which prompted him to start researching. [11:18] - After meeting a magician at a convention, Chris then became interested in open-source intelligence (OSINT). [11:51] - Chris defines the difference between the two schools of thought on pick-pocketing. [13:29] - Some pick-pocketers can steal without interacting with people while others utilize social interactions. [15:31] - Chris shares in more detail the story of his father being pick-pocketed. [17:38] - This experience showed Chris and his family a way that teams of people can work together to fool a target. [20:03] - There are some unusual laws that limit consequences for theft. [21:50] - Chris shares tips on where to place your wallet when traveling and demonstrates a scenario. [25:18] - Escalators are areas where pick-pocketing teams can be very successful. [28:17] - Placing your hand in your pocket to intentionally keep your belongings safe might actually make you a target. [30:31] - When something else is on your mind, you are an easy target. It is hard to always be aware. [33:19] - Chris uses an example of a phishing scam that demonstrates social engineers move you from rational thinking to emotional. [36:20] - Many people take these scams personally when in reality, scammers have no idea who you are. [38:27] - Chris references a documentary from the point of view of a social engineering target. [40:51] - Darren Brown on YouTube and Netflix has several videos and shows that demonstrate the psychology of many scams and manipulation. [43:59] - The sample you are seeing is what the person wants you to see. [45:12] - Chris gives actionable steps to take when feeling suspicious. [47:09] - Chris describes a time when he was able to use social engineering strategies that would have been shot down if the target had done something simple. [49:21] - For the "long con" scammers, Chris has advice about trust. [51:42] - Search for Kirsch Identity Fraud and you find free resources on identity theft. 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 Chris Kirsch on LinkedIn Chris Kirsch on Twitter Rumble Network Discovery Web Page Rumble Discovery on Twitter

You cannot separate community and school safety from each other. They simply go hand in hand. We've seen adults displaying lack of impulse control on airplanes and as kids go back to school, we cannot underestimate the challenges that may arise. It's important to be prepared to know how to respond. Today's guest is Jason Stoddard. Jason is the Director of School Safety and Security for the Charles County Public Schools. He is responsible for sustaining a safe learning and work environment for over 27,000 students and nearly 4,000 staff members. He is a retired police commander with over 24 years in law enforcement. Show Notes: [0:51] - Jason describes his job and what he is responsible for. [1:40] - Because of everyone's experience in school, everyone has their own opinion of what things should be like even though things have changed. [3:00] - In recent years, ransomware and hacking has been a threat to schools. [4:41] - School issues have not been seen as what they really are: community issues. [5:50] - Jason shares ways he builds relationships within the community for school safety. [7:10] - Handle With Care is a program that is implemented in Jason's county. [8:52] - Instead of asking what's wrong, ask the kid what has happened. [11:14] - We can never over communicate what is going on. Honest conversations are necessary. [12:53] - What could be the ramifications of early experiences with the criminal justice system? [14:40] - When the police arrest a child that could affect their safety, Jason shares that in his county, they are required to report it to him and his team. [16:01] - Jason's county is also committed to working with law enforcement regarding gangs. [18:24] - There are some services that provide social media monitoring but there are some problems with using this. [20:48] - Kids need to feel comfortable bringing information forward. [21:17] - Jason believes that this school year is set up for tragedy. [23:22] - Any school system is built on layers. It can never be just one plan. [24:58] - How do we get kids to the services they need to help them with impulse control? [26:08] - School safety programs cannot force kids into mediation programs. [28:10] - When students are suspended, they are missing out on their education and sometimes can't get caught up. This creates a cycle for more misbehavior. [31:15] - School systems see all the same problems everyone else sees but with the added kid component. [33:19] - Malware and ransomware are huge problems right now with the increase in virtual learning. [35:54] - Valuable information can be sold on the dark web. [37:27] - Swatting is where someone will call into 911 to get law enforcement to respond. [40:11] - Sometimes kids also hack to change their grades but are usually easily fixed. [41:00] - Teachers will also sometimes write their passwords on a post-it for students to see. [42:01] - Covid-19 continues to be incredibly challenging. [44:57] - Stay connected with what is going on locally, nationally, and from the CDC. [45:56] - The fact that this situation has been so polarizing has made policy very difficult to enforce. [49:53] - Jason explains some of the issues that arose through virtual learning last year. [50:55] - There are so many layers to security and a positive school climate is the key. 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 Jason Stoddard on LinkedIn Charles County Public Schools Safety and Security Web Page

When seconds count and freezing isn't an option and lives are at stake, how do you prepare to know what to do? Even our bodies have natural reactions. But what can you do to stay calm, level your breathing, and be alert? Today's guest is Robert Montgomery. Robert was an operations officer in the CIA for 34 years and served in some of the most dangerous places in the world. He is also a former Marine and the founder of Guardwell Defense. Robert is an author and teaches training courses such as Combat for Women, Improvised Weapons, and Street Smarts for Students and Businesspeople designed to help anyone mitigate and deal with unexpected violence. Show Notes: [0:53] - Robert shares his background, experience, and how he shifted into training civilians for personal defense. [3:46] - Using security cameras that he can access on his phone, Robert shares the story of seeing people on his property while he was in Afghanistan. [7:29] - Through this experience, Robert realized why his wife was able to stay calm in the moment. [10:13] - Referencing Chris's website and podcast, Robert explains the common scams that he has seen come up. [11:26] - "If you find yourself in a fair fight, you didn't plan properly." [12:27] - There is a correlation between your heart rate and ability to control fine motor skills. [14:12] - Controlling your breathing is the key to lowering your heart rate. [16:37] - Practicing breathing in non-stressful situations can help you in the moment. [18:18] - Chris shares a story that connects to the discussion on adrenaline and fear. [19:51] - You cannot be alert all the time. Being hyper alert can lead to PTSD and often does in members of the military. [23:23] - With situational awareness, you have to stay level headed and make decisions quickly. [24:51] - It is okay to "be rude" if you feel uncomfortable. [27:10] - There are many signals you may notice if approached by a predator. [28:13] - A common situation many people find themselves in is walking or jogging outside with headphones on. This affects their awareness. [31:46] - Situational awareness will mitigate many problems. [32:47] - Robert gives some tips on what to do when beginning to travel again, especially overseas. [35:21] - Maintaining a lower profile to lessen your chances to be targeted for crimes as a tourist can be challenging, but Robert gives advice. [36:28] - Edson Tiger offers an excellent online course for training for travel. [38:27] - Paper copies of things are important in case things are lost. [39:54] - Every citizen should learn the basics of first aid. 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 Seconds to Live or Die: Life-Saving Lessons from a Former CIA Officer by Robert Montgomery Guard Well Defense Home Page Edson Tiger Training for Travel Course

There are many ways your network can be accessed, not just remotely but physically. How equipped are you and your coworkers to prevent intrusions? Today's guest is Jayson E. Street. Jayson is the author of Dissecting the Hack: The F0rb1dd3n Network Series. He is the DEFCON Groups Global Ambassador and the VP of InfoSec for SphereNY. He has also spoken at DEFCON, DerbyCon, GRRCon, and at several other cons and colleges on a variety of Information Security topics. Jayson was also featured in The National Geographic series Breakthrough Cyber Terror. Show Notes: [1:00] - Jayson explains how he hacks to help. [1:59] - People want to see how Jayson can get into their facility and rob them. [3:39] - Jayson shares how "being the bad guy" can get the information needed to educate users and clients on preventing more. [4:51] - Jayson has been known to rob banks and shares the story about how he robbed the wrong bank because he had to go to the bathroom. [7:24] - The devices Jayson uses emulate keyboards and code. [9:03] - Some employees for big companies like Microsoft have posted their badge on social media from which Jayson prints and uses as his own. [10:08] - How did Jayson get caught in robbing the wrong bank? [13:21] - He found out later that the bank he robbed by mistake wound up wiping their machines which cost them a lot of money even though Jayson's procedure was harmless. [16:01] - Jayson has a 100% success rate which shows how employees trust anyone who looks official. [17:13] - What is the yellow method and why does Jayson use it? [18:18] - Jayson describes the facility that took the longest amount of time to get into in Jamaica. [20:17] - In one instance, Jayson did not go back to talk to the client after conducting the pen test for a charity. [22:30] - When these tests happen, it isn't about winning and losing. Jayson makes sure he is caught so he can provide education and training. [25:08] - "The biggest thing that people can do to protect themselves is to listen to the voice in the back of your head saying that something is odd or unusual. Realize when you're at work, part of your job and responsibility is to think that something bad may happen." [26:25] - Companies need to give a proper avenue for employees to feel comfortable in reporting something strange. [28:39] - Jayson shares some of the techniques he uses that have a 100% success rate in penetrating the company's network. [30:06] - At events, oftentimes there are company USB drives loaded with giveaway items. These could be dangerous to use. [31:39] - There is no way to completely eliminate threats. The important piece is how you respond to a threat. [33:10] - Network security is great, but physical security of a network is just as important. [35:01] - Jayson explains that the users of the programs in a network are the people that need to have the proper education. [37:45] - Jayson has a program where he gamifies security education. [39:50] - Many people don't realize how easy it is for an official looking badge to be recreated. [41:41] - Jayson describes his most boring and simple robbery he completed in 15 seconds. [42:29] - What was Jayson's most successful interaction? [43:51] - After obliterating a company one year, management took the lessons to heart, educated their team, and had him come back the next year. [46:19] - If pen testers are not rooting for the client, they are in the wrong business. 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 Jayson E. Street Home Page Jayson E. Street on Darknet Diaries Podcast Jayson E. Street on Twitter Jayson E. Street on LinkedIn Dissecting the Hack: The F0rb1dd3n Network by Jayson E. Street

Children go missing, exploited, and trafficked everyday. It takes investigators, prosecutors, and private sector technology specialists to help them. Misinformation and TV portrayals can impact our resources that are directed to help. Today's guest is Kevin Metcalf. Kevin is a former federal agent turned prosecutor and the founder of The National Child Protection Task Force which brings together recognized experts in the field such as strategic legal applications, open source intelligence, cellular mapping analysis, dark web investigations, and cryptocurrency to help law enforcement agencies everywhere. He has undergone training provided by the National Computer Forensics Institute, the National White Collar Crime Center, and the FBI Cellular Analysis Survey Team, among others. Kevin developed a system for working with cell phone related data in criminal cases that developed into a mobile device foundational course that focuses on the integration of legally-derived information with open source information. Kevin has also published a series of instructional books available on Amazon. Show Notes: [1:26] - Kevin shares his background and how starting the National Child Protection Task Force was not something he initially thought he'd do. [2:20] - As a single parent, Kevin left his job in law enforcement, went back to school, and became a prosecutor. [3:58] - As he was led into working in social media and cell phones, Kevin realized how often he was working on cases that had to do with children. [5:11] - Kevin describes the case that got him national attention and how it led to him working with experts that wanted to come together to help more kids. [7:01] - Chris notes the gap between law enforcement and the technology that is available. Kevin is trying to bridge that gap. [8:00] - How does Kevin deal with the "CSI Effect"? [9:57] - There is a lot of misinformation regarding human trafficking. [10:52] - It is very challenging to convict someone for human trafficking due to little information and the victim not being forthcoming with details out of fear. [12:19] - Most of the time they are able to convict for something else, like drugs or gun charges, which does at least get the person in jail without putting the victim through testifying again. [13:34] - There are a lot of psychological factors involved for victims even years afterwards. [14:55] - Kevin's organization works with missing, exploited, and trafficked children. He explains the difference between exploitation and trafficking. [16:49] - Children who are missing and runaways are at higher risk of being exploited and trafficked. [17:51] - There is a huge problem with missing children investigation or lack thereof. Predators are aware of this and take advantage. [21:21] - There are so many problems with statistics that Kevin doesn't know what questions to ask. [23:18] - Kevin feels that there are two categories for children, missing or not. [24:04] - Kevin lists some of the things that put children at risk, including parents trying to control everything. [27:35] - During the grooming process, predators are looking for the weaknesses in a parent-child relationship. Mental health issues also add another level of vulnerability. [31:10] - The NCPTF is composed of active duty law enforcement. Kevin explains following the rules of the jurisdiction they're working in. [32:51] - Although there are some controversial tools used to investigate these cases, Kevin describes how to prevent breaches in privacy. [35:04] - "You have to understand the limitations of technology. If you don't, you're going to misuse it, screw up an investigation, and arrest the wrong person." [36:19] - Kevin explains the algorithms used for facial recognition, especially using the face of a child. [38:43] - An investigator needs to follow up on every hit used with facial recognition. [39:59] - Kevin describes how the NCPTF hones their technology skills. [41:38] - Predators are using information willingly posted on social media to harm others. [42:51] - It is difficult to make politicians and policy makers understand how bad the situation is and what is needed to prosecute a predator. [45:00] - Newer privacy laws make it difficult to use technology to identify a human trafficker. [46:51] - Using these technological resources for minor infractions is a waste of time and money. They should be used for the major things. [49:27] - It is important to not tip predators off with what they are using to identify them. Sometimes photos and videos will allow investigators to determine their location. [51:14] - A lot of people don't realize how easy it is to find their 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 Erica Stanford on LinkedIn Nationa

Transferring money through a third party can add substantial fees and using cryptocurrency bypasses those. However, does the emerging technology invite additional risks? Today's guest is Erica Stanford. Erica is founder of the Crypto Curry Club, UK's number one rated networking educational event for blockchain, digital currency, crypto payments AI, and tech for sustainability. She is the author of Crypto Wars: Faked Deaths, Missing Billions, and Industry Disruption. Erica is a public speaker, crypto currier, and conducts blockchain industry reviews. Show Notes: [1:02] - Erica shares what began her interest in cryptocurrency. [2:11] - After being mugged while overseas, Erica explains how she could only access money from a Western Union with high fees. [4:25] - This experience opened Erica's eyes to how many people in the world live without access to money and she learned about cryptocurrency. [5:06] - The Crypto Curry Club started off as a way for Erica to meet other people in the industry through events. [7:17] - Cryptocurrency is digital currency; money that is secured by encryption and blockchain. [9:05] - Prior to crypto, going through a third party was the only way to make a digital exchange. Erica explains what could happen if the third party disappears. [10:50] - Erica explains how blockchain works. [11:56] - The best part of transferring money through cryptocurrency, it is usually free of charge with absolutely no fee. [12:59] - Some businesses would have a minimum transaction amount due to the price they pay in fees. Crypto bypasses that. [14:40] - It is digital money and very volatile. People have started taking advantage of this. [16:02] - There's a lot of hype around cryptocurrency which means it can also get a lot of scammers creating their own currency. [18:22] - Even in cases where the cryptocurrency business is terrible, they still brought in millions of dollars because of the hype. [20:17] - There have been scams where celebrities have been hacked or a fake profile has been created stating to send them money and they'll double it for you. [21:05] - Erica describes recent Ponzi Schemes, networking marketing, and multi-level marketing using cryptocurrency. [22:22] - Cryptocurrency is created through a process called mining. [24:31] - In a recent Ponzi Scheme, good people invested everything they had and lost it. Some people knew it was happening but many were victims. [26:09] - A cryptocurrency business recently shut down. Erica discusses red flags. [27:51] - Erica explains "staking." [28:46] - Some red flags are claims of working with huge companies as customers and partnerships. Scammers can be very brazen. [30:00] - If you see one single thing that is fake or dishonest, you have to assume that there are more things that are untrue. [30:40] - Erica explains why she decided to write the book Crypto Wars. [31:53] - A huge scam that is still shockingly going on inspired Erica to get more information and start her research. [34:23] - That one event and the fact that Erica already had an audience and community, she was asked to write the book. [35:14] - Erica shares a discount code for the book when it is released this month. [36:11] - There have even been faked deaths and Erica tells the story of the scammer behind Quadriga. [38:40] - Some of these shocking stories are really happening and possible with cryptocurrency. [40:16] - There could be ways to track everything, but if someone has been planning a scam, Erica explains how they can get around that. 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 Erica Stanford on LinkedIn Crypto Wars: Faked Deaths, Missing Billions, and Industry Disruption by Erica Stanford Crypto Curry Club Home Page Crypto Curry Club on Facebook Crypto Curry Club on Instagram Crypto Curry Club on Twitter

Many people have gone or plan to go somewhere to seek deeper connection and enlightenment. But what are the dangers to be conscious of before taking such a trip? Today's guest is Caroline Slaughter. Caroline is a filmmaker and global voiceover talent. Most recently, she was supervising producer on Racket: Inside the Gold Club which is ranked as one of 2020's top true crime podcasts. Caroline's multifaceted experience in the entertainment industry has prepared her for the role of curating auditory stories to provoke, impact, and entertain. She is the host of the popular Astray Podcast where she investigates those who pay the ultimate cost in search for spiritual awakening. Show Notes: [1:00] - Caroline shares how and why she started her Astray podcast. [2:41] - There's an idea that this happens in India, but Caroline points out that people seek out enlightenment all over the world. [4:00] - During a difficult time, Caroline chose to go to Bali. She was prepared but a lot of people don't go in with a plan. [6:18] - There seems to be a draw to Asian countries for this and Caroline suggests some reasons why. [7:19] - Caroline briefly tells the story of a guest on Astray Podcast who had a breakdown while on his journey and would have disappeared without his parents. [8:50] - The biggest problem is that many people who fall victim to scams and traps are looking outside themselves for answers. [10:22] - Caroline did some research on some of the reasons that could have caused psychotic breakdowns through drugs. [11:31] - Some who experience a psychotic break while on this quest for enlightenment, feel that it was meant to happen for their experience. [12:50] - People want a fast track to spirituality and it can be addictive. [14:40] - Mental illness plays a role in the need for a fast track to spirituality. [15:37] - Caroline defines and explains India Syndrome. [17:02] - Caroline tells the story of The Beatles seeking enlightenment and a theory surrounding John Lennon never leaving the place of trauma. [18:44] - India Syndrome can put you in a very fragile state if you don't go prepared. [19:52] - We tend to let our guard down because of the authority the spiritual guides hold over us. [21:32] - You have to trust your inner guidance especially when you look outside yourself for guidance. [22:40] - It is tricky to vet the guides in other countries. It is easier to do in the United States; to find others who have worked with them. [23:55] - This industry is massive and brings in billions of dollars a year. [24:32] - Caroline explains why she thinks the industry needs to be regulated. [25:44] - Going with a buddy is key and bouncing ideas and plans off of friends is important to keep up the voice of reason. [27:42] - Don't make major decisions when experiencing grief or trauma. [29:01] - We give away our own power when we hit rock bottom. [30:45] - There are tragic stories that Caroline shares through Astray of people who have vanished or been killed. [32:17] - The problem is not India Syndrome, it is "Seeker Syndrome." [33:26] - What do you sacrifice for the risks you take? [35:18] - When seeing those traveling in a new country, there are those who will prey on someone new and unfamiliar. 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 Caroline Slaughter Home Page Astray Podcast Caroline Slaughter on Instagram

Education can help people to be prepared without paranoia, but how do you teach safety without causing fear? There are specific things to be aware of in an extraordinary situation like an active shooter that can fundamentally change the outcome. Today's guest is Dr. Kathleen Kiernan. Dr. Kiernan is the founder and CEO of Kiernan Group Holdings, Chair of Emeritus and the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, and an adjunct faculty member of the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School. As a 29-year veteran of Federal Law Enforcement, Dr. Kiernan serves as a subject matter expert in strategic thinking, strategy development, and facilitating critical incident management exercises for senior leaders across government and private sector organizations. She is the founder of Preparedness Without Paranoia which provides an opportunity to use a lifetime of service and earned experience at the extremes of human behavior to help others invest in their own security and preparedness. When they teach skills early, they can last a lifetime and can literally save lives. Show Notes: [1:21] - Dr. Kiernan has spent her entire life in or supporting law enforcement. Her experience has given her understanding of human behavior. [3:04] - Dr. Kiernan recommends the book called The Safety Trap by Spencer Coursen and shares a story from it to illustrate how children are not prepared by their parents. [4:39] - There's not one single event that interested Dr. Kiernan about preparedness, but rather her multitude of experiences in law enforcement. [7:03] - Regarding an active shooter situation, there is a series of actions to take. [8:18] - Preparedness Without Paranoia educates children on these actions they can take in a way that is developmentally appropriate. [9:18] - Civics is not a class taught anymore. Preparedness Without Paranoia uses current and recent events to educate. [10:33] - The program is written by parents and educators for parents and educators of primary school aged children. [11:58] - Dr. Kiernan's program teaches a preparedness mindset that applies to many different types of events. [13:01] - You are responsible for your own security. [14:20] - Communication is the first major teaching point for children in Preparedness Without Paranoia. [15:41] - Although active shooters are statistically rare but devastating, there are more common events in domestic violence and abuse that children learn to communicate about. [17:19] - To build trust with kids is to be part of their adventure. What are they into? [19:32] - Dr. Kiernan and Chris discuss preparedness kits and checklists and getting kids involved. [22:10] - Have the discussions of why each item goes into the preparedness kit and introduce the idea of going to a shelter in times of natural disasters. [24:06] - Dr. Kiernan shares a realization she made that preparedness can be simple. [27:30] - One of the most common and vexing to teach about is human and sex trafficking. [28:54] - Using the example of an Olympic athlete who spoke up about sexual abuse as a child. Communication is key. [30:27] - Some of the educational resources on Preparedness Without Paranoia's website surround good decision making and thanking community heroes. [31:20] - Preparedness Without Paranoia runs on donations. All donations go directly to resource production. You can contribute HERE. [32:22] - In addition to donations, Preparedness Without Paranoia is in need of authors and illustrators. [33:18] - All resources are free and available on the website. 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 Preparedness Without Paranoia Home Page Kiernan Group Holdings Home Page Kiernan Group Holdings on Facebook Preparedness Without Paranoia on Instagram Kathleen Kiernan on LinkedIn

We often make the assumption that if something is the biggest or the oldest, it should be trusted or it wouldn't have grown so large. But when it comes to cryptocurrency, this may not always be true. Today's guest is Aaron Lammer. Aaron is the founder of Treats Media which produces original podcasts and work for clients. Original works include the critically-acclaimed mini-series Exit Scams and multiple seasons of Stoner and CoinTalk. Aaron is also the co-founder of Longform.com and host of the Longform Podcast. Show Notes: [1:16] - If you've heard about a large amount of cryptocurrency being lost, you have heard about hacking. But Aaron shares how it could be a false narrative. [2:56] - There's not as much risk when internally stealing cryptocurrency. [4:04] - Aaron tells the story of Quadriga and its founder, Gerald Cotton. [5:03] - The estimated amount of cryptocurrency lost in 2018 was $250 million. But that money scales up over time. [6:21] - The people who were brought in to help with this case found a lot of things using the only clues they had: financial records. [7:36] - People who knew Gerald Cotton were convinced by him. Bitcoin also appeared more trustworthy than newer companies. [8:39] - Why do people trust the company that has been around the longest? [9:40] - Aaron explains how Cotton simulated fake volume. [11:05] - There is a lot of discrepancy on Cotton's death, but regardless, Aaron explains how his fraud and Ponzi Scheme played out. [12:58] - When the exchange started to crash, Cotton likely feared being found out. [14:20] - For a long time, there was a lot of smoke and mirrors surrounding where the actual money was. [15:30] - There is an unaccounted for amount of money missing from the money taken by Cotton which has created doubt that he is deceased. [17:02] - Chris and Aaron discuss common themes in Ponzi Schemes. [19:24] - Just in the last week since recording this episode, there have been huge drops in cryptocurrency exchange. Aaron believes two of them are exit scams. [20:37] - Aaron shares a recent report about Afri-crypt and how he is suspicious of the figures. [22:19] - Often in Ponzi Schemes, there are inflated daily or monthly returns. [25:32] - The common theme is "otherworldly returns" that leads people down the path of falling victim to an exit scam. [26:47] - What is a safe way to invest in cryptocurrency exchange? [28:02] - There is a difference between "guaranteed" returns and returns over time. [30:20] - There is an issue with panic in cryptocurrency exchange. [31:58] - Aaron recommends going with larger companies regarding cryptocurrency and lists some red flags to look for. [33:27] - Any setting where it is obviously easy for someone to run away with tons of money is problematic. [34:39] - If you have a lot of investment in crypto, tell your partner and family how to access it in a will. [36:10] - Be careful and don't put all your eggs in one basket. If something happens to one wallet, it isn't catastrophic. [36:57] - Cryptocurrency is not necessary to invest in. It is risky. 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 Longform Podcast CoinTalk Podcast Exit Scam Podcast Exit Scam on Twitter Aaron Lammer on Twitter Aaron Lammer on LinkedIn

What does it look like to be resilient? Many of us have lost our edge after a year in our homes and many have become unprepared to handle the unexpected. Listen on to find out about five pillars of resilience from our guest's book Raise Your Resiliency. Today's guest is Kris Coleman. Kris has served with the CIA conducting threat and vulnerability assessments and for the FBI as a special agent. He is also an author and the founder and CEO of Red Five Security, which provides state of the art security and protective intelligence services. What are you prepared for and what can you do to be more resilient in any scenario? Show Notes: [0:54] - Kris shares his background and the many paths he has taken on his career which includes everything from minor security to protecting against terrorists. [2:44] - When Kris was hired by a private family to redo their entire security platform, he realized what Red Five should be. [4:31] - There are some misconceptions regarding what Kris does with Red Five Security. [6:24] - Some affluent families that Kris works with are very public facing and some never leave the house. Kris explains the spectrum his clients are on. [8:10] - "The more you can stay off the radar, the better off you're going to be." [9:18] - Kris takes a look at a client's digital footprint and looks at some things that can be done to help keep below the radar. [10:01] - Kris shares common sense tips for security. For high profile clients, this can get tricky. [11:37] - Under stress, fine motor skills are hard to execute. [12:44] - Chris shares an experience about being in a different country and they did not have ambulances. [13:56] - Even when clients travel to another state within the US, it is crucial for Kris's team to know the environment they're headed to. [15:38] - Even the best neighborhoods can easily turn into a dangerous place. [16:37] - Chris illustrates this with a news story of a private party being misunderstood as a huge organized event. Even something seemingly harmless can turn. [17:58] - Kris shares a story about an extremely successful businessman feeling completely helpless. [19:26] - We need individual resiliency on a national scale. This need created Resiliency for Executives and Leaders (REAL). [20:41] - Once Kris has worked with executives and leaders, they have a whole new sense of confidence. [21:56] - REAL isn't just for the wealthy. This program teaches people skills needed to be prepared for anything, especially natural disasters and storms. [24:11] - For business owners, is your business ready for anything? Kris shares that his company had a plan for a pandemic prior to Covid-19. [25:00] - Kris is the author of Raise Your Resiliency. He planned on writing a book about security, but Covid changed his direction. [25:56] - The three units that need to survive and thrive are the individual, the family, and the business. [26:31] - The Five Pillars of Resilience are: awareness, mindset, fitness, skills, and relationship. [27:54] - Regarding mindset, when it comes to resilience, you need to have a positive, growth, and survival mindset. [28:53] - Kris gives examples of a catastrophic mindset that many people had during the pandemic. Mindset and awareness are a choice. [29:24] - Fitness applies to physical, mental, and emotional strength in the three units (individual, family, and business). [30:14] - Kris lists many skills that a lot of people are not ready for, specifically now after a year of being stuck at home. [31:13] - The fifth pillar is relationships. This applies to your neighbors and community and not just your immediate family. [34:37] - In a lot of cases, things can be problematic for people in just a couple of hours due to lack of planning and preparedness. [37:40] - Things may sometimes feel redundant when preparing for anything. [38:33] - Your geographical location makes a difference in the type of things you need to prepare for. Take a risk assessment of your environment. [40:23] - Make the situation work for you when preparing for different events. Look at the likelihood of things to prepare for. [41:25] - Kris shares how the risk of civil unrest is higher in certain parts of the country over others. [43:03] - Prepare for an emergency and if something doesn't happen, practice using it and restock it. Cycle the emergency food and supplies every few months. 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 Raise Your Resiliency: You, Your Family, and Your Business Can Achieve Resiliency in an Uncertain World by Kris Coleman Red Five Security Home Page Kris Coleman Red Five Security on LinkedIn

If you've ever had the feeling that someone is eavesdropping on your calls, reading your messages or emails, and even knows where you've been going, you just might be right. Abusers often utilize stalkerware to control and manipulate their targets. Being educated on what it is, how it got there, how to clean it off your devices, and where to go for help can make a world of difference. Today's guest is Eva Galperin. Eva is the Director of Cybersecurity at The Electronic Frontier Foundation. She has worked in security and IT in Silicon Valley and earned degrees in Political Science and International Relations. She has applied the combination of her poli-sci and technical backgrounds to everything including organizing EFF's TOR relay challenge to writing privacy and security training manuals. Those include Surveillance Self-Defense and The Digital First Aid Kit. Show Notes: [1:21] - On her way to law school, Eva began working for Electronic Frontier Foundation and decided not to leave. She has worked in nearly every department. [2:22] - Having worked in tech since a teen, Eva had a lot of experience with stalkerware. But she shares the reason why she was driven to research it further. [4:02] - Through her own research and trials, Eva found that anti-virus apps did not protect against stalkerware. [5:21] - Eva explains how abusers could react to stalkerware being removed from a device and leaves the decision up to the survivor on how and when to remove it. [6:30] - There are companies that are now paying more attention to stalkerware. Eva explains that this is a good thing, but also believes that it is because there has been an increase in the use of stalkerware. [7:24] - The most recent report of stalkerware being detected by antivirus programs indicates a range of 60-95% as compared to only 10% a few years ago. [8:33] - In cases of domestic abuse, an abuser has physical access to a device and can install stalkerware without the survivor even knowing. [10:10] - Spouses and partners having access to each other's devices and knowing passwords is very common in modern relationships. [11:22] - Eva recommends stalkerware detection apps for Android and Apple. [13:01] - Chris and Eva discuss Windows and Mac OS stalkerware. [14:32] - What is the difference between account compromise and device compromise? Eva says the more common problem is account compromise. [16:01] - Eva recommends different and long passwords for each account you have as well as having two factor authorization turned on. She explains how this works. [18:09] - Eva's advice for consumers is to meet them where they are. [19:13] - You should go into your account settings and look for the page that lists devices and IP addresses that have logged into your account if you feel something is going on. [21:32] - Personal trackers that are meant for people to keep track of their belongings are essentially a gift to stalkers. [23:11] - Regarding personal trackers, Eva shares that she has gotten some pushback on the abuse of these tools. [24:32] - Software that allows you to do this without notifying the user so that they do not know that they are being watched is in and of itself abusive. [26:01] - It is sad to see when people who have been abused feel that the only way they can take back power is to abuse as well. [27:33] - Resetting to factory settings for most forms of device compromise is sufficient but you also need to change your account passwords and disable iCloud backups. [28:51] - Eva loves open source for personal use, but as a general rule she doesn't recommend it due to her security background. [29:52] - If your cameras are compromised, covering the camera is a viable security measure. Covering microphones is trickier. [30:43] - Chris and Eva discuss hackers hacking webcams, using blackmail photos, and sextortion emails. [33:01] - Sometimes the extortion emails can confuse people severely enough to believe the scam. [34:26] - Evan recommends the NNEDV and Operation Safe Escape for those looking for support. [36:17] - The U.S. National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-7233 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 Coalition Against Stalkerware - StopStalkerware.org National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) Operation Safe Escape Electronic Frontier Foundation Email: [email protected] Eva Galperin on Twitter

If you've ever felt the pressure to buy something because the website said there were just two left at that price or that the sale was ending soon, you've experienced just two of the many techniques using neuroscience to advertise online. Today's guest is Roger Dooley. Roger is an author and international speaker. His books include Friction, one of the Best Business Books of 2019, and Brainfluence now in 11 languages. He writes the popular Neuromarketing Blog and Brainy Marketing at Forbes.com. He co-founded College Confidential, the leading college-bound website. Show Notes: [1:02] - Roger's background began in engineering but he found his way into marketing. [2:32] - Neuromarketing is using the understanding of how our brains work to market better. Roger describes it in more detail as well. [3:47] - One of the major techniques using psychology in marketing is scarcity. [5:27] - Another technique is to use social proof. Roger uses travel sites as an example. [6:16] - Many large companies, specifically travel sites and hotels, hire psychologists for the purpose of marketing. [7:50] - There's nothing wrong with using scarcity in marketing, but Roger and Chris discuss those who do not use this technique ethically. [10:03] - Chris shares a personal story of a sales job where his ethical selling and integrity created return customers. [14:04] - The first step in recognizing the legitimacy of scarcity techniques is to be aware that they exist. [14:27] - Roger discusses another technique called reciprocity. [15:47] - Always evaluate the legitimacy of product reviews. [16:33] - Authority is another technique used. Roger explains how the psychology behind this works. [17:50] - Through Covid, the authority technique was seen often. [19:30] - One area that Roger has been recently focused on is the area of friction. How does this work in the sales field? Amazon has been using it for a long time. [21:33] - Roger shares a story about how LinkedIn used the friction technique. [23:40] - Even news sites use the startup friction technique to gather subscribers. [25:18] - How do vendors use more friction to retain subscribers or customers? [28:10] - The return process can also be sketchy, but in the case of Amazon, making this process easy has created reciprocal trust. [33:07] - There are many rebate offers that can be abused that were very popularly used in the past. Roger explains how that worked and that it isn't used as often anymore. [36:20] - When you express the same deal to someone as a loss or a gain, the loss looms bigger than the gain. Deals like this prey on loss aversion. [37:54] - There was some research done about random higher prices put onto specific items. [39:14] - Decoy marketing is very popular recently because of the surge in subscription services. [42:03] - Another form of decoy marketing is when there's a better product offered at the same price of the lesser product. [42:52] - Always look for things that might be manipulative. [44:02] - Everyone is impacted by these techniques differently. Price sensitivity, urgency, and fear of missing out are traits that are affected differently. [45:12] - AI is used to better control personalized/customized offers. Roger explains the pros and cons. [47:28] - Generally speaking, engagement on video content is great. When AI suggested videos are accurate, things are great, but engagement can actually be weaponized. [49:18] - What happens when there's too much engagement? [51:51] - Adding friction in the right places can be a good thing 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 Roger Dooley Web Page Roger Dooley on Twitter Roger Dooley on LinkedIn Roger Dooley on Facebook Roger Dooley on Instagram Friction by Roger Dooley Brainfluence by Roger Dooley The Persuasion Slide by Roger Dooley

When you hear the word "hacker," you envision someone breaking into a computer, but did you know that people can be hacked? The manipulation and persuasion of people can lead to someone gaining physical access to a location or even data being leaked. Today's guest is Jenny Radcliffe. Jenny is the founder and director of Human Factor Security and is commonly known as the People Hacker. She's a world-renowned social engineer hired to bypass security systems through a no-tech mixture of psychology, con-artistry, cunning, and guile. Jenny is also a podcaster, keynote speaker, talk show host, and panel chair. Show Notes: [0:58] - Jenny explains social engineering as no-tech hacking and how she became known as the People Hacker. [2:32] - Chris shares how a pen tester recently made a mistake and Jenny describes some of the mistakes she has made on that job. [3:56] - Laughing at previous mistakes, Jenny shares a memorable experience where she almost got caught in the act. [5:55] - In her experience, it is better to use psychology over breaking into a physical location. [7:01] - Jenny shares a story about breaking into a museum as the first time she felt drawn to this lifestyle and years later it was an industry she could work for. [10:30] - After a physical engagement and success in gathering the objects or data needed for the job, Jenny describes her adrenaline and celebration. [13:05] - Physical entry can seem very theatrical as we've all seen in action movies like James Bond. But ideally, Jenny says that evidence someone was there should not be left behind. [14:57] - Jenny sometimes leaves business cards in locations after she breaks into them and takes photos that she has saved. [16:50] - There is an element of social engineering with pen testing. [17:45] - Apparent authority is one of the top strategies used in social engineering. Jenny explains how Covid has made this even easier to dupe someone. [19:40] - Criminals and social engineers capitalize on fear, uncertainty, and doubt. [20:47] - During pen testing, a no-blame culture is crucial. Otherwise, people won't report in times of actual penetration. [22:12] - Even if you don't think you are being scammed, you should always tell someone the second you are told to keep quiet about something. [23:27] - Chris and Jenny discuss ransomware. In some cases, there is not an organization with a business model. [25:01] - There have recently been a lot of high-profile ransomware hacks. [26:17] - You have to try to remove the emotion for the victim so that payment is not made. It's horrible but if the money is paid, they'll come back. [28:55] - How are these large companies getting hacked? How are hackers getting through? [29:36] - Have all the tech security in place but be aware that one person could still make a mistake. [30:54] - The reason the cyber security industry is so huge is because, despite our best efforts, mistakes happen. [32:07] - You can't guarantee avoidance as long as humans are involved. With proper training and the right amount of suspicion, all we can do is hope everyone will remember to report anything unusual. [34:18] - In a compliance-minded organization, something as simple as a sign that says not to do something, they don't question it. [36:49] - Jenny shares a story of being caught and them not ever saying anything that she was seen. [39:23] - "This is not my problem." Chris and Jenny chat about Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and how some of the scenes apply to her job. [41:39] - Cyber security is something that defines how good a business is these days. [42:27] - When asked about things that go wrong during physical pen tests, Jenny says there are so many experiences that she tries to give a different answer to everyone who asks. [45:19] - Jenny shares the most boring physical pen test she experienced. [48:11] - Usually something goes wrong, so when something goes absolutely to plan, it is surprising for Jenny. [49:12] - Jenny shares the 4 things to do to stay safe. What are her red flags? 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 Human Factor Security Web Page People Hacker on Twitter Human Factor Security Podcast Human Factor Security on YouTube

Standard sales scripts can make some people sound shady or pushy, but techniques of influence and persuasion are supposed to produce different results. How can you tell the difference between something shady or legitimate? Today's guest is Paul Ross. Paul is an author, speaker, trainer, master hypnotist, and master practitioner of neuro linguistic programming. For over 30 years, Paul has been featured in leading media outlets including BBC, CNN, NBC, Rolling Stone, and more. His speeches and trainings have motivated tens of thousands of people to discover their power to design their own results through the power of persuasion and language. Show Notes: [1:00] - Paul introduces himself and a little about his book, Subtle Words That Sell. [2:21] - When asked about the worst sales techniques out there, Paul explains that the worst ones are the ones that can be identified. [3:07] - Sales tactics have had to change due to constant distractions. [4:31] - Paul explains what he teaches clients and students and although it sounds "crazy," creating a state of trust and focus is crucial. [6:20] - Selling isn't all about service. Paul emphasizes the power of suggestion. [7:50] - Paul shares how different media outlets use a variety of manipulated imagery to support their platform. [9:12] - Following your gut is advised when on the consumer end of things and the selling side. [10:11] - Even in the world of dating, there are so many suggestions on social media, movies, and music that suggest how people should behave. [12:43] - Paul encourages everyone to invest in themselves and explains the value of having coaches and mentors. [14:18] - Paul poses a question that illustrates the power of persuasion in sales. [15:13] - There is a missing element in self-improvement that Paul explains with examples. [18:47] - People tend to view new experiences through an old lens especially if possible rejection is involved. [19:43] - The brain can't tell the difference between what you dwell on and what you rehearse. [21:30] - Sometimes what we think is a discipline problem, it's actually a bad learning strategy. [24:10] - Paul emphasizes that his model is his creation and is constantly evolving. [25:41] - Paul teaches certain questions on what you could have done differently. We are trained by our culture to look for our errors, but the key is to look for the things you've done right first. [26:34] - The three C's are Compassion, Courage, and Clarity. [27:54] - "Persistence is a myth." - Paul Ross [29:00] - What if you persist with your mistakes? [31:23] - Paul offers two free courses with the purchase of his book if purchased through this link. 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 Paul Ross Home Page Subtle Words That Sell by Paul Ross Paul Ross Speaker on Facebook Paul Ross on LinkedIn

Child exploitation is an incredibly sensitive and difficult topic. It is vital to understand what resources are available to help the victims find healing. Today's guest is Dr. Deaneè Johnson. Dr. Johnson has been a key player in advancing the victim services field at the federal, state, and local levels for over twenty years. As an OVC Fellow, she has assisted with collaborating with the DOJ to identify a range of child exploitation programs available nationwide, illuminating the best practices. She was most recently the chief program officer at the National Center for Victims of Crime before building her own consulting business Ascent Connection and Consulting Solutions. She also serves on the National Steering Committee for the Vision 21 Linking Systems of Care for Children and Youth, the Advisory Board for Preparedness Without Paranoia, and the Charles County Board of Education Safety in Maryland. If you know or suspect child exploitation, sexual abuse, or any other kind of child victimization, contact the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. If you are looking for more resources as a victim of past child abuse, call Victim Connect at (855) 484-2846. Show Notes: [1:39] - Dr. Johnson began her interest in this field of child exploitation in 1999 as a volunteer mentor. During her undergrad courses, she was focused on child abuse. [2:27] - After Dr. Johnson received her degree in Criminal Justice, she started her Master's in Counseling. She counseled adolescent youth that were victim of sexual abuse. [3:15] - Through her experience in counseling, Dr. Johnson felt that something was stirred inside her and she no longer felt that counseling was the direction she should take. [4:13] - Deaneè was given the opportunity to build a forensic interviewing program in a rural community in Texas. She got her masters and transferred her focus to forensic interviewing but still didn't understand her drive. [5:19] - She put all her energy and education towards the children who were victimized sexually. [6:28] - Throughout her experiences, Deaneè had a memory pop up and realized that she did not have memories from her childhood other than images from photos. She had been a victim of sexual abuse. [7:49] - Deaneè decided to go for her doctorate in Child Development with the drive to apply it to child victimization. [9:13] - Any child can be a victim. No statistic is going to be solid because it is such an unreported crime. [10:34] - 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 10 boys will be sexually victimized before their 18th birthday. [11:03] - There is no specific population or demographic that has higher rates of victimization than others. [12:00] - There are ways to minimize the likelihood of child exploitation but Dr. Johnson does not like to use the word prevention. [13:23] - Dr. Johnson is a chairperson on the Advisory Board of Preparedness Without Paranoia. She explains the education they provide. [14:55] - We're really uncomfortable talking about sex with kids in general and now add on talking about unwanted sex. That discomfort will show to our kids. [16:00] - If a child goes to their parents with a disclosure, we want to make sure the child knows that what they have to say is important and that keeps communication open. [17:27] - Believe the child who discloses. Whether or not the child is telling the truth is not the job of the parent at that moment. The job is to listen to your child and be there for them. [18:30] - If a child has been victimized once, it increases their likelihood of being victimized again. They need to have someone they can talk to about it. [19:50] - There are two different types of disclosures: active and non-active or accidental. [21:49] - Disclosure will vary child by child. [23:14] - Victimization from a family member that the child loves may not be something they think is inappropriate. [25:11] - Dr. Johnson defines grooming and examples of what this could look like. Grooming is a slow process and creates a false sense of trust. [26:38] - Grooming usually ends with threats if children disclose. It is a vicious cycle that continues with the kids feeling isolated and ashamed. [27:57] - The process of isolating a child or adolescent looks different in each situation and relationship. Dr. Johnson describes a story of an experience with a teenager she worked with. [30:01] - If you feel that there is something going on with a child you know, seeking help depends on the state you live in. Find out if you need to go to Child Protective Services and/or law enforcement. [32:09] - Dr. Johnson shares the contact information for the National Child Abuse Hotline and what they will assist with. [33:41] - She also shares the contact information for Victim Connect which is a resource for those who have been victimized in their own childhood. [34:19] - Many rape crisis centers offer counseling free of charge. Dr. Johnson shares other ways to get resources for healing in tribal communities. [36:41] - Dr. Johnson

Amazon is a huge enterprise that makes billions of dollars every year and grew 84% in 2020. Some scammers have capitalized on its success and have found ways to deceive Amazon's customers for their own gain. Today's guest is Shaahin Cheyene. Shaahin is an award-winning entrepreneur, investor, speaker, podcaster, writer, and filmmaker currently based in Los Angeles, California. He is the CEO and chairman of Accelerated Intelligence which is an Amazon marketing and advertising agency. He shares his passion for Amazon in his course Amazon Mastery and is also a featured mentor at the Founder Institute. Shaahin has been highlighted in many publications including Newsweek, The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and The New York Post. Show Notes: [1:10] - Shaahin began in physical products while he was 16 years old. By the time he was 18, the company he was working with hit $1 billion. [2:17] - Shaahin explains the importance of distribution and compares it to the film industry. [3:59] - During the pandemic, Amazon increased revenue. Every time a company is "crushing it," the scammers come out with something new. [4:58] - One of the interesting things about the Amazon platform is that anybody can sell on Amazon. Shaahin explains how the "buy box" works. [6:17] - Because any third party seller can sell on Amazon, some sellers will sell counterfeit or similar products to what is actually listed thinking that buyers won't care. [8:01] - If it is under $10, most consumers will not return it and although they received an inferior product than they thought they would get, the third party seller still earns the revenue. [8:28] - Shaahin always recommends reading reviews on a product before buying and explains that it is about more than reading what people think of it. [9:54] - Outside buying from brick and mortar stores or from recognizable name brands online, Shaahin also advises to Google the name of the seller. [10:46] - One of the great things about Amazon is their return policy. Amazon will take any product back 99% of the time. You should always return something that does not meet expectations so Amazon gets the feedback. [11:40] - Chris shares an experience in which he bought a product that stopped working a year later and when talking to customer service discovered that the serial number did not match their company. [12:53] - Shaahin explains one of the Amazon buying hacks that can save buyers money. [14:02] - As a consumer, price is a big factor. You want to try to buy when you can from Amazon themselves for that return policy and register for your warranty immediately on high ticket items. [14:57] - Sometimes Amazon will refund you your money for your return without even requiring you to send the product back. [15:12] - Unfortunately there are a lot of savvy scammers that are onto scamming third party sellers. Shaahin describes what they do. [16:29] - If your return rate exceeds the amount of money Amazon will make, they will fire you as a customer. [17:22] - Shaahin explains how a refund on a product for one of his clients wound up at his house with a fake returned product inside the box. [19:11] - Chris and Shaahin agree that if a customer's problem was fixed, they are more likely to not only buy again but to spread the word of a great experience than simply a satisfied customer. [20:00] - Shaahin's company changed the smoking industry. He explains how a buyer with extended warranties was trying to scam the company. Shaahin flipped the issue into an opportunity. [22:57] - There's a high cost to low price. [23:51] - The terms of service on Amazon says that you cannot do anything to solicit reviews for your products. In the early days, people would leave fake reviews. [25:21] - Over time, Amazon has installed super sophisticated security measures to clamp down on this issue. [26:37] - Shaahin explains how third party sellers can get reviews. [28:29] - There are a lot of companies that will sell consumers discounted products in exchange for honest reviews. This can be done through discount clubs. [30:26] - The problem in these online marketplaces is that unless everyone follows every single rule, sellers will need to do what others are doing in order to build a business. [32:11] - There's so little incentive to leave organic reviews. Shaahin explains that a lot of the reviews are likely from resellers. [33:36] - Chris explains how he was able to do some digging to find out how a specific scam works. [36:03] - Shaahin and Chris discuss criminal activity and how people are out there who willingly take advantage of others and a lot have the mentality of people vs. corporations. [38:36] - Shaahin was recently featured on the cover of a magazine and he shares the story of the interview. [43:49] - There are scammers who claim to help you start your business on Amazon but can't follow through. Shaahin offers an Amazon course where he hand picks his students and has a 100% success rate. [44:50] - eCommerce is a form of re

A "deep fake" typically refers to a video that has been edited to replace the person in the original video with someone else, commonly a public figure in a way that makes the video look entirely authentic. These are time consuming to make but can be very convincing. Today's guest is Lonnie Waugh. Lonnie is a web developer, software engineer, and deep fake creator. He has been doing deep fake videos for years with a sense of humor traditionally using the OneDuality on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Show Notes: [0:56] - Lonnie describes what a deep fake is and what he does for his YouTube channel to make things humorous. [1:52] - To accomplish this in the past, it was very extensive, but now can be done from home with the right equipment and software. [2:37] - The process to create something like this is very time consuming and Lonnie describes a frustration with rendering something and going back to edit. [3:32] - Lonnie outlines what this process looks like for him and why he chooses political conferences for a lot of his videos. [5:30] - In addition to finding all the movements needed for the face he's using to replace the original, Lonnie also does some pre-processing. This isn't necessary but he explains why he chooses to take the time to do it. [7:02] - The software used to do this is open source but not yet available for Mac. [8:18] - Because Lonnie has been doing this for so long, he knows what to look for to determine if the content is real or a deep fake, but points out that if you don't know what to look for, it is easy to be fooled. [9:27] - Lonnie and Chris describe some of the little nuances and indicators that Lonnie can notice. [10:49] - Lonnie shares that he cannot monetize his YouTube channel because of the copyrighted content he uses so it is not worth his time to go back and fix some of the most minor indicators of it being fake. [11:12] - Lighting also makes things challenging and Lonnie shares an experience with a music video director not consulting a professional. [12:28] - Lonnie has created content for music videos and hopes to eventually create for commercials. [13:38] - Discussing the technical aspects of the process, Lonnie describes how many frames a creator should use and how the AI recognizes faces. [15:47] - There are different modes that creators can use. [16:23] - Because of copyrights, there are challenges to deep fakes when using obvious original videos. [17:21] - Politicians are typically in the public domain but celebrities and actors who have enough legal backing could find each video one by one and take them down. [17:57] - For those who are not celebrities or political figures, there's likely not enough video content available for a deep fake to be made of them. Lonnie says it can be done with photos but thousands of photos would be needed. [18:51] - The quality of the video used is important as well. [19:47] - There is an app that can take photos and video and replace faces. To Lonnie they look good but are obviously not real. Some people may be fooled by them, though. [20:45] - At the moment it is not likely of someone creating a deep fake of someone with malicious intent unless there's a lot of professionally done video content of them in all different kinds of lighting. [21:38] - Lonnie and Chris discuss the amount of work involved in creating a convincing deep fake of the average Joe. [22:29] - There is software that will use a single photo to impose onto a video but they are not convincing and are typically used for entertainment. [23:40] - In regards to romance scams, Chris shares that this could eventually be something used to create video content. [25:08] - Lonnie explains how another YouTuber has used clips to startle people. [26:09] - There is a lot of thought being put into this in the political world and will potentially be legislated in the future. [27:33] - While the technology can be abused, Lonnie has not yet seen it used in a dangerous way and says that the abuse of it is pretty predictable right now. [28:11] - Lonnie references a recent legal case that may have abused this type of technology. 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 OneDuality on Instagram OneDuality on YouTube OneDuality on TikTok Schmoyoho on YouTube

In the past, deleting a file was considered safe data destruction. But we know that it only clears the pointer to the file and not the data itself. Today there are many options when it comes to destroying data even though some harddrives seem almost indestructible. Today's guest is Paul Katzoff. Paul is the CEO of WhiteCanyon Software where they specialize in data erasure for businesses both corporate and government. These customers need secure data destruction that meets HIPAA and other compliance standards for harddrive and mobile device erasure. Show Notes: [0:54] - Paul gives a background of himself and what WhiteCanyon Software is all about, starting back in 1995. [2:02] - Data is becoming more and more important every year and Paul gives examples of current compliance legislation and standards. [3:03] - Chris shares a story from years ago regarding purchasing used copiers, scanners, and other devices that unknowingly stored data. [4:20] - Paul describes the data exposure that happened with this issue in 2011 as healthcare providers did not know their scanned documents were stored. [5:32] - Regarding criminal activity using data on harddrives, Pail explains that more and more people are becoming a little more knowledgeable and on board with data destruction if needed but it hasn't always been that way. [6:39] - Paul describes what data destruction has looked like over the years including old technology like floppy disks and tapes. [7:32] - Physical destruction only goes so far and software erasure is crucial now. [8:11] - When you click "delete," your file is not actually deleted. [9:35] - Paul lists multiple erasure patterns and how it worked until about 2013 to erase any device out there. [10:21] - There are some new requirements in data destruction that Paul explains and how they have had to adjust to make sure everything is erased. [12:29] - WhiteCanyon Software has been working in data destruction for 23 years. [13:14] - The current Covid-19 pandemic has complicated data as employees were then working from home and sometimes on a home computer. [14:24] - Paul lists the concerns of accessing work networks on their home computers. [15:26] - WhiteCanyon offers a product that corporations can send to their employees to click a link to erase their computer and then provides a QR code. [16:33] - Regarding mobile devices and phones, your data is stored on that device even with an encryption reset. Paul describes concerns with encryption keys. [18:21] - WhiteCanyon provides a certificate that everything has been destroyed. A lot of third party companies that wipe data especially from mobile devices can't actually promise it's completely erased. [19:29] - One of the huge issues with data is once it leaves your facility sitting on a device, it can pop up a decade later. [20:20] - Chris points out that data erasure is a "hard sell" for IT to bring forward to their company. Paul explains that it is certainly a cost because it doesn't earn a company any money. [21:59] - Paul explains what needs to be done to properly erase data on a nonworking drive. [23:08] - If you would like to physically destroy a harddrive, Paul explains what he recommends. If you'd like it destroyed for you, there is a cost. [24:35] - What most consumers can do for shredding home computers is search for companies that process second-hand computers and they have shredders on site. [26:15] - Because harddrives hold so much, data destruction can take a lot of time. But if it is an SSD, it is far quicker to completely erase. [27:50] - Chris and Paul discuss new devices that now hold data, including refrigerators. [29:02] - WhiteCanyon offers two free downloads with the coupon code "homefree" to wipe a home computer or device. They offer this because they know everyone has several old computers or devices holed away that could be useful elsewhere. [30:39] - Paul points out that data recovery software is free online so if data is not properly destroyed, it can be recovered by whoever has your harddrive. [31:30] - Although we still store data on devices, network storage is extremely popular which makes things easier regarding data destruction for some consumers. [32:04] - Paul strongly recommends pushing for harsher legislation for data protection and explains why this is crucial. 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 WipeDrive Home Edition Free with Coupon Code "HOMEFREE" WhiteCanyon Home Page Paul Katzoff on LinkedIn Paul Katzoff on Twitter WhiteCanyon on Twitter

Gifted hackers can access data from a government website, a hospital medical system, or even a car. Most are not aware when their personal information is stolen, sold, and used until it is too late. Today's guest is Alissa Knight. Alissa is a recovering hacker of 20 years, a cyber security influencer, content creator, and the principal cyber security analyst at Alissa Knight and Associates. She is the author of the recently released book Hacking Connected Cars. Alissa has been quoted in articles by Brian Krebs and featured in numerous magazine articles including PC Magazine, Wired, and Forbes. Show Notes: [1:01] - Alissa shares how she started hacking at the age of 13 and she got caught hacking a government network. They came to arrest her at school. [2:27] - After this experience, Alissa later went on to own a few startups and sold them for millions of dollars. [3:44] - Alissa explains her combat training when owning a defense contracting company. She then transitioned back into cyber security. [5:10] - Her company shifted from defense contracting to private sector cyber security. [6:06] - While living in Germany, Alissa got into hacking connected cars. [7:07] - Although Alissa knows the risks of having connected technology, she is definitely a consumer of connected devices. [7:55] - We are seeing a fundamental change in cybersecurity because now it isn't just about information. It can literally be life or death. [9:02] - Alissa loves cinematography and combines her knowledge of hacking and content creation. [10:17] - Cybersecurity can be boring and uninteresting. Alissa states that she got tired of seeing the same white papers and changed it up to make it more interesting not just for her but for clients as well. [11:22] - Alissa references a book called Blue Ocean Strategy and summarizes its content in relation to her business model and content. [12:58] - "A lot of the content out there for security is told through the eyes of a blue team member. It's told through the eyes of the defender. Very rarely do we see content being told through the eyes of the adversary." [14:13] - Alissa describes what she wants people to see through her content. [15:58] - In Alissa's opinion, we need to relearn the concept of prevention. [17:27] - Chris points out that many mistakes are made when people think they have an impenetrable system. They become complacent. [18:20] - There are so many products out there right now that become very overwhelming and many don't know what to choose or buy. [19:17] - Alissa breaks down the categories of mHealth and describes how she was able to hack into them. [20:59] - When testing these systems through hacking, Alissa was shocked at how much information she was able to access about patients. [22:01] - Alissa explains the rule that CMS passed called FHIR. [24:36] - Describing the systems that hospital systems use, Alissa points out some issues with lack of security. [26:48] - Alissa shares a personal story about being diagnosed with cancer and the experience of getting an email with her medical data available through a mobile app. [29:21] - The average person is not digging deep to find where their information could have been published on the darkweb. [30:54] - Alissa explains the differences between what some providers can and cannot do with data. [31:41] - To explain a BOLA vulnerability, Alissa uses an easy to visualize analogy. [33:58] - Some of the problems in the APIs that Alissa is testing is insecure coding and programming. She lists how this can see patient health information in medical systems. [35:13] - Simply changing an ID slightly once it has been authenticated is the number 1 vulnerability in APIs. Alissa says it's the easiest hack in the world. [36:08] - Sharing a story about an experience with a pen tester, Chris demonstrates how important testing for vulnerabilities is. [38:16] - We as consumers have to rely on manufacturers to make more secure cars and our healthcare providers to create more secure programs. It's unfortunately out of our hands. [39:54] - It is not an immediate thing to learn. Alissa points out the many tools and the importance of understanding them. [42:16] - Exploits and these penetration testing tools are important, but if they are in the wrong hands they can be used for different purposes. [43:32] - When the developer is responsible for data, it leads to many problems. Alissa describes what can happen. [46:19] - Alissa explains what she predicts what she thinks will happen in the future. [47:28] - "I think zero trust should have been the foundational elements of the building blocks from the beginning." [49:37] - There is a lot of amazing technology coming from Tel Aviv which is a shift from the past. 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 Pr

Not all lies are scams, but everyone lies, even if it's only about someone's birthday gift. Liars give out both verbal and nonverbal cues, but how do you know what they are? Listen to this episode to learn how to spot a lie. Today's guest is Pamela Meyer. Pamela is certified fraud examiner, international speaker, entrepreneur, and the author of Lie Spotting: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception. Her TEDtalk "How to Spot a Liar" is one of the 15 most popular TEDtalks of all time with over 30 million views. She has been featured on NPR, CNN, ABC, Forbes, The Washington Post, and The New York Post, and she writes regularly for The Huffington Post. Show Notes: [1:03] - Pamela's background is in business and for many years she was in media. She had developed some websites and sold them. She shared how a Harvard Business School reunion sparked her interest in deception. [2:41] - When Pamela returned home from the reunion, she realized that there was a huge interest in the topic of deception but that the information on it was inaccessible. [3:31] - Pamela shares the story that is also featured in her book Lie Spotting, about an assistant she had many years ago. [4:56] - Just because it is taught in the CIA, doesn't mean it can't be learned by the public. [5:23] - The myth of lie detection is that it is simple. It is actually quite complex. [6:02] - Pamela shares another myth regarding lie detection through the eyes. [7:10] - When someone is lying, sometimes people will try to overcompensate their body language to appear truthful. [8:20] - What's important with lie detection is starting with baselining. One indicator doesn't mean anything and Pamela describes why. [10:02] - If you know someone very well and you notice that something is a little off, it could be an indicator for lying. Pamela explains that someone trained in detection will be able to note exactly what is off. [10:52] - Professionals can usually determine a baseline for someone and detect lies within a half hour, 15 minutes, or even 5 minutes. [11:56] - If you are having a difficult conversation, what you're looking for are energetic changes. [12:53] - Pamela begins sharing a good starting point called BASIC in learning detection which is a 5 step process. This is different from the advanced masterclass she offers. [13:03] - The first step is B for Baselining. A is for Ask open ended questions. [14:07] - Be warm and be in an environment that is free from distraction. Sit in a non-threatening way and make the person feel comfortable. [15:47] - Be authentic with building rapport with someone. Prepare for harder conversations ahead of time. [17:39] - The biggest issue with cues to verbal and nonverbal deceit is what we call Cognitive Load. When you're trying to think what to say, act composed, appear spontaneous, if you are lying you leak verbal and nonverbal cues. [19:03] - Pamela shares some nonverbal cues that someone who is lying could adopt when in conversation with you. [20:37] - The verbal cues in a difficult conversation could be pushing the main point of conversation off to the end. Someone who is truthful will typically tell a story with a beginning, middle, and an end. [21:29] - Pamela describes some verbal cues that could mean deception. [22:40] - These methods are not weapons. They're just techniques to help you get to the truth. Deception isn't always indicative of something bad. [24:22] - Everyone lies. Although the term "lying" has a negative connotation. [25:01] - S in BASIC is "Study the clusters." Look at the cues and study them. I is for "Intuiting the gaps." Keep your instincts in mind and identify and fill in the holes. [26:37] - Pamela describes behavior gaps and emotion gaps. What is the person saying and are they flashing contradictory facial expressions or body movements? [28:10] - These indicators are not to point fingers and call the person a liar. They are to give you more information and give you guidance on the harder questions to ask. [28:32] - C is to confirm. After you've done everything prior, you need to now ask the questions that will confirm your thoughts of deceit. These questions often indicate that you have some information that you might not have. [30:18] - Pamela gives some examples of what a truthful person will say to answer these questions and what a deceitful person will say. [31:17] - You don't always have to use these questions and in most cases you won't need to. But Pamela has several that she keeps in her back pocket in the event that she needs more. [32:09] - A good interrogator or interviewer is prepared. If you are an artful interviewer, you will be prepared with tons of questions to determine that Cognitive Load. [33:13] - To answer the question of "can you teach me to lie?" Pamela says no because anyone who is really talented at interrogation will be able to detect deception. [34:07] - We all have biases and blindspots. So we are not completely immune to being conned or lied to. [34:57] - We are

Not all social media influencers are equal. Just because someone has a ton of followers doesn't mean they actually have any influence on their audience. It's important that we learn to be critical thinkers that do research and not just believe what we hear and read. Whether you're a business looking to use an influencer to promote your product, or you're interested in becoming an influencer yourself, this is the episode for you. Today's guest is Neal Schaffer. Neal is an authority on helping innovative businesses digitally transform their sales and marketing. He's the founder of the digital marketing consultancy PDCA Social and currently serves as a fractional CMO to several companies. He teaches at Rutgers Business School and the Irish Management Institute and is fluent in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. Neal is a popular keynote speaker internationally and has also authored four sales and marketing books including his latest, The Age of Influence. Show Notes: [1:34] - Neal shares his background and how he began working with social media influencers around 2017. [2:29] - It is a huge industry with a lot of money being thrown at it and it is very easy to dupe people. [2:55] - Neal shares the statistic that there's more than a billion dollars in fraud in the industry. [3:15] - There's no real way to tell if someone's followers and engagement are real or fake because you don't have access to their account. [4:03] - Influencers have to deliver. Neal explains how social media really works and what questions he asks when looking deeply at influencer profiles. [5:30] - People have to be smart enough and to have a critical mind and analyze what they see. Don't take anything at face value. [6:37] - Neal compares looking into a social media influencer or someone who seems to be an influencer to shopping on Amazon. [7:30] - The book The Age of Influence by Neal Schaffer answers a lot of questions for business owners looking to potentially hire an influencer. [8:09] - Neal describes how influencer marketing works and what a lot of business owners assume it is like. [9:21] - If you are going to reach out to someone to promote your product, ask them honestly if they've used your product. If they don't care about your product, why would you want them to promote it? Reach out to the right people. [10:39] - Chris shares "influencer fails." If you treat an influencer like you are hiring them for a project with specific details and restrictions, the worse and less genuine the content is going to be. [11:29] - Influencers can create better content that any business so restricting them is counterproductive. [12:41] - When it is a cut and paste, people can see that. You would be introducing a foreign element into their community. [13:51] - Neal and Chris discuss government involvement in influencer marketing and the potential future in regulations. [14:52] - Neal shares that as a content creator himself, he has been approached by businesses who say they want to work with him but they do not want him to use the term "sponsored." [15:47] - Disclosures are required but the post can still be genuine. [16:31] - Neal suggests some ways to engage with and develop genuine relationships with influencers that will help in the long run. [17:42] - Good influencers turn down the sponsorships and product promotions that don't make sense for their own brand. [19:49] - Becoming an influencer is a long haul. Becoming more influential as a side hustle is more realistic. You're not going to become a millionaire overnight. Because it is a long haul, it needs to be something you are passionate about. [21:14] - Because you are passionate about your niche, you draw people who are also passionate about it and over time you will influence them. [22:46] - As an influencer, keep a short list of brands that you would love to have sponsor you and work to keep your passion clear to draw the followers that will connect with you. [24:26] - There's no shortcut to the process of becoming an influencer. It is hard work but with strategy it can happen. [25:50] - There are going to be people that push back. Part of building fans is standing up for your niche. [27:04] - Your profile is your space. If someone is invading your space with negative comments, it is totally okay to delete and block. Your community will likely support you. [27:48] - Neal tells a story about a game he plays on his phone and how it is similar to taking care of your community of followers. [29:26] - If you are a business owner, influencers are an excellent opportunity. If you are a consumer, treat influencers like Amazon product reviews. If you want to become an influencer, don't do it for the money. Do it for the passion. 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 P

Pets are one way to get to someone's heart and their wallet. Purchasing a dog is an investment that scammers can try to manipulate for their own advantage. Today's guest is Brandi Hunter. Brandi has been in public relations and communications for over 15 years. The past five years she has been working for the American Kennel Club commonly known as the AKC. The AKC is over 135 years old and the largest pure-bred registry in the United States. The AKC is passionate about all breeds of dogs, their sports, and their safety. Brandi shares many different resources that are available and scams to watch out for. Show Notes: [0:54] - Brandi shares some background on herself working in communications and the background of the AKC. [1:48] - AKC's mission is to protect all dogs and make sure they have the happiest and healthiest life possible. [3:11] - The first thing you need to do before purchasing a pet, you need to assess your life and look at your lifestyle and household to make sure you can. [3:45] - Brandi also recommends you take a moment to discover if rescuing is what you should do or if you should go through a breeder. [4:07] - If going through a breeder, you need to make sure you are going through a reputable source. AKC has a marketplace that has a compliance program that Brandi describes. [5:02] - Brandi says to research breeds as well to make sure that their traits and typical behaviors make sense for your lifestyle. [6:10] - Be careful if you are on a website for a breeder. Double check by calling the AKC to see if they are registered. Brandi says that it is easy for someone to copy and paste a logo or make a website a scam. [7:12] - Chris shares his story in searching for a Mini Schnauzer. [8:01] - Brandi explains how some breeds are not good for first time dog owners. [9:02] - Chris and his wife found a breeder near a family member's home. His family member trains service dogs and decided to have her go look at the dog and breeder, the breeder completely stopped communicating. [10:35] - Responsible breeders want to meet you and make sure the dog is going to a good home. [11:53] - In every case Brandi has ever seen with responsible breeders, the breeder will say to bring the dog back if it is not the right fit. This reduces surrender. [12:57] - When Chris and his wife found the right breeder, he described the difference in experience. She was very communicative and cared about the dog. [14:01] - Nobody that is intentionally breeding wants their dogs to end up in shelters. That's not why you put the work in. Breeding is a lot of work. [15:34] - A puppy mill is not a term the AKC uses because they do not encourage the practice. But it is when someone breeds irresponsibility in mass after receiving money. [16:58] - Puppy mills and backyard breeders do not do health checks because they are only concerned about earning money. [18:02] - Breeding this irresponsibly is unscrupulous and completely unhealthy for the parents and the puppies. When this happens you can usually tell based on looks and behavior. [19:08] - A red flag will also be exorbitant prices and the breeder telling you that the puppy is exotic. [20:02] - Another sign to watch out for is that the breeder doesn't ask you any questions to make sure the dog is going to a good home. They only want to know that you can pay for it. [20:56] - When paying for a dog, Brandi says do not use Western Union or other methods of wiring money that you cannot trace. Use your credit card because you can report fraud. [21:33] - Another red flag is that a scammer will ask for money right away. That is the first thing they will talk about. [22:19] - Brandi lists some other red flags including refusal to provide papers and bad grammar on websites. [22:47] - When contacting a phone number on a website, always call. Numbers that you can't call but you can receive texts from is another red flag. [22:59] - Brandi recommends to reverse look-up a photo to see if it is a stock photo used elsewhere or to copy and paste testimonials from their website into Google. [23:40] - There will be no financial surprises with a reputable breeder. Brandi lists some ways scammers and irresponsible breeders will spring additional fees. [24:34] - Responsible breeders will work with a contract. They will have a copy and you will have one. [25:56] - Pricing a dog is at the discretion of the breeder, not the AKC. It is random and arbitrary so there will be no hidden costs that pop up. [26:50] - Brandi describes a common lost dog scam. It tugs on the emotion of the pet owner. [28:10] - You should always have your dog microchipped or have tags on your dog in the event they get lost. If someone calls and claims to have your dog, they need to send you a picture of the tags. [29:47] - Pay attention to what they're saying and to what they're not saying. This is good advice for someone who claimed to find your dog or a breeder you are in contact with to purchase. [31:09] - A legitimate person is only

Many assume that dating scams only take place online. A scenario where they create an emotional connection over a period of time and eventually start asking for money. Today, we talk with someone who was deceived in person and how to see the warning signs in real life. Today's guest is Abby Ellin. Abby has been a freelance writer for 20 years. She has mostly written for The New York Times but has been published in countless other publications including Time and The London Daily Telegraph. Abby's latest book Duped: Double Lives, False Identities, and the Con Man I Almost Married was published in 2019 and is the topic of today's discussion. Show Notes: [1:14] - The reason Chris wanted Abby on the podcast was because Abby's experience is different from the more common online dating scams. [1:40] - Very briefly, Abby was engaged to a man who turned out to be a pathological liar. She felt something was off and left him within a year. But later she got a phone call. [2:14] - It turned out that the man was using Abby's name to write prescriptions for drugs. [2:40] - Abby jumped into journalist mode and interviewed the people in the man's life who he had also been deceiving. [4:17] - Abby explains the true things that were not deceptions: he had been a doctor in the Navy and was from Jacksonville, Florida. [4:42] - When he didn't want Abby coming to Jacksonville with him it was because he was engaged to another woman who he lived with there. He would tell the other woman he was on a secret mission and would leave for long periods of time. [5:25] - Nothing was verifiable which drove the journalist side of Abby nuts. [6:14] - Abby initially met him during an interview. She was interviewing him as a doctor and when fact checking he shared that he was opening up a facility in Iraq and Afghanistan for kids with cancer. They kept in touch because of the story she could write. [7:25] - Abby describes his pattern starting with marrying someone, leaving them, and moving to another marriage. [8:07] - It wasn't just "love fraud," it was a real con. He was using names of people he had been with romantically as well as names of the people he worked with to get drugs for himself. [8:58] - Abby was suspicious and left him after a year. She shares a story about a time he lied to her parents so convincingly and it made her concerned about other possible lies. [10:17] - Some red flags Abby noticed were that he would always cancel plans last minute and unusual things would happen when she was out of town. [11:15] - Chris and Abby discuss how people use the claim of being in the military as their adopted persona because we don't tend to question that. But the man she was engaged to was in fact in the military. [12:10] - He was a military doctor and you don't ever expect someone in that kind of position to be a "bad egg." [13:19] - Abby explains that he was caught for using drugs but he had gotten a hold of so much that she is also convinced that he was selling. [14:40] - For online scams, the goal is to receive money and the manipulation is a means to an end. For some in person scams, sometimes the manipulation is part of the goal, too. [15:51] - Because Abby had been suspicious and was not forthcoming about financial information, she did not lose any money. She says that if that had been his goal with her, she was a failed scam. But he did ask a few times about finances. [16:47] - When asked about trust, Abby explains that we are programmed to trust and that society will not function without it. [17:53] - Those gut feelings, intuition, or what Abby calls the "Spidey-sense," can be right. Listen to your gut. [19:34] - Abby shares a story about a woman she just recently started seeing and how her gut feeling was actually wrong. She had been projecting her baggage to someone else's scenario. [22:03] - When you see a photo of someone on a dating app who is in a military uniform, it is a scam. People who are truly in the military won't be using a photo like that for their profile. [23:25] - There are some people who thrive on manipulating others. If the goal is to dupe someone for money, Abby thinks that scamming a freelance journalist was not the best plan for that goal. [24:58] - Abby shares that she called a scammer back one time just to see what would happen. [26:01] - Chris describes how sophisticated scams have gotten. [26:55] - The minute someone asks for money, that should be the end of the conversation. [28:01] - It is really hard to deal with an in-person situation like Abby was involved in because you have met them and you do have a relationship with them rather than an online dating scam where you don't meet them in person. [28:58] - You need to know what someone's baseline is. There is not a specific set of behaviors that indicate someone is lying. Everyone is different so take notice of things that are out of the ordinary for them. [29:44] - Abby discusses polygraph tests and how she needs to have hard evidence. [31:33] - In

Ethical hacking may seem like an oxymoron, but having someone that you trust do a penetration test on your network may shock you. Our guest today has been helping people for 20 years to know when they're vulnerable, and he shares his stories and insights to help you keep your information secure. Today's guest is Brian Self. Brian is a certified Information Systems Security professional, ethical hacker, and professional speaker. He has the unique ability to take a complicated topic like network security and make it easy for a wide audience to understand. He has been in Information Security for over 15 years and in IT for over 20. He is a professional penetration tester doing offensive security, a compliance subject matter expert, an IT security architect, a security engineer, and a consultant in a variety of security domains. Show Notes: [1:10] - Brian shares his background and how he got into the field of IT and security including the story that inspired him to get into ethical hacking. [3:34] -In 15 minutes, a penetration tester taught Brian more about the system he was using than he ever knew was there. He was hooked from then on. [4:37] - Brian defines some common hacking terminology in easy-to-understand verbiage. [6:12] - In Brian's experience, many people tell him that they don't have anything of value that a hacker would want. He clarifies that everyone has something that can make them a target, including things you just don't think of as a vulnerability. [7:01] - In addition to white hat, gray hat, and black hat hackers, Brian explains the different teams of hackers called blue teams and red teams. [8:43] - For penetration tests that Brian does, he doesn't necessarily avoid getting caught. [9:29] - Chris shares his experience with a penetration testing company and the surprise of what they found. [10:52] - Brian confirms that Chris's experience is very common. There are a lot of old systems in place that may have been secure when created but haven't been updated. [12:21] - Brian describes one of his very first pen tests and the ease of finding vulnerability. [13:48] - For pen testers out there who are just starting, here's a rule of thumb, never tell how you got in until you're done. Brian explains why. [14:58] - If you are approached by someone who claims to have found vulnerability, like a grey hat hacker, Brian advises to be very careful and to get a legal team involved. [17:02] - Brian is motivated to help people understand security. [18:38] - Responsible disclosure is when a security researcher gives companies ample time to make changes to their vulnerability. Some security researchers disclose the information on social media. [20:33] - Brian suggests starting with the basics first before hiring someone to do penetration testing. Are you patching? If not, patch first. [23:04] - If you're starting from scratch, you can plan for changes in security. Consider who needs access to certain data. [24:21] - Chris describes the balance that needs to be found between automated systems and human error. [26:01] - Brian started learning social engineering when he had to convince someone to send him to an event to learn more. [27:10] - Brian highly recommends the OWASP foundation to continue learning about penetration testing and overall security. [29:14] - Chris admits that he has been nervous to attend conventions and explains his reasoning. [31:15] - Chris references a previous episode with Ed Skoudis and an experience he had with the Holiday Hack Challenge. [32:17] - Brian suggests taking classes, courses, and learning what you can. He says that if you take a course with Ed Skoudis, you are really learning. [33:09] - In regards to risk, Brian keeps two main points - the likelihood and the impact. [34:15] - Engage with the pen test team. Don't wait to ask questions. Leverage them while you have their time and attention. [34:55] - Make sure you have some proof from pen testers so you know how you fixed something without having to track down the pen testers later. You need a detailed report with priorities. [36:13] - There are some companies that are now specializing in fixing risks. Brian is cautious of this because of an apparent conflict of interest. [37:34] - It should be negotiated in your contract with a pen test to come back and retest. [38:38] - Brian describes how he became burnt out with pen testing. [40:00] - Many companies only hired pen test companies for compliance reasons. There are other companies who actually care about risk management. Brian explains that the types of testing he did varied due to the company's reason. [42:04] - What are the things that every security professional always tells people? Two-factor authorization is annoying but it is crucial. [44:01] - Chris and Brian discuss SMS two-factor authorization. Brian explains that for most of us, it is enough. But for some, it isn't. [45:47] - Brian says that passwords need to be as complex as possible and at least 15 characters lon

Seniors are prime targets for cyber crime because many of them have been preparing for retirement and have sizable savings. Their lack of familiarity with technology can set them up to be deceived or hacked. Scammers are going to elaborate lengths to hide their deception. It's important to be aware of their schemes. Today's guest is Scott Schober. Scott is the CEO of Berkeley Varitronics Systems. As a cyber security and wireless technology expert, Scott has had regular appearances on Bloomberg TV, ABC, CBS, FOX News, Good Morning America, CNN, CNBC, and many more. Scott is the author of Hacked Again, Cyber Security is Everybody's Business, and his latest book, we'll talk about today, Senior Cyber. Show Notes: [1:10] - Senior Cyber is a little different than Scott's other books. Scott was inspired to write it as he has helped his parents and grandparents with technology. [2:22] - As he was looking for resources for his parents and grandparents, he found that the books tended to talk down to the audience. It makes the audience feel intimidated. [4:36] - Typically, seniors have a little bit more disposable income because they're saving for retirement. It makes them targets of scams. [5:09] - Scott points out that seniors also tend to be more innocent and naive when it comes to trusting hackers. Hackers can more easily use phishing attacks. [6:41] - Chris and Scott discuss the familiarity gap between generations. Bringing in terms like cryptocurrency and bitcoin is a way that confuses older generations. [7:23] - There are many seniors who have taken the time to learn, become comfortable with, and embrace technology including online bill pay and communication. [8:27] - Scott shares how he has heard from some readers of his book who said that through reading the book, it opened younger family members up to helping older family members navigate online. [9:18] - Chris shares an experience with a friend who's father went missing which caused Chris to really start thinking about his own parents and led to a great conversation with them. [12:23] - Scott describes a similar story of his daughter seemingly going missing while on a trip many years ago. Technology didn't enter their mind as a solution, but now it can be helpful in making sure others are safe. [14:00] - Using his own father as an example, many seniors who have a brilliant mind, feel discouraged because they can't always remember usernames, passwords, and processes to stay safe online. [15:20] - Imagine someone who has never used computers, listening to current buzzwords like phishing attacks, encryption, ransomware, etc. [16:01] - Making it clear that seniors are not inherently doing anything wrong, communicating cyber security strategies in a way that is relatable to them is key. [16:53] - In his experience, Scott sees most seniors accessing the internet through a computer and typically have their passwords written down in plain view. [18:10] - Doing some "house cleaning" when it comes to cyber security for the seniors in your life can be very helpful. Remove unused apps and clean out things that aren't necessary. [19:38] - Scott shares a story about a credit card expiring and cutting it up. [21:14] - Sharing stories with others can have a larger impact on those you are helping than making them feel like they are being lectured. [23:04] - Scott explains that the scams that impact the elderly the most are always tied to emotions. Recently, there have been scams surrounding vaccines. [24:09] - If something sounds a little fishy, pause and ask the questions. [24:39] - Phone calls and emails asking for information to put you on a list for a vaccine are rampant right now. [24:59] - Because it is also tax season, there are a lot of tax scams going on. Remember that the IRS is not going to call you. [25:53] - Scott learns about a new scam every single day. It keeps changing and evolving. [26:55] - When someone calls and volunteers a small amount of personal information about you asking for you to confirm the rest and tries to do so very quickly, those are red flags of a scam. [28:37] - An older generation was taught to answer the phone because it is courteous while a younger generation may screen calls or prefer texts. [29:56] - Even if a senior has a smartphone and attempts to screen calls, call spoofing is so easy for scammers to do. Scott shares how he tried it himself and demonstrates just how easy it is. [31:40] - Scott points out that seniors are more likely to respond to calls which causes them to keep calling and probing for more information. [32:42] - Scott shares a personal story about his grandfather becoming a victim to a scam. [34:26] - Fortunately in the case of his grandfather, the cashier performing the wire transfers knew of a scam and asked questions. [35:19] - Once a scam is successful, even more calls and emails will come to try to scam again. [37:05] - Some scammers will also try to coach you to lie to cashiers or banks. That is a red flag.

Some believe Ponzi schemes are doomed to fail. But with a sophisticated schemer and a broad enough base of people, they might just be able to keep it going. In honor of Charles Ponzi's birthday, we talk about the history of the Ponzi scheme and some of the amazing stories of how they've been exposed and ways to see them coming. Today's guest is Steve Weisman. Steve is a nationally recognized expert in scams and identity theft as well as a lawyer, college professor, and prolific author. His informative speeches, articles, and books make difficult subjects not only understandable, but enjoyable with the humor he brings to these complex issues. Steve is passionate about educating people through his website Scamicide.com. Show Notes: [1:16] - Steve has a personal backstory with a Ponzi scam because his father became the victim of one several years ago. His father was an astute businessman and the people involved with it seemed very honest. [1:50] - Steve also became a victim of identity theft himself and then wanted to help others not have the same problem. [2:29] - After WWI, Charles Ponzi came up with a plan to make money. Steve admits that it is very hard to explain and that is the key to a Ponzi scheme. [3:45] - Schemers blamed their victims for falling for the scheme. They claimed that they deserved what happened because they weren't smart enough. [4:58] - Steve describes how Charles Ponzi used the money from investors and shares why a more recent scheme in 2008 was successful. [5:46] - In the case of Charles Ponzi, law enforcement didn't bring him down. The media did. [6:29] - Ponzi did spend time in prison and was kicked out of the country. He went back to Italy and actually scammed Mussolini. [8:04] - Ponzi was probably not the first person to scam this way. In Steve's research, there was an earlier scam by a woman named Sarah Howe in the 1870s. [9:42] - Upon being released from prison, Sarah went back to her old ways and developed the same exact scam. [10:16] - Steve shares the story of Brad Bleidt to illustrate the term "affinity fraud." Brad was a Mason and other Masonic groups trusted him. [11:01] - Sarah Howe targeted women. Brad Bleidt targeted other Masons. Bernie Madoff targeted mostly other Jewish people. We trust those who are like us. [12:21] - Steve shares a story about how Bernie Madoff was actually found out much earlier and reported multiple times. [14:10] - This is not just an American phenomenon. A massive Ponzi scheme in Romania took down most of the nation's economy. [14:43] - When you deal with any kind of investment, you want to check out two things. The first thing is the person you're dealing with. The second thing is to fully understand what you're investing in. [15:28] - People like Madoff and Bleidt would be an investment advisor and the person who holds the investment. Most of the time, you want your investment advisor and custodian as separate people. [17:13] - Chris asks a new question of the guest and Steve says it is a very important question. Do these schemes start out as frauds to begin with or do they evolve into it? [19:10] - Some schemers don't start out that way. They need a little bit more money or time and before they know it, they're in too deep. [20:03] - Steve points out that Bernie Madoff may have been able to get away with his scheme forever if it weren't for the unprecedented economic issues in 2008. [21:42] - Bernie Madoff was never actually caught. He knew he was about to be caught and turned himself in. Steve shares the interesting facts of the case and where the money wound up. [24:29] - Ultimately, the money invested with Madoff was able to be returned to investors. But this is unusual. Most of the time, the money is dissipated. [25:08] - Ponzi schemers will appear very successful and wealthy when in reality they are dissipating the funds that they get to appear that way. [27:35] - In addition to living lavish lifestyles, some schemers may have issues with gambling. [28:23] - Steve shares the story of a Ponzi schemer in Florida who was a lawyer. He was a fixture of the high life in South Florida. [30:24] - There was a Texas scammer that owned a bank in the Caribbean selling CDs at high rates. Rather than Ponzi, this was similar to Madoff's approach. [32:01] - Chris and Steve discuss the regulatory organizations that are intended to investigate Ponzi schemes. [34:18] - If you feel like you are a victim of a Ponzi scheme, you need to report it to the SEC or the Federal Trade Commision. [35:10] - Investing all of your money into one thing is not a good idea, either. The markets go up and down. Diversification as much as possible is helpful. [36:01] - Steve references the recent GameStop stock that appeared to be a "pump and dump" scam but was not. [38:40] - You have to do your homework on investments. No one likes to do the research and the homework, but it can be detrimental if you do not. [39:53] - In reference to the GameStop stock, Steve explains that w

Most of us would not consider ourselves to be an easy target for a predator. But we may be communicating signs that we're unaware of. Today's guest is Mike Mandel. Mike's career has covered many different fields from stage performer, trainer, psycho-therapist, martial arts instructor, writer, and corporate speaker. Mike is a renowned hypnotist with 18 nominations and 6 awards for excellence in entertainment and is also considered an expert in the unique martial art of British Jiu Jitsu. He has trained both law enforcement and security personnel and boasts a diverse client list that includes Microsoft, Scotia Bank, and the Department of Defense. He has been featured on both British and Australian television, profiled in numerous publications including Martial Arts Illustrated, I Spy Magazine, and Toronto Star. Show Notes: [1:07] - Mike shares his background as a hypnotist and training in British Jiu Jitsu. He is a forensic hypnotist that works on murder cases and has spoken at colleges and universities. [2:03] - When he was younger, Mike admits that he was far too trusting. He went into business with a business partner who turned out to be a psychopath. [3:09] - Before the issues with his business partner were revealed, Mike had an experience on a plane with him getting suddenly angry about his handwriting. Now, as a graphologist, Mike knows now that his writing was a clue. [4:51] - After dealing with overwhelming stress, Mike reached out to a friend and former colleague who is a forensic psychiatrist who said that he was taken in by a highly functioning psychopath. [5:46] - This experience led Mike to studying psychopathy and he now does lectures on the topic, specifically signs in handwriting. [6:30] - The terms psychopath and sociopath are used synonymously. [7:01] - Mike shares that there are many psychopaths who are immensely successful and some are in the armed forces. Generally speaking, they can rise to the top with ease because they don't have the same fears as an average person. [7:52] - Mike describes psychopaths as grandiose and good at luring people into their presentation. [8:23] - There was a study done on psychopaths in the prison system where they were shown the same video of random people walking on the street and asked who they would target. They all chose the same person. [9:18] - Psychopaths are very good at hiding their true selves and are extremely patient in waiting for their opportunity. [10:27] - Psychopaths are so good at what they do. Mike shares that he has known detectives and psychiatrists who have been fooled. [11:30] - Mike doesn't think that psychopathy can be "fixed" as their brains simply do not process things the same way. [13:02] - Almost every scam that Chris has heard of has some sort of emotional connection. [14:19] - We need close friends in our lives, but the scary thing for Mike was that the psychopath that tricked Mike was a close friend. [15:45] - The first tip Mike has is to be aware of your surroundings at all times. This awareness is also important in your online surroundings. [17:18] - Mike shares a story about what he calls his "spider sense." [18:02] - Mike describes a color system he has that illustrates a way to condition yourself in being cautious and aware of your surroundings. [20:31] - The Witching Hour is a window of time between 11:00pm and 3:00am that your chances of being in a violent encounter are higher than other times of the day and night. [22:50] - We don't want to be paranoid, because if our spider senses are set too high then real problems are indistinguishable from the background. [25:11] - Mike describes self defense versus self protection. [27:40] - While in public, Mike is always assessing situations and never putting himself into a position that someone could surprise him. [29:14] - You want to make it that it is an unconscious response. [30:07] - Mike describes the different proximities and how safety comes through distance. [32:17] - When asked about the prisoner study where psychopaths would pick the same people to target, Mike shares that one of the things they picked up on was an asymmetrical walk. [33:51] - Mike describes how our level of confidence is apparent in our body language and many people seem to have a target on them because of, what Mike calls, a "victim signal." [34:45] - Avoid everything and every place if it doesn't feel right. [35:52] - Chris and Mike make the connection between real-life and online targeting. [37:01] - They use the psychological trick of appealing to scarcity and urgency. We are all vulnerable to these things even if we know about them. [40:20] - Mike shares a story about an experience with his online business being harassed by a client. [41:12] - The way you disconnect from someone is to ignore and disconnect them. If you tell them over and over again that you're not going to communicate, you are in fact communicating with them. [42:44] - Get toxic people out of your life. When you see signs of s

Data privacy has often been an after-thought in software and platform development. Data breaches have increased consumer awareness and laws such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) have been enacted. Programmers and engineers need to think about what data they are collecting, how it is being stored and accessed, and how it is shared to protect their end users. Today's guest is Nishant Bhajaria. Nishant leads the technical privacy and strategy teams for Uber that include data scientists, engineers, privacy experts, and others as they seek to improve data privacy for the consumers and the company. Previously, he worked in compliance, data protection and privacy at Google. He was also the head of privacy engineering at Netflix. He is a well-known expert in the field of data privacy, has developed numerous courses on the topic, and has spoken extensively at conferences and on podcasts. Show Notes: [1:09] - Nishant shares his background and how he got started in the field of data privacy. He started at Intel and explains the changes in data collection in the early 2010s. [2:47] - Nishant started in the field "before it was cool," because of his strengths as an engineer and writer. [3:33] - GDPR stands for General Data Protection Regulation and Nishant describes what this law means and how it came about in Europe. [4:47] - CCPA is the US's approach and first step into data privacy laws. [5:53] - Consent is going to be a big topic in 2021. Nishant describes how the events of the last decade have led to data privacy laws. [6:56] - Nishant points out that a problem with data privacy laws as they stand right now is that they are not written by people who have the technological and engineering background. [8:39] - The data privacy issues that have arisen in recent years did not happen all of a sudden. Nishant explains that many mistakes across the board have led to them. [9:00] - Nishant lists some of the conundrums and ethical questions that come up when discussing data privacy. [10:23] - One of the biggest problems with data privacy is the different understanding of what that means. European countries and the United States do not have the same understanding of what privacy is. [11:46] - Security features exist for very good reasons, but people are generally very impatient with them. [12:12] - Nishant gives an example of microdecisions that come in to play when data gets into the hands of the wrong person. [14:17] - Nishant gives an example of how some decisions, made by companies in response to GDPR, are making sure they are in compliance but are not always consumer friendly due to a lack of understanding of the law. [15:56] - The internet was not designed with privacy in mind. Privacy was an afterthought. [17:06] - Nishant describes the challenges that we face when consumers want to access apps and sites quickly and the domino effect that takes place. [18:29] - There was a huge systemic change in the workforce in the field of data privacy and data collection that Nishant describes was due to most people joining this career after 2009. [19:43] - A problem arose when engineers would think that they were always the ethical ones because they were collecting data or designing apps and platforms to collect data for the right reasons. But that isn't always how that data is used. More to Nishant's point that data collection needs to be regulated from the get go. [21:03] - Privacy is all about not accessing or using data without the owner's consent, but people don't realize how much can be known about someone just with combining easily accessible data online. [22:10] - We have built the internet for fast access and use. Customers sign up for a lot of access to sites and apps and don't think about the use of their data when they do. [24:31] - For companies that are small and don't have the legal teams to handle a privacy problem, Nishant says the first thing to do is to make sure you really need the information you are asking for from your customers. [25:27] - It is much easier to look at what you're collecting, the necessity of it all, and how that data could be compromised in the early stages because there's not a lot of data to dig into. [26:06] - Another tip from Nishant is to lean on tooling to build privacy at scale. He describes what this means with examples. [27:36] - Nishant also explains to make sure that the wall between the legal team and the engineering/privacy team is broken down. Those teams need to work in harmony. [29:10] - Chris and Nishant discuss the pitfalls of deleting data and the importance of consistency. [31:07] - Many companies cannot afford to go through a data breach or legal problem with data privacy. [32:10] - There is an economical factor to consider when collecting too much data or duplicate data that Nishant describes. [34:18] - When signing up for services, sites, or apps, consider why they are asking for the data they say they need. A soc

Catfishing is when a person creates a fake identity often with corresponding social media accounts, phone numbers, photos, and addresses targeting a specific victim for abuse or fraud. These catfishers are organized, patient, and have a playbook that they follow to gain the trust of their target over the course of weeks, months, or even years. Effective deceviers even get advice from other scammers on how to proceed for their own success. Today's guest is David McClellan. David was an internet marketer and website builder for over ten years. He ran and executed SEO strategies for CNET where he added 1.4 billion visitors to the portfolio. He branched out as a visionary and entrepreneur 6 years ago when he created SocialCatfish.com. His website became the fastest growing company in Riverside, California and is an Inc 500 company. Show Notes: [1:10] - David shares his background as an internet marketer turned entrepreneur and the start of SocialCatfish.com. [2:01] - He and his business partner used to build websites and then flip them but discovered that there was no resource out there regarding catfishing. So they started the website and it was an immediate success. [3:34] - Once David and his business partner figured out how to monetize their site, they were speaking directly with their customers and hearing their stories. [4:21] - David also began a YouTube channel that shares real stories, interviews with scammers, and David even got his hands on a playbook used by scammers. [4:50] - There is also a Facebook watch group where people can upload pictures of "scammers" to look out for. [5:22] - Romance scams are part of catfishing. David explains the similarities. [6:19] - David shares one of the most upsetting client stories regarding a lawyer sending cash to Nigeria. But through it all, she was able to send a tracking device and use SocialCatfish.com to meet the real person behind the stolen photo. [8:47] - David shares another story of a client who lost her husband and survived cancer herself being scammed through online dating. [10:38] - Romance scammers, especially those overseas, will spend hours talking to someone everyday because if it results in thousands of dollars, that is a lot of money where they live. [11:35] - Another story of a client building a relationship with a scammer and who she thought was his daughter. She had been secluded from her friends and family and the scammer even told her to commit suicide. [13:29] - Effective scammers will seclude a victim from their friends and family using a convincing story and are very emotionally manipulative. [14:50] - A newer trend in romance scams is that scammers are now starting to send inexpensive gifts to victims such as balloons, flowers, and cheap jewelry to build trust. [15:51] - When interviewing scammers, David asks them what happens if they don't get money and the answer is that they always get money. They even refer to victims as clients. [16:40] - Another new trend is when scammers reveal themselves and convince the victim that they really did fall in love and need money to get out of their very poor country. [18:09] - David shares the noticeable differences between men and women who are victims of catfishing and romance scams. [21:01] - Although victims who are lonely, depressed, widowed, or divorced are the prime targets for scammers, David shares that even married people are being sucked into scams. [23:09] - Chris shares a story about a previous podcast guest using other people's videos in video chat is not always a reliable method of confirming identity. [24:19] - David explains that there is open source software available where he could record anything and make the people in the video say whatever he wants them to say. [25:25] - People whose images are stolen to use by scammers are victims, too. David also tries to help these people as well. [26:19] - David shares a story about a man who was catfished, convinced of their real identity, and killed the woman he thought the scammer was. [27:09] - If you are contacted randomly by a stranger, including games with chat features like Words with Friends, and someone ever asks you for some form of money, that is a big sign of a scammer. [28:05] - Scammers will also tend to try to get a victim to chat outside of the dating app so their profile does not get reported and taken down. [29:00] - Most of the time, scammers tend to start asking for money after about 90 days, but David says that sometimes they'll wait less time or more time before asking. [31:21] - Financial crimes seem not to have the same level of consequences when caught than in-person crimes. Many crimes like this are sometimes not even reported. [33:06] - It is not illegal to give somebody money. When it is reported to law enforcement, there's not much police can do. You should still report it, but it is a civil issue. [35:18] - David also shares that sometimes there are people in the United States that are helping scammers overs

Many are resigned to stay silent about the pain of being scammed, but today's guest helps empower others by vulnerably communicating her experience and sharing specific warning signs. Today's guest is Debby Montgomery Johnson. Debby is founder of The Woman Behind the Smile, Inc. She is a best-selling author, international speaker, entrepreneur, podcast host, former Air Force officer who served at the Pentagon, and is a woman on a mission. In her book The Woman Behind the Smile, she shares her personal experience with a love that turned to betrayal and financial disaster. She removes the mask of shame and shows others how to do the same. Show Notes: [1:07] - Debby shares the person she was before she was scammed. Her husband of 26 years had unexpectedly passed away, she had a varied career background, and is a mother and grandmother. [2:08] - After her husband passed away, she had to step up and run his business without a lot of training or knowledge. [3:05] - Debby had very little time to grieve as she would work her job and then go straight into managing her late husband's business. [3:59] - When her friends noticed that she was staying home so much to work on the business, they told her she needed to get out and "have a life." A friend recommended online dating. [4:56] - Debby was very transparent in her online dating profile. She stepped into it very carefully. [5:46] - Although Debby was very particular, she did eventually meet someone who caught her attention and that's how everything started. [6:43] - Debby explains that something that scammers do is try to take you off the dating sites to talk and Debby would talk to him on Yahoo Chat instead. [8:39] - After speaking with a psychologist later on, Debby was told that she likely never felt listened to based on her behaviors and she admits that Eric, the man she met online, did listen to her. [9:47] - Over two years of communicating with Eric, Debby felt listened to and shares that she had wonderful conversations through writing with him. [11:22] - At this point in time, Debby was familiar with online dating scams and never felt like anything sinister was going on. [12:23] - Debby began lending money to Eric as a way to help him through his jobs until he would get paid. He always promised to pay her back. The energy came from the sooner he finished a job, the sooner he would come home. [14:01] - The first red flag for Debby was when he asked her to set up a power of attorney and use Western Union to send him money. [15:43] - In addition to asking for money, Eric also was successful in further isolating Debby from her friends and family. Debby shares how her sons warned her against a relationship with Eric. [17:50] - After being married for so long, Debby wasn't ready for a physical relationship, but she was ready for a friendship. Eric turned into a confidante. [18:59] - Debby explains how she wanted to video chat with Eric but that he always had an excuse as to why he couldn't get online to do that. [20:13] - Eric continued to ask Debby for money for his issues with his international business. Looking back, she shares that it all seems so ridiculous but the urgency was overpowering. [21:01] - Debby admits that she did not have the large sums of money Eric needed and she dipped into retirement funds, sold jewelry, and even borrowed a very large sum from her parents. [23:47] - When asked if she would go back and change things if she could, Debby says she would actually let things happen the way they happened. She learned so much about herself during this time and is now able to help others. [25:36] - Chris shares a story that illustrates the lack of knowledge surrounding scams and security. [27:28] - When you think of an online romance scam, you'll think 'oh that will never happen to me.' That's not the point. It could happen to your mother, your daughter, or your best friend. [28:31] - Other victims that have been scammed reach out to Debby after reading her book and Debby has noticed that everyone's story is exactly the same. These scammers are very well trained. [29:59] - Debby's sons were very upset after the scam was revealed, but they also felt that they had not done their job to protect their mother as well. [30:54] - Eric and Debby had a lengthy conversation about forgiveness and he confessed that it all had been a scam. [32:13] - Initially Debby didn't believe Eric and asked for proof that it was a scam. They finally conducted a video chat and she saw the real person behind it all. [33:09] - Eric admitted that throughout the scam, he had started to feel real feelings for Debby and had to come clean. [34:30] - Debby went to the FBI and they told her that there was nothing they could do because he was not in the country. [36:04] - She told a new friend her story and through their conversation she discovered that the other woman's mother was also scammed. That was the moment Debby realized that she had a mission now. [38:14] - Debby was put in cont

Keeping children safe online is a concern for every parent. Children can have a technical skill that is far more advanced than their cognitive development and it is not easy to know how and what boundaries to set. Today's guest is Susan McLean. Susan is Australia's foremost expert in the area of cyber safety and was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years. Widely known as The Cyber Cop, she was the first Victoria police officer appointed to a position involving cyber safety and young people. In 2003, she was a Victoria Police Region 4 Youth Officer of the Year. She has also been awarded the National Medal and Victoria Police Service Medal. Susan established a consulting firm in March 2007 called Cyber Safety Solutions and has grown to be the most highly respected and in demand cyber safety consultancy in Australia. Show Notes: [1:21] - Susan shares her background in law enforcement and her first online appointment was in 1994. [2:17] - She was led to America in her quest to learn as much as she could about cyber safety. The training she was a part of was The Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Team training and more trainings in Texas. [3:35] - When Susan returned to Australia, she outlined a plan of action for law enforcement in Australia. [4:14] - When Susan's support retired, she lost all internal support at that time. Others claimed she was making things up to create a job opportunity and that because she was a woman, she couldn't do this job. [5:07] - Susan quit her job because she became passionate about this concern and took a risk in developing her own consultant agency. She works extensively with schools, parents, and teachers. [6:46] - Now, law enforcement takes cyber crime more seriously. [7:51] - Susan says that although there is acknowledgement of cyberbullying and online safety issues, there is still a lack of training of front line police officers. [8:50] - Susan describes JACKET teams in Australia and how it works in her country. [9:30] - The amount of arrests is phenomenal, but Susan would much rather there were no arrests because we can educate young people to not fall victim to these types of crimes. [10:27] - Susan shares that most arrests are made within Australia but that there are international crime gangs specifically in sex trafficking and sexual exploitation that are elsewhere. [12:08] - The statistics in Australia show that a quarter of all teens have been cyber bullied at some point. This can mean a lot of different things. It's almost always an extension of schoolyard bullying. [12:47] - Nude photos are also prominent and fit the definition of child exploitation offenses. [13:58] - To be an effective parent in the 21st century, you have to parent in the digital space. [14:43] - The internet is 100% an adult world that you are putting your child into. Risks cannot be removed but you can identify and limit the risk with boundaries for your child. [15:18] - Young people's technical skill far outweighs their cognitive and brain development. There is a massive gap between what they can actually do and what they can understand. [16:29] - Susan explains that if your child is under 13, you should be in complete control over everything your child does online. [17:33] - Start with one platform that you can manage when you feel they are ready for it. Constant monitoring and parent judgement on maturity is necessary. [19:01] - Susan recommends having a rule in place that you will check all accounts and devices a certain number of random days per month. [20:33] - Checking lists of friends and contacts, the child has to explain who they are to the parent's expectations. If you can't invite them over for dinner, they don't belong on their list. [21:55] - Susan shares how the majority of in-person sexual abuse or exploitation are with people the victim knows. But online, the majority are people who are unknown to the child or teen. [23:02] - If you are familiar with the person and are unsure if it is their real account, ask them. [24:27] - Parents also need to have conversations prior to online use to make sure their children are not being the ones doing the bullying. [25:45] - If you are the caretaker of any child or minor, you have to be aware that they are targets. [26:03] - Susan explains that the majority of inappropriate photos are taken in bedrooms and bathrooms with the doors closed. She shares examples of ways a parent can prohibit devices with cameras in those rooms. [27:48] - Especially during Covid, the limitation of devices and children online became difficult. [28:28] - One of the biggest mistakes parents make is giving their child or teen a phone thinking it will keep them safe. They are handy, but they are not safety devices. [30:18] - Susan also lists the other issues that come with extensive use of electronic devices, including posture, muscular and skeletal problems, and eye strain. [32:27] - Every adult has a responsibility to keep children safe on and offline. [34:

If you've got student loans, you feel the pressure of that financial obligation, but watch out. There are scammers looking to take advantage of your situation, offering student loan consolidation or elimination for a fee. Our guest today is Robert Farrington. Robert is founder of The College Investor. He has been featured in many media outlets such as The New York Times, Washington Post, ABC and NBC News. As America's millennial money expert and America's student loan debt expert, he is on a mission to help people escape student loan debt and start building wealth for their future. Show Notes: [0:54] - Robert founded The College Investor website when he was a college student. He shares his background as a blogger and his experience when a post about student loan debt went viral. [2:33] - College is a great investment for a lot of people, but like any investment, if you spend too much it might not be worth it. [3:01] - You don't go to college to learn because you find everything you need online for free. College is a signal to potential employers that you have a degree. [4:02] - Robert points out that trade schools and "dirty jobs" are a fantastic opportunity to make a lot of money without going to college but that many young adults don't know enough about them. [5:29] - There are three main types of schools: state school, non-profit, and for-profit. Robert gives examples of each kind. [6:39] - One type of student loan is federal student loans through the government with the requirement that you attend an accredited school. [7:23] - The other type of student loan is a private student loan that comes from a bank, credit card company, or other private lender. These are similar to a mortgage. [8:15] - Robert shares that there are so many student loan scams out there but they all have the same theme: to either lower the monthly payment or lower the total amount somehow. [9:32] - There are many programs that are legitimate and that will lower your monthly payment. The red flag is the fee that you pay. Robert explains how this works. [10:01] - The most popular loan forgiveness program that is fully legitimate is the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that there is no fee for. [11:11] - There is loan consolidation which takes all your loans and puts them into one loan. Robert doesn't recommend this and explains why. [12:13] - If you call your lender and let them know that you can't pay, there is something they can do. It is a scam if you pay a third party and they can fill out your paperwork incorrectly. [13:26] - Robert describes another type of scammers that pose as a pseudo law firm that tells people to stop paying their loans and then go to court for them to represent you to get you lower payments. But this trashes your credit and doesn't get you ahead. [15:03] - Robert recommends to always start with caller your lender and talk to them about your options. Communicate your needs. [16:51] - There are also really great apps available that will help you manage your finances and Robert points out that there are valid and legitimate paid programs. [17:16] - The legitimate paid financial advisors won't do anything for you. They will give you a plan and you will need to take the steps to follow the plan. [19:39] - Robert admits that most loan service providers make errors and there are definitely problems. However, they manage loans for millions of people. [20:51] - All paperwork done on your behalf needs to be looked over. A lot of companies that have been shut down were because of falsified information. [21:38] - Robert explains how some scam companies will take your fees and not do any work at all. They'll send you email updates as if things are being done and then you default. [22:28] - Even if you are going to work with someone, you still need to log in to your loan provider account and check things every month. Ultimately, you are responsible. [24:09] - Congress wants government loan servicers to promote these programs but they never do. [26:01] - If you feel that you have been scammed, you need to lock down all of your information. Change all passwords and check all of your accounts to make sure your information has not been changed. [27:20] - No legitimate company will ever ask you for your password or log in on your behalf. It is a literal federal crime. [27:58] - Robert shares the most incredible dollar amounts that some scam companies have collected. [28:51] - Robert also explains that some people pay companies to do this work for them because they don't take the time to do the research. [30:01] - Student loans are challenging because it seems like there's no way out. People know that there's not a lot of options. Scammers are preying on. [32:36] - There are 100 Americans with over 100 million dollars in student loans. They got there because of graduate schools. [33:00] - There are two types of people who benefit the most from student loans. The first are low-income who plan to make between $30-$50k a

In this episode, we deviate a bit from our traditional topics to incorporate the growing diversity in the Infosec world. In the past, this has been a male dominated field, but the culture is changing. Our guest today is Eleanor Dallway. Eleanor is the Editorial Director at Infosecurity Magazine, and she is at the front of the security industry. She has more than 15 years of online job experience and knows more about information security than most English Literature graduates should. She spends her working days interviewing industry professionals, keeping the website updated with news on a regular basis, editing the magazine, and attending industry events. Show Notes: [1:03] - Eleanor's experience in Infosec began in 2006 when she started working for Infosecurity Magazine. She also has experience editing for a wine and spirits magazine as well as one for retail. [2:03] - Eleanor admits that information security is her favorite, because she's worked in it the longest and it is constantly changing. [2:51] - Her favorite part of her job is interviewing industry professionals. She shares several famous individuals who she has been able to interview. [4:18] - Eleanor admits that she was very nervous to interview Kevin Mitnick and describes the experience. [5:57] - Kevin Mitnick did magic tricks for Eleanor for fun, but demonstrated how con artists are very much like magicians. [9:55] - Chris and Eleanor chat about their different interviews with previous podcast guest John McAfee. [11:14] - John McAfee spoke an unscripted rant at an event that Eleanor was able to be present for. [12:30] - Infosec trends are compared to fashion trends because they are cyclical and come back again. [13:38] - Some trends that Eleanor discusses are the Cloud, artificial intelligence, and the focus on the human side of security. [15:13] - Awareness now is much different than it was 15 years ago when Eleanor began working for Infosecurity Magazine. Now, they are major headlines and mainstream news. [16:48] - Eleanor's company puts in software that randomly tests people. [19:31] - We start to distrust people who are actually trustworthy and tend to become cynical. [20:18] - The types of scams that trend ebb and flow. Sometimes the trend is text scams, emails, or phone calls, generally speaking. [21:40] - There are clever scammers who use the current climate to change their approach. Eleanor shares that she has seen a lot of scams with packages delivered because more people are shopping online. [23:56] - When someone targets Eleanor, she knows she can handle it, but she gets very angry when scammers target her parents and grandmother. [25:52] - Eleanor discusses various conferences and events. She doesn't tend to worry about heavy security for some of them, but for several of them, she takes every precaution. [28:10] - For the most part, Eleanor tends to go to more of the businessy conferences. [30:42] - Eleanor admits that most of the things on her phone or computer are not that interesting so she feels comfortable taking her devices with her to other countries when traveling. [31:28] - In regards to women in the industry, Eleanor says that it is still male dominated but it is moving in the right direction. [32:48] - Eleanor has worked with programs that encourage teenage girls in high school to get into the infosec and technology world. [33:25] - Eleanor launched Women in Cybersecurity Networking Group that began small in the UK but is now national. The purpose is to create a community. [35:02] - Marketing cybersecurity needs a lot of change to include more accurate images and descriptions. [36:11] - There's a lot of going on in this space in regards to diversity in the industry, but Eleanor feels that it is not being done quickly enough. [37:33] - The security industry is very resilient and has not been hurt by the pandemic except that they are shorthanded. Unemployment is high in many places, so people should be jumping ship and going into 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 Infosecurity Magazine Web Page Women in Cybersecurity Networking Group Eleanor Dallaway on Twitter Eleanor Dallaway on LinkedIn

As we start the new year, we often contemplate resolutions and adopting new behaviors into our lives. Good mentoring relationships can have an amazingly powerful impact on both our personal and professional lives, but a bad one can lead to a devastating outcome. Learn how to identify a great match in today's episode with Mark Timm. Mark Timm has been a serial entrepreneur and exponential thinking practitioner for nearly two decades. He started more than two dozen companies, several of which have multiplied and been sold. His experience with dealing with the entrepreneurial challenges has fueled his passion for teaching people how to balance the demands of family life and business. Show Notes: [1:15] - Mark co-wrote the book Mentor to Millions because of his experiences (good and bad) with mentors. He describes how he met the friend he wrote the book with. [2:32] - Where mentorship goes bad is when you think you have found the right person due to their success. [3:28] - The first thing to look for in a mentor is to ask them about their failures. You want a mentor who is not only a big success story. [4:17] - The second thing to look for in a mentor is their ability to really listen. A good mentor will listen and learn about you in order to help you down the right path. [4:58] - The third thing to look for is a mentor who has a mentor themselves. Learning is a lifelong journey. [5:31] - Mark shares a negative experience with a mentor in an industry he didn't know much about. This mentor tended to tell Mark everything he was doing wrong. [7:51] - Mark likes to have more than one mentor because one mentor is not capable of helping you in every facet of your life. [9:45] - Most people don't know how to find a mentor. It begins by having some vulnerability. Are you ready to be coached and taught? [11:59] - You already know everyone you need to know in order to accomplish everything that you need to accomplish in this world. Your inner circle may know the exact person you need. [12:51] - The formula is 1) get the right mentor, 2) become that mentor's best student, and 3) take everything you've learned and teach it to someone else. [14:05] - Mark ends every chapter in Mentor to Millions with him applying what he learned in his business to his family. [15:06] - Mark describes how important his mentorship experiences have been with his family. [16:23] - Mark gives an example of how a personality test that he was using in his business and how he bought extras to do with his family in the same way. [17:58] - The personality test experience gave Mark's family a tool to be themselves and understand each other. [18:26] - In regards to finding a mentor that is "wired differently" than yourself, there are so many different situations and combinations of people. [19:55] - When you can say that you know the person, you like the person, and you trust the person, there could be a very good opportunity for a mentorship when you know they can help you. [21:36] - Anyone can learn, but it takes the right kind of person to teach. [23:11] - If you'd like to become a mentor, you need to practice listening and be open about your failures and how you've learned from them. [25:17] - Mark talks about Mentor to Millions and his experiences with a great mentor. [27:00] - Mark is one his way to his first multi-million dollar business because of the lessons he's learned with his mentor. [27:38] - Now, Mark mentors successful entrepreneurs with their family and home life, which is what Mark is passionate about. [29:03] - It is not all about balance, it's about integration. Mark describes how combining his worlds made a huge difference in his business and relationships. [30:29] - Mark and Kevin and offering a special mentoring opportunity to listeners who buy the book. Go to KevinMentor.com for 30 days of free mentoring after proof of purchasing the book. 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 Kevin Mentor Website Mark Timm Home Page Mark Timm on Twitter Mark Timm on LinkedIn Mentor to Millions: Secrets of Success in Business, Relationships, and Beyond by Mark Timm and Kevin Harrington

Trust is important for our employees, our clients, and our potential customers and as entrepreneurs, we need to learn how to create it. As business professionals, we need to learn how to choose who to be in partnerships with so that we are able to protect ourselves and our businesses from lawsuits and poor decisions. Our guest today is Mary Kelly. Dr. Mary C. Kelly has many titles, but her favorite is as a teacher. She is focused on teaching professionals to navigate the economy, build their business, be a true leader, and get more done. Mary has authored thirteen books on business leadership and today she is sharing with us a few ways not to be easy prey in business. Show Notes: [1:05] - Dr. Kelly primarily works as a corporate speaker and advisor to improve profit growth. [1:44] - Businesses need to make sure that they are protecting themselves against people who want to sue them for stupid things. [2:31] - When you are interviewing someone coming into your business, you have to be careful of the questions you ask. [3:12] - Dr. Kelly also points out the importance of keeping your brick and mortar location safe and secure. [4:22] - Mary shares an example of campsites getting sued by people who were taking advantage of the owners. [6:01] - In 2020, vulnerabilities became more apparent to business owners. [8:48] - As a business, one of the number one things people want to know is if you can deliver what you say you can deliver. [9:06] - Dr. Kelly gives several tips for businesses including Google searching yourself and watching your Yelp reviews. [11:08] - Mary references a book that she co-wrote regarding trust in the business world. How you build trust with your employees is how they build trust with your clients. [12:29] - Chris shares how he approaches business partners. [14:10] - Mary admits to some early mistakes she made after taking the advice of someone else that cost her in thousands of dollars. [16:01] - Don't be afraid to differentiate and brand yourself for the core values of your business. Let people know what your core values are. [17:49] - Your posts on social media are being looked at. How are you and your business being perceived? [20:17] - Recording conversations are a good idea so you have a clean copy of tough conversations that may need clarification. [22:35] - There are so many bad business consultants out there and Mary describes how this can be detrimental to your business. [24:09] - Mary admits a mistake she learned from with a book deal and an example of working with a medical firm that experienced a scam. [25:57] - Mary's dad was recently a victim of a scam that is similar to a previous Easy Prey episode with Jim Browning. [27:01] - Chris shares an example of a scam he fell victim of. [28:12] - We need to help others to not make the same mistakes. [29:37] - If you are a leader in an organization, always assume that someone is watching everything you do and say. [31:18] - It is not our clients' job to stay in touch with your business. It is your job to stay in touch with your client in a way that adds value and trust. [33:09] - Dr. Kelly wrote a book about business during Covid-19 and shares a lot of her research that can benefit current businesses. [34:29] - Mary shares current scams for businesses during Covid-19 and how common they are. [35:29] - There are several car dealership scams going on at the moment as well and Mary describes what this looks like. [36:57] - If you sign anything, take a picture of it. [37:49] - Chris shares another current scam that has been very common lately with overcharging customers as their business practice. [39:17] - We need to not be afraid to ask clients for referrals and feedback. [41:37] - When it comes to mistakes, own up to them and move on. Mary shares her free productivity sheet that she uses every single day to help avoid mistakes. 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 Productive Leaders Web Page Mary C. Kelly on Twitter Mary C. Kelly on Facebook Mary Kelly, PhD, CSP, CPAE Commander, USN on LinkedIn

Criminals don't just randomly pick their targets. They look for easy prey. Find out what you might inadvertently be doing that makes a criminal choose you as their next victim. Today's guest is James Casey. James has made a life-long career out of understanding why people break the law. He began in law enforcement and was on the National Security Council in Washington. Then he worked in the FBI for over 25 years, where he was named the Special Agent in charge of the Jacksonville division. James is currently the president of FCS Global Advisors, an investigative and crisis management firm where he has been for the past 8 years. Show Notes: [0:53] - James shares his background in law enforcement and his career path to eventually work in the FBI. [1:51] - What James focuses on now is higher end investigation in Florida, primarily litigation and white collar cases. [2:24] - In regards to personal security risk, James believes due to the number of distractions, people are always at risk. [3:06] - Social media has become a place for people to share too much information which becomes a security risk. [3:38] - James shares a scenario of oversharing about your own children. [4:53] - You can segregate your social media accounts. Some can be more public for business needs, such as LinkedIn, and then others can be more private for sharing information and photos for friends and family. [5:51] - When you're out and about, you need to be paying attention. Take the earbuds out and watch the people around you. [6:49] - James shares how crime doesn't go away, it just moves to someone or some place that is easier. [7:44] - With travel, James presents a scenario and the importance of being prepared for anything, [9:20] - Traditional burglaries are targeting empty houses during the day with no alarms and tend to access the back door. [10:17] - James shares a scenario of watching a news story about a home invasion and the general majority of burglaries having a back story. [12:02] - By the time a story gets to TV, it is a unique story and doesn't generally match the norm. James tells about an undercover scenario he worked on. [14:05] - In regards to car theft, James shares a real-life scenario of learning how cars are stolen in most cases. [16:51] - While working in Detroit, James worked with many cases of stolen cars for parts, which is still a problem today. Chris also shares a personal experience of his car being stolen and stripped for parts. [20:01] - A book that James has read and recommends by Gavin de Becker called The Gift of Fear. James has done some research into intuition and instinct. [21:42] - James shares a scenario of an active shooter in an airport in Fort Lauderdale and how people reacted to demonstrate some people's intuition. [23:05] - Women are often targeted and have a gut feeling that something is wrong but tend to talk themselves out of it. [25:03] - In addition to fight and flight, there is also "freeze," which is a legitimate response for many people. James shares his theory on why some people do this. [26:50] - In a lot of situations, people rationalize why something wouldn't be a gunshot. [27:18] - Chris and James discuss stalkers and the types of stalkers that are common to see. James illustrates the types of stalkers with real-life scenarios. 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 FCS Global Advisors Web Page FCS Security on Facebook FCS Security on Twitter FCS Security on LinkedIn The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker

Our body can give clues to what we are thinking or feeling and review of what we're saying is the truth or deception. How can we use that fact to detect when others are being deceptive? Today's guest is Traci Brown. Time magazine has named Traci as one of the nation's top deception detection experts. She's trained alongside the country's top law enforcement, and she is a frequent television guest and the author of How to Detect Lies, Fraud, and Identity Theft Field Guide. Her fraud-spotting learning platform has helped companies stop millions in fraud loss. Show Notes: [0:51] - Traci shares her background as a cyclist and how observing and learning other cyclists behavior and body language led her to eventually become a body language expert. [2:29] - Many had thought that Traci was able to read people's minds, but really she was just noticing body language. [3:34] - Traci shares how an experience of her brother's led her to training with law enforcement and started her path in fraud and deception detection. [5:19] - While a lot of attacks happen online, Traci encourages listeners to know about in-person fraud and protect themselves. [6:17] - 40% of people lie in a job interview but only 2% of people hiring them can tell. [6:54] - Traci works with a lot of sales people because "buyers are liars." [7:43] - Traci has even worked with world renowned poker players. She describes how poker tournaments work and how body language impacts how you feel as well. [9:54] - The number one thing that law enforcement looks at is baseline behavior. Everyone runs in patterns. [10:40] - You want to believe the body first and when there's a mismatch between the body and the words, that's the hotspot. [11:47] - Traci lists and describes body language signs that something is not true. [12:55] - As you are talking to someone and notice these signs, Traci suggests saying, "It seems like you have something more to say about that," and then stop talking. [13:58] - If you ask people questions they have no reason to lie about, then you can see the shift when you ask them something more pressing. [15:19] - Some people can't help but lie. Some people lie to cope with something trauma or were conditioned to lie in simple conversations. [17:12] - Lying is not just indicated through body language. It is a combination of body language, tone, pacing, volume, and word choice. [18:21] - Everyone is unique in that baseline behavior so you need to know that first. [19:15] - Some people have a nervous baseline that doesn't necessarily mean they're lying but that they are just nervous people in general. [20:12] - Traci shares a story about an experience with her husband in the grocery store and how her knowledge of body language can benefit relationships. [22:03] - Security takes full enrollment from your senses at all times. [23:15] - Traci hosts a podcast called Fraud Busting and interviews criminals. [25:01] - Traci refers to presidential debates and how candidates practice their answers ahead of time, but that body language is telling. The answers to questions that are on the spot is where you can tell a lot. [26:30] - Watching a debate with the sound off and not knowing what the candidates are saying is a great way to start noticing body language. [28:03] - Even Chris can tell when a podcast guest is launching into a response that is rehearsed. He asks Traci if that could be an indicator that someone is being deceptive in certain situations. [29:37] - We have the least control over our feet. So watching peoples' feet can give you a lot of information. [30:54] - Traci describes the "pain" people and businesses pay with when they aren't paying attention. [31:52] - Know more than is immediately obvious and use it when the time is right. The idea is to make people comfortable around you enough to talk. [33:04] - Traci also can look at social media profiles and can tell a lot about a person before actually meeting them. [35:29] - Traci shares that she watched a video of Paris Hilton describing the abuse at a school she went to as a child and determined that she is telling the truth. [36:21] - Body language is not admissible in court, so using the body language to dig is important. [38:06] - Chris and Traci briefly discuss psychopathic and sociopathic behaviors. [40:07] - The reason Traci started her podcast is because looking back, everyone knows something is not right but didn't do anything about it. Listen to yourself. 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 Body Language Trainer - Traci Brown Web Page Fraud Busting Podcast Fraud Busting Body Language Expert Facebook Traci Brown on Twitter Traci Brown on LinkedIn How to Detect Lies, Fraud, and Identity Theft Field Guide by Traci Brown

Most of us have received that call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft Tech Support saying that there is an issue with our computer that they want to help us resolve. This scam has evolved into something so sophisticated and so refined that it has become big business in and of itself. Today's guest is Jim Browning. Jim can't stand scammers, so he's doing something about it. Jim has been baiting, investigating, and exposing scammers on his YouTube channel for over 5 years. His channel now has over 2.3 million subscribers and many of his videos showing how these scams work have been watched millions of times. Show Notes: [0:51] - Most people recognize tech support scams as a cold call where the scammer claims they are working for a company that needs you to get on your computer to gain access. [2:34] - Jim says the way to put these people off is to deny having the device they are asking for you to connect. [3:13] - These types of scammers might also claim they are your bank or credit card company. Either way, this scam is all about logging into your account and giving them access. [4:32] - Jim describes what would happen if a scammer gains access to your computer after you follow the steps they give you over the phone. [6:01] - Jim never intended to be a YouTuber. In fact, he has a "proper" job in IT and is an engineer at heart. But as someone who received these calls, he became curious and one day recorded what a scammer did. [7:23] - More often than not, the people running these scams are out of a different country and it is near impossible to do anything about it through law enforcement. [8:21] - Jim shares that India's equivalent to the FBI has recently conducted raids and some of these operations may actually be dealt with. [9:27] - Through running scams, Jim describes how one operation brought in over a million dollars per month and employed several hundred people. [10:19] - When hiring, these operations may hire people who don't know they're scammers. Some, though, actually advertise that they are scammers. [11:27] - With enough computer knowledge and the curiosity, Jim let scammers access his computer but was able to reverse it and gain access to their computer instead. [12:31] - Jim tells a story about how he accessed a scammer's CCTV recording and was able to see and hear how they are running their operation. [14:12] - These scammers take the business very seriously and professionally. Like legitimate organizations, they record calls and use them to train their employees. [16:39] - Sometimes scammers will retain the access to the computer, but most of the time, they will get their one-off payment and it will likely be the last time you hear from them or you won't hear from them for a while. [17:56] - If you are scammed once, your information will be sold to other scammers. Once you've been victimized, you are far more likely to fall victim again. [19:10] - The cold calls are the most common, but a more subtle scam is to Google for genuine support. Some sites are not genuine and many people do not check the legitimacy of the site. [21:27] - There are various software you can install on your computer that help identify a site that is not legitimate. [22:14] - If you think you are a victim of a scam, you need to start by contacting your bank or credit card company as quickly as possible. If it has been several months, it is very hard to get your money back. [23:40] - The most safe thing to do if you fall victim of a scam is to completely wipe your computer and start over. But Jim does state that most of the time, scammers are only in it for a one-off payment so you might not need to do that. [25:01] - Jim has also seen scammers take identities to open up bank accounts in order to launder money. [25:46] - There are scams that ask for gift cards, which is as good as cash in most cases. If you use a gift card or read out a gift card number, you will not get your money back. [26:40] - No legitimate online business is going to ask for gift cards and is a big red flag. The big one right now are Amazon gift cards. [27:52] - A lot of employees who sell gift cards are trained to ask the customer who is buying large denominations on a gift card to ask if they have been put up to it. But Jim gives examples about how scammers get around this. [29:55] - Scamming organizations have also recruited people in the US and the UK to be a part of these scams to make it more believable because of their lack of foreign accent. [31:42] - Scammers have been known to cunningly coach people into willingly transferring money to them. [32:40] - No legitimate company will ever have a problem with you asking questions. Be a skeptic. [33:44] - Another red flag for a scam is urgency to take action. Always stop and ask questions and call them on the number you know is accurate. [34:28] - Anyone can forge a number. You cannot trust the caller ID. But there is something possibly happening in the United States that will help identi

Is there such a thing as an ethical hacker? Do all hackers use their skills to attack infrastructures? If you're interested in ethical hacking and penetration testing, this is the episode for you. Today's guest is Ed Skoudis. Ed has taught upwards of 20,000 security professionals globally and his contributions to information security have had an immense impact on the community. His courses distill the essence of real world frontline case studies he accumulates, because he is consistently one of the first authorities brought in to provide post-attack analysis on major breeches. He's not just an expert in the field, he's created many of the founding methodologies empowered by governments and organizations around the world to test and secure their infrastructures. Ed is the founder of the SANS Penetration Testing Curriculum and Counter Hack; leads the team that builds NetWars, Holiday Hack, and CyberCity; and serves on the Board of Directors for the SANS Technology Institute. A consummate presenter, Ed is a keynote speaker appearing internationally at conferences, and is an Advisory Board member for RSA. Show Notes: [1:14] - Ed introduces himself as a penetration tester and hacker. He does expert witness work on large scale breeches and incident response. [1:37] - He started this path as hacking for phone companies. He explains how he started and why he was hired. [3:55] - Ed describes what penetration testing (or pen testing) is. It is when he models the techniques used by real world attackers and then apply them in structured fashion to help protect companies from future attacks. [4:53] - Pen tests can be used by an organization for a specific reason or can be done as a "check-up" to make sure everything is okay. [5:40] - Zero Day is researching vulnerabilities that aren't known yet. It is called Zero Day because it has been known for zero days. [6:18] - Ed never believed the cybersecurity industry would be as huge as it is today and explains some of the more recent issues we've been seeing through Covid. [7:52] - Security is now a part of the process and is becoming less of an afterthought. Ed shares this idea long-term, but sees the same vulnerabilities repeatedly. [8:49] - There is no such thing as 100% safe and secure. The goal is to raise the bar to make things more difficult for an attacker. [9:31] - With ransomware, attackers have figured out a really reliable way to get paid for their malware. [10:08] - Ransomware is a real problem and have even attacked hospitals and local governments. [12:37] - There is so much that we do that leaves us vulnerable. [13:29] - One major piece of advice that Ed gives in regards to general consumer security is to keep all of your devices patched and updated. [14:18] - Another area to be aware of is always spear phishing. Don't click unless you are confident in the link. [15:19] - Ed has a separate computer that is separate and independent that he only uses for financial transactions. [17:17] - Chris and Ed discuss routers that consumers buy from their ISP. [19:01] - Ed shares how "Live Off the Land" attacks work by using what is already installed on a computer. These are harder to detect. [20:18] - With ransomware, organizations have to think about what is best for the business. Is it better to give the attacker the money or spend the time and money to fix the problem? [22:27] - The dominant trend in technology today is cloud storage. [24:18] - Ed describes how this works and some of the various problems associated with it. [25:39] - The US Army, Tesla, and Uber are a few organizations that have lost data to this common vulnerability. [26:10] - Ed describes the Holiday Hack Challenge and the fun way he has modeled this problem to educate users. [28:03] - Although there are some security risks if not managed properly, Ed shares that cloud data storage is a very cost effective option for small to medium sized businesses. [29:24] - Most organizations use multiple cloud services. Cloud migration is good if a different service is necessary, but the previous cloud service is left alone and vulnerable. [31:01] - The Holiday Hack Challenge is a free educational event that Ed and his team have created to solve cybersecurity challenges. This is a worldwide event. [34:02] - The Holiday Hack Challenge is something that some people participate in with their kids due to the video game aspect. There is also a social aspect to it with the chat feature. [35:29] - Not only is the Holiday Hack Challenge free, but all of the past challenges are free and accessible to play. This can build your skills. [36:30] - Chris asks if Holiday Hack Challenge has ever been compromised. Ed admits that there are three people who have hacked their way in as players, but there were no purposeful attacks. [39:43] - Ed admits that he sees the world through the eyes of an ethical hacker because he likes to explore and see what's beyond the edges. [40:48] - Chris and Ed discuss Bug Bounty Programs and can be

With Giving Tuesday right around the corner, it is important to make sure that the money we give gets to the causes we are passionate about. In the midst of the season of giving, scammers are working to get as much of your charity as they can. Today's guests are Michael Thatcher and Zachary Weinsteiger. Michael leads Charity Navigator and its efforts to make impactful philanthropy easier for all by increasing the breadth and depth of ratings coverage of a large number of charities. He has held various board positions within the non-profit and tech sector, holds several patents in enterprise systems management, and has a degree from Columbia University in New York. Zachary is on Charity Navigator's analyst team and is responsible for data collection, research analysis, and the evaluation of the performance of America's largest charities. He also works towards improving the evaluation system and process. Show Notes: [1:16] - Michael has been with Charity Navigator for about 5 years, but previously worked for Microsoft. He was attracted to Charity Navigator to make a more positive impact. [2:04] - Zachary initially intended on being an educator on the college level, but during the course of study he felt that he wanted to do more. He wound up with Charity Navigator after hearing someone speak at his graduation. [2:53] - Charity Navigator was started in the early 2000's by someone who was wealthy and wanted to donate money. He noticed that there was no way to evaluate the organizations he would invest in, so he started it himself. [4:42] - Michael shares how large the non-profit and charity sector is in the United States. [6:10] - On one hand, there are several successfully run charities, but then there are some that fall apart. [6:42] - Michael started working in the non-profit sector when he opened a dance company with his wife. Unfortunately, it failed, but now he has found himself in a similar position running Charity Navigator. [8:03] - The hardest part about charity scams is that they're scams and until they get caught, we don't know they're scams. [9:32] - Zachary says that sometimes the donors might not actually know they were scammed and move forward without knowing. [10:43] - If you feel like you have been scammed, you need to report it, regardless of the feeling of embarrassment that many people feel. [11:04] - Look for transparency. Legitimate charities will have a website and will be able to direct you over the phone to a way to find out more about them. [13:10] - Be intentional with your giving. Donate to causes that you care about and find out if the charity in question is on Charity Navigator. [14:29] - During times of crisis, people change their giving philosophy. This year, the United States has seen different crises and people may be donating to charities they don't normally notice. [16:21] - Charity Navigator has a relationship with GoFundMe and Michael says it is a legitimate, strong, and successfully run crowd-funding site. But if you don't know the person and have a real relationship with that person, you need to be wary. [18:04] - What Zachary notices with GoFundMe is when individuals donate to others they don't know, there's no form of accountability. [20:09] - There are organizations that are a good filter to avoid fabricated stories on GoFundMe. Michael shares them as Give Directly and Donors Choose. [21:39] - When you donate to charities through Give Directly and Donors Choose instead of GoFundMe, you can use them as a tax write off. When you donate to an individual on GoFundMe, you cannot. [22:08] - One of the key things that Charity Navigator looks for is strong financial performance. Michael describes what this looks like and why it is important. [22:41] - Another important facet that Charity Navigator looks for to establish their ratings is the charity's level of transparency and governance. [23:33] - Overhead costs are not a bad thing. The salaries of the people that work with the charity organizations are important too. Charity Navigator looks at this as well. [25:02] - Michael dives into the way their rating system works and what a rating could mean. [28:19] - There really isn't a one-size-fits-all that works in this space. Michael compares a charity that supports an orchestra versus an organization for a homeless shelter. Charity Navigator does not cross compare. [29:36] - Charity Navigator is the largest independent evaluator of charities in the US and has been around for 20 years. [31:14] - Charity Navigator has a team of only 26 people to maintain a small business feel and keep their costs low as well. Each analyst is assigned a specific type of charity that they themselves care about. Zachary explains how this works. [33:25] - Another thing Charity Navigator sees frequently is when costs disappear. Zachary explains how this works and how it goes into an evaluation. [35:53] - Charity Navigator uses the form charities fill out to establish and maintain the organization. Thi

As cybercrime grows more sophisticated day by day, so do technical defenses. But great technology is no match for an employee clicking on a simple phishing email. Psychological security is designed to protect the human mind from manipulation that leads to compromises. Today's guest is Adam Anderson. Adam is chairman of the board for Hook Security and a serial cybersecurity entrepreneur. He is one of the founders of the Psychological Security Movement. Psychological Security or "Psy-Sec," was born to create new technologies and processes to help build resilient human minds that can resist manipulations through technology. Show Notes: [1:10] - Adam introduces himself as a serial cybersecurity entrepreneur who has launched 21 companies over 20 years. He is passionate about this topic. [2:24] - The human part of cybersecurity is always the weakest link. [4:01] - Chris and Adam discuss how when you work in IT, you look at things through an IT lens, but there is a human side. [5:21] - Security is typically an afterthought that comes after an incident. [5:51] - Adam breaks down the meaning of security and what types you will see within a company or corporation as being physical security and info security. [6:42] - Adam says that both types of security are vulnerable to social engineering. [7:31] - Hook Security was created after Adam worked in frustration for 20 years. He is chairman of the board and hired a successful educator as CEO who is an expert in how people learn. [9:23] - Adam is a firm believer that "Psy-Sec" needs to be a separate department of professionals who can work to build resilience in human brains to resist manipulation. [11:15] - It is unreasonable to expect the IT department to be proficient in the human interface as it is not in their skillset. [12:42] - Adam states that systems are 95% safe from compromise which is a great improvement, but when you have a large company, 5% is still too much. [13:12] - Right now, Adam is working with the cognitive brain function and explains the details on how this works in regards to psychological security. [15:10] - There are two ways to lay down memories and "fight or flight." One is through fear and one is through humor. [16:27] - People are better at remembering something that made them laugh and Adam trains people with this in mind. [18:26] - Hook Security provides Security Awareness Training that people actually enjoy. [19:06] - Hook Security is being very careful with how they present their findings and taking their time with the science elements involved so that it is used for good and not as a tool for attackers. [21:54] - Social engineering is no different from simple marketing. Marketing is there to show you something that you may find valuable and hope that you click on it. Social engineering is the same, but "with a different punch line." [22:56] - There's a database. You're in it. You are a product. If you are getting something for free or are paying something low, you are the product. Adam uses a Netflix example to demonstrate this. [24:52] - With the way YouTube and Netflix work, you are trusting big corporations to have your best interests at heart. [25:52] - We are all wired to help others. These hard-wired responses allow marketers and attackers to take advantage. [27:16] - Chris and Adam discuss that the way marketing works is not a bad thing because they want to see the recommendations based on their interests. But they can be used negatively. [28:39] - Fake news and "echo chambers" that we find ourselves in are designed to polarize people to different extremes. [30:02] - Just like marketers who know who they are targeting to sell to, cybercriminals know what your triggers are to manipulate you into a compromising situation. [31:46] - There are different types of triggers that cause us to fall for scams. [32:08] - These triggers are wonderful when they happen organically and to help others but are terrifying when they are used against us. [33:53] - Learning how to pause and evaluating whether something is true or not is crucial. If you can't do that, Adam says to "reprogram your auto-pilot." [36:14] - Your perception of the phone is that it is something that you get a lot of value from but it is also a place where people will call you and text you with fraudulent stuff. Some people can pause and question it and some cannot. [38:12] - We all have blind spots and we don't know what they are, so always have a support system to get others' opinions on the matter before making certain choices. [39:50] - It is imperative that we treat this seriously. We are throwing a burden on our "nerds" by having them try to understand the nuances of the human brain. [41:39] - None of this science is new. We just need to apply 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

What is it like to be a world-renowned cybercriminal and what motivates them? Today's guest referred to as the original internet Godfather shares his experience running a cybercriminal empire, going on the run, and ultimately turning his life around. Brett Johnson was responsible for refining modern financial cybercrime as we know it today. After being placed on the United States' Most Wanted list, captured and convicted of 39 felonies, Brett promptly escaped prison. Captured again, Brett served his time, accepted responsibility, and found redemption through his loved ones and the help of the FBI. Today he is considered a leading authority on internet crime, identity theft, and cybersecurity. Brett speaks and consults around the world to help protect people and organizations from the type of person he used to be. Show Notes: [1:11] - Brett starts telling his story by summing up why he got the title, "The Original Internet Godfather." What really got him the title was him building the first organized cybercrime community called ShadowCrew. [2:24] - Brett ran both ShadowCrew and CounterfeitLibrary. The other primary cybercrime site that he did not run was CarderPlanet. [3:14] - ShadowCrew and CounterfeitLibrary were run like forums and marketplaces to connect and network with other criminals. [4:37] - Brett was arrested in 2005 and was offered a job to work with the Secret Service, but chose to continue pursuing criminal activity and eventually made his way onto the United States Most Wanted List. [5:40] - Secret Service used a Trigger Fish, now called a Stingray, which locates targeted cell phones in a specific area. This device was used to find Brett at Disney World and to arrest him. [7:37] - Brett shares the experience of his car and house being searched and how his choices got him caught. [9:54] - Brett's tendency to break the law started when he was 10 years old and his mom was also a criminal. He shares a lot of his childhood background in shoplifting. [12:13] - Although he started shoplifting as a child, Brett says that as an adult, he made the choice to continue criminal activity. [13:32] - Brett's first cybercrime was on eBay by posting a Beanie Baby for sale, requiring the buyer to send a money order that couldn't be canceled, and sent her an item that did not match the post. [16:07] - Brett kept going and his eBay crimes led to pirated software, which led to modchips, which led to programming satellite DSS cards. [17:40] - After bringing in several thousand dollars per week under his real name, Brett got scared he would get caught, so he shares his story about getting a fake ID to open a bank account. [18:17] - Brett's fear of being abandoned became a reality when his wife left him. [19:36] - Brett remarried a stripper who was an addict. Through all of his crimes, his second marriage caused his sister to disown him. [21:06] - It took several years of not speaking to his sister and justifying his actions for Brett to realize that he was in prison because he chose to break the law. [22:08] - For three after being released from prison on probation in 2011, he couldn't get a job because he wasn't allowed to use a computer. [23:13] - Brett met his current wife during this time and moved in with her. He was able to find a job doing yard work. [24:00] - Although he was doing better, during the winter months when there was no yard work to do, he got online to find stolen credit card information and started making orders. He went back to prison for 10 months. [25:24] - After his 10 months, he got married, and started to turn his life around. He contacted an FBI agent for job advice and now he feels he is living a blessed life. [26:40] - Now Brett does a lot of consulting and hosts a few podcasts. He also works with AARP and other types of organizations. [28:19] - A big misconception people have about cybercriminals is that they are very educated and can hack into anything. But 98% of cybercriminals out there are really good social engineers and know-how to manipulate someone using technology and psychology. [29:56] - The number 1 group for identity theft is children. [30:51] - Most people use the same password across multiple accounts. Brett says to always use a password manager. [32:38] - The reason a scam works is because the scammer and the victim are on opposite sides of the field. The scammer works to get the victim to his side by establishing trust through technology and social engineering. [34:36] - How good is the scammer at establishing trust with a victim using the technology they have? [37:09] - The scammer's job is to make sure the victim is not thinking objectively. [37:50] - People like to trust. Generally, people like to see the best in people. Brett says to trust, but verify. [39:08] - In his experience as a consultant, Brett has found that most victims suspect something might be a scam but alienate themselves from telling anyone out of embarrassment as society tends to blame the victim. [4