Cyber Warfare
Easy Prey
Cyber warfare is no longer something that happens behind closed doors or in some far-off digital corner. It's happening now—and reshaping the rules of conflict in real time. Drone strikes controlled by apps, ransomware attacks on hospitals—today's battleground is just as likely to be online as on the ground. That science fiction scenario is now a critical, constant threat-the kind that affects us all globally. I'm really excited to introduce you to Dr. Chase Cunningham. He's a retired Navy chief cryptologist with a wealth of experience in cyber operations for the NSA, CIA, FBI—and more....
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DDoS Attacks
Easy Prey
Scammers are getting smarter, understanding the psychology behind social engineering and the challenges companies face every day can help keep networks secure. This episode will show how to anticipate these threats and secure networks against ever-changing vulnerabilities. We’ll focus on practical, real-world solutions to protect data and trust. Dr. Jared Smith joins us to share his insights from his role leading research and development at SecurityScorecard. He also co-founded UnCat, a B2B accounting technology company serving thousands of customers and teaches as an adjunct professor at...
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Safe AI Implementation
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Red models associated with AI technologies highlight real-world vulnerabilities and the importance of proactive security measures. It is vital to educate users about how to explore the challenges and keep AI systems secure. Today’s guest is Dr. Aditya Sood. Dr. Sood is the VP of Security Engineering and AI Strategy at Aryaka and is a security practitioner, researcher, and consultant with more than 16 years of experience. He obtained his PhD in computer science from Michigan State University and has authored several papers for various magazines and journals. In this conversation, he will shed...
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The Art of Espionage
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What makes someone betray their country? It’s rarely just about money. In this episode, you’ll hear from a retired CIA officer who spent 25 years recruiting foreign spies by tapping into something deeper than greed. Jim Lawler shares real stories from his career in human intelligence, where persuasion was built on empathy, trust, and understanding what truly drives people. From failed pitches to high-stakes successes, he explains the psychology behind espionage, how personal stress becomes a powerful leverage point, and why most people who commit treason believe they’ve been betrayed...
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Understanding Ransomware and Defense Strategies
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When it comes to cybersecurity, most people think about firewalls, passwords, and antivirus software. But what about the attackers themselves? Understanding how they operate is just as important as having the right defenses in place. That’s where Paul Reid comes in. As the Vice President of Adversary Research at AttackIQ, Paul and his team work to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals by thinking like them and identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. In this episode, we dive into the world of cyber threats, ransomware, and the business of hacking. Paul shares insights...
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Privacy and Surveillance
Easy Prey
Ever had that creepy feeling someone's watching you online? Now imagine if that feeling was actually your reality, not just your browsing history being tracked, but cameras following your every move on the street, your conversations being monitored, your payments scrutinized. For our guest Josh Summers, this wasn't some dystopian nightmare, it was his daily life. Josh isn't your typical privacy advocate. As the creator behind All Things Secured (both a website and YouTube channel), his passion for digital privacy was forged through nearly 20 years living abroad, much of it in China. There, he...
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Navigating Data Brokering and Privacy
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In a world where data is more important than ever, understanding how it is acquired, shared, and misused is critical. Data brokers work behind the scenes, amassing enormous amounts of personal information from online activity, loyalty programs, and even public records, often without the users' knowledge. This data powers targeted marketing, scams, and even identity theft. But what can be done to regain control of personal privacy? Today we're diving deep into this topic with cybersecurity expert Darius Belejevas, who has spent years assisting folks in removing their data from these digital...
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Be Your Own Fraud Prevention Hero
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Getting defrauded is common. It happens everywhere but it’s underreported because of embarrassment. If you’re a victim of fraud the sooner you report the more likely you are to get a better outcome. To learn more about fraud I’m pleased to welcome Marc Evans, a seasoned financial crimes detective and co-founder of Fraud Hero, who has spent over a decade investigating fraud schemes that affect everyday people. With expertise in social engineering, money laundering and credit card scams he has spent his career uncovering the ways criminals use to exploit victims. His passion for fraud...
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Empowering the Vulnerable
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In cybersecurity, we need to understand the mindset of hacking, which is not ethics. We also need to realize that even if we have cybersecurity experts get hacked, there is no reason to feel embarrassed or ashamed when it happens to us. In today’s show we’re going deep into the world of cybersecurity with one of the industry’s most seasoned experts, Sam Curry. With over 30 years of experience in information security, Sam has been defending against cyber threats, shaping security strategies and mentoring the next generation of cyber professionals. Currently the Global VP and...
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How Not to Money with Joel Larsgaard
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Managing money isn’t about numbers, it's about making informed decisions that shape your future. Whether you’re a seasoned saver or just starting out on your financial journey understanding the basics of personal finance can make all the difference. Today’s guest Joel Larsgaard has been helping people take control of their finances for over 15 years. As the co-host of How To Money and a weekly radio show Joel breaks down the often confusing world of personal finance. His passion for financial literacy comes from personal experience and he’s been recognized for his work including being...
info_outlineYou may be shocked to know that master manipulators utilize special tactics to impact human behavior and emotions by more than just instilling a sense of urgency. The art of persuasion can be used for both good and evil. Today’s guest is Chris Hadnagy. Chris is the author of five books on the topic of social engineering. He is a professor of social engineering at the University of Arizona as well as the CEO of Social Engineer LLC, the Innocent Lives Foundation, and the Institute for Social Engineering.
Show Notes:
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[0:57] - Chris shares his background and how he found himself in the field of social engineering and understanding human decision making.
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[2:38] - It is not the case that only stupid people fall for scams and phishing emails.
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[4:04] - There is good social engineering and Chris gives some examples.
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[5:47] - The release of oxytocin is researched to show that it is linked to trust.
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[7:58] - You can have oxytocin and dopamine separately but together they build a bond.
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[9:17] - Marketing and advertising land in the gray middle area of social engineering. Is it being used for good or bad?
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[11:14] - It is important to look at things through the lens of purpose. What is the intent behind it?
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[12:35] - All social engineering, good and bad, use the same principles. But malicious social engineering triggers different emotions, namely fear.
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[14:37] - Preying on fear is one way people are socially engineered, but Chris gives an example of how a company as large as Toyota was impacted by the sense of urgency.
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[17:12] - There are so many stories of social engineering that are extremely plausible and believable.
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[21:04] - The trend now is to use social media data and information to target people for spear phishing.
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[22:30] - If you feel any strong emotion after a request, it is a great time to pause and consider if you are being manipulated.
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[24:21] - If you ever fall for something, don’t let embarrassment make you sweep it under the rug.
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[27:31] - The idea of an authority figure is a principle to remember, but it doesn’t always work.
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[30:10] - In some countries, fear of authority isn’t present. But social engineers will look for the weaknesses to exploit in different environments.
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[31:16] - Voice phishing is currently on the rise.
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[33:21] - Chris shares about the uptick on LinkedIn requests that even targeted the US military.
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[35:28] - Although we will see some good from AI, Chris has many concerns.
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[37:33] - Chris describes some of the classes he teaches at the University of Arizona specifically about Social Engineering.
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[39:17] - You can take classes online from Chris on Social-Engineer.com.
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[40:21] - We need to understand social engineering to keep our children safe. Start having conversations early.
Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
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