Afleveringen
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Ransomware may not be on your machines due to your negligence or mistakes. It could be there because of third-party software you are utilizing. Do you know what to do if this happens to you?
Todayâs guest is Amitabh Sinha. Amitabh has a PhD in Computer Science and more than 20 years of experience in enterprise software, end-user computing, mobile, and database software. He co-founded Workspot in 2012. He was the General Manager of Enterprise Desktop and Applications at Citrix Systems. In his five years at Citrix, he was the VP of Product Management for XenDesktop and VP of Engineering for the Advanced Solutions Group.
Show Notes: [1:03] - Amitabh shares his background and current role and contributions at Workspot. [4:35] - The first sign of ransomware in an organization is widespread blue screens and Microsoft machines shutting down. [5:40] - How does ransomware find its way to a device? [6:59] - Ransomware in your organization is not necessarily your fault. [10:37] - Amitabh describes how he has helped client organizations back up and running after having been infected with ransomware. [13:11] - Typically, it is not recommended to pay the ransomware, but it may be a viable option for some organizations. [15:59] - Most small companies are not prepared to prevent or handle ransomware. [17:34] - In most large companies, not all PCs are up to date on security patches. [20:41] - Cloud storage is much safer and can be accessed on other physical machines in the event that ransomware shuts down an organization. [24:41] - For those who work from home, sometimes multiple machines makes things even more complicated. [27:35] - What are you willing to pay to not have something happen? Thatâs how ransomware takes advantage of people. [31:20] - For small companies, there is typically an architectural solution, but that isnât always viable for large organizations. [33:14] - Consider the critical functions of your organizations and what a plan could be if computers were not accessible. [34:37] - These types of attacks are more and more frequent. [36:44] - Amitabh is confident that AI will make preventing ransomware even more challenging. [40:38] - Most people have accepted that a lot, if not all, their information has already been leaked on the internet. But businesses are particularly vulnerable. [42:30] - A whole organization can be drastically impacted by just one machine being hit by ransomware.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Amitabh Sinha on LinkedIn Workspot.com -
We all use technology. Things like internet browsers, search engines, instant messaging, and payment apps. But we arenât always aware of the data being collected. This information can not only impact your privacy, but those around you as well.
Todayâs guest is Carey Parker. Carey is the author of Firewalls Donât Stop Dragons, a step-by-step guide to computer security and privacy for non-techies. He also hosts a podcast by the same name. He recently retired from a career in software engineering to focus on teaching others how to defend their digital devices and protect their personal data.
Show Notes: [0:53] - Carey shares his background and what provoked the motivation for a career shift. [4:07] - If we all did the small things that protect privacy, we would all be stronger. [5:20] - Even if you have already shared a lot of your information online, it is not hopeless and itâs not too late. [6:32] - Your security and privacy overlap with other peopleâs. [8:35] - We need to be protecting privacy for all of us, not just ourselves as individuals. [10:17] - Carey explains why and how apps and companies collect data. [11:48] - Foreign governments would love to get their hands on the data that is collected by countless companies and apps. [13:53] - Data is valuable to software developers for honest reasons. Collecting data isnât inherently bad. [17:16] - When determining what connection to use, you are trading off who you trust - your ISP, the public wifi connection, or a VPN. [23:10] - Carey shares some easy things you can change right now to protect your privacy. [25:25] - Companies love to get your email address and your phone number. These become unique identifiers. [27:05] - Search engines collect data as well. This is important to remember. [28:05] - Payment apps are another obvious type of website that collects data. Which ones should you avoid? [30:32] - There is value in social media. Make sure the things you post are not public by default. [32:19] - Metadata and location tools are used on any social media image. [34:37] - Messaging apps collect data and share it. There is a gold standard app though that Carey suggests. [36:31] - Email is trickier because it is open standard. It wasnât designed with encryption in mind. [38:55] - Carey discusses automated AI systems like Alexa. [41:26] - When using AI tools, assume that the information is collected and could be public. [42:35] - Car privacy is horrible and there is almost nothing you can do about it. [46:18] - It is not true that you need to give up privacy for security. Carey discusses the differences.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Firewalls Donât Stop Dragons Website Firewalls Donât Stop Dragons Podcast Firewalls Donât Stop Dragons by Carey Parker -
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Finding a solution to stop spam calls to you, your family, or your business isnât easy. We may not win this war, but we donât want the government making this decision for us. We can make it more manageable in the meantime.
Todayâs guest is Aaron Foss. After winning the FTC Robocall Challenge in 2013, Aaron started Nomorobo. Since then, Nomorobo has stopped billions and billions of unwanted robocalls and spam texts from reaching our phones, and it was acquired by Applause group in August 2023. Aaron has been featured in The New York Times, Wired, CNN, CNBC, Fox News, and countless other media outlets. He has testified in front of Congress, not once, not twice, but three times.
Show Notes: [1:14] - Aaron shares his background as a serial entrepreneur in the intersection of technology and business. [3:57] - At the beginning, Aaron didnât even know what a robocall was. [6:47] - Robocalls have this negative connotation. They can actually be good. But there are many that are unwanted. [8:13] - There are different types of robocalls and there is a differentiation between spam and scam calls. [10:08] - Aaron explains why spam emails are easier to block than robocalls. [12:20] - There are some robocalls that are necessary and helpful for some people. That is one reason why not all robocalls can be blocked. [13:40] - Not answering the phone is not a plausible solution. [15:50] - Nomorobo is basically a series of bots talking to other bots. [16:50] - Aaron describes caller ID and how spoofing a number is possible. [19:42] - This is such a big problem because the barrier of entry is low. [21:08] - It is amazing that we can call anyone in the world. But that also means that scammers can, too. [22:53] - This is a complicated problem, and the future solution is a combination of government regulation, companies like Nomorobo, and AI. [26:29] - We are never going to win the war, but we can keep it manageable. [29:45] - What is the role of the carriers when it comes to robocalls? [31:47] - Keeping scammers on the phone does not make the problem go away. [33:52] - Some scams are seasonal and some are evergreen, like Medicare calls. [36:26] - Aaron explains the different ways these scams can be done and the range of damage they can do. [39:56] - At best, this is an annoyance. But there are people in our lives that are vulnerable and less protected. [44:42] - Sometimes, Nomorobo users have to turn it off for specific reasons and specific calls theyâre waiting for. [47:56] - This problem is an example of âdeath by a thousand papercuts.â [49:30] - There are some red flags and things you might notice if you answer robocalls that could indicate that they are scams. [50:46] - This seems like an easy problem to solve, but it is far more complicated than most people think. [52:00] - Aaron describes what it was like to testify in front of Congress. [56:43] - Listen and educate yourself. Talk to other people about these things.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Nomorobo Website -
Most businesses rely on some type of software, either for scheduling, payment, banking, customer lists, or something else. Itâs important to know where this information is stored and what would happen if that software was hacked or you werenât able to access it. Todayâs guest is Kris Burkhardt. As Accentureâs Chief Information Security Officer, Kris leads a team of over 800 security experts charged with protecting company client and customer data.
Show Notes: [0:49] - Kris describes his role at Accenture and what Accenture is known for in the security industry. [2:26] - Part of their program is sending phishing tests and Kris has failed one before as well. It happens, especially when we are in a rush. [5:39] - We are so highly connected that when something goes down, it impacts us in ways we never considered. [7:10] - Many small businesses rely on software service providers because there is a lot of good about them. But what happens when they go down? [9:56] - Defenders have to get it right all the time. [11:13] - The last ten years have seen an immense amount of growth in how we store data. We have to stay ahead of change when it comes to security. [13:59] - It is hard to understand how much we rely on technology. [17:34] - Kris describes a time when the CEO of Accenture was used in a deep fake and the threat actor was very clever. [21:17] - Kris believes that advances in technology will make it harder to pretend to be someone else. [23:20] - Children are growing up in a technological world and are naturally more skeptical and cautious as a result. [25:49] - Safety has always been an afterthought. [27:15] - Kris shares what he thinks scams and deep fakes will look like in the near future. [30:12] - Pay attention to things that donât seem consistent. [32:57] - People feel like there is a trade off when it comes to efficiency and security. [39:37] - Having a plan ahead of time is absolutely beneficial in staying ahead of security problems. [44:25] - As deep fakes become more and more of a problem, Kris suggests having code words with family members.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Accenture Website -
Is it right for parents to be the ones to have to put limits on their childrenâs screen time or to monitor the content they consume? Knowing the impact of social media and kids can influence the decisions that are made. Todayâs guest is Steve Lazarus. Steve is a retired FBI agent, crime fiction author, and Instagram influencer specializing in personal and child safety topics.
Show Notes: [0:42] - Steve shares his background and his career history in the FBI and the military. [4:02] - For a long time, Steve was anti-social media. However, since the publication of his book, he has garnered a significant social media following. [5:50] - He started his Instagram with posts of things that he would never do as a retired FBI agent. [7:08] - Steve describes the post that went super viral on TikTok and Instagram. [9:00] - Parents need to know what their kids are looking at on the internet and control the amount of access they have online. [10:40] - Sextortion is a very real and serious problem, especially for young boys. [12:27] - Always report any case of sextortion or sexual content involving a minor. Law enforcement becomes involved immediately. [14:09] - Steve lists some of the things to look for when children and teens that could be red flags. [16:01] - The internet is on almost every device in your home. A childâs access is not limited to just a computer. [17:59] - Covid did not help the increasing amount of time children spend online. [20:52] - Weâre asking kids to have good judgment without teaching them how. [22:13] - The first question that needs to be asked by anyone, but especially a child is, âDo I know this person?â [26:07] - To deal with the digital world now, common sense is crucial and we canât take everything at face value. [27:56] - A relatively new issue is AI generated images that are very convincing and look so real.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Steve Lazarus Author Website Steve Lazarus on Instagram Steve Lazarus on TikTok -
Synthetic IDs can be used to open fake accounts, but without a person to file the fraud claim, how should companies deal with this type of deceit? There is no crime where someone doesnât need to pay for the loss. Either way, the loss is passed on to the consumers in some way or another.
Todayâs guest is Steve Lenderman. Steve is currently the Head of Fraud Solutions North America at Quantexa and has over 25 years of experience in financial crimes investigation. His previous roles include being the Senior Vice President of Fraud Prevention Investigations at Bank Mobile Technology, the Director of Strategic Fraud Prevention at ADP, and the Fraud Operations Lead for PayPal Business Loans. He is a certified fraud examiner and actively contributes to the anti-fraud community.
Show Notes: [1:07] - Steve shares his background and what his current role is at Quantexa. [4:04] - For those who are interested in a career path in cybersecurity or fraud, Steve has some tips. [6:07] - What is synthetic identity? Steve describes what it is and why we should be concerned about them. [8:59] - Although still mostly built around financial data, synthetic IDs have also morphed into other nefarious uses. [10:56] - All fraud in general is underreported, but synthetic IDs are extremely underreported, so data is not accurate, although still very high. [12:37] - Synthetic IDs can be used to open a credit card and then after several purchases, fraudsters leave the card open and unpaid. [14:21] - Some think that synthetic IDs and fake accounts are victimless. [18:59] - To understand how fraud works, Steve had to create synthetic IDs. [22:15] - Over the years, it has gotten even easier to do, which is alarming. [25:13] - Credit repair using a CPN is illegal fraud using synthetic IDs. [26:40] - Synthetics are all built around data and the ease of collecting data in the last few years has increased the ease of creating them. [27:57] - Criminals have learned that they can use synthetic IDs in more ways and in more industries. [31:04] - Small businesses are particularly easy targets for synthetic ID use. [33:16] - It is possible for synthetic IDs to also be used to create a new business. [34:53] - Technology has also made it possible for a deep fake to be created to match a synthetic ID. [36:49] - A lot of synthetic IDs are created with unused credit.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Steve Lendermanâs Website Quantexa Website -
Criminals do their own recon to study how vendors craft their emails and how they can structure them to match. Scammers know employees are busy and that they want to act promptly on requests, but they also understand it takes time to verify the validity of the email. How do we train employees to know what is real and what isnât?
Todayâs guest is Josh Bartolomie. After joining Cofense in 2018 as the Director of Research and Development, Josh currently serves as the Vice President of Global Threat Services. He has over 25 years of IT and cybersecurity experience. He designed, built, and managed security operations centers, incident response teams, security architecture, and compliance for global organizations.
Show Notes: [1:08] - Josh shares his background and what he does in his current role at Cofense. [4:06] - After all these years, email continues to be an easy way for scammers to target many people at one time and victimize a percentage of them. [5:52] - Wherever there are a lot of people, that is where attackers will go because that is a bigger pool of success for them. [7:08] - You used to be able to block emails with an unsubscribe button, but now we rely on those emails, too. [9:50] - The goal is not to stop them altogether, because at this point it isnât possible. The goal is to dissuade people from clicking links and trusting emails. [11:47] - With AI and LM, crafting emails has never been easier for scammers. [13:48] - Organizations get hit in different ways, but HR generally gets targeted a lot. [16:54] - Intellectual property theft is also a part of email crafting. [20:14] - Chris shares the story of an unfortunate experience. [25:10] - Acknowledge that these things do happen and they can happen to you. [27:33] - Always call the vendor. Itâs an extra layer and extra work, but never trust an email that says something has changed when it comes to finances. [28:54] - Organizations should have a strong reporting culture. [30:55] - Employees can report emails that seem suspicious. The majority of them are spam emails, rather than scams, but they should be reported. [34:02] - What constitutes a spam email? What is the difference? [36:13] - Organizations tend to cut IT and cybersecurity when there are budget cuts. [39:18] - This is changing every single day. [41:46] - Scammers collect data and create profiles. They are very sophisticated in their strategies to target organizations.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Cofense Website John Bartolomie on LinkedIn -
Some scammers love the challenge of deceiving those they target while others are forced to scam. Those that thrive off of destroying others try to heighten your emotions very quickly. Both excited and angry responses can get you into making irrational decisions.
Todayâs guest is Doug Shadel. Doug is a former fraud investigator and special assistant to the Attorney General at the Washington State Attorney Generalâs office. He served as state director for AARP Washington and Strategy Director for AARPâs national anti-fraud efforts. Doug has collaborated on numerous educational videos and academic studies and co-authored five books about fraud. He also co-authored the AARP Fraud Frontier 2021 Report. He is currently Managing Director of Fraud Prevention Strategies LLC, a Seattle-based consulting firm.
Show Notes: [1:08] - Doug shares his background and career in fighting fraud. [2:43] - Robo-calls have been a long lasting problem that Doug has been working on with AARP and Nomorobo. [7:11] - Over the years, Doug has interviewed numerous scammers. They all say their primary goal is to get a victim in a heightened emotional state. [9:07] - Doug describes the research that shows when people are in a heightened emotional state, they are more likely to fall victim to a scam. [10:57] - Block the incoming robocalls to begin with to help avoid a scammer manipulating you into a heightened emotional state. [13:17] - It still is very dangerous to answer these phone calls because a lot of them are really persuasive and really good at what they do. [14:34] - There isnât a specific demographic profile. Doug explains what people who fall victim to a scam have in common. [16:49] - The FCC has come down hard on robocallers, but this has just caused scammers to be more careful and even more skilled. [18:09] - Have you recently received calls asking for a donation? Doug describes how these work. [21:12] - The number one red flag of a robocall is the threat of loss. [25:22] - Caller ID is not reliable. It is very common and easy for scammers to spoof a call. [27:48] - There are some legitimate needs for people to be able to spoof a call. [29:42] - Assume it is a scam if you did not initiate the contact. [33:08] - By and large, scammers will not cause violence on a victim, even if they threaten them. They follow the path of least resistance. [36:02] - Doug describes some software he uses to edit videos that incorporates AI. These tools are great, but are also used by scammers. [39:26] - Grandparent scams are really common. Doug describes what people have said after falling victim. [40:40] - There is an illusion of invulnerability. If you are convinced that you are not vulnerable to something, you wonât do anything to prevent it. [43:04] - Thereâs a lot more money for scammers to make in scamming an employee of a large company than individuals. [46:10] - The pandemic also had a big impact on the scamming industry. [50:50] - The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline is 1-877-908-3360. [53:00] - Always report a scam when you know of one. It helps more than you know.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest -
Please stop yourself from saying, âThis could never happen to me or my family.â We can all have vulnerable blindspots when it comes to those we love being exploited or endangered. Even the best trained educators can be manipulated into making a mistake.
Todayâs guest is Clayton Cranford. Clayton is the founder of Cyber Safety Cop. He is a retired sergeant from the Orange County Sheriff's Department who served as a school resource officer, juvenile investigator, and behavioral threat assessor. He is one of the nationâs leading law enforcement educators on social media, child safety, teen drug abuse prevention, and behavioral threat assessments. He is the author of the definitive parent guide to online safety, Parenting in a Digital World.
Show Notes: [1:10] - Clayton shares his background as a school resource officer in 2012, which was the year that saw the adoption of smartphones by teens. [2:48] - It all amounts to a simple and common narrative: a good kid made a bad choice and a parent who had no idea what was going on. [4:08] - The turning point in Claytonâs career was his first day as a school resource officer. [6:14] - There are things that parents can do to absolutely make a difference. [8:20] - Technology has changed our kids, particularly their mental health. [10:06] - Schools and counselors are alarmed at the number of children who are struggling with anxiety and depression. [12:50] - Clayton shares some of the data that shows an increase in depression and suicidal ideation in teens. [15:40] - Parents could come together to make real change, but oftentimes, parents donât often make a change until it's too late. [17:51] - A lot of parents are using devices to help their kids regulate their emotions. [21:06] - Boys tend to lean more into video games, but girls tend to spend more time on social media. There are differences in the effect on their brains. [24:52] - When it comes to friends, teens have gone from quality to quantity. [27:02] - Every new generation that is now exposed to social media from the time they are born are experiencing severe mental health concerns. [30:03] - Parenting styles have changed through each generation. [32:03] - Why are parents giving their children phones so young? [36:41] - Clayton says not to give your child a smartphone until high school. [37:48] - There are apps that you can put on your childâs phone that will help regulate screen time. [39:45] - Clayton discourages parents from putting technology, particularly mobile devices in your childâs bedroom. [40:49] - Parenting in a digital world is more about how to talk to your children than telling them what they should and shouldn't do. [42:16] - Snapchat is an especially big problem. How can we have this conversation? [44:51] - The number 1 app that puts drugs in a childâs hands is Snapchat. [45:50] - Your relationship with your child is important, but you need to be aware of what each app can do and what it can lead to. [47:10] - Parents are saying that they are glad they didnât have the internet when they were growing up. [49:02] - Interacting online takes away the sense of consequence that we feel when we interact in person. [52:10] - The way kids think is normal. But they donât understand the consequences of their online behavior.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Cyber Safety Cop Website Parenting in a Digital World by Clayton Cranford -
Thieves used to rob banks and steal physical money, but in a digital world, it is much easier to sit behind a keyboard and deceive you into giving it to them. Fortunately, there are specific things you can do to protect your finances before scammers get into your accounts.
Todayâs guest is John Buzzard. John is a nationally recognized financial industry fraud expert who has delivered significant influence in credit card fraud, risk, and security services for financial institutions throughout the United States.
Show Notes: [0:56] - John shares his background and what he does currently in the financial industry fraud space. [2:31] - Everything old is new again. Things come back in a cyclical fashion but have a new digital spin. [3:49] - Thereâs a price to pay for convenience especially if we donât keep an eye on things and be aware of what can go wrong. [5:19] - Be conscious of where you bank and make purchases. [7:46] - Set up alerts so any activity in your bank accounts, including deposits, is made known. [11:34] - There are different viewpoints on freezing your credit. [17:15] - There are some capabilities in apps that can block certain types of activity. [20:35] - During and post-Covid, we have gotten into a âtap and goâ contactless experience when making purchases. [22:20] - New payment techniques are safe. John discusses Apple Pay as something secure that he likes to use for safety and convenience. [25:40] - John explains card chips and what happens when they arenât working. [27:59] - If there is fraud, it is handled differently if it is a chip transaction or a mag swipe. [31:01] - John shares an experience in wanting to create a new PIN for an account. [33:39] - What shouldnât you share on social media to help prevent scams and fraud? [37:54] - When you have a complete stranger reaching out to you, no matter how they do it, theyâre job is to get you disturbed and upset so that you react. [40:24] - Speaking in passcodes and passphrases is totally acceptable. That is often the thing a criminal does not have, even if they have your password. [44:16] - From a resolution standpoint, when you go to your financial services provider, as a consumer you do have rights.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest John Buzzard on LinkedIn -
After a data breach, many criminals are beginning to use deep learning AI to categorize the information they have stolen. Theyâre using a steady amount of micro attacks on individuals and businesses and not just full-scale assaults.
Todayâs guest is Robert Blumofe. Bobby joined Akamai in 1999 to lead the companyâs first performance team. While serving as one of Akamaiâs chief architects, he was instrumental in the design and development of their intelligent edge platform which now handles trillions of internet requests daily. Bobbyâs technical past lends itself to a passion in machine learning and AI and he holds a PhD in Computer Science from MIT.
Show Notes: [1:02] - Bobby shares his background and current role at Akamai. [2:32] - When he joined the company in 1999, he didnât really know what Akamai did. [4:29] - Customers recognized that Akamai could have the capabilities to see all the traffic to their websites and potentially block attacks. [7:02] - Machine learning is really remarkable. Akamai has been using deep learning as a tool to solve problems for their security products. [9:25] - AI has become a big part of everything we do. [10:35] - The quantity and quality of the data used by AI is what differentiates the machine learning and models of an enterprise. [12:36] - Bobby discusses what the next five years could look like for cyber criminals. [15:24] - Criminals only need one success out of thousands or millions of targets. [17:32] - Social media platforms really do want to do the right thing but thereâs only so much they can do. [18:39] - As a consumer, you have to be on guard and not necessarily trust where information is coming from. [20:42] - Any new significant development in technology is hard to differentiate from magic, especially in the early days of development. [23:04] - Machine learning is remarkable and as a technologist, Bobby wants to love it. But there are so many examples of misuse. [25:29] - Use the technology, but check the output. [29:10] - When solving a simple problem, does the AI really need to know everything? They access so much data that isnât useful. [31:19] - Just because an entity can carry on a conversation, doesnât mean it has authoritative knowledge. [33:04] - What is zero trust? [34:51] - A misconception is that AI will take over and plan like sci-fi movies. [39:11] - You need to have all the checks and balances in critical areas. [42:07] - Leadership in organizations needs to prioritize efforts and be very involved. [44:52] - We need to assume that AI will continue to develop and criminals will continue misusing the technology in new ways. [47:23] - The changes and advances have been so fast recently, that we may need the opportunity to pause.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Akamai Website Robert Blumofe on LinkedIn -
AI search tools are being used by criminals to sort through data breaches and data dumps theyâve stolen to target as many individuals as possible. After your phone has been swapped, theyâll have the ability to access all your SMS messages and phone calls. But there are precautions you can take.
Todayâs guest is Mark Kreitzman. Mark is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with over 20 years of experience in building cybersecurity companies. Mark brings insights into evolving threats facing mobile security and data privacy. His expertise in our increasingly mobile world makes him a valuable resource in discussing how to mitigate your risks as it pertains to mobile communications.
Show Notes: [1:02] - Mark shares his background in cybersecurity and what he does now in his career. [2:08] - In 2017, Mark experienced a SIM swap scam. [5:30] - He used his anger and paranoia to help develop Efani, a cybersecurity focused mobile service. [8:51] - When you get SIM swapped and the carrier recognizes that youâve been attacked, they go into liability protection mode. [11:16] - Mark shares some of the details of what happened in his experience and explains that he still doesnât know if he was specifically targeted. [14:00] - Through fraud, scammers can actually become resellers. [17:27] - SIM swapping started as a way to target and harass celebrities. [20:52] - Once scammers have information, they can get into many different accounts because people tend to use the same passwords. [23:14] - Everybodyâs information is floating out there. Data breaches give scammers and fraudsters access to so much. [24:19] - Mark describes what you will see on your phone from your end when a SIM swap scam has occurred. [28:42] - Efani is a mobile service provider. Mark explains how they are different. [31:28] - With a $5 million insurance policy, Efani does everything possible to protect it. [34:54] - Efani is extremely busy because there are so many cases of this problem. [37:07] - When you give a carrier your social security number to open an account, you are essentially opening a credit account. [39:58] - Unfortunately, many people donât know about this type of scam. It is a silently growing trend. [42:08] - With Efani, mobile carriers are never given a customerâs information. [45:45] - Mark tends to live on the paranoid side after being a victim of this type of scam. He shares what he does when he travels. [49:05] - Using a VPN while traveling is a great idea to help protect yourself. [51:44] - Right now, Efani has a promo code you can use for your plan just for Easy Prey listeners: Efani.com/EasyPreyThanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Efani Website Efani.com/EasyPrey -
Many assume that scammers just target the more mature in age, but they go after everyone. Younger people who may have been manipulated may not have the same amount of money to lose, but that doesnât mean they arenât being targeted.
Todayâs guest is Kathy Stokes. Kathy is the Director of Fraud Prevention Programs with AARP. She leads the AARP social mission work to educate older adults on the risks that fraud represents to their financial security. She currently serves on the advisory council to the Board of International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators and on the advisory council to the Senior Issues Committee of the North American Securities Administrators Association.
Show Notes: [1:02] - Kathy shares her background, what she does at AARP, and what AARP actually is. [3:50] - AARP has had a Fraud Watch Network for a while, but its current form is different from years past. [5:29] - There is a concerted effort to bring the generations together to educate others in the community. [7:26] - It is a common misconception that older people are targeted more often than other age groups. [10:38] - The biggest barrier is something that is beginning to break down. Itâs the shame and victim blaming. We are at a turning point. [12:50] - Unfortunately, police officers are not able to do much for financial crimes, but it is still important to report them. [16:01] - Most scams are considered âlow ticketâ items, even if it is several thousand dollars and thatâs all you have. [18:08] - AARP has a resource for how to talk about scams with family members who have been a victim of a scam. https://www.aarp.org/saythis [20:50] - Rewording how we talk to and about victims of scams is changing. [24:23] - You have to have a strong and unique password for literally everything. [25:27] - Even just one extra layer of protection in the form of two-factor authentication is helpful. [28:10] - No one will ever ask you for an authentication code over the phone. [30:20] - Thereâs got to be something we can do as a society to help victims with the money theyâve lost. [32:48] - We cannot trust incoming communication, including calls, emails, and texts. [36:45] - Education and continuing to talk about this will help keep the trend of less victim shaming going. [39:30] - Victims can change the verbiage as well. Report the scam and file a police report. [41:29] - You can and should also report scams you know about even if you did not experience a loss. [43:10] - A number to use to reach the Fraud Watch Network is 877-908-3360. [48:09] - If someone you know has been a victim of a scam, donât get mad at them for âfalling for it,â get mad that this was done to them.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest AARP: Say This Fraud Watch Network -
Moving money has never been easier. We no longer need to go into a bank, fill out a slip, and hand it to a teller to receive our money. We can now transfer money instantly. Scammers are taking advantage of unfamiliar technology to either hack in and take our money or to deceive you into sending it to them yourself. Deciding if the bank is responsible for the loss is becoming more and more of a conversation.
Todayâs guest is Uri Rivner. Uri has been fighting financial crime for 20 years working closely with the worldâs largest banks on developing strategies against online fraud and scams. Prior to founding Refine Intelligence, Uri was co-founder and Chief Cyber Officer at BioCatch, the global leader in behavioral biometrics for fraud detection. Earlier, Uri served as Head of New Technologies at RSA. Innovations Uri spearheaded, such as risk-based authentication, are now saving the industry billions of dollars each year in fraud.
Show Notes: [1:19] - Uri shares his background in fighting fraud for the last 20 years. [3:43] - The companies Uri has worked for, founded, and co-founded work with banks and financial institutions to help protect against fraud. [5:10] - In a fraud situation, people are tricked through social engineering to hand over their information, but the fraudsters move the money. [6:41] - Fraud is unauthorized. A scam is an authorized payment. [7:39] - Uri describes some of the history of frauds changing over to scams. [10:42] - Although thereâs a difference between fraud and scams, the lines can be blurred. [14:10] - Remote access malware became a real problem. [17:13] - What are the differences between how the banks handle fraud and how they handle scams? [19:08] - Banks can look at data and account action to determine if a criminal moved money or if the victim did it for them. [20:36] - It is much more difficult for banks to detect scams. [23:29] - If banks see something unusual, they typically reach out to the customer to hear the reason. This doesnât always work due to social engineering. [28:13] - Engaging customers is tricky because people donât typically answer the phone or criminals are coaching the victim through what to say. [30:17] - This year, in the UK, banks will be held liable. [33:17] - By design, banks are supposed to know their customers. But thatâs not the case these days. [36:48] - For banks, it is harder now to connect with customers to find out exactly what happened. [39:31] - Uri explains what happened with the US introduction of instant money transfers through Zelle. [41:50] - There is an increase in Zelle scams, but banks were able to offer some support and reimbursement. [43:59] - Scams are the most effective tools criminals have. [46:45] - Uri describes what we can look out for and how to best prepare ourselves to prevent scams. [49:19] - When money is moved from a bank account, it is the end of a chain of events that led to it. What is the responsibility of the platform that transferred it?Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Uri Rivner on LinkedIn -
It sounds like an episode straight out of Criminal Minds. The FBIâs Highway Serial Killers initiative hunts for long-haul truckers behind at least 850 murders of mostly female sex trafficking victims along our nationâs highways.
Todayâs guest is Frank Figliuzzi. Frank was the FBIâs Assistant Director over Counterintelligence. He served 25 years as an FBI Special Agent in assignments across the country. As the head of all espionage investigations, Frank frequently briefed the White House, the DNI, and the Attorney General. For the past seven years, Frank has been a national security analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. Heâs the author of a national bestseller, The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau's Code of Excellence, and now Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers.
Show Notes: [1:30] - Frank shares his background and what his role was in the FBI for 25 years. [3:52] - His most recent book is Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers and is about the FBIâs Highway Serial Killers initiative. [5:57] - These cases go back several decades and remain unsolved. [7:13] - Trucking is a crucial part of our society, but there are different types of truckers and some are more likely to commit crime. [9:12] - The success of the initiative really relies on local police departments. [11:13] - Frank describes some of the things he learned from experts in street-level human trafficking. [14:27] - Frank gives examples of some of the things he did for research. [15:53] - The type of trucker that Frank is most concerned about are the ones with very little interaction with other people. [17:21] - There is more security and tracking of truckers in more corporate organizations. [18:44] - The corporate job is less attractive to someone who is motivated to commit crime. [20:03] - Frank was amazed at how high tech trucking is these days and the brains needed to understand it all. [23:03] - Frank describes his experience as he shadowed a trucker and immersed himself in the lifestyle. [26:43] - The number one profession for serial killers is a trucker. What is it about the job? Does it attract killers or make killers? [29:17] - Most people think that people they know would never be a victim of a crime like this. [31:06] - Human trafficking is most commonly initiated by someone the victim knows. [32:56] - Get rid of the notion that this canât happen to your family. Thatâs dangerous in and of itself because youâll never see it coming. [34:40] - Connecting with potential victims has moved online. [37:57] - Trafficking victims are often victimized more and treated like criminals themselves. [40:01] - What are the similarities between crime scenes in many of these cases? [42:42] - The 850 unsolved cases only account for the ones that are known. [43:46] - There is an organization called Truckers Against Trafficking (T.A.T.). Frank explains what they do and how they help. [46:48] - Technological advances are making a huge difference, particularly in DNA. [49:19] - These crime scenes are the worst Frank has ever seen even after his 25 years in law enforcement. [52:40] - Sometimes, a victimâs name is not known for many years if at all. It is hard to track the solve-rate of these crimes. [55:12] - There are DNA testing organizations that work with police departments.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Frank Figliuzziâs Website -
Scammers have gone from postal mail and faxes to email and phone calls where you never see the person, but now with AI, you can even have a live video call that seems completely real with deep fake technology. Itâs no longer safe to just see a person, but there are other things you can do to know if youâre communicating with the individual they claim to be.
Todayâs guest is Anna Rowe. Anna is the founder of Catch the Catfish and co-founder of LoveSaid. She is a Subject Matter Expert in Romance Fraud and Victim Support.
Show Notes:[0:55] - Anna shares her background as a teacher and describes how she was catfished in 2015.
[2:52] - How can you make genuine informed consent when someone is deceiving you at that level?
[3:45] - A therapistâs suggestion of researching narcissists and psychopaths started her healing journey.
[5:35] - Anna learned that this type of scam commonly comes from West Africa and the scammers are known as Yahoo Boys.
[7:44] - Romance fraud can be in person, like with Annaâs experience. But there are romance scams that are online only.
[9:32] - It is common for romance scammers to also be perpetrating other types of fraud at the same time.
[11:44] - Pig butchering includes another problem, where scammers themselves are also trafficked.
[13:59] - A lot of victims donât realize they are interacting with a scammer for a long time because they arenât asking for money.
[17:51] - In years past, Photoshopping an image to appear realistic wasnât as easy as it is now with AI.
[19:26] - Blending a new face onto an existing photo can even be used in video.
[21:15] - Voice cloning is also often used and apps to do this are free.
[24:24] - Deep fake scammers use content on social media stories and live streams to record long pieces of video.
[26:20] - This technology is improving quickly, but Anna shares some of the ways you can tell if something is a deep fake.
[28:51] - There are simple things to check on profiles that you can notice as red flags before getting involved with someone.
[33:01] - Scammers also really like using cryptocurrency because it is unregulated.
[34:14] - Scammers build a reality typically by using the 5 Câs of reasons why their spouse is gone.
[37:30] - There are different strategies to look for certain things as you âbecome your own detectiveâ on various social media platforms.
[40:57] - When scammers know that you are âonto themâ they know what they can change.
[43:36] - Every decision a scammer makes is premeditated.
[46:50] - Scammers will keep you hooked and space away from them could get you in a space of trusting your gut.
[53:32] - Reverse image searches are extremely helpful.
[57:50] - Anna describes some of the ways she was able to determine what her scammer was doing.
[61:10] - Anna was put into an open relationship without her consent.
[63:05] - Future faking is common in narcissists and psychopaths.
[64:26] - These scams are really damaging and it is important to not use victim shaming language when discussing it.
Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
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Facebook Page
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LoveSaid.com
Catch the Catfish
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Many years ago, people chose to stay with the same employer for decades. Today, employees are changing jobs more regularly. Each company needs to have processes in place allowing access to systems needed to do their jobs, but thereâs also a risk of when they leave that they may still have access to certain programs.
Todayâs guest is Craig Davies. Craig started in banking, holding many roles including CSO. As the CISO and the Executive Director of Gathid Ltd., he is passionate about helping organizations strengthen access management without completely overhauling their people, processes, physical infrastructure, and technology. Craig has spent more than 25 years in cybersecurity working with infrastructure operations, security architecture and software, web development and operations. He was the first CEO of Ost Cyber and at Atlassian he helped develop the security program for all aspects of their business, including security, cloud operations and protection.
Show Notes: [1:32] - Craig shares his background and what his roles are at Gathid. [4:52] - When bringing on new employees, there are several front-end issues that a company and employee can face. [6:22] - It can be really frustrating for a new employee when there are so many different programs to learn and manage. [8:18] - We have to think about the employeeâs journey. [10:59] - In many cases, new employees receive a ton of access without learning the process during onboarding. [11:49] - Offboarding can be a nightmare because we donât always think about all the things that are connected. [15:26] - We need to protect the person who is leaving. [18:06] - One of the challenges is knowing who should be responsible. [19:12] - There needs to be a list of all the programs and systems that an employee may have access to. [21:17] - Offboarding is not typically a priority but not focusing on it can be a huge risk. [24:43] - Smart use of control is important especially in onboarding and offboarding. [27:26] - Working remotely makes systems and access even trickier. [29:39] - There is a reason the large companies have large systems. [31:50] - Every company has the same problems. The ones that have a process in place have likely experienced a crisis. [34:57] - What are the challenges to the new ways of working post-pandemic? [36:26] - You canât get rid of risk, but you can manage it. [44:50] - These processes all start with a conversation.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Craig Davies on LinkedIn Gathid Website -
There are entire communities set up to fight fraud that use synthetic IDs as well as scammer gangs that are advancing their creative ways to use these documents. This is changing regularly as biometric authentication advances continue.
Todayâs guest is Stuart Wells. Stuart is the CTO of Jumio and is responsible for all aspects of Jumioâs innovation, machine learning, and engineering. He is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of tech experience. He was previously the Chief Product and Technology Officer at FICO, and held executive positions at Avaya and Sun Microsystems.
Show Notes: [1:18] - Stuart shares his background and what he does at Jumio as the Chief Technology Officer. [3:20] - The science behind document protection is literally decades old. [5:06] - Stuart describes the process of verifying a document at Jumio. [5:57] - What are the practical uses of synthetic IDs? [7:39] - There are large volumes of both fraudulent and honest individuals creating and using synthetic IDs. [9:25] - A lot of businesses are seeking verification from places like Jumio to protect themselves and their reputation. [11:49] - Biometrics as a tool to use against fraudsters has grown globally. [13:54] - Biometrics are very useful, but there are challenges. [15:31] - Stuart shares a recent story about a fake video interaction that cost the victim millions of dollars. [17:37] - At this point in the technologyâs development, there are some signs of deep fakes that we can spot. [19:03] - How can this negatively impact an individual? [20:18] - Listen to your inner voice and check with another source before sending money. [22:52] - You donât have to be a programmer to use these tools. The creators have made them easy to use and people are using them to do harm. [25:46] - The early versions of deep fake technology had a lot of easy-to-see abnormalities, but they are getting tougher to spot. [27:26] - Although these negative impacts are concerning, there is some excitement about the positive uses of these advances. [32:07] - What direction is verification headed when it comes to biometrics? [33:54] - Documents have anatomy and security measures in place. [36:43] - Most security systems are layered. [40:00] - This landscape is continuously changing.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Jumio Website -
Imagine booking a vacation only to find out that the company files for bankruptcy a week later. As a consumer, would you know what your rights are? Thereâs a big difference between travel insurance and travel protection. One can leave you with no way to get your money back.
Todayâs guest is Michelle Couch Friedman. Michelle is the founder and CEO of Consumer Rescue. She is an experienced consumer reporter, advocate, mediator, author, and licensed psychotherapist. Michelle has also been a columnist, contributing editor, and former executive director for Elliott Advocacy, a non-profit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy.
Show Notes: [1:02] - Michelle shares her background and what she does through Consumer Rescue. [5:00] - The only way to get money back from a bankrupt company is through your credit card company if you paid with one, or if you have travel insurance. [6:36] - Right before announcing their bankruptcy, Vantage did a âsales blitzâ and offered great deals to loyal customers, knowing that they wouldnât deliver. [9:49] - Vantage was unique in that it had been a successful business for 40 years and had a loyal customer base. [12:44] - Looking back at the way Vantage behaved after the pandemic, there were some red flags. [15:43] - Michelle explains the difference between travel insurance and travel protection. [17:36] - Travel insurance should be purchased away from the company taking you on the trip. [19:47] - Make sure you can find a clause somewhere that says you are protected against the insolvency of the tour operator with or without bankruptcy. [22:10] - If the tour operator is not able to deliver, you could file a credit card dispute. But there are some limitations. [26:04] - You should always pay with credit cards. Donât be tempted by discounts offered with bank transfers. [31:21] - The average age of Vantage Travel clientele was older and scammers took advantage of their vulnerability. [33:10] - When filing claims and filling out forms, personal information makes its way to scammers on a âvictim list.â [36:09] - Cryptocurrency is a red flag in cases like this as well. [38:41] - There is some information you can find by contacting the court in the jurisdiction of the bankrupt company. [41:53] - A company bought Vantage Travelâs customer list and had all of their contact information. [43:57] - In order to protect yourself, even if you have full trust in the company, do research and find red flags and reports. [46:26] - Never pay with a bank transfer, even if they offer a discount. [50:40] - Make sure the travel insurance policy protects against insolvency, not just bankruptcy. [53:34] - Michelle shares how to reach Consumer Rescue and what services they provide for free.Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Michelle Couch-Friedman LinkedIn Consumer Rescue Website -
Learning how to keep your business safe and protect your online data can be advantageous for your home and personal life as well. Your children and family can create awareness at school and with friends. Todayâs guest is Greg Tomchick. Greg is a former professional baseball player turned award-winning cybersecurity coach. He has worked with more than 250 world-renowned companies, including American Airlines, Caterpillar, and Trinity Rail. He is regularly featured live on ABC, Fox, and is an expert contributor to Inc. Magazine. He is now the CEO of Valor Cybersecurity and host of The Connected Mindset.
Show Notes: [1:10] - Greg shares his background coming from a military family and then as a professional baseball player before learning cybersecurityâs impact. [2:42] - As an entrepreneur, Gregâs business experienced a cybersecurity attack. [5:45] - The Connected Mindset is helping people become more consciously aware of how they navigate life both physically and digitally. [7:26] - Greg explains why they set up budgets of companies and individuals for cybersecurity at Valor. [9:25] - The focus should be on the mindset first. [10:27] - An unexpected positive is that cybersecurity gives a company or business a competitive advantage. [12:58] - Most people donât think about security until after something has gone wrong. [14:43] - What is the difference between culture and mindset? [15:50] - Greg shares some of the mindsets and cultures that are unhelpful. [18:09] - As connected as we constantly are through technology, we have never been more disconnected. [20:50] - When Gregâs business had been attacked, there was no place to report the incident. Things have improved in recent years. [24:48] - No matter the size of the business or amount of money an individual has, everyone can be a target. [27:08] - Some companies are risking things by going remote without any plan, structure, or security in place. [28:45] - Every new device or software that is introduced needs to be considered. [30:16] - Greg discusses AI, including the costs and benefits. [34:03] - What is the minimum cybersecurity mindset that the everyday person needs to have?Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.
Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest The Connected Mindset Greg Tomchickâs Website Greg Tomchick on LinkedIn Valor Cybersecurity Website - Laat meer zien
