True Crime Cyber Geeks

In this episode of How Hacks Happen, we delve into the complexities surrounding trash possession and legalities. Besides the legal distinctions between lost, mislaid, and abandoned property, there are the risks posed by scammers who rifle through trash for personal information so they can steal your identity or call you up and pretend to be your bank. No trash is safe in this world we live in, so shred, burn, and sanitize your trash before throwing it out.Resources:Dumpster Diving for Documents: The Low-Tech Threat Fueling High-Stakes Identity TheftCalifornia v. GreenwoodState v. HempeleSend us a textDigital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Can you tell if someone is guilty just by looking at them? Let's delve into the infamous case of Amanda Knox, the American exchange student who was wrongfully accused of murdering her roommate in 2007. We'll talk bad cell phone forensics, media sensationalism, and cultural biases, and how they can lead to dire consequences for those who are judged not by evidence, but by how they act differently than society expects them to.ResourcesAmanda Knox websiteSentence of the Court of Assizes of Perugia in the Murder of Meredith KercherTalking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't KnowTeacher Recorded Laughing During Apalachee School Shooting May Have Been the Bravest Person in the RoomVideo of teacher laughing during school shootingCentral Park jogger case.Send us a textDigital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Send me a text! No matter who you are or where you are in the world, I'd love to hear from you. This is a call for feedback on what you like about How Hacks Happen, what you don't like, or if you just want to say Hi.Click the "Send us a text" link below, and you'll be sending a text message directly to me, Michele Bousquet. I can't wait to read what you have to say. If I get enough messages, I'll even do an episode just with your feedback.ResourcesJust my bad self for this oneThe "Send us a text" link is just below!.Send us a textSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

In May 2025, Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges in the world, got hacked. Or did they? It was more like a near-miss. But while we might wipe our brows in relief over this latest mishap, it doesn't bode well for the future of cryptocurrency, which is currently unregulated, uninsured, and just waiting for the next big catastrophe to leave investors crying in their collective beers over their lost millions.Join us for a tour of some of most disastrous crypto hacks of yesteryear like Mt Gox and Bybit, and what we see coming for the future of crypto. Hint: It's not pretty.ResourcesCoinbase: Protecting Our Customers - Standing Up to ExtortionistsThe Story of Mt. Gox: ExplainedBank Secrecy Act (BSA)What Is Crypto KYC and Why Do Exchanges Need It in 2025?The ByBit Heist and the Future of U.S. Crypto RegulationTop 10 Cryptos to Invest In May 2025.Send us a textReal Talk About MarketingAn Acxiom podcast where we discuss marketing made better, bringing you real...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

In this episode we continue the story of Daniel Rigmaiden, a man arrested for tax fraud in 2008 who reveals the Stingray surveillance device used by the Feds to track his location. Despite being in jail, Rigmaiden tirelessly researches and files numerous motions, arguing that the use of Stingrays violated citizens' Fourth Amendment rights. His determination attracts the attention of the ACLU and the EFF, ultimately influencing government policy on surveillance practices, policies that protect privacy for all of us. ResourcesRigmaiden court documentsDOJ: Justice Department Announces Enhanced Policy for Use of Cell-Site SimulatorsThe News Tribune: Stingray snared him, now he helps write rules for surveillance ACLU: Fighting for TransparencyWall Street Journal: Judge Questions Tools That Grab Cellphone Data on Innocent People ACLU websiteEFF website.Send us a textDigital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

In 2014, the US government chose not to take a massive, rock-solid tax fraud case to trial. But why? This episode kicks off the tale of Daniel Rigmaiden, a hacker who exploited a legal loophole to regain his freedom. Find out how Rigmaiden's method for online connection, his Air Card, was both his downfall and his salvation. Take a deep dive into the data cell providers collect, how they share it with law enforcement, and the Fourth Amendment's role in protecting privacy. And tune in for Part II, where the real drama unfolds.01:02 The Rise of a Hacker03:04 The Air Card: A Game Changer08:17 How Cell Providers Track You10:46 The Fourth Amendment and Your Privacy18:33 The Stingray: A Controversial Surveillance ToolResourcesFourth Amendment PrimerUnited States of America v. Daniel David Rigmaiden, Government's Response to Defendant's Motion to SuppressVideo: Daniel Rigmaiden at Aaron Swartz Day 2017.Send us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Is your identity at risk? And what would you do if someone was using it to take out credit cards, steal your tax refund, or even raid your bank account? Enjoy this replay of interviews with Tiffany, Pete, and Astrid, three victims of identity theft. Even though this episode originally aired in 2022, the same lessons remain. Listen to hear about how each of the three discovered the fraud, what they did to reverse the damage, and what they do now to prevent it from happening again..Send us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson Discover how technology is reshaping our lives and livelihoods.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

When over 100,000 Bitcoin went missing in 2016, no one suspected the culprits: a quiet, mild-mannered developer and his ostentatious entrepreneur/rapper wife with a wacky social media presence. Meet Razzlekhan and Dutch, the most unlikely thieves in the history of crime.Resources:Razzlekhan and husband guilty of $4.5bn Bitcoin launderBitcoin Plunges After Hacking of Exchange in Hong KongBitfinex Hacker Sentenced in Money Laundering Conspiracy Involving Billions in Stolen CryptocurrencySend us a textSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Why is Andrew Tate so popular with young men? With his sports cars and his obvious wealth, Tate has built a significant following out of his admittedly silly 'alpha male' rants. But behind the flashy lifestyle lies a web of controversy, including serious criminal charges. From promising young men financial independence and all the women they can handle, to the humiliations of a pro-trans hack and getting slapped down by a teenage girl on Twitter, the wild world of Andrew Tate is about as crazy as it gets. ResourcesThe Guardian: Inside the violent, misogynistic world of TikTok's new star, Andrew TateDaily Dot: Hackers breach Andrew Tate's online university—obtain chat logs and leak data on 800,000 usersPro-trans rights hackers target Andrew Tate's The Real World websiteAndrew Tate's University Hacked: Chat Logs and Leaked Data of 800,000 UsersForbes: Andrew Tate's Online University Hacked—800,000 Users ExposedRolling Stone Magazine: Greta Thunberg Doesn't Care About Andrew Tate's Cars — But Has an Idea of What They're Overcompensating ForAndrew Tate / Greta Thunberg Tweet War Part 1Andrew Tate / Greta Thunberg Tweet War Part 2BBC News: 'Boys formed Andrew Tate club in school' - teacherNew York Times: ‘Brainwashing a Generation': British Schools Combat Andrew Tate's ViewsSend us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Instagram star Hushpuppi had over 2 million followers. With his amazing lifestyle filled with Ferraris and Rolls Royces and private jets, dressed head-to-toe in Gucci and Versace and Fendi, Hushpuppi seemed to have it all. But Hushpuppi's lifestyle was built on a massive pile of fraud, $2 billion dollar's worth, that eventually landed him in prison.ResourcesVideo: Dubai Police take down "Hushpuppi" , "Woodberry", ten international cyber criminalsSend us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

On this first day of April, we bring you an exclusive interview with hacking genius Dave the Barber, who leveraged a freak accident with a Blackberry phone into a hack that can compromise any device until the end of time.Send us a textSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Want to hang out with supermodels on the beach? That's the dream that Billy McFarland sold in 2017 when he advertised Fyre Festival, an outdoor music concert in the Bahamas. Attendees were promised beautiful beaches, live music, comfy villas, gourmet meals, and supermodels around every corner. Instead, they got a gravel parking lot, soggy tents, cheese sandwiches, and no music. And no supermodels, either.What went wrong with Fyre Festival? In this episode, we look at Billy McFarland's delusion through the lens of social media, and how it played a leading role in the misleading people into the fraud that was Fyre Festival.Send us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

When a scam caller knows everything about you--your address, social security number, bank account--how do they know? There isn't some super powerful hacker ring with its own call center. Your data is actually stolen at one end of the internet, goes on a trip through hacker forums and dark web stashes, and reappears in a neat spreadsheet for a call center. The more you know about how your data is breached, sold, and aggregated, the better you'll be prepared for your next well-informed call from a scammer. Send us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Let's explore the technology behind audio and music AI, and how it makes use of some cool math concepts to bring us convincing and realistic voices and music. Hear some actual AI-generated tunes, and find out how "latent space" changed the way AI generates sounds and music.ResourcesGhostwriter, the Mastermind Behind the Viral Drake AI Song, Speaks For the First TimeSpotify will not ban AI-made music, says bossJellybean Benitez Remembers NYC Clubs of YesteryearSend us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Trump pardoned Ross Ulbricht after he served 12 years of his life sentence. In light of this news, we decided to replay our 2023 episode on the Silk Road website, which sold recreational drugs and other illegal items from 2011 to 2013. Was Trump's pardon the right move? We'll let you form your own opinion. Send us a textAI for BusinessDive into the ever evolving world of AI for Business, where we bring you the latest...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

AI makes our lives more convenient in so many ways, but it also gives scammers the same conveniences. Host Michele Bousquet explains how scammers use AI audio, video, and text to better fool their victims.Send us a textSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

The AI model Deepseek was all over the news in January 2025. Deepseek's developers claimed its costs to develop and run were a fraction of the costs for large popular AI models, which caused a big disruption in the stock market. But how true are these claims? In the first of a three-part series on AI, host Michele Bousquet dives in and give Deepseek a spin, and debunks some of the hype around this new export from China.Resources:DeepSeek-V3 Technical ReportThe Extreme Cost Of Training AI ModelsHow Much Did It Cost to Train GPT-4? Let's Break It DownOpenAI says it has proof DeepSeek used its technology to develop its AI modelNASDAQ:NVDA Stock Falls on DeepSeek Fears – Is Wall Street Missing a 71% Upside?Send us a textSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

With so many social security breaches, we return to the original scene of the crime: the Equifax Breach of 2017. Enjoy this replay of one of our most popular episodes, where you'll learn about common hacking techniques, how routers work and why they're so important, and the most basic of cybersecurity measures like patch plans. Resources for this episode:Website where you can check if your identity was compromised in the Equifax breachBusiness Insider: Literally everyone should be thinking about suing Equifax. September 2017.U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: The Equifax Data Breach. December 2018.CHINESE PLA MEMBERS, 54th RESEARCH INSTITUTE - The fellas charged with the Equifax breach, now on the FBI's wanted list.United States Government Accountability Office Report to Congressional RequestersSend us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

They're the kinds of cousins you wish you didn't have, but you don't really have a choice. What's the difference between hacks and scams, and how do they work together to part you from your valuables like personal information and money? In this episode, we look at the similarities and differences between these shady cousins, and how you can keep them from doing their dirty work.Resources: 91% of all cyber attacks begin with a phishing email to an unexpected victimSony Hackers Used Phishing Emails to Breach Company NetworksSocial Engineering AttackSend us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

In the wake of the devastating California wildfires, conspiracy theories abound, some of them with no basis in fact. Just after her Pasadena home was threatened by the fires, author Su Falcon ran into a wall of disinformation in social media. Find out what she did about it, and how you can help keep the internet free of this kind of destructive garbage.ResourcesWebsite: California Fire FactsWebsite: Watch DutyWebsite: AirNowBook: How I Survived My First Year with ChickensVideo: ‘They're Eating the Dogs:' Trump Makes False Claim About Migrants | WSJ NewsSend us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

2025 promises to be an exciting year for scammers. From ridiculous job offers to the colorful family of Apple ID scams, join us on a whirlwind tour of schemes designed to part you and your money.Send us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

The Honey tool has been exposed as a scam, after dozens of YouTube influencers heavily promoted it. Honey was supposed to save online shoppers money by finding discount codes, but how could it make money doing that? By stealing from its own advertisers, of course! Find out how Honey did it, how they got exposed, and what the future holds for Honey's funny money and the stain upon its parent company PayPal.ResourcesExposing the Honey Influencer Scam'Biggest Influencer Scam of All Time'?: PayPal Accused of Poaching Commissions Via Its 'Honey' Browser ExtensionSend us a textSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Romance scams aren't the only goals of a catfish. The catfish needs some way to get all that money delivered into their hands without leaving a trail. To accomplish this, they recruit unwitting victims into laundering their money. Meet Alice, who unknowingly becomes a money mule for Parker the Catfish.ResourcesWhat is a money mule?Catfished YouTube ChannelSend us a textSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

How do catfish convince victims to send money? In this second of a three-part series on catfishing, we take a tour of the many tricks romance scammers use to separate victims from their hearts, and their cash. ResourcesCatfished YouTube ChannelScam Haters United websiteSend us a textSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Catfishing scams have reached new heights, particularly romance scams. But how do they get away with it? This first of a three-part series on catfishing explores the technology these scammers use to fool their victims.  ResourcesThe man who "sold" The Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, and Ulysses Grant's tombAll About Ethel Kennedy's 34 GrandchildrenCatfished YouTube ChannelSend us a textSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Hackers have been releasing password leaks for years. But what exactly is a password leak, and should you be concerned? In this episode of How Hacks Happen, we look at how password security has changed over the years, and how you can keep yourself safe in the ever-changing world of online security.ResourcesRockyou2024 analysis: Mega password list or just noise?Have I Been Pwned? Check your passwordNIST Special Publication: Digital Identity GuidelinesSend us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

With Netflix shining attention on the victims of the 2015 Ashley Madison breach, we're running a replay of our own coverage from 2021 that gets into the dark underbelly that Netflix skipped: lies Ashley Madison told about their services (and their CEO's fidelity), and blackmail attempts from enterprising hacker types. We also put forth evidence that the hacker, who was never caught, is most likely Canadian and a woman.ResourcesImpact Team Pastebin notice, July 20, 2015: https://pastebin.com/ZGXmk8R9Krebs on Security report on breach: https://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/07/online-cheating-site-ashleymadison-hacked/Suicides attributed to Ashley Madison breach:https://money.cnn.com/2015/09/08/technology/ashley-madison-suicide/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-34044506https://toronto.citynews.ca/2013/11/10/woman-hurt-typing-fake-profiles-for-dating-site-20m-suit-alleges/https://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/08/ashleymadison-500k-bounty-for-hackers/https://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/08/who-hacked-ashley-madison/https://krebsonsecurity.com/2015/08/was-the-ashley-madison-database-leaked/https://grahamcluley.com/ashley-madisons-leaked-database-available-download-read-this/https://grahamcluley.com/ashley-madison-fake/https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/the-strange-rise-and-sudden-fall-of-noel-biderman-the-former-ceo-of-ashley-madison/slidelist/48716152.cmshttps://www.priv.gc.ca/en/privacy-topics/business-privacy/safeguards-and-breaches/privacy-breaches/respond-to-a-privacy-breach-at-your-business/gd_pb_201810/https://www.wired.com/2015/08/happened-hackers-posted-stolen-ashley-madison-data/https://grahamcluley.com/ashley-madison-wives-receiving-blackmail-letSend us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

The medical records of 1/3 of Americans were stolen from Change Healthcare in February 2024, and leaked to the dark web. So who is Change Healthcare, and why did they have your data in the first place? Get the skinny on this week's episode.ResourcesChange Healthcare Cyberattack Affected 100 Million IndividualsThe Change Healthcare attack: Explaining how it happenedWyden Hearing Statement on Change Healthcare Cyberattack and UnitedHealth Group's ResponseTestimony of Andrew Witty, Chief Executive Officer, UnitedHealth Group Before the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations “Examining the Change Healthcare Cyberattack”The impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack: What to knowChange Healthcare Cyberattack: What Consumers Should KnowReceived a letter from Change Healthcare? What you should do nextChange Healthcare Attack Cost Estimate Reaches Nearly $2.9BChange Healthcare Finally Admits It Paid Ransomware Hackers $22 Million—and Still Faces a Patient Data LeakSend us a textEveryday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Credit card fraud is on the rise, but not in the usual way: hackers are cobbling together synthetic accounts from real and fake names, addresses, social security numbers, and credit histories. Children's social security numbers are particularly at risk. Find out how it all works, and what you can do to help prevent synthetic account fraud, and help with inflation in the process.ResourcesFBI: Combating Threats in the CyberworldLawPay: Guide to Securely Storing Credit Card InformationHow Can Someone Use My Credit Card Without Having It? A Complete Guide to Theft PreventionMotley Fool: Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud Statistics for 2024Mastercard: What is Synthetic Identity Fraud? Send us a textSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

QR codes are a super convenient way to access a website or app from your phone without having to type anything in. And while some scammers use QR codes to try and steal your personal information and money, most QR codes are just fine. Learn how to spot a scammy QR code so you can use them safely, and confidently enjoy all the conveniences they offer.Resources:Thieves are using fake QR codes on parking meters to scam drivers. Here's how to protect yourself FBI issues new warning about QR code scamsAlerts issued over a rise in QR code scams, known as ‘quishing''I fell victim to clever scam when trying to park'Redondo Beach warns drivers of parking meter scam involving fake QR codesHow to spot a fake QR code scamA brief history of QR codesWhat Is a Drive-by Download Malware Attack?Send us a textSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

How can you keep hackers from getting your Social Security Number? You can't. Between breaches of Equifax, the healthcare industry, and the recent National Public Data leak, your SSN is probably already making the rounds on the dark web. But you can fight back with some simple security measures.In this episode, we call back to our very first episode on the Equifax breach of 2017, and revisit the lessons learned and how they pertain to cybersecurity today, and in the future.ResourcesKrebs on Security: NationalPublicData.com Hack Exposes a Nation's DataSBA: COVID-19 Pandemic EIDL and PPP Loan Fraud LandscapeA Third of Americans Have had Their Social Security Numbers Leaked in Healthcare BreachesUsa.gov: How to place or lift a security freeze on your credit reportTroy Hunt: Inside the "3 Billion People" National Public Data BreachWatchdogs: SBA handed out over $80 billion in potentially fraudulent loansNBC News: 'Biggest fraud in a generation': The looting of the Covid relief plan known as PPPWIRED: LifeLock CEO's Identity Stolen 13 TimesYouTube: Lifelock CommercialBlue Grit Podcast: The Voice of Texas Law EnforcementHost: Clint McNear and Tyler Owen discussing topics, issues, and stories within the...Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

A new bank regulation in the United Kingdom promises refunds to customers who are victims of fraud through bank transfers. We'll likely see the same regulations in other countries soon, and it will likely lead to banks getting up in our business about who we transfer money to, so they won't be on the hook for fraud. Is this a good thing? Let's discuss.ResourcesGroundbreaking new protections for victims of APP scams start todayThe Perfect Scam podcast: You May Not Be a Winner: Sweepstakes Scam Empties Woman's SavingsKitboga video: Scammers Wanted My Life Savings - We Shut Them Down InsteadSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Pump and dump, rug pull... what do these terms mean? Host Michele Bousquet explains how scammy cryptocurrency schemes work, how they relate to illegal practices in the stock market, and how you can spot them so you don't fall for them.ResourcesA Brief History of the Stock Market and Stock ExchangesInvestopedia: Forces That Move Stock PricesSEC: Pump and Dump SchemesInvestopedia: What are Penny Stocks?Skinning The Wolf of Wall Street: Victims Speak OutFaze Clan Members Skewered By Fans Following Huge Crypto LossesNotorious YouTube Streamer Stole $500,000 From Fans In Crypto Scheme (And Won't Give It Back)Influencers Who Promoted Shady Crypto ScamsHow Influencers Hype Crypto, Without Disclosing Their Financial TiesThe Many Scams of Logan Paul and His Questionable VenturesSupport the showJoin our Patreon to listen ad-free!

Is any telemarketing actual real anymore? Here we delve into the history of telemarketing, and how it was always a little scammy, even before the era of endless scam phone calls.ResourcesTime Life Published Book SeriesMCI Long-Distance OverchargesConsumer Alert: Telemarketing ScamsSupport the showVisit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams and attacks too.

It's not about pork, it's about stealing your money. Pig Butchering is a devastating scam, a long con that fools people into forking over their life savings for a bogus investment. Pig Butchering takes thousands of people every year for billions of dollars, most of it from the elderly. Find out what Pig Butchering is, how to spot it when it comes your way, and how to keep your friends and loved ones from falling for it.ResourcesOffice of the Inspector General: Pig Butchering Scams FBI Cryptocurrency Fraud ReportSupport the showVisit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams and attacks too.

Why does ChatGPT lie? It's a great tool for research, but sometimes "hallucinates" its answers. By that I mean, it tells outright lies. Find out how to spot when ChatGPT is being a fool, and how to avoid getting duped by its responses. Resources:Here's What Happens When Your Lawyer Uses ChatGPTDisciplinary judge approves lawyer's suspension for using ChatGPT to generate fake casesNew York lawyers sanctioned for using fake ChatGPT cases in legal briefMata v. Avianca, Inc.The Art and Math of CryptographySupport the showVisit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams and attacks too.

Content generated by AI (artificial intelligence) is all around us: on the internet, in advertising, and worst of all, in your DMs. Come on down for a wild ride through the world of AI-generated images, and how scammers are taking advantage of the technology to run their schemes.Resources:Families Scammed by AI Images That Promised Willy Wonka-Style EventArtists Copyright Claims Against AI Image Generators Advance in CourtGeorg Nees: Computer Art and GraphicsAn Interview with Frieder NakeInterview with Manfred MohrSupport the showVisit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams and attacks too.

"You can get rich like me. Just buy my course to learn how!" Don't fall for it. Social media has made it a lot easier for scammers to sell you on a dream. Maybe they were early to the game and lucky to make a few bucks, but the opportunity (if it ever existed) is long gone.Early and Lucky is the name of the game. Find out what it is, how to play it, and how not to lose your shirt on scammy get-rich schemes.Resources:Logan Paul promises CryptoZoo refunds, as long as you don't sue himLogan Paul is Suing CoffeezillaSeint Shifts to Enhanced Affiliate ModelRodan and Fields announces new business model, cuts 100 jobsDocumentary: The Queen of VersaillesSupport the Show.Visit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams and attacks too.

If you've seen The Imitation Game you've heard of the Enigma, the cryptographic machine used by the German military in WWII. Everything about the Enigma--how it was used, how it was solved--is echoed in the cryptographic methods we used in the past, today, and in the future.Support the Show.Visit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams and attacks too.

On July 19, the CrowdStrike outage was all over the news. But what was it really about, and what does it have to do with all of us? While the outage was repaired quickly, the fact that it affected so many systems we depend on is a wakeup call reminiscent of crippling cybersecurity attacks. In this episode, we look at what happened, how it relates to other outages including targeted cybersecurity attacks, and how we can protect ourselves from the fallout of such outages in the future.Resources:Washington Post: The hospitals, airlines and banks affected by the global IT outageVideo: Times Square billboards with Blue Screen of DeathForbes: CrowdStrike Windows Outage—What Happened And What To Do NextWindows 3.1 saves the day during CrowdStrike outage — Southwest Airlines scrapes by with archaic OSSupport the Show.Visit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams and attacks too.

Your smart phone keeps busy, even when you're not on it. Apps are constantly downloading data–thumbnails, ad content, new posts–at a surprising frequency, even when you're not actively using the app. These downloads can lead to your download data making it look like you're using your phone when you're not. In this episode, I pull a story from my days in mobile forensics to show just how this constant downloading could get you in trouble one day, and how you can avoid such a fate.Support the Show.Visit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams too.

In response to the San Bernardino shooting in 2015, the FBI demanded that Apple, Inc. create a "back door" to bypass the shooter's iPhone security, a back door that could also compromise any iPhone, anytime. Thankfully, Apple CEO Tim Cook wasn't playing. But this isn't the first time government and law enforcement has tried to stick their noses into our business without permission, and probably won't be the last. In this episode we also talk about government efforts to compromise consumer security, like the NSA's Clipper Chip of 1993, and why these efforts have always failed.Resources:Order Compelling Apple, Inc. to Assist Agents in SearchThe FBI Wanted a Back Door to the iPhone. Tim Cook Said NoA Message to our Customers (Apple CEO Tim Cook's response to FBI request)Apple Just Killed The 'GrayKey' iPhone Passcode HackElectronic Privacy Information Center: The Clipper ChipSupport the Show.Visit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams too.

Buzzwords are the language of business and marketing. But do they really live up to the hype? Find out how phrases like "end-to-end encryption" and "blockchain" are used to hype up a service that might not be what it seems. Join me on a journey through the world of buzzwords in cybersecurity marketing.Resources:Hackers steal nearly $10 million from Axie Infinity co-founder's personal accountsThe Spectacular Collapse of CryptoKitties, the First Big Blockchain GameSupport the Show.Visit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams too.

Have you gotten a dream job offer through WhatsApp, Facebook, or some other suspicious source? It's probably a scam. Let's look at how job scams work, and how you can spot them.Report job scams in the USA to the Federal Trade Commission.Support the Show.Visit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams too.

Does your phone serve you content based on your conversations? It depends. This is the third episode in a three-part series on social media. Here we talk about what your apps or services might be listening to, and what you can do about it.Resources:Does Your Phone Listen to You for Ads? (Yes, Here's How)This Company Might Be Listening to Everything You Watch on TVThat Game on Your Phone May Be Tracking What You're Watching on TVIs your smartphone listening to you?Support the Show.Visit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams too.

What's your favorite Beatles song? Where did you get married? What's your dog's name? Whenever you answer a question on a random person's or company's post, you're giving up information to exploit you.See what social media sites collect about youSupport the Show.Visit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams too.

How do you find out what social media platforms know about you? Bet you didn't know you can grab your data anytime, all of it. In this episode, we talk about how to get all your data from a social media platform so you can see what they've stored.Get your data from FacebookGet your data from InstagramGet your data from LinkedInGet your data from SnapchatGet all your Google emails, photos, YouTube videos For any other social media platforms, search for "download my data from [platform]" to find out how.Support the showVisit us on Patreon for bonus content and special offers! But only if you hate scams too.

What is an NFT, and why would anyone want to buy one?  There are lots of reasons why someone might buy a certified JPG or other NFT, but there's no guarantee your NFT will increase in value or even retain the value you paid for it. In this episode, host Michele Bousquet talks about different kinds of NFTs on the market, how they compare to physical art items, and how fraudsters have found a rich source of free funds in NFT theft.Sources:Joey Mars websiteInvestors sue Sotheby's, Justin Bieber, Hilton among others as NFT prices crashSeth Green's Bored Ape NFT Got “Kidnapped"NFT Price Floor - Bored Ape Yacht ClubSupport the show

The story of Silk Road, the underground website where you could buy and sell anything, is now part of internet lore. Customers could order everything from pot to meth and have it delivered to their door. Then came fake IDs, unregistered guns, poisons, and murder-for-hire. But wherever there's illegal activity and lots of money, violence isn't far behind. This episode takes you on a very quick tour of the rise and fall of Silk Road, which met its demise in 2013 when founder Ross Ulbricht got caught.Support the show

Well, it finally happened: I got scammed! I bought a high-end projector at a price that was too good to be true, because it wasn't true. Don't fall for the White Van scam!White van speaker scam on WikipediaThe Art and Math of Cryptography at Amazon.comSupport the show

In October 21, 2021, Josh Renaud, a reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper, privately alerted a government authority that their website had vulnerabilities. In response, the governor of Missouri, Michael L. Parson, brought charges against the journalist for "hacking." This story would be hilarious if it wasn't true. Update: In July 2022, Josh Renaud was awarded The National Press Club press freedom award for his work.Get the "F12 IS NOT A CRIME" T-shirtOriginal St. Louis Post-Dispatch article: Missouri teachers' Social Security numbers at risk on state agency's website (requires subscription to view)Arstechnica article: Emails show what happened before Missouri gov. falsely called journalist a “hacker” Governor Parson's Facebook post - Enjoy the comments.Missouri State Highway Patrol reportFundraising video: Gov. Parson holds fake news accountable. Enjoy the comments. Support the show