In episode 327 Tom, Scott, and Kevin discuss the findings from Mandiant's M-Trends 2024 report, highlighting a significant rise in traditional vulnerability exploitation by attackers while observing a decline in phishing. Despite phishing's decreased prevalence, it remains the second most popular method for gaining initial network access. Discussions include the impact of high-profile vulnerabilities and the potential reasons behind the shift in cyberattack tactics. The episode also explores...

In this episode Erin Gallagher, cybersecurity awareness lead at Fastly, discusses her journey into the field of security awareness and her unique approach to enhancing cybersecurity within tech companies. Erin shares her unconventional path from a communication major to leading security awareness programs at IBM and a large insurance company, before joining Fastly. She highlights the challenges and strategies of tailoring security training to diverse roles within tech companies, emphasizing...

In episode 325, Tom and Kevin discuss a significant backdoor threat that nearly compromised Linux systems globally, stemming from an infiltration into an open-source project called XZ Utils by attackers who gained commit access and inserted a backdoor. The episode further delves into a cybersecurity incident where hackers stole 340,000 social security numbers from a government consulting firm, emphasizing the implications and broader concerns related to data security in government contractors...

Episode 324 features discussions on a significant AT&T data breach affecting 73 million customers and a sophisticated thread jacking attack targeting a journalist. Co-host Scott Wright joins the discussion, highlighting how millions of AT&T customer account passcodes, along with personal information, were compromised due to a leak discovered by a security researcher and reported by TechCrunch. The episode also details the thread jacking phishing attack, emphasizing the importance of...

In episode 323, the hosts discuss two prominent topics. The first segment discusses a significant vulnerability discovered in hotel locks, branded as 'Unsaflok,' affecting 3 million doors across 131 countries. The vulnerability allows attackers to create master keys from a regular key, granted access to all doors in a hotel. The co-hosts also discuss the vulnerability's relation to legacy systems and the implications for hotel security. The second segment shifts focus to Glassdoor, revealing...

In this episode, special guest Alyssa Miller joins the hosts for an insightful and entertaining conversation covering a broad range of topics from social engineering anecdotes involving Kevin Johnson to Alyssa's journey in aviation and being a pilot. They discuss the challenges within the cybersecurity industry, including the transition to cloud computing and the neglect of on-prem data centers. Alyssa also shares a personal story about encountering workplace discrimination, offering advice...

In episode 321, the hosts discuss how connected cars are sharing driving data with insurance companies, potentially leading to increased rates for drivers. They also talk about the anti-TikTok bill passed by the House, which could force ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in app stores. The episode also covers a significant update to Signal, allowing users to use usernames instead of phone numbers, enhancing privacy. Insights into privacy policies, the importance of understanding consent,...

In episode 320, Tom and Scott discuss the contentious issue of who is accountable when Facebook or Instagram accounts are hacked, discussing potential failings on both the user's and Meta's part. They explore the possibility of inadequate security measures on these platforms and the implications of Meta potentially profiting from fraudulent ads. The episode also covers a Wired article regarding 41 state attorney generals in the U.S. urging Meta to enhance their security to manage the rising...

In Episode 319, Tom and Kevin discuss the potential data privacy risks associated with having an AI 'girlfriend' or 'boyfriend' and why one should refrain from sharing their personal data with such AIs. They engage in a humorous conversation about the unusual advertisements these AI companions attract, while expressing concerns over their deceptive and sensitive data gathering. The episode also explores the controversial issue of the U.S. government collecting vast amounts of consumer data....

In episode 318, we discuss the trending 'get to know me' posts on social media platforms like Instagram and the potential risks of sharing personal information publicly, particularly in light of potential misuse for password resetting. We recount a similar trend observed years ago when social media was in its infancy. The second topic covers Ring's decision to discontinue its 'Request for assistance' feature on its Neighbors app which initially allowed police to publicly request doorbell...

In episode 317, the Tom and Kevin discuss a reported deepfake scam that allegedly led to the theft of 25.6 million from a multinational company and Canada's attempt to ban the Flipper Zero device, believing it plays a role in auto thefts. They critique the Canadian government's understanding of the device and its capabilities, questioning whether the move is political posturing rather than a measure to enhance public safety. The hosts also speak about the 'human password' concept, which...

In episode 316, we have the pleasure to chat with Jason Haddix, a prominent influencer in the cybersecurity community. With an intriguing career path, from being a 'computer kid', venturing into the nascent dark web, to becoming a respected figure in the Bug Bounty space, his journey is nothing short of inspiration. We dive into the evolution and the current state of Bug Bounty, the emergence of consultancy within the Bug Bounty companies, the unique live hacking events, and the impact of...

In this episode of the Shared Security Podcast, we discuss the concerning issue of victim-blaming in cybersecurity with special guest, Andra Zaharia, host of the Cyber Empathy and We Think We Know podcasts. Key topics include the societal issues within cybersecurity, the role of empathy in business and cybersecurity, leadership's role in empathy and the recent 23andMe data breach. We discuss how companies can enhance empathy after a data breach while touching on the undeniable influence...

In this episode, host Tom Eston provides a detailed explanation of the 'Stolen Device Protection' for iPhones - a new security feature by Apple. This feature triggers enhanced security factors such as Face ID, Touch ID, and an hour-long security delay for critical actions when the phone is away from familiar locations. Tom also provides guidance on how to enable and disable this feature on iOS 17.3. Lastly, he advises viewers to disable the feature, and erase and reset the iPhone when they...

In Episode 313, hosts Tom and Scott discuss the world of scambaiting, discussing what it is, the tactics used, and its effectiveness in stopping scammers. They talk about popular channels like Scammer Payback and Kitboga that show these scams in progress. Then they switch to the best practices to prevent social media account takeovers, highlighting a guide written by Rachel Tobac. Lastly, they share fascinating news about a network connected wrench, the Bosch Rexroth Handheld Nutrunner, could...

In episode 312, Tom and Scott discuss the implications of a new law in Ohio that may require parental consent for children under 16 using social media, including the pros and cons of this legislation. They also discuss Meta's new link history feature and the repercussions it might have on ad targeting on Facebook and Instagram. The episode concludes with a discussion on a court case in Ottawa, where a judge ruled that three smartphones from an alleged pedophile must be returned after 175...

In this episode, we discuss the most sophisticated iPhone exploit ever, Google’s agreement to settle a $5 billion lawsuit about tracking users in ‘incognito’ mode, and a new iOS app, Journal. The iPhone exploit, known as Operation Triangulation, has complex chains of events that lead to compromised iPhone security. Meanwhile, the lawsuit against Google claims that the company’s technology was still tracking users’ site visits even in ‘incognito’ mode. The newly added Journal app on iOS has...

In this episode, host Tom Eston shares the three key lessons he's learned over his 18-year career in cybersecurity: effective communication, continuous learning, and empathy. He talks about the importance of understanding and reaching both technical and non-technical audiences, the necessity of continuous learning despite your role, and the power of empathy in contributing to success.

In our last episode of the year, we replay our predictions for 2023 reviewing what we got right and what we didn't. We cover various topics, such as Twitter's influence, the future of Mastodon, the ban of TikTok in certain states, and the rising issue of ransomware. In addition, we give credit to Scott for accurately predicting multiple cybersecurity events during the year! We also share our expectations for 2024 — predicting increased AI adoption, many more cybersecurity layoffs, more...

In episode 308, we discuss the often overlooked topic of password management for the elderly. Addressing the commonly held belief that writing down passwords is a bad idea, we discuss the nuances and context of this practice. Elderly individuals who may struggle with technology can benefit from recording passwords, but we discuss the importance of putting suitable controls around this. We also touch on usability issues associated with technology changes and the consequences of not planning...

In episode 307, Tom and Scott debunk misinformation circulating about the iOS 17 NameDrop feature by law enforcement and others on social media. Next, they discuss the potential risks of QR code scams, detailing a real-life incident where a woman lost a significant amount of money due to a QR code scam. Finally, the episode concludes with a discussion on a ransomware attack on a large US healthcare provider, examining potential repercussions and stressing the need for increased security for...

In episode 306, noteworthy guest Tanya Janca returns to discuss her recent ventures and her vision for the future of AppSec. She reflects on the significant changes she has observed since her career at Microsoft, before discussing her new role at Semgrep that recently acquired WeHackPurple. Tanya sheds light on her decision to partner with Semgrep, a company that aligns with her vision of providing free resources in the AppSec community. Despite facing a failed acquisition process the...

In this episode, Tom shows off AI generated images of a "Lonely and Sad Security Awareness Manager in a Dog Pound" and the humorous outcomes. The conversation shifts to Apple's upcoming support for Rich Communication Services (RCS) and the potential security implications. Lastly, Tom and Kevin reflect on reports of AI-powered voice cloning scams targeting elderly Americans, and argue that the true issue lies with social engineering rather than the involvement of AI.

In this week's episode of the Shared Security Podcast, hosts Tom Eston, Scott Wright and Kevin Johnson tackle a number of topics related to AI, privacy and security. They begin with an amusing discussion about their respective roles on the podcast, before shifting to big tech's use of user data and whether subscribers should pay to not have their data used. The focus then turns to a recent move by Meta to charge European users who wish to use Instagram and Facebook without ads. Next, they...