Online scams are evolving fast, and everyday people are paying the price.

In this episode, we invited Philip Martin, the Chief Security Officer at Coinbase, to chat about cybersecurity best practices and how to avoid the proliferation of scams online. We dig into how modern cybercrime actually works, from password reuse and data breaches to bank impersonation scams and social engineering attacks. You'll even hear a real-world story of a bank fraud scam that used two-factor authentication manipulation, identity theft tactics, and psychological pressure to steal money in minutes.

We explore how technology, AI, and cryptocurrency are changing the cybersecurity landscape, and why blockchain transparency is actually a threat to criminals, especially in the highly-publicized kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How scammers use leaked passwords and data breaches to access bank accounts • Why reusing passwords is one of the biggest cybersecurity risks today • How bank impersonation scams and social engineering actually work • Why you should never trust inbound calls or texts about your finances • How two-factor authentication can protect you and how it can be exploited • The safest ways to verify calls from banks and financial institutions • Why password managers are essential for online security • How authenticator apps and security keys improve digital safety • How blockchain transactions are traceable and used in cybercrime investigations • The role of law enforcement, data privacy, and digital forensics in stopping fraud

This episode is a must-watch for anyone who uses online banking, mobile payments, cryptocurrency, social media, or digital services.

If you care about cybersecurity, online scams, identity theft, data privacy, and protecting your digital life, this conversation is for you.

Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to www.getbeyondconnected.com to find the show on other platforms.

Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

Chapters

0:30 - Intro

3:41 - Scams Are #1 Threat

4:18 - Impersonation Scams

6:56 - Everyone is Vulnerable

7:31 - Call Your Bank Directly

9:28 - Good Password Etiquette

10:39 - Use Password Managers

11:24 - Use Authentication Apps

12:04 - Consider a Security Key

13:58 - Authentication Apps 101

14:38 - Antivirus Recommendations

15:41 - Simplify Your Computer

16:10 - Nancy Guthrie Case

16:53 - Crypto is Transparent

18:58 - Is Crypto Traceable?

What really happens when a school decides to take smartphones out of students' hands?

In this episode, we sit down with an education leader who made a bold move 2 years ago: removing smartphones from the school day. What followed was a huge increased in student focus, connection, and a complete shift in student culture.

This is a real conversation about technology, attention, parenting, education, and how digital habits are shaping the next generation.

If you care about tech, privacy, kids, mental health, learning, or modern digital life, this episode will change how you see screens forever.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why smartphones were hurting learning and focus in school

• How schools can convince parents and students to get on board

• How phone-free policies reduce gossip, anxiety, and conflict

• What changed in student engagement and attention

• How schools can implement phone-free policies without chaos

• The impact on student confidence and self-esteem

• What parents are really saying about phone-free schools

• How technology can support learning without controlling it

Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to www.getbeyondconnected.com to find the show on other platforms.

Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

Chapters

(0:30) - Intro

(2:45) - Meet Lori Kennedy

(5:15) - Student Engagement Down

(5:33) - Researching & Planning

(7:55) - Enforcing the Rule

(10:30) - How Parents Reacted

(11:20) - How Students Reacted

(12:30) - Did it Work?

(14:30) - Less Bullying & Gossip

(15:50) - Policy Attracting New Kids

(16:50) - How Do I Implement This Rule?

Online scams are exploding and identity theft at an unprecedented rate. In this episode of Beyond Connected, I'm breaking down five common myths about identity theft and explaining how scammers easily manipulate people using personal data, technology, and psychological pressure.

This conversation dives into how cybercrime actually works today and why smart, careful people are still getting scammed every day.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why identity theft usually starts quietly, with personal data you did not realize was public

• How data brokers collect, sell, and resell your information without you noticing

• Why not being part of a major data breach does not mean you are safe

• How scammers use urgency, fear, and familiarity to trick victims into acting fast

• Why retirees and families are among the most targeted groups for online scams

• The truth about credit monitoring and what it does and does not protect

• How strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and data removal services reduce risk

• Why removing your information from data broker sites is one of the most powerful defenses

• How deepfakes, voice cloning, and AI are making scams more convincing than ever.

If you care about cybersecurity, online scams, data privacy, identity theft protection, or how technology is shaping your digital life, this episode is a must-listen.

Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to www.getbeyondconnected.com to find the show on other platforms.

Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

This episode is a warning for every family living in the age of AI.

An elderly Southern California woman named Abigail was targeted by a ruthless cyber scammer using deepfake video and impersonation tactics. The scam was so convincing that she believed she was in a real relationship with Steve Burton from General Hospital. What happened next is heartbreaking. Abigail was manipulated into sending money again and again until more than $81,000 was gone. Then the scam escalated even further. She was pressured into selling her paid off home, leaving her evicted and devastated.

Abigail's daughter Vivian joins us to share the story step by step, including the biggest red flags, how scammers isolate victims from family, why these cyber scams are so hard to spot in real time, and how AI deepfakes are changing the scam game forever. If you think you or your loved ones could never fall for something like this, think again. These criminals are using advanced technology, social engineering, and psychological manipulation to target vulnerable people and steal everything.

We also kick off the episode with a look at the future of transportation and technology, including Uber's new robotaxi fleet and what it means for self driving cars across the United States.

If you care about technology, cybersecurity, online scams, data privacy, identity theft, and staying safe from AI powered fraud, this episode is a must watch.

Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to www.getbeyondconnected.com to find the show on other platforms.

Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

(0:30) - Intro

(3:30) - Uber Robotaxis

(7:00) - The Victim's Daughter Vivian

(8:03) - How Vivian Discovered Scam

(9:15) - How Scammers Groom Victims

(9:47) - Discovering the Scam Cont'd

(11:11) - Scammer Used Deepfake Video

(12:29) - Scammer Used Romance Angle

(13:31) - Red Flag #1

(14:36) - Lonely People Targeted

(15:15) - The Plot Thickens

(17:08) - Reaching out to LAPD

(19:02) - Scammer Stole Victim's Home

(21:41) - Sleazy Realtor Took Advantage

(23:54) - Eviction Coming

(23:59) - Vivian Gets Legal Advice

(24:29) - Vivian Hires Attorney

(25:20) - Vivian Hires New Attorney

(26:24) - Vivian Hires 3rd Attorney

(27:02) - Power of Attorney

(28:40) - Parents Evicted

(29:18) - Court Battle Continues

(30:37) - Anybody Can Be Scammed

(31:18) - Vivian's Advice

(32:47) - Warning Signs

(33:25) - Delete Your Data

(33:51) - Get Antivirus

(34:28) - Dark Side of Tech

(35:33) - Prevent AI Phishing

We've been getting some fantastic messages ever since we opened our call line a couple months back, so this week we're doing a voicemail box special! We cover a great variety of topics here:

• How do I transfer my photos and data to my new phone and I have no access to my old phone?

• How often should I upgrade my phone? Does skipping upgrades affect my safety?

• Facebook wants to confirm my identity with a video selfie. Is this a scam?

• I'm not technologically literate at all. How do I get antivirus on all of my devices?

• I've been told by Aura that all my info is on the darkweb (my phone, email, social) and I'm constantly getting bombarded with scams. What's the best action I can take?

Whether you're currently dealing with a similar scam yourself or not, today's episode is full of helpful tips and tricks so that you'll know exactly what to do if you're ever in trouble. Enjoy!

Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to www.getbeyondconnected.com to find the show on other platforms.

Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail. Please include your email and the city and state you're calling from.

Chapters

(0:30) - Intro

(2:07) - Isaac Glucose Monitor

(3:31) - Transferring Lost Phone Data

(5:17) - Updating Your Phone

(8:23)- Facebook Video Selfie ID

(11:22) - Antivirus Across Devices

(13:47) - Get Info Off Dark Web

(17:08) - Closing Thoughts

Many tech companies like to start off the year with exciting new product announcements, and 2026 is no different. Last week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, I was absolutely blown away by the latest and greatest in the tech world. This week on the show, I wanted to break down my favorite picks, including a crazy futuristic new TV, a robotic vacuum that can actually climb stairs, LG's dazzling new play in the humanoid household chore robot race, and lots

I also want to highlight a dangerous new scam involving verification codes. Has a stranger reached out asking you to receive a verification code for them? Tune in to learn how to protect yourself.

Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to www.getbeyondconnected.com to find the show on other platforms.

Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

Related articles:

10 amazing new tech announcements for 2026: https://cyberguy.com/future-tech/top-ces-products/

10 exciting new innovations in health tech: https://cyberguy.com/future-tech/10-health-tech-products-spotlight-ces-2026/

Chapters

(0:30) - Intro

(2:56) - Verification Code Scam

(5:45) - LG OLED Wallpaper TV

(7:14) - Dreame Cyber X Vacuum Robot

(8:01) - Switchbot AI Mindclip

(8:56) - LG CLOiD Home Robot

(10:05) - Glyde Smart Hair Clippers

(11:24) - LEGO Smart Bricks

(12:11) - Autoliv Foldable Steering Wheel

(13:12) - TDM Neo Headphones

(13:56) - Jackery Solar Mars Bot

(14:58) - Timeli Personal Safety Device

Trucking is a tough job. Driving 10+ hours a day by yourself through long stretches of empty highways. Being away from your family and friends for weeks at a time. It's no wonder that the trucking industry is facing some of the worst turnover rates in any sector. To make matters worse, trucking companies are struggling to find new recruits more than ever before. Now, I know this is certainly a hot-button topic. And I know there are plenty of truckers out there who love what they do. But the future of this industry seems rocky to say the least, and that's why I find myself increasingly interested in AI trucking. I sat down with Dan Goff, the Vice President of External Affairs for Kodiak AI, one of the tech companies leading the AI trucking charge. As he explains it, AI is going to change trucking jobs, but not take them away. And considering the current state of the industry, it might be the exact kind of change it needs! Let me know what you think in the comments!

Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to www.getbeyondconnected.com to find the show on other platforms.

Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail with your email address.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter https://CyberGuy.com/Subscribe

(0:30) - Intro

(3:12) - Getting Consumers On Board

(5:33) - About Kodiak AI

(5:27) - Importance of U.S. Freight

(7:30) - AI Will Cut Costs

(9:31) - How Humans Factor In

(10:02) - The Trucker Shortage

(11:19) - AI Insurance?

(11:47) - Unreal Safety Records

(13:57) - Centralized Command

(14:46) - Successful First Deployment

(15:53) - Regulatory Progress

(18:02) - Under the Hood

(18:41) - The Future of Kodiak AI

(19:10) - Driver-As-A-Service

(20:09) - Scaling Up

(21:14) - Consumer Logistics

(22:02) - Will Truckers Lose Jobs?

(24:16) - A.I. Commercial Flights?

(24:44) - Safety is Required

Many folks think they'd never fall for a malicious financial scam, but the reality is that these bad actors are becoming more and more adept at emotionally manipulating their victims. On this week's episode, I sat down with Joe Allen, a disabled man out of Connecticut who fell victim to a vicious cryptocurrency investment scam. Stuck at home and out of work, Joe got a text message offering him exclusive access to a crypto investment opportunity. It's likely that these scammers knew Joe was in a vulnerable position and knew they could target him relentlessly until they got every last bit of his financial portfolio. Within a matter of weeks, he had sent over more than $300,000, seeing absolutely no return. When we heard Joe's harrowing story, we knew we had to share it in the hopes that we could prevent other vulnerable people from falling victim to similar schemes.

If you want to make sure you don't fall for the same kind of scams, stick around till the end for my tips and red flags to watch out for.

Want to help Joe out? Check out his GoFundMe page here: www.gofundme.com/f/support-carols-son-after-devastating-scam

We also wanted to highlight a couple of hopeful advancements in medical technology to add some light to the dark, including the first-ever transplant of a 3D-printed cornea, and new microrobotic technology that's making huge waves in the medical community.

Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to www.getbeyondconnected.com to find the show on other platforms.

Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

Chapters

(0:30) - Intro

(3:45) - Swiss Microrobots Swim Thru Veins

(4:32) - 3D-Printed Cornea Restores Sight

(5:14) - Joe's Story

(7:20) - How Scammers Manipulate Us

(7:51) - The Crypto Hook

(8:35) - Joe's Story Cont'd

(11:28) - Scam Was Targeted

(12:16) - How Scam Victims Make Mistakes

(12:35) - The Breaking Point

(14:00) - No Help From the Police

(14:26) - Few Signs of Hope

(15:48) - Joe's Advice

(17:51) - Joe's Path Forward

(19:11) - How to Avoid Scams

Happy holidays from the CyberGuy team! If you're a regular listener of the podcast and/or reader of our newsletter, chances are you got some fancy new tech gadgets for the holidays! It can be easy to get wrapped up in all of the fun new features and entertaining apps these devices have to offer, but it's also crucial to utilize privacy and security settings. A lot of new phones, computers, and TVs will track and share your sensitive information by default, and it's up to you to protect yourself from cyber threats. If you follow these simple steps, you'll be ready and all set in a matter of minutes. And if you utilize our best practices to keep yourself safe from the get-go, you'll be fully secure when scammers attempt to infiltrate your life down the road!

Stick around for a few tips and tricks to make sure you're fully utilizing all of the handy privacy features and settings your iPhone has to offer.

Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to www.getbeyondconnected.com to find the show on other platforms.

Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

Related articles:

Got new electronics for the holidays? Here's what to do first: https://cyberguy.com/tech-tips-tricks/new-electronics-holidays-what-do-first/

(0:30) - Intro

(2:47) - Setting Up New Tech

(3:18) - Phone & Laptop Tips

(6:32) - Common Mistakes to Avoid

(11:20) - Smart TV Set-Up

(13:30) - Amazon Trade-in

(15:26) - iPhone Tip - Battery Life

(16:45) - iPhone Tip - Safely Share Your Phone

Wouldn't your niece or nephew like a cuddly teddy bear that could also tell them a bedtime story?

That's the idea behind a flood of new AI toys. Powered by ChatGPT, they can have full conversations with your loved ones. So what's the issue? Well as Researcher R.J. Cross explains, there are quite a few issues. In her study with the Public Research Interest Group, she found that these toys would describe sexual and violent information in detail with enough prompting. The longer the conversation, the deeper the rabbit hole would go.

And that's not all – the developers behind this tech are deliberately making it as addictive as possible, even making kids feel guilty for switching them off. The icing on the cake? They're also tracking large amounts of sensitive personal data and sending it off to third parties. This was a fascinating, somewhat scary chat, and I know you'll get some fantastic insight out of it.

Plus, tune in to hear about a new Cloud storage scam to avoid this holiday season. Happy Holidays from the CyberGuy team! We hope you're enjoying some nice quality time with the family. If you know someone who got their loved one an AI toy for the holidays, consider sending them this episode!

Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to www.getbeyondconnected.com to find the show on other platforms.

Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

Related articles:

Learn about the the new Cloud storage scam and get our data removal/password manager recs here: www.cyberguy.com/storagescam

Get more info on AI toys: www.cyberguy.com/AItoys

Chapters

(0:00) - Intro

(2:12) - Cloud Storage Scam

(4:57) - Interview w/ R.J. Cross

(6:24) - The Public Interest Research Group

(7:32) - Are AI Toys Safe for Kids?

(9:28) - Kumma Teddy Bear

(11:29) - Curio's "Grok" Toy

(13:33) - Are All AI Toys Bad?

(16:00) - Miko 3 Toy

(17:43) - Key Takeaways

(18:06) - Wait for Improvements

(18:20) - Don't Replace Real Friends

(18:50) - Test the Toys Yourself

(19:21) - Supervise Playtime

(19:50) - Secure the Toys

(20:00) - Utilize Privacy Settings

(21:17) - AI Barbies

(24:03) - Summary