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A "deep fake" typically refers to a video that has been edited to replace the person in the original video with someone else, commonly a public figure in a way that makes the video look entirely authentic. These are time consuming to make but can be very convincing.

Today's guest is Lonnie Waugh. Lonnie is a web developer, software engineer, and deep fake creator. He has been doing deep fake videos for years with a sense of humor traditionally using the OneDuality on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

• [0:56] - Lonnie describes what a deep fake is and what he does for his YouTube channel to make things humorous.
• [1:52] - To accomplish this in the past, it was very extensive, but now can be done from home with the right equipment and software.
• [2:37] - The process to create something like this is very time consuming and Lonnie describes a frustration with rendering something and going back to edit.
• [3:32] - Lonnie outlines what this process looks like for him and why he chooses political conferences for a lot of his videos.
• [5:30] - In addition to finding all the movements needed for the face he's using to replace the original, Lonnie also does some pre-processing. This isn't necessary but he explains why he chooses to take the time to do it.
• [7:02] - The software used to do this is open source but not yet available for Mac.
• [8:18] - Because Lonnie has been doing this for so long, he knows what to look for to determine if the content is real or a deep fake, but points out that if you don't know what to look for, it is easy to be fooled.
• [9:27] - Lonnie and Chris describe some of the little nuances and indicators that Lonnie can notice.
• [10:49] - Lonnie shares that he cannot monetize his YouTube channel because of the copyrighted content he uses so it is not worth his time to go back and fix some of the most minor indicators of it being fake.
• [11:12] - Lighting also makes things challenging and Lonnie shares an experience with a music video director not consulting a professional.
• [12:28] - Lonnie has created content for music videos and hopes to eventually create for commercials.
• [13:38] - Discussing the technical aspects of the process, Lonnie describes how many frames a creator should use and how the AI recognizes faces.
• [15:47] - There are different modes that creators can use.
• [16:23] - Because of copyrights, there are challenges to deep fakes when using obvious original videos.
• [17:21] - Politicians are typically in the public domain but celebrities and actors who have enough legal backing could find each video one by one and take them down.
• [17:57] - For those who are not celebrities or political figures, there's likely not enough video content available for a deep fake to be made of them. Lonnie says it can be done with photos but thousands of photos would be needed.
• [18:51] - The quality of the video used is important as well.
• [19:47] - There is an app that can take photos and video and replace faces. To Lonnie they look good but are obviously not real. Some people may be fooled by them, though.
• [20:45] - At the moment it is not likely of someone creating a deep fake of someone with malicious intent unless there's a lot of professionally done video content of them in all different kinds of lighting.
• [21:38] - Lonnie and Chris discuss the amount of work involved in creating a convincing deep fake of the average Joe.
• [22:29] - There is software that will use a single photo to impose onto a video but they are not convincing and are typically used for entertainment.
• [23:40] - In regards to romance scams, Chris shares that this could eventually be something used to create video content.
• [25:08] - Lonnie explains how another YouTuber has used clips to startle people.
• [26:09] - There is a lot of thought being put into this in the political world and will potentially be legislated in the future.
• [27:33] - While the technology can be abused, Lonnie has not yet seen it used in a dangerous way and says that the abuse of it is pretty predictable right now.
• [28:11] - Lonnie references a recent legal case that may have abused this type of technology.

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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In the past, deleting a file was considered safe data destruction. But we know that it only clears the pointer to the file and not the data itself. Today there are many options when it comes to destroying data even though some harddrives seem almost indestructible.

Today's guest is Paul Katzoff. Paul is the CEO of WhiteCanyon Software where they specialize in data erasure for businesses both corporate and government. These customers need secure data destruction that meets HIPAA and other compliance standards for harddrive and mobile device erasure.

• [0:54] - Paul gives a background of himself and what WhiteCanyon Software is all about, starting back in 1995.
• [2:02] - Data is becoming more and more important every year and Paul gives examples of current compliance legislation and standards.
• [3:03] - Chris shares a story from years ago regarding purchasing used copiers, scanners, and other devices that unknowingly stored data.
• [4:20] - Paul describes the data exposure that happened with this issue in 2011 as healthcare providers did not know their scanned documents were stored.
• [5:32] - Regarding criminal activity using data on harddrives, Pail explains that more and more people are becoming a little more knowledgeable and on board with data destruction if needed but it hasn't always been that way.
• [6:39] - Paul describes what data destruction has looked like over the years including old technology like floppy disks and tapes.
• [7:32] - Physical destruction only goes so far and software erasure is crucial now.
• [8:11] - When you click "delete," your file is not actually deleted.
• [9:35] - Paul lists multiple erasure patterns and how it worked until about 2013 to erase any device out there.
• [10:21] - There are some new requirements in data destruction that Paul explains and how they have had to adjust to make sure everything is erased.
• [12:29] - WhiteCanyon Software has been working in data destruction for 23 years.
• [13:14] - The current Covid-19 pandemic has complicated data as employees were then working from home and sometimes on a home computer.
• [14:24] - Paul lists the concerns of accessing work networks on their home computers.
• [15:26] - WhiteCanyon offers a product that corporations can send to their employees to click a link to erase their computer and then provides a QR code.
• [16:33] - Regarding mobile devices and phones, your data is stored on that device even with an encryption reset. Paul describes concerns with encryption keys.
• [18:21] - WhiteCanyon provides a certificate that everything has been destroyed. A lot of third party companies that wipe data especially from mobile devices can't actually promise it's completely erased.
• [19:29] - One of the huge issues with data is once it leaves your facility sitting on a device, it can pop up a decade later.
• [20:20] - Chris points out that data erasure is a "hard sell" for IT to bring forward to their company. Paul explains that it is certainly a cost because it doesn't earn a company any money.
• [21:59] - Paul explains what needs to be done to properly erase data on a nonworking drive.
• [23:08] - If you would like to physically destroy a harddrive, Paul explains what he recommends. If you'd like it destroyed for you, there is a cost.
• [24:35] - What most consumers can do for shredding home computers is search for companies that process second-hand computers and they have shredders on site.
• [26:15] - Because harddrives hold so much, data destruction can take a lot of time. But if it is an SSD, it is far quicker to completely erase.
• [27:50] - Chris and Paul discuss new devices that now hold data, including refrigerators.
• [29:02] - WhiteCanyon offers two free downloads with the coupon code "homefree" to wipe a home computer or device. They offer this because they know everyone has several old computers or devices holed away that could be useful elsewhere.
• [30:39] - Paul points out that data recovery software is free online so if data is not properly destroyed, it can be recovered by whoever has your harddrive.
• [31:30] - Although we still store data on devices, network storage is extremely popular which makes things easier regarding data destruction for some consumers.
• [32:04] - Paul strongly recommends pushing for harsher legislation for data protection and explains why this is crucial.

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Gifted hackers can access data from a government website, a hospital medical system, or even a car. Most are not aware when their personal information is stolen, sold, and used until it is too late.

Today's guest is Alissa Knight. Alissa is a recovering hacker of 20 years, a cyber security influencer, content creator, and the principal cyber security analyst at Alissa Knight and Associates. She is the author of the recently released book Hacking Connected Cars. Alissa has been quoted in articles by Brian Krebs and featured in numerous magazine articles including PC Magazine, Wired, and Forbes.

• [1:01] - Alissa shares how she started hacking at the age of 13 and she got caught hacking a government network. They came to arrest her at school.
• [2:27] - After this experience, Alissa later went on to own a few startups and sold them for millions of dollars.
• [3:44] - Alissa explains her combat training when owning a defense contracting company. She then transitioned back into cyber security.
• [5:10] - Her company shifted from defense contracting to private sector cyber security.
• [6:06] - While living in Germany, Alissa got into hacking connected cars.
• [7:07] - Although Alissa knows the risks of having connected technology, she is definitely a consumer of connected devices.
• [7:55] - We are seeing a fundamental change in cybersecurity because now it isn't just about information. It can literally be life or death.
• [9:02] - Alissa loves cinematography and combines her knowledge of hacking and content creation.
• [10:17] - Cybersecurity can be boring and uninteresting. Alissa states that she got tired of seeing the same white papers and changed it up to make it more interesting not just for her but for clients as well.
• [11:22] - Alissa references a book called Blue Ocean Strategy and summarizes its content in relation to her business model and content.
• [12:58] - "A lot of the content out there for security is told through the eyes of a blue team member. It's told through the eyes of the defender. Very rarely do we see content being told through the eyes of the adversary."
• [14:13] - Alissa describes what she wants people to see through her content.
• [15:58] - In Alissa's opinion, we need to relearn the concept of prevention.
• [17:27] - Chris points out that many mistakes are made when people think they have an impenetrable system. They become complacent.
• [18:20] - There are so many products out there right now that become very overwhelming and many don't know what to choose or buy.
• [19:17] - Alissa breaks down the categories of mHealth and describes how she was able to hack into them.
• [20:59] - When testing these systems through hacking, Alissa was shocked at how much information she was able to access about patients.
• [22:01] - Alissa explains the rule that CMS passed called FHIR.
• [24:36] - Describing the systems that hospital systems use, Alissa points out some issues with lack of security.
• [26:48] - Alissa shares a personal story about being diagnosed with cancer and the experience of getting an email with her medical data available through a mobile app.
• [29:21] - The average person is not digging deep to find where their information could have been published on the darkweb.
• [30:54] - Alissa explains the differences between what some providers can and cannot do with data.
• [31:41] - To explain a BOLA vulnerability, Alissa uses an easy to visualize analogy.
• [33:58] - Some of the problems in the APIs that Alissa is testing is insecure coding and programming. She lists how this can see patient health information in medical systems.
• [35:13] - Simply changing an ID slightly once it has been authenticated is the number 1 vulnerability in APIs. Alissa says it's the easiest hack in the world.
• [36:08] - Sharing a story about an experience with a pen tester, Chris demonstrates how important testing for vulnerabilities is.
• [38:16] - We as consumers have to rely on manufacturers to make more secure cars and our healthcare providers to create more secure programs. It's unfortunately out of our hands.
• [39:54] - It is not an immediate thing to learn. Alissa points out the many tools and the importance of understanding them.
• [42:16] - Exploits and these penetration testing tools are important, but if they are in the wrong hands they can be used for different purposes.
• [43:32] - When the developer is responsible for data, it leads to many problems. Alissa describes what can happen.
• [46:19] - Alissa explains what she predicts what she thinks will happen in the future.
• [47:28] - "I think zero trust should have been the foundational elements of the building blocks from the beginning."
• [49:37] - There is a lot of amazing technology coming from Tel Aviv which is a shift from the past.

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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Not all lies are scams, but everyone lies, even if it's only about someone's birthday gift. Liars give out both verbal and nonverbal cues, but how do you know what they are? Listen to this episode to learn how to spot a lie.

Today's guest is Pamela Meyer. Pamela is certified fraud examiner, international speaker, entrepreneur, and the author of Lie Spotting: Proven Techniques to Detect Deception. Her TEDtalk "How to Spot a Liar" is one of the 15 most popular TEDtalks of all time with over 30 million views. She has been featured on NPR, CNN, ABC, Forbes, The Washington Post, and The New York Post, and she writes regularly for The Huffington Post.

• [1:03] - Pamela's background is in business and for many years she was in media. She had developed some websites and sold them. She shared how a Harvard Business School reunion sparked her interest in deception.
• [2:41] - When Pamela returned home from the reunion, she realized that there was a huge interest in the topic of deception but that the information on it was inaccessible.
• [3:31] - Pamela shares the story that is also featured in her book Lie Spotting, about an assistant she had many years ago.
• [4:56] - Just because it is taught in the CIA, doesn't mean it can't be learned by the public.
• [5:23] - The myth of lie detection is that it is simple. It is actually quite complex.
• [6:02] - Pamela shares another myth regarding lie detection through the eyes.
• [7:10] - When someone is lying, sometimes people will try to overcompensate their body language to appear truthful.
• [8:20] - What's important with lie detection is starting with baselining. One indicator doesn't mean anything and Pamela describes why.
• [10:02] - If you know someone very well and you notice that something is a little off, it could be an indicator for lying. Pamela explains that someone trained in detection will be able to note exactly what is off.
• [10:52] - Professionals can usually determine a baseline for someone and detect lies within a half hour, 15 minutes, or even 5 minutes.
• [11:56] - If you are having a difficult conversation, what you're looking for are energetic changes.
• [12:53] - Pamela begins sharing a good starting point called BASIC in learning detection which is a 5 step process. This is different from the advanced masterclass she offers.
• [13:03] - The first step is B for Baselining. A is for Ask open ended questions.
• [14:07] - Be warm and be in an environment that is free from distraction. Sit in a non-threatening way and make the person feel comfortable.
• [15:47] - Be authentic with building rapport with someone. Prepare for harder conversations ahead of time.
• [17:39] - The biggest issue with cues to verbal and nonverbal deceit is what we call Cognitive Load. When you're trying to think what to say, act composed, appear spontaneous, if you are lying you leak verbal and nonverbal cues.
• [19:03] - Pamela shares some nonverbal cues that someone who is lying could adopt when in conversation with you.
• [20:37] - The verbal cues in a difficult conversation could be pushing the main point of conversation off to the end. Someone who is truthful will typically tell a story with a beginning, middle, and an end.
• [21:29] - Pamela describes some verbal cues that could mean deception.
• [22:40] - These methods are not weapons. They're just techniques to help you get to the truth. Deception isn't always indicative of something bad.
• [24:22] - Everyone lies. Although the term "lying" has a negative connotation.
• [25:01] - S in BASIC is "Study the clusters." Look at the cues and study them. I is for "Intuiting the gaps." Keep your instincts in mind and identify and fill in the holes.
• [26:37] - Pamela describes behavior gaps and emotion gaps. What is the person saying and are they flashing contradictory facial expressions or body movements?
• [28:10] - These indicators are not to point fingers and call the person a liar. They are to give you more information and give you guidance on the harder questions to ask.
• [28:32] - C is to confirm. After you've done everything prior, you need to now ask the questions that will confirm your thoughts of deceit. These questions often indicate that you have some information that you might not have.
• [30:18] - Pamela gives some examples of what a truthful person will say to answer these questions and what a deceitful person will say.
• [31:17] - You don't always have to use these questions and in most cases you won't need to. But Pamela has several that she keeps in her back pocket in the event that she needs more.
• [32:09] - A good interrogator or interviewer is prepared. If you are an artful interviewer, you will be prepared with tons of questions to determine that Cognitive Load.
• [33:13] - To answer the question of "can you teach me to lie?" Pamela says no because anyone who is really talented at interrogation will be able to detect deception.
• [34:07] - We all have biases and blindspots. So we are not completely immune to being conned or lied to.
• [34:57] - We are past polygraph tests these days. There is a lot of technology out there to detect deception. It can't be used in all settings but it's available.
• [37:34] - There is a lot of technology that is effective and some that is not. Pamela gives some examples of studies that are going on currently.
• [39:08] - Chris and Pamela discuss the problem of cyberthreats and not knowing the baseline of someone. This also applies to AI algorithms.

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Not all social media influencers are equal. Just because someone has a ton of followers doesn't mean they actually have any influence on their audience. It's important that we learn to be critical thinkers that do research and not just believe what we hear and read. Whether you're a business looking to use an influencer to promote your product, or you're interested in becoming an influencer yourself, this is the episode for you.

Today's guest is Neal Schaffer. Neal is an authority on helping innovative businesses digitally transform their sales and marketing. He's the founder of the digital marketing consultancy PDCA Social and currently serves as a fractional CMO to several companies. He teaches at Rutgers Business School and the Irish Management Institute and is fluent in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese. Neal is a popular keynote speaker internationally and has also authored four sales and marketing books including his latest, The Age of Influence.

• [1:34] - Neal shares his background and how he began working with social media influencers around 2017.
• [2:29] - It is a huge industry with a lot of money being thrown at it and it is very easy to dupe people.
• [2:55] - Neal shares the statistic that there's more than a billion dollars in fraud in the industry.
• [3:15] - There's no real way to tell if someone's followers and engagement are real or fake because you don't have access to their account.
• [4:03] - Influencers have to deliver. Neal explains how social media really works and what questions he asks when looking deeply at influencer profiles.
• [5:30] - People have to be smart enough and to have a critical mind and analyze what they see. Don't take anything at face value.
• [6:37] - Neal compares looking into a social media influencer or someone who seems to be an influencer to shopping on Amazon.
• [7:30] - The book The Age of Influence by Neal Schaffer answers a lot of questions for business owners looking to potentially hire an influencer.
• [8:09] - Neal describes how influencer marketing works and what a lot of business owners assume it is like.
• [9:21] - If you are going to reach out to someone to promote your product, ask them honestly if they've used your product. If they don't care about your product, why would you want them to promote it? Reach out to the right people.
• [10:39] - Chris shares "influencer fails." If you treat an influencer like you are hiring them for a project with specific details and restrictions, the worse and less genuine the content is going to be.
• [11:29] - Influencers can create better content that any business so restricting them is counterproductive.
• [12:41] - When it is a cut and paste, people can see that. You would be introducing a foreign element into their community.
• [13:51] - Neal and Chris discuss government involvement in influencer marketing and the potential future in regulations.
• [14:52] - Neal shares that as a content creator himself, he has been approached by businesses who say they want to work with him but they do not want him to use the term "sponsored."
• [15:47] - Disclosures are required but the post can still be genuine.
• [16:31] - Neal suggests some ways to engage with and develop genuine relationships with influencers that will help in the long run.
• [17:42] - Good influencers turn down the sponsorships and product promotions that don't make sense for their own brand.
• [19:49] - Becoming an influencer is a long haul. Becoming more influential as a side hustle is more realistic. You're not going to become a millionaire overnight. Because it is a long haul, it needs to be something you are passionate about.
• [21:14] - Because you are passionate about your niche, you draw people who are also passionate about it and over time you will influence them.
• [22:46] - As an influencer, keep a short list of brands that you would love to have sponsor you and work to keep your passion clear to draw the followers that will connect with you.
• [24:26] - There's no shortcut to the process of becoming an influencer. It is hard work but with strategy it can happen.
• [25:50] - There are going to be people that push back. Part of building fans is standing up for your niche.
• [27:04] - Your profile is your space. If someone is invading your space with negative comments, it is totally okay to delete and block. Your community will likely support you.
• [27:48] - Neal tells a story about a game he plays on his phone and how it is similar to taking care of your community of followers.
• [29:26] - If you are a business owner, influencers are an excellent opportunity. If you are a consumer, treat influencers like Amazon product reviews. If you want to become an influencer, don't do it for the money. Do it for the passion.

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Pets are one way to get to someone's heart and their wallet. Purchasing a dog is an investment that scammers can try to manipulate for their own advantage.

Today's guest is Brandi Hunter. Brandi has been in public relations and communications for over 15 years. The past five years she has been working for the American Kennel Club commonly known as the AKC. The AKC is over 135 years old and the largest pure-bred registry in the United States. The AKC is passionate about all breeds of dogs, their sports, and their safety. Brandi shares many different resources that are available and scams to watch out for.

• [0:54] - Brandi shares some background on herself working in communications and the background of the AKC.
• [1:48] - AKC's mission is to protect all dogs and make sure they have the happiest and healthiest life possible.
• [3:11] - The first thing you need to do before purchasing a pet, you need to assess your life and look at your lifestyle and household to make sure you can.
• [3:45] - Brandi also recommends you take a moment to discover if rescuing is what you should do or if you should go through a breeder.
• [4:07] - If going through a breeder, you need to make sure you are going through a reputable source. AKC has a marketplace that has a compliance program that Brandi describes.
• [5:02] - Brandi says to research breeds as well to make sure that their traits and typical behaviors make sense for your lifestyle.
• [6:10] - Be careful if you are on a website for a breeder. Double check by calling the AKC to see if they are registered. Brandi says that it is easy for someone to copy and paste a logo or make a website a scam.
• [7:12] - Chris shares his story in searching for a Mini Schnauzer.
• [8:01] - Brandi explains how some breeds are not good for first time dog owners.
• [9:02] - Chris and his wife found a breeder near a family member's home. His family member trains service dogs and decided to have her go look at the dog and breeder, the breeder completely stopped communicating.
• [10:35] - Responsible breeders want to meet you and make sure the dog is going to a good home.
• [11:53] - In every case Brandi has ever seen with responsible breeders, the breeder will say to bring the dog back if it is not the right fit. This reduces surrender.
• [12:57] - When Chris and his wife found the right breeder, he described the difference in experience. She was very communicative and cared about the dog.
• [14:01] - Nobody that is intentionally breeding wants their dogs to end up in shelters. That's not why you put the work in. Breeding is a lot of work.
• [15:34] - A puppy mill is not a term the AKC uses because they do not encourage the practice. But it is when someone breeds irresponsibility in mass after receiving money.
• [16:58] - Puppy mills and backyard breeders do not do health checks because they are only concerned about earning money.
• [18:02] - Breeding this irresponsibly is unscrupulous and completely unhealthy for the parents and the puppies. When this happens you can usually tell based on looks and behavior.
• [19:08] - A red flag will also be exorbitant prices and the breeder telling you that the puppy is exotic.
• [20:02] - Another sign to watch out for is that the breeder doesn't ask you any questions to make sure the dog is going to a good home. They only want to know that you can pay for it.
• [20:56] - When paying for a dog, Brandi says do not use Western Union or other methods of wiring money that you cannot trace. Use your credit card because you can report fraud.
• [21:33] - Another red flag is that a scammer will ask for money right away. That is the first thing they will talk about.
• [22:19] - Brandi lists some other red flags including refusal to provide papers and bad grammar on websites.
• [22:47] - When contacting a phone number on a website, always call. Numbers that you can't call but you can receive texts from is another red flag.
• [22:59] - Brandi recommends to reverse look-up a photo to see if it is a stock photo used elsewhere or to copy and paste testimonials from their website into Google.
• [23:40] - There will be no financial surprises with a reputable breeder. Brandi lists some ways scammers and irresponsible breeders will spring additional fees.
• [24:34] - Responsible breeders will work with a contract. They will have a copy and you will have one.
• [25:56] - Pricing a dog is at the discretion of the breeder, not the AKC. It is random and arbitrary so there will be no hidden costs that pop up.
• [26:50] - Brandi describes a common lost dog scam. It tugs on the emotion of the pet owner.
• [28:10] - You should always have your dog microchipped or have tags on your dog in the event they get lost. If someone calls and claims to have your dog, they need to send you a picture of the tags.
• [29:47] - Pay attention to what they're saying and to what they're not saying. This is good advice for someone who claimed to find your dog or a breeder you are in contact with to purchase.
• [31:09] - A legitimate person is only concerned with reuniting you with your dog. They should get the reward money only when the dog is returned, not before.
• [32:33] - "Do your research. We know that puppies are an impulsive buying decision. The minute that warm little nose touches your cheek, it's over for any straightforward thought you're thinking. But the desire for the pet should never outweigh your logic." - Brandi Hunter
• [33:41] - If a pet store or a shelter is doing it right, they are protecting the animal. Take the right path for you.
• [34:23] - There is a wealth of information on AKC's website, including quizzes, articles, and videos to help plan.

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Many assume that dating scams only take place online. A scenario where they create an emotional connection over a period of time and eventually start asking for money. Today, we talk with someone who was deceived in person and how to see the warning signs in real life.

Today's guest is Abby Ellin. Abby has been a freelance writer for 20 years. She has mostly written for The New York Times but has been published in countless other publications including Time and The London Daily Telegraph. Abby's latest book Duped: Double Lives, False Identities, and the Con Man I Almost Married was published in 2019 and is the topic of today's discussion.

• [1:14] - The reason Chris wanted Abby on the podcast was because Abby's experience is different from the more common online dating scams.
• [1:40] - Very briefly, Abby was engaged to a man who turned out to be a pathological liar. She felt something was off and left him within a year. But later she got a phone call.
• [2:14] - It turned out that the man was using Abby's name to write prescriptions for drugs.
• [2:40] - Abby jumped into journalist mode and interviewed the people in the man's life who he had also been deceiving.
• [4:17] - Abby explains the true things that were not deceptions: he had been a doctor in the Navy and was from Jacksonville, Florida.
• [4:42] - When he didn't want Abby coming to Jacksonville with him it was because he was engaged to another woman who he lived with there. He would tell the other woman he was on a secret mission and would leave for long periods of time.
• [5:25] - Nothing was verifiable which drove the journalist side of Abby nuts.
• [6:14] - Abby initially met him during an interview. She was interviewing him as a doctor and when fact checking he shared that he was opening up a facility in Iraq and Afghanistan for kids with cancer. They kept in touch because of the story she could write.
• [7:25] - Abby describes his pattern starting with marrying someone, leaving them, and moving to another marriage.
• [8:07] - It wasn't just "love fraud," it was a real con. He was using names of people he had been with romantically as well as names of the people he worked with to get drugs for himself.
• [8:58] - Abby was suspicious and left him after a year. She shares a story about a time he lied to her parents so convincingly and it made her concerned about other possible lies.
• [10:17] - Some red flags Abby noticed were that he would always cancel plans last minute and unusual things would happen when she was out of town.
• [11:15] - Chris and Abby discuss how people use the claim of being in the military as their adopted persona because we don't tend to question that. But the man she was engaged to was in fact in the military.
• [12:10] - He was a military doctor and you don't ever expect someone in that kind of position to be a "bad egg."
• [13:19] - Abby explains that he was caught for using drugs but he had gotten a hold of so much that she is also convinced that he was selling.
• [14:40] - For online scams, the goal is to receive money and the manipulation is a means to an end. For some in person scams, sometimes the manipulation is part of the goal, too.
• [15:51] - Because Abby had been suspicious and was not forthcoming about financial information, she did not lose any money. She says that if that had been his goal with her, she was a failed scam. But he did ask a few times about finances.
• [16:47] - When asked about trust, Abby explains that we are programmed to trust and that society will not function without it.
• [17:53] - Those gut feelings, intuition, or what Abby calls the "Spidey-sense," can be right. Listen to your gut.
• [19:34] - Abby shares a story about a woman she just recently started seeing and how her gut feeling was actually wrong. She had been projecting her baggage to someone else's scenario.
• [22:03] - When you see a photo of someone on a dating app who is in a military uniform, it is a scam. People who are truly in the military won't be using a photo like that for their profile.
• [23:25] - There are some people who thrive on manipulating others. If the goal is to dupe someone for money, Abby thinks that scamming a freelance journalist was not the best plan for that goal.
• [24:58] - Abby shares that she called a scammer back one time just to see what would happen.
• [26:01] - Chris describes how sophisticated scams have gotten.
• [26:55] - The minute someone asks for money, that should be the end of the conversation.
• [28:01] - It is really hard to deal with an in-person situation like Abby was involved in because you have met them and you do have a relationship with them rather than an online dating scam where you don't meet them in person.
• [28:58] - You need to know what someone's baseline is. There is not a specific set of behaviors that indicate someone is lying. Everyone is different so take notice of things that are out of the ordinary for them.
• [29:44] - Abby discusses polygraph tests and how she needs to have hard evidence.
• [31:33] - In Abby's situation, the man she was engaged to had duped his entire family.
• [33:02] - It became so much a problem for him, that lying became his default.
• [34:29] - Abby shares a story about another red flag about their living situation. She caught him in a lie and she is convinced he believed his own lies.
• [37:05] - Abby will be starting a podcast to share more details of her experience soon.

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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Ethical hacking may seem like an oxymoron, but having someone that you trust do a penetration test on your network may shock you. Our guest today has been helping people for 20 years to know when they're vulnerable, and he shares his stories and insights to help you keep your information secure.

Today's guest is Brian Self. Brian is a certified Information Systems Security professional, ethical hacker, and professional speaker. He has the unique ability to take a complicated topic like network security and make it easy for a wide audience to understand. He has been in Information Security for over 15 years and in IT for over 20. He is a professional penetration tester doing offensive security, a compliance subject matter expert, an IT security architect, a security engineer, and a consultant in a variety of security domains.

• [1:10] - Brian shares his background and how he got into the field of IT and security including the story that inspired him to get into ethical hacking.
• [3:34] -In 15 minutes, a penetration tester taught Brian more about the system he was using than he ever knew was there. He was hooked from then on.
• [4:37] - Brian defines some common hacking terminology in easy-to-understand verbiage.
• [6:12] - In Brian's experience, many people tell him that they don't have anything of value that a hacker would want. He clarifies that everyone has something that can make them a target, including things you just don't think of as a vulnerability.
• [7:01] - In addition to white hat, gray hat, and black hat hackers, Brian explains the different teams of hackers called blue teams and red teams.
• [8:43] - For penetration tests that Brian does, he doesn't necessarily avoid getting caught.
• [9:29] - Chris shares his experience with a penetration testing company and the surprise of what they found.
• [10:52] - Brian confirms that Chris's experience is very common. There are a lot of old systems in place that may have been secure when created but haven't been updated.
• [12:21] - Brian describes one of his very first pen tests and the ease of finding vulnerability.
• [13:48] - For pen testers out there who are just starting, here's a rule of thumb, never tell how you got in until you're done. Brian explains why.
• [14:58] - If you are approached by someone who claims to have found vulnerability, like a grey hat hacker, Brian advises to be very careful and to get a legal team involved.
• [17:02] - Brian is motivated to help people understand security.
• [18:38] - Responsible disclosure is when a security researcher gives companies ample time to make changes to their vulnerability. Some security researchers disclose the information on social media.
• [20:33] - Brian suggests starting with the basics first before hiring someone to do penetration testing. Are you patching? If not, patch first.
• [23:04] - If you're starting from scratch, you can plan for changes in security. Consider who needs access to certain data.
• [24:21] - Chris describes the balance that needs to be found between automated systems and human error.
• [26:01] - Brian started learning social engineering when he had to convince someone to send him to an event to learn more.
• [27:10] - Brian highly recommends the OWASP foundation to continue learning about penetration testing and overall security.
• [29:14] - Chris admits that he has been nervous to attend conventions and explains his reasoning.
• [31:15] - Chris references a previous episode with Ed Skoudis and an experience he had with the Holiday Hack Challenge.
• [32:17] - Brian suggests taking classes, courses, and learning what you can. He says that if you take a course with Ed Skoudis, you are really learning.
• [33:09] - In regards to risk, Brian keeps two main points - the likelihood and the impact.
• [34:15] - Engage with the pen test team. Don't wait to ask questions. Leverage them while you have their time and attention.
• [34:55] - Make sure you have some proof from pen testers so you know how you fixed something without having to track down the pen testers later. You need a detailed report with priorities.
• [36:13] - There are some companies that are now specializing in fixing risks. Brian is cautious of this because of an apparent conflict of interest.
• [37:34] - It should be negotiated in your contract with a pen test to come back and retest.
• [38:38] - Brian describes how he became burnt out with pen testing.
• [40:00] - Many companies only hired pen test companies for compliance reasons. There are other companies who actually care about risk management. Brian explains that the types of testing he did varied due to the company's reason.
• [42:04] - What are the things that every security professional always tells people? Two-factor authorization is annoying but it is crucial.
• [44:01] - Chris and Brian discuss SMS two-factor authorization. Brian explains that for most of us, it is enough. But for some, it isn't.
• [45:47] - Brian says that passwords need to be as complex as possible and at least 15 characters long.
• [46:22] - Comparing two-factor authorization to a home break-in, Brian illustrates that something is better than nothing.
• [48:16] - Do not use the same password on multiple accounts. You need to have extra security for the accounts that are of value.
• [49:18] - If you're not going to take the steps for everything, apply it where you really need to, like bank accounts.
• [50:08] - Pen tests give companies a lot of assurance, but in a lot of cases it takes away assurance.
• [51:04] - A lot of times, security becomes a chore for a lot of companies.
• [52:30] - Brian shares a personal story of hackers contacting one of his clients in an attempt to gain access to her network.
• [54:07] - One major suggestion that Brian makes to everyone is to block out automatic image loading in emails.

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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Seniors are prime targets for cyber crime because many of them have been preparing for retirement and have sizable savings. Their lack of familiarity with technology can set them up to be deceived or hacked. Scammers are going to elaborate lengths to hide their deception. It's important to be aware of their schemes.

Today's guest is Scott Schober. Scott is the CEO of Berkeley Varitronics Systems. As a cyber security and wireless technology expert, Scott has had regular appearances on Bloomberg TV, ABC, CBS, FOX News, Good Morning America, CNN, CNBC, and many more. Scott is the author of Hacked Again, Cyber Security is Everybody's Business, and his latest book, we'll talk about today, Senior Cyber.

• [1:10] - Senior Cyber is a little different than Scott's other books. Scott was inspired to write it as he has helped his parents and grandparents with technology.
• [2:22] - As he was looking for resources for his parents and grandparents, he found that the books tended to talk down to the audience. It makes the audience feel intimidated.
• [4:36] - Typically, seniors have a little bit more disposable income because they're saving for retirement. It makes them targets of scams.
• [5:09] - Scott points out that seniors also tend to be more innocent and naive when it comes to trusting hackers. Hackers can more easily use phishing attacks.
• [6:41] - Chris and Scott discuss the familiarity gap between generations. Bringing in terms like cryptocurrency and bitcoin is a way that confuses older generations.
• [7:23] - There are many seniors who have taken the time to learn, become comfortable with, and embrace technology including online bill pay and communication.
• [8:27] - Scott shares how he has heard from some readers of his book who said that through reading the book, it opened younger family members up to helping older family members navigate online.
• [9:18] - Chris shares an experience with a friend who's father went missing which caused Chris to really start thinking about his own parents and led to a great conversation with them.
• [12:23] - Scott describes a similar story of his daughter seemingly going missing while on a trip many years ago. Technology didn't enter their mind as a solution, but now it can be helpful in making sure others are safe.
• [14:00] - Using his own father as an example, many seniors who have a brilliant mind, feel discouraged because they can't always remember usernames, passwords, and processes to stay safe online.
• [15:20] - Imagine someone who has never used computers, listening to current buzzwords like phishing attacks, encryption, ransomware, etc.
• [16:01] - Making it clear that seniors are not inherently doing anything wrong, communicating cyber security strategies in a way that is relatable to them is key.
• [16:53] - In his experience, Scott sees most seniors accessing the internet through a computer and typically have their passwords written down in plain view.
• [18:10] - Doing some "house cleaning" when it comes to cyber security for the seniors in your life can be very helpful. Remove unused apps and clean out things that aren't necessary.
• [19:38] - Scott shares a story about a credit card expiring and cutting it up.
• [21:14] - Sharing stories with others can have a larger impact on those you are helping than making them feel like they are being lectured.
• [23:04] - Scott explains that the scams that impact the elderly the most are always tied to emotions. Recently, there have been scams surrounding vaccines.
• [24:09] - If something sounds a little fishy, pause and ask the questions.
• [24:39] - Phone calls and emails asking for information to put you on a list for a vaccine are rampant right now.
• [24:59] - Because it is also tax season, there are a lot of tax scams going on. Remember that the IRS is not going to call you.
• [25:53] - Scott learns about a new scam every single day. It keeps changing and evolving.
• [26:55] - When someone calls and volunteers a small amount of personal information about you asking for you to confirm the rest and tries to do so very quickly, those are red flags of a scam.
• [28:37] - An older generation was taught to answer the phone because it is courteous while a younger generation may screen calls or prefer texts.
• [29:56] - Even if a senior has a smartphone and attempts to screen calls, call spoofing is so easy for scammers to do. Scott shares how he tried it himself and demonstrates just how easy it is.
• [31:40] - Scott points out that seniors are more likely to respond to calls which causes them to keep calling and probing for more information.
• [32:42] - Scott shares a personal story about his grandfather becoming a victim to a scam.
• [34:26] - Fortunately in the case of his grandfather, the cashier performing the wire transfers knew of a scam and asked questions.
• [35:19] - Once a scam is successful, even more calls and emails will come to try to scam again.
• [37:05] - Some scammers will also try to coach you to lie to cashiers or banks. That is a red flag. You shouldn't have to lie to access your funds.
• [39:47] - Chris shares that some people he has helped, especially if they are older, tend to think that they are personally targeted. But it is really that everyone is targeted and a lot of people get the same calls.
• [41:18] - Scott describes how he was able to talk with a scammer and how when he got caught, he became extremely angry.
• [43:59] - When Chris and Scott answer these calls and talk to scammers knowing what they are trying to do, they are at least gaining knowledge on how they operate.
• [45:26] - Chris explains a newer scam called brushing in, which is when packages are delivered to you that you did not order to cause you to reach out and give information to get the package to the right person.
• [47:53] - Scott's book, Senior Cyber, is available on Amazon and his website.
• [49:24] - Throughout the book, there are "Senior Tips" that bullet point quick tips and facts that are easy to understand. There is also a senior workbook that is enjoyable and educational. You can reach out to Scott to receive one of those.

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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Some believe Ponzi schemes are doomed to fail. But with a sophisticated schemer and a broad enough base of people, they might just be able to keep it going. In honor of Charles Ponzi's birthday, we talk about the history of the Ponzi scheme and some of the amazing stories of how they've been exposed and ways to see them coming.

Today's guest is Steve Weisman. Steve is a nationally recognized expert in scams and identity theft as well as a lawyer, college professor, and prolific author. His informative speeches, articles, and books make difficult subjects not only understandable, but enjoyable with the humor he brings to these complex issues. Steve is passionate about educating people through his website Scamicide.com.

• [1:16] - Steve has a personal backstory with a Ponzi scam because his father became the victim of one several years ago. His father was an astute businessman and the people involved with it seemed very honest.
• [1:50] - Steve also became a victim of identity theft himself and then wanted to help others not have the same problem.
• [2:29] - After WWI, Charles Ponzi came up with a plan to make money. Steve admits that it is very hard to explain and that is the key to a Ponzi scheme.
• [3:45] - Schemers blamed their victims for falling for the scheme. They claimed that they deserved what happened because they weren't smart enough.
• [4:58] - Steve describes how Charles Ponzi used the money from investors and shares why a more recent scheme in 2008 was successful.
• [5:46] - In the case of Charles Ponzi, law enforcement didn't bring him down. The media did.
• [6:29] - Ponzi did spend time in prison and was kicked out of the country. He went back to Italy and actually scammed Mussolini.
• [8:04] - Ponzi was probably not the first person to scam this way. In Steve's research, there was an earlier scam by a woman named Sarah Howe in the 1870s.
• [9:42] - Upon being released from prison, Sarah went back to her old ways and developed the same exact scam.
• [10:16] - Steve shares the story of Brad Bleidt to illustrate the term "affinity fraud." Brad was a Mason and other Masonic groups trusted him.
• [11:01] - Sarah Howe targeted women. Brad Bleidt targeted other Masons. Bernie Madoff targeted mostly other Jewish people. We trust those who are like us.
• [12:21] - Steve shares a story about how Bernie Madoff was actually found out much earlier and reported multiple times.
• [14:10] - This is not just an American phenomenon. A massive Ponzi scheme in Romania took down most of the nation's economy.
• [14:43] - When you deal with any kind of investment, you want to check out two things. The first thing is the person you're dealing with. The second thing is to fully understand what you're investing in.
• [15:28] - People like Madoff and Bleidt would be an investment advisor and the person who holds the investment. Most of the time, you want your investment advisor and custodian as separate people.
• [17:13] - Chris asks a new question of the guest and Steve says it is a very important question. Do these schemes start out as frauds to begin with or do they evolve into it?
• [19:10] - Some schemers don't start out that way. They need a little bit more money or time and before they know it, they're in too deep.
• [20:03] - Steve points out that Bernie Madoff may have been able to get away with his scheme forever if it weren't for the unprecedented economic issues in 2008.
• [21:42] - Bernie Madoff was never actually caught. He knew he was about to be caught and turned himself in. Steve shares the interesting facts of the case and where the money wound up.
• [24:29] - Ultimately, the money invested with Madoff was able to be returned to investors. But this is unusual. Most of the time, the money is dissipated.
• [25:08] - Ponzi schemers will appear very successful and wealthy when in reality they are dissipating the funds that they get to appear that way.
• [27:35] - In addition to living lavish lifestyles, some schemers may have issues with gambling.
• [28:23] - Steve shares the story of a Ponzi schemer in Florida who was a lawyer. He was a fixture of the high life in South Florida.
• [30:24] - There was a Texas scammer that owned a bank in the Caribbean selling CDs at high rates. Rather than Ponzi, this was similar to Madoff's approach.
• [32:01] - Chris and Steve discuss the regulatory organizations that are intended to investigate Ponzi schemes.
• [34:18] - If you feel like you are a victim of a Ponzi scheme, you need to report it to the SEC or the Federal Trade Commision.
• [35:10] - Investing all of your money into one thing is not a good idea, either. The markets go up and down. Diversification as much as possible is helpful.
• [36:01] - Steve references the recent GameStop stock that appeared to be a "pump and dump" scam but was not.
• [38:40] - You have to do your homework on investments. No one likes to do the research and the homework, but it can be detrimental if you do not.
• [39:53] - In reference to the GameStop stock, Steve explains that when investors were "sticking it to the man," they were impacting hedge funds.
• [41:05] - Steve is a big believer in investing but clarifies that day trading is not investing, but rather gambling.
• [43:03] - Chris and Steve sum up the red flags to look for to avoid being a victim of a Ponzi scheme.

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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