In this episode of Tech Thoughts and Talks, we're talking with James Carroll of Hacket Cyber. We go over what's new in penetration testing, what sort of things are found durning penetration testing engagements, what it takes to be a penetration tester or an ethical hacker, and what it means to be a mature cybersecurity practitioner. 

Hacket Cyber: https://hacketcyber.com 

Hacket Cyber 2024 Vulnerability Hitlist: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hacket-cyber_hacket-2024-vulnerability-hitlist-activity-7292903923470794752-mDDO?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABPjy6MB49mOShoAZ1FaMxi2PnQ-nFqSECU

In this episode of Tech Thoughts and Talks, we dive into three major topics shaping our digital lives.

• TikTok Turmoil: Unpacking the roller coaster of TikTok’s attempted ban in the U.S., exploring the national security concerns surrounding the app and the need for broader privacy legislation akin to the EU’s GDPR.

• AI for Good: Highlighting a heartwarming AI breakthrough — “Daisy,” a chatbot designed to waste scammers’ time and protect everyday people, showcasing how technology can reduce stress and serve the greater good.

• Breaking Free from Social Media: Leaving social media for good and the transformative benefits it’s brought.

O2's Daisy AI: https://youtu.be/RV_SdCfZ-0s?si=uJMususYxzQlADqd

In this episode, we dive into the world of OSINT (Open Source Intelligence). OSINT has evolved dramatically with the internet, making research that once took months now achievable in mere seconds. While the internet’s openness allows unprecedented sharing and connection, it also presents risks, as personal information shared online can be used for malicious purposes. We discuss practical steps to protect your online privacy, from managing social media settings to limiting the information you provide to online platforms. 

How to Practice Good Social Media Hygiene: https://www.mcafee.com/blogs/tips-tricks/how-to-practise-good-social-media-hygiene/

In this episode, a simple visit to a family member’s apartment takes an unexpected twist when there is something ominous and suspicious in the parking lot. We connect the chaos to cybersecurity, revealing how “Defense in Depth”—a method used to protect digital networks—could prevent future break-ins. 

In this week's episode we talk briefly about a bill to protect children online - the Kids Online Safety Act. We discuss a brief history of social media and the rise of suggested content and why this bill is so important to protect children from the consequences of unchecked algorithms and content.

Full Kids Online Safety Act bill: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1409/text

Summary of Kids Online Safety Act bill: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1409

This week, we dive into how to stay up-to-date in the fast-paced world of information technology. Whether you’re studying for certifications, tackling personal projects, or exploring new skills, the key to success is continuous learning and real-world practice. We explore ways to make learning enjoyable and personalized, emphasizing that it’s not just about reaching a destination but embracing the journey.

This week I sat down with our first ever guest - Caleb Miller, Infrastructure Engineer at Mozaic. We discuss his career path, the challenges he's encountered and how he's handled them, and his future career. We also talk about imposter syndrome, cybersecurity and the benefits of working at multiple levels in information technology.

Problem solving is what we do best! In IT, we have to be on top of our solution-finding game and bring some ideas to the table. In this episode, we look at the role of problem-solving as a core skill in the IT field that IT professionals use daily, the highs and lows of the job: the satisfaction of solving complex issues versus the frustration of facing challenges that seem insurmountable, especially when resources are limited or expectations are unrealistic. 

Ever wonder if you could talk with generative AI models? Well it turns out you can! This week I interview ChatGPT about the technology it's running on, how it works, what AI is doing to transform and change the workplace and the world as we know it. I've left a snippit of an AI generated song from Suno.ai at the end of the podcast as well. Link is in the show notes.

OpenAI on its model seeing,hearing, and speaking: https://openai.com/index/chatgpt-can-now-see-hear-and-speak/

Song from suno.ai: https://suno.com/song/af54439e-6003-4585-9764-b64b09adc7a0

The internet has morphed so many times since its inception; it's a completely different beast even from just a decade ago. Companies and platforms have drastically changed how they use the internet to provide services to users and some companies have even taken their own websites offline, completely. In this episode, I discuss how I was introduced to the internet, where it stands now in my perspective, and what I believe it needs.

AI Misinformation: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/ai-image-misinformation-surged-google-research-finds-rcna154333

MTV News Website Goes Dark: https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/mtv-news-website-archives-pulled-offline-1236047163/

Cartoon Network Website Shutdown: https://www.ign.com/articles/cartoon-networks-entire-website-has-been-shut-down