Best Ransomeware Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 166: Ken’s Duplicate Driver’s License Cost Him $8,000 42:38

2d ago42:38

42:38

By the time Ken understood what happened, his similar-looking identity thief had walked off with $8,000. In this episode, we learn about a vulnerability courtesy the DMV and what an enterprising identity thief was able to do with it. Eva Velasquez from the Identity Theft Resource Center offers tips on safeguarding yourself. Plus: the pros and cons …

1
Episode 165: Shannon Edwards Reveals the Student Data Free-for-All in New York City Schools 42:41

7d ago42:41

42:41

As technology is integrated deeper into classrooms, the lines between education and data privacy have been destroyed by for-profit data miners. This week, privacy advocate Shannon Edwards reveals how educational apps harvest sensitive information from children, commodify their data, and what parents can do to fight it. Learn more about your ad choi…

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Episode 164: Whim Grace Plays a Shell Game with Scammers 46:08

14d ago46:08

46:08

Whim wanted to teach overseas. While based on the coast of Portugal, she was offered a teaching position from two employers. She didn’t know that she was about to end up with no job at all, narrowly avoiding getting taken for a bundle of dough. Also in this episode: Adam continues to hack Beau in every way imaginable. Learn more about your ad choic…

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Hack to Learn: Integrating Humanities into Cybersecurity 52:17

17d ago52:17

52:17

How do we predict the future? In our respective technology and security fields we are often asked to prognosticate on “what’s next?”. Understanding current trends is certainly helpful but what if you could reach far into the future and describe humanity and our relative progress? In this week's episode of SecureTalk we host an Associate Professor o…

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Episode 163: Carl's Nasty Puppy Scammer Leads Him to the Cutest Surprise 43:51

21d ago43:51

43:51

The isolation caused by the Covid pandemic led to record pet adoptions, and more than usual activity online. It was like chum to sharks for scammers who flooded social media accounts with adoption opportunities for popular breeds. This week’s guest, Holly got in touch with us about her friend Carl who joins us too to talk about his St. Bernard-size…

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Episode 162: Elizabeth Warren Tackles Big Tech 41:50

29d ago41:50

41:50

Elizabeth Warren put the kibosh on bad banking practices with her vision for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and now, with the Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act, she’s taking on Big Data. She joined us to talk about reigning in the Wild West of online life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 161: Andy Pham Claws Back a Multi-Million Dollar Heist 52:00

1M ago52:00

52:00

There are tens of millions of small and medium-size businesses in the United States alone, and depending on their state incorporation, many are in danger of business identity theft. Andy Pham is an American hero by many standards, for sure with regard to the right to become wildly successful. He’s truly living the American Dream. Having grown up in…

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Episode 160: Joyce and a Bank Robber Play MahJong 36:14

1M ago36:14

36:14

Like many of us, Joyce spent hours during the Covid lockdown connecting with friends by playing games online--in her case a MahJong app. Imagine her surprise when using a legitimate app to find a scammer trying to empty her entire bank account. The most likely culprit? You will rethink your game time when you hear what it was. Learn more about your…

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Episode 159: The Wild West of the Loophole Economy 50:13

2M ago50:13

50:13

We’ve all been there. You see something perfect online, you do all the clicks and then think, “Wait, was that legit?” Scam-lite transactions are the way of the web these days, whether it’s direct-from-manufacturer or super-sticky subscriptions, we have your back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 158: Kristin Bride Lost Her Son and Now She’s on a Mission 55:38

2M ago55:38

55:38

Kristen Bride’s 16-year-old son died by suicide after being cyberbullied on Snapchat. Setting her sites on anonymous messaging apps that intentionally traumatize children, Bride heads to Washington DC to fight for change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Loud Tree Media

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AWS CISO Chris Betz at AWS re:Inforce 2024 - CISO Talk EP 45 19:35

2M ago19:35

19:35

Immediately following his AWS re:Inforce 2024 Keynote talk, AWS CISO Chris Betz joins Mitch Ashley on CISO Talk. Chris shares his comprehensive approach to security, including creating a culture of security, AWS chip security, secure programming languages like Rust, securing AI and the data AI uses, and more. Mitch considers Chris Betz an example o…

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Government Takedown of Ransomeware Rings - What CISO's Need to Know - CISO Talk EP 44 59:41

2M ago59:41

59:41

Recent collaborative actions by U.S. and international law enforcement against ransomware rings such as LockBit, BlackCat, and Ragnar Locker serve as a critical wake-up call for CISOs and security leaders. These operations highlight ransomware’s sophistication and pervasive nature, emphasizing the need for robust incident response measures that may…

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Episode 157: Keren Elazari Decrypts the Ransomeware Nightmare 41:41

2M ago41:41

41:41

Ransomware is a type of malware that allows hackers to commandeer data on a device or an entire network. Increasingly, the threat actors behind these crimes set their sites on mission critical targets. We talked about it with renowned cybersecurity expert Keren Elazari this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 156: Beau’s Cousin Makes the Right Call 42:17

2M ago42:17

42:17

There was a video chat, phone messages and a lot of back and forth before Beau’s cousin began to wonder if he was thinking straight, and called to see if we thought he was being scammed. This week we get a rare look at a pig butcher in action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 155: Andrew Steven Finds a Red Flag in His Dream Backyard 48:01

3M ago48:01

48:01

From handshake deals to digital pat-downs, the rental market is filled with great opportunities (that is, for scammers). Our very own producer, Andrew Steven recently got some first-hand experience when he and his partner tried to find a new place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 154: Can AI Commit the Perfect Crime? 47:05

3M ago47:05

47:05

AI is everywhere – in the news, on our devices, assisting us, making life easier for us, and for criminals, too, harnessing AI to swindle people more efficiently. What’s next? We dive into the dark side of AI and ask two experts: Could AI commit the perfect crime? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 153: Roy Gets Hacked by an Evil Clown 33:52

3M ago33:52

33:52

Did you know that you can activate malware on your computer just by looking at an image posted in the comments of an online discussion? We're big on good cyber hygiene. Our first episode provides an important life lesson: Always use a burner computer to troll your enemies. And of course beware of evil clowns. Check out Roy’s story about the time he…

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Episode 152: Max McCoy Investigates $47 Million That Isn’t in Kansas Anymore 50:54

3M ago50:54

50:54

Max McCoy stumbled on a $47 million swindle that starts just north of the Oklahoma panhandle and bounces to Australia before things get really confusing in a haze of small town corruption, secretive law enforcement and competing theories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 151: Axton Betz-Hamilton Gets the Shock of a Lifetime (Part 2) 38:04

4M ago38:04

38:04

Growing up in the shadow of child identity theft can be a struggle. For Axton Betz-Hamilton, her discovery of the culprit led to the shock of a lifetime. In the second installment of this two-part episode, we examine the massive financial and emotional toll of finding out a loved one wasn’t all that they seemed, and how to recover. Also discussed: …

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Episode 150: Axton Betz-Hamilton Goes Looking For Her Identity Thief (Part 1) 46:03

4M ago46:03

46:03

By the time most people find out that they’ve been the victim of child identity theft, their credit is trashed. That’s what happened to Axton Betz-Hamilton. And like most victims of child identity theft, she was targeted by someone she knew. In the first installment of this two-part episode, the mystery of who stole Axton’s identity unravels in a v…

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Episode 149: Paul Raffile Fights Sextortion No Matter What 44:19

4M ago44:19

44:19

Paul Raffile was in national security and corporate threat assessment before (almost) running human exploitation investigations for a major social media company (therein lies this week’s tale). He talked with us about this "silent epidemic” and vanishing job offers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 148: Beth Should Have Dated the IT Guy 40:53

4M ago40:53

40:53

Beth sent more than $26,000 to a man she met on Tinder. It was a romance scam, but one that brought complex storytelling, nuanced psychology and even acting skills to bear in a way that shocked even us. Check out this week’s episode to hear just how “good” romance scammers can be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 147: Kara Swisher Calls Out the Man Babies of Big Tech 41:46

5M ago41:46

41:46

Kara Swisher has been covering Silicon Valley since the early days, and she’s made a ton of enemies the old fashioned way (by telling the truth about the new robber barons of our digital lives). In a new memoir called Burn Book, she pulls the curtain back on a world run by powerful babies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi…

1
Episode 146: Elizabeth Warren Tackles Big Tech 40:16

5M ago40:16

40:16

Elizabeth Warren put the kibosh on bad banking practices with her vision for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and now, with the Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act, she’s taking on Big Data. She joined us to talk about reigning in the Wild West of online life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 145: Becky Holmes Knows Who Isn’t Dating Keanu Reeves 42:17

5M ago42:17

42:17

Becky Holmes loves DMing with scammers. When it comes to romance scammers, she will do whatever it takes, pursuing them to the great delight of her fans on social media. From flings with A-listers to the lantern-jawed soldier with a heart of gold, Becky's on a mission to unravel the weird world of online swindler love. Learn more about your ad choi…

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Episode 144: Erin West Puts the Bad Guys to Shame 43:18

5M ago43:18

43:18

Erin West is the Deputy District Attorney in Santa Clara County, California, and the founder of Project Shamrock. Whether she’s prosecuting eye-popping SIM-swap money grabs or putting large-scale pig butchering operations out of business, her stories and experience can help you stay safer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi…

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Episode 143: Carina Follows Her Heart Into a Crypto Scam 52:35

6M ago52:35

52:35

No one’s too smart for a well designed scam. Case in point, neuroscientist, triathlete Carina who thought the finance bro she met on Bumble was the one for her, but the only real thing was the money she lost. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Loud Tree Media

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Episode 142: Tarah Wheeler Narrowly Avoids Getting Got 48:13

6M ago48:13

48:13

No one is immune from being scammed. Just ask Tarah Wheeler, founder and CEO of Red Queen Dynamics, a company that specializes in keeping people scam-free. While onboarding a new hire, a process she put in place stopped a scammer despite a serious cyber misstep. “What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available wherever you get your podcasts. If you lik…

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Episode 141: Secret Service Agent “Mark” Works the Pan-Africa Beat 45:07

6M ago45:07

45:07

Who better to talk to about pan-African crime syndicates than someone tasked with shutting them down? From drug mules and sextortion to romance scams and spearphishing, this week’s talk with Secret Service Agent “Mark” pulls back the curtain on Black Axe and other crime rings operating worldwide. “What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available whereve…

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Episode 140: Cybersecurity Girl Caitlin Sarian Tries to Delete Herself Online 35:42

6M ago35:42

35:42

Every part of life that comes in contact with the Internet is tracked, packed and sold to a a seemingly infinite network of data brokers. Caitlin Sarian AKA Cybersecurity Girl joined us this week to discuss why scrubbing your information is trickier than it sounds and what you can do about it. “What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available wherever y…

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Episode 139: Cory Doctorow Makes Us Wonder if Everything’s a Scam 46:19

7M ago46:19

46:19

Think you’re too savvy to get scammed? Author and activist Cory Doctorow explains how we’re all one muffaletta and a malfunctioning jet door away from falling prey to the most basic of cons. He joins us this week to talk about that and to fill us in about his new book, “The Bezzle.” “What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available wherever you get your…

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Episode 138: Presley Rhodes Fights an Army of Thirst Trap Thieves 48:36

7M ago48:36

48:36

Presley Rhodes makes a living posting what she calls “the subtle art of the thirst trap.” Popular on Instagram, she uses that platform to draw her most parched followers to OnlyFans where she can get paid. But what happens when a scammer buys access to those images? Nothing good. To hear what happened (and try to figure it out) we talked to someone…

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The Year In Review - So Much to Cover, So Little Time! - CISO Talk EP 43 43:19

7M ago43:19

43:19

CISO Talk finishes 2023 with a year-end review hosted by Mitch Ashley (Techstrong Research) and Jennifer Minella (Viszen Security), joined by Allison Miller (executive security leader) and Dan Glass (CISO, NTT DATA). Our cyber leaders reflect on the rapid rise of generative AI (and whether it lives up to its billing), the career and legal risks of …

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Exploring AI and Cloud Security: Insights on Software Supply Chain and Workload Security - CISO Talk EP 42 43:19

7M ago43:19

43:19

Anton Chuvakin, security advisor at Office of the CISO at Google Cloud and former Gartner distinguished analyst, joins Mitch and JJ to discuss AI and its security implications, software supply chain security and moving and securing workloads in the cloud, including its similarities and differences from operating in traditional data centers.…

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Episode 137: Joy and Michelle Talk Skimmers, Scammers and SNAP EBT Fraud 32:18

7M ago32:18

32:18

SNAP food assistance is a lifeline for more than 40 million Americans experiencing food insecurity. In a growing trend, criminals are targeting major security lapses in SNAP fund distribution, stealing millions in aid, so we asked this week’s guests how we can put a stop to it. “What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available wherever you get your podc…

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Episode 136: Brett Johnson Explains the Abject Terror that Awaits Us All 42:52

7M ago42:52

42:52

Brett Johnson has been called the Godfather of cyber crime. He was on the FBI’s most-wanted list. And he was on What the Hack before! He returns for a freewheeling conversation about what’s new in cybercrime, how it’s changed and wants you to know how to better protect your digital life. “What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available wherever you get…

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Episode 135: Christina’s Alleged Romance Scammer Plays A Long Con 43:07

7M ago43:07

43:07

Romance scammers spend a lot of time on dating apps, but they almost never meet their targets in person. Christina’s Mr. Right moved quickly. Charming in-person, he lived in the same area and worked in the same industry. It was only after she committed to building a new life with him in Florida that everything began to fall apart. “What the Hack wi…

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Episode 134: EFF's Eva Galperin Is Not the Pope of Fighting Stalkerware (But She Is) 45:16

8M ago45:16

45:16

Privacy matters for most of us, but it can be a matter of life and death for some especially when it comes to stalkerware. Electronic Frontier Foundation director of cybersecurity Eva Galperin joined us this week to teach us about the way too common software that can be used to track your every move. “What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available whe…

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Episode 133: Tim Byrne’s Vintage Industrial is Scammer-Proof 39:17

8M ago39:17

39:17

Tim Byrne’s vintage industrial furniture designs are a staple for A-Listers and designers around the world, which puts him in the sites of scammers–whether the target is time, money or goods. Listen as we learn how Byrne’s keen eye for the masterpiece lurking in a hunk of old factory equipment helps him spot thieves before they can strike. “What th…

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Episode 132: Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark Hates Scammers More than We Do 41:38

8M ago41:38

41:38

Ever wonder why facial recognition is so accurate? Well, one reason is the shocking amount of personal data it needs (think: all the world’s snapshots), and that’s why Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark is taking aim at the industry behind that technology. We also review Charity’s top scams to watch for this year, and other topics near and dear…

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Episode 131: Marjorie Bloom Reveals a $661,000 Tech Support Scam 43:58

8M ago43:58

43:58

Retired attorney Marjorie Bloom was minding her own business online when a tech support scam redirected her straight to cybercrime hell. Hear how she lost more than $600,000 in this harrowing tale of a scam turducken. “What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available wherever you get your podcasts. If you like it, consider rating us on your favorite pod…

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Episode 130: David Maimon Introduces Us to a Fresh New Hell 37:21

9M ago37:21

37:21

Criminologist David Maimon is in the business of finding out what we should be scared of. Just when you thought analog bill paying was safe, we learned that check scams are on the rise. And you guessed it: Because artificial intelligence and digital tools are making them way too easy. “What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available wherever you get yo…

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Episode 129: Adam Rings in the New Year by Sharing Some “Scaring is Caring” 50:33

9M ago50:33

50:33

From a pig butchering scam that cost $450,000 to a real estate scam that almost cost a whole lot more, 2023 kept us guessing. With stories sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, and always informative, we’re celebrating the New Year with a look back at some of our favorite moments from the past twelve months. “What the Hack with Adam Levin” is availabl…

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Episode 128: Daniel Simons Reveals Why We’ll All Be Fooled Again 52:44

9M ago52:44

52:44

When it comes to scams, we usually focus on the How rather than the Why. This week, we spoke to psychologist Dan Simons, co-author of Nobody’s Fool to find out why we’re all much easier marks than we like to think. “What the Hack with Adam Levin” is available wherever you get your podcasts. If you like it, consider rating us on your favorite podcas…

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Episode 127: Donna Hayes Sheds Her Shame 46:09

9M ago46:09

46:09

Many romance scams are smash-and-grab operations, but some scammers play the long game. Author, actress, life coach and cabaret singer Donna Hayes met her dream man online, but after a seemingly perfect courtship and almost $200K in cash changing hands, she discovered the truth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 126: Adam Almost Loses 4 Million Dollars 47:41

10M ago47:41

47:41

Ten years after Hurricane Sandy destroyed his beach house on the Jersey Shore, Adam was finally ready to sell the vacant lot. The only problem: It was already on the market. In this whodunnit, we go hunting for the bad guys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Loud Tree Media

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Episode 125: Liza and Harry Take Hits for You in This Holiday Twofer 36:37

10M ago36:37

36:37

Shark Week doesn’t have anything on the Christmas scam season. Whether you’re buying something or selling something, there’s a scammer waiting to rob you blind. But there are ways to stay safe. File this week’s episode under: “You can’t say we didn’t warn you.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 124: Marija Manojlovic Isn’t Kidding Around About Child Safety Online 49:29

10M ago49:29

49:29

How dangerous is the internet for children? According to Marija Manojlovic, it’s even worse than we imagined. This week we chart the dangerous freeways and dark alleys of the internet, the hazards they pose specifically to children and what you can do to protect them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Episode 123: Kitten Lady Hannah Shaw’s Meta Scam Gets Travis a New Cat 38:32

10M ago38:32

38:32

With a million followers and several books on kitten care, Hannah Shaw is no stranger to interview requests and the technical issues to which they often give rise. But when a podcaster helped her navigate a “problem” in her Meta settings, Kitten Lady was hacked. Hear how her eye for deceit and nimble action saved the day. Learn more about your ad c…

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Episode 122: Major Garrett Reveals the Ties that Bond Spies and Hackers 42:30

10M ago42:30

42:30

On this week’s episode a veteran journalist helps us explore our usual beat from a new point of view. CBS Washington Correspondent Major Garrett is the host of “Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen” and an absolutely stellar guide as we parse the similarities and differences between spies and hackers. Learn more about your ad choice…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Ransomeware Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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