Easy Prey

In a world where data is more important than ever, understanding how it is acquired, shared, and misused is critical. Data brokers work behind the scenes, amassing enormous amounts of personal information from online activity, loyalty programs, and even public records, often without the users' knowledge. This data powers targeted marketing, scams, and even identity theft. But what can be done to regain control of personal privacy? Today we're diving deep into this topic with cybersecurity expert Darius Belejevas, who has spent years assisting folks in removing their data from these digital marketplaces. He is the head of Incogni and Surfshark.  In this chat, Darius is going to share how these sneaky data brokers operate. He'll break down why it's such a big deal when our data gets out there for all to see, and he'll arm us with some solid strategies to keep our privacy intact. We’ll also look at practical tactics that everyone can apply to limit their exposure to hackers. We’ll discuss data sharing, using privacy-focused products, and understanding legislation like GDPR and CCPA. We also dive into the shifting landscape of digital security, the role of AI in data collection and fraud, and what the future of online privacy may look like.  Show Notes: * [01:01] We learn about Darius's background. * [02:16] We learn about the creation of Incogni.  * [04:04] Data brokers are businesses who collect data and sell it to other businesses. One problem can be lack of transparency of what is happening to your data.  * [07:19] There are probably a few thousand data brokers. * [09:36] Does removing your data get you out of a breach? * [10:48] Limiting what we share. Prevention, consequences, and clean up. * [12:22] When giving identifiers like your phone number, stop and ask if you really need to do that. * [14:10] Some brokers make it way more difficult to remove data. * [20:13] We talk about privacy regulations and how they can help you or make things more difficult. * [22:12] How AI will make malicious activities easier to scale. * [23:41] Have people given up on privacy? At the end of the day, it's about personal comfort.  * [25:00] Privacy laws are helping with data broker issues.  * [26:59] Being mindful about what you post online. Many people don't want to share too much. * [29:56] Physical junk mail has decreased.  * [30:52] What to do today. Think about what you want to share. Do you really need to subscribe? * [32:21] Use a service like Incogni to help you protect your data. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-prey/id1488678905] and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: * Podcast Web Page [https://www.easyprey.com/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/EasyPreyPodcast] * whatismyipaddress.com [https://whatismyipaddress.com/] * Easy Prey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/easypreypodcast/] * Easy Prey on Twitter [https://twitter.com/easypreypodcast] * Easy Prey on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/easy-prey-podcast/] * Easy Prey on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgy_xKrjiXghSgGFEAFdTQ] * Easy Prey on Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/easypreypodcast/] * Incogni [https://incogni.com/] * Surfshark [https://surfshark.com/] * Darius Belejevas on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/darius.belejevas/] * Darius Belejevas on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusbelejevas/?originalSubdomain=lt]

Getting defrauded is common. It happens everywhere but it’s underreported because of embarrassment. If you’re a victim of fraud the sooner you report the more likely you are to get a better outcome. To learn more about fraud I’m pleased to welcome Marc Evans, a seasoned financial crimes detective and co-founder of Fraud Hero, who has spent over a decade investigating fraud schemes that affect everyday people. With expertise in social engineering, money laundering and credit card scams he has spent his career uncovering the ways criminals use to exploit victims. His passion for fraud prevention comes not only from his investigative experience but also from his personal experience of identity theft which almost derailed his entry into law enforcement. Through his work Marc has recovered millions of dollars for victims and trained thousands of people on how to recognize and prevent fraud before it happens. In this episode Marc lifts the lid on the evolving world of financial fraud, revealing the most common scams and the sophisticated tactics criminals use to stay one step ahead of their victims. From bank imposters to phishing scams and CEO fraud he breaks down how these crimes work, why they are so effective and how law enforcement is trying to disrupt them. He also shares practical steps individuals and businesses can take to protect themselves including monitoring of financial accounts, reporting fraud quickly and using digital security tools. Beyond his law enforcement career Marc’s passion for fraud prevention extends into his entrepreneurial venture Fraud Hero where he educates the public on how to protect themselves from financial deception. He believes knowledge is power and has developed resources to help individuals secure themselves personally and financially. As fraud continues to rise with criminals getting more resourceful and brazen, Marc's mission remains the same – to empower people to be their own first line of defence. Show Notes: * [01:10] Marc is a fraud and financial crimes detective.  He's worked with law enforcement and is a certified fraud examiner and training coordinator. He also started Fraud Hero to help stop fraud and prevent people from becoming victims. * [02:14] He's always been passionate about preventing fraud. * [04:25] Marc was still learning when he began his fraud fighting career. * [05:52] He sees all types of fraud. He's also seen a lot of social engineering tactics and imposter scams. * [07:15] Marc has recently seen a lot of bank imposters. This includes a lot of email and message phishing attacks. * [08:30] Scammers are being more specific now. When they call they even know the victims financial institution. * [09:49] When it comes to getting your money back from the bank it depends on how long before you file your report. * [11:44] Tricky scammers not using the sense of urgency tactic. * [15:25] Marc talks about how quickly money can be withdrawn by scammers, * [18:40] If a bank calls with a fraud situation, they can respond quickly. * [21:12] Fraud has been increasing as criminals way risk versus reward.  * [22:11] Prosecutors are beginning to understand better how fraud works and increasing charges. * [24:03] How stealing mail is the tool of the fraudsters. * [26:35] Benefits of informed delivery. * [31:26] The number of victims reporting crime is really low. * [33:34] Phone number and email spoofing are starting to look more legitimate with AI. * [35:39] Educating people is the main goal. * [41:13] Using digital wallets and keeping your cards safe. * [43:43] Banks want you to show the police report when reporting fraud.  * [45:18] Don't be afraid to learn, reach out, and share what's happened to you. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-prey/id1488678905] and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: * Podcast Web Page [https://www.easyprey.com/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/EasyPreyPodcast] * whatismyipaddress.com [https://whatismyipaddress.com/] * Easy Prey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/easypreypodcast/] * Easy Prey on Twitter [https://twitter.com/easypreypodcast] * Easy Prey on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/easy-prey-podcast/] * Easy Prey on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgy_xKrjiXghSgGFEAFdTQ] * Easy Prey on Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/easypreypodcast/] * Marc Evans on Fraud Hero [https://fraudhero.com/about/] * Marc Evans on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcevanslv/] * Fraud Hero Academy [https://fraudhero.com/]

In cybersecurity, we need to understand the mindset of hacking, which is not ethics. We also need to realize that even if we have cybersecurity experts get hacked, there is no reason to feel embarrassed or ashamed when it happens to us. In today’s show we’re going deep into the world of cybersecurity with one of the industry’s most seasoned experts, Sam Curry. With over 30 years of experience in information security, Sam has been defending against cyber threats, shaping security strategies and mentoring the next generation of cyber professionals.  Currently the Global VP and CISO-in-Residence at Zscaler, Sam has also held leadership roles at companies like RSA, McAfee and Arbor Networks where he helped pioneer innovations in VPN technology and personal firewalls. But cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and encryption—it’s about mindset. Sam joins us to talk about the hacker mentality, zero-trust security and why even the best security professionals get hacked.  From his early days in cryptography to mitigating major cyber breaches Sam shares his insights on how businesses and individuals can defend themselves in a digital world. If you’ve ever wondered how cybercriminals think, how AI is changing the security landscape or what you can do to stay one step ahead then this episode is for you.  Show Notes: * [00:55] Sam is Global VP and CISO-in-Residence at Zscaler. For the last 32 years, he's been involved in every part of security at some point. * [01:23] He teaches cyber and used to run RSA Labs at MIT. He currently teaches at Wentworth Institute of Technology, and he also sits on a few boards. * [02:41] We learn how Sam ended up working in cyber security. He has patents in VPN technology, and was one of the co-inventors of the personal fire law which was sold to McAfee. * [04:14] There were security principles before 1996. * [07:38] Sam feels a need and a mission to protect people. It's very personal to him. * [08:40] He was there for the breach that RSA had. He's also been spearfished. * [12:47] The shepherd tone is an audio illusion that makes sound that can make people sick because it sounds like it's always increasing. * [16:31] Scams are way under reported because people are too embarrassed to report them. * [19:31] Challenges of keeping security up. In peacetime we have to remember to build resilience and be antifragile. * [22:10] Zero trust is a strategy and architecture for minimizing functionality. * [28:14] There are immediate benefits from a security perspective to start creating zero trust. * [30:17] Problems need to be defined correctly. * [33:03] Even people who've done incredible research on hacking techniques have gotten hacked. There's no shame in it. * [34:02] We need the hacker mindset. It's an important part of the human community. * [36:44] The importance of making things easier to understand. * [38:18] Advice for people wanting to get into cybersecurity is being just this side of ready and tackling things that are a little too big and a little too scary. Also find allies and a network. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-prey/id1488678905] and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: * Podcast Web Page [https://www.easyprey.com/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/EasyPreyPodcast] * whatismyipaddress.com [https://whatismyipaddress.com/] * Easy Prey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/easypreypodcast/] * Easy Prey on Twitter [https://twitter.com/easypreypodcast] * Easy Prey on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/easy-prey-podcast/] * Easy Prey on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgy_xKrjiXghSgGFEAFdTQ] * Easy Prey on Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/easypreypodcast/] * Sam Curry on Zscaler [https://www.zscaler.com/cxorevolutionaries/cxo/profile/sam-curry] * On The Hook: An InfoSec Podcast [https://www.onthehookpodcast.com/] * Sam Curry on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/currysam/] * Sam Curry on Twitter [https://x.com/samjcurry]

Managing money isn’t about numbers, it's about making informed decisions that shape your future. Whether you’re a seasoned saver or just starting out on your financial journey understanding the basics of personal finance can make all the difference. Today’s guest Joel Larsgaard has been helping people take control of their finances for over 15 years. As the co-host of How To Money and a weekly radio show Joel breaks down the often confusing world of personal finance. His passion for financial literacy comes from personal experience and he’s been recognized for his work including being on the Forbes Advisory Board. In this episode we’ll cover common financial mistakes, smart saving strategies and how to avoid financial pitfalls so you can make better money decisions. Show Notes: * [00:53] Joel co-hosts the How To Money podcast with his best buddy Matt. It's about helping people learn how to handle their finances well. * [01:29] So many people are missing the information they need about money, yet it's a tool that touches every aspect of our lives. * [02:32] Joel's parents had money troubles. He always wanted to learn about money so he wouldn't have problems. He also worked for Clark Howard who was a consumer advocate and money guy. * [05:30] Everyone has different dreams and financial goals. * [06:29] We learn Joel's scam story. A kid sold him fake Blockbuster gift cards.  * [08:32] Common financial traps include not saving enough and not tracking expenses and knowing where the money is going. * [09:15] Knowing where your money is going is the first step to finding leaks. * [10:38] Using credit cards and discriminately buying now and paying later is another big pitfall. A lot of people are using BNPL on top of credit cards. * [12:04] You have to have a plan. Know your debts, know your interest rates. Where's the Gap where you can find extra savings? * [13:30] Paying off your debt feels amazing. * [14:58] Online budgeting software can make it easier. * [16:00] Think of a budget as not being restricted but something that helps you accomplish what you want. * [18:08] Once you write it down, you're dealing with reality. * [20:11] The joy of spending your money proactively on what you want and cutting back on other things. * [21:08] Finding savings by shopping for insurance yearly. * [22:56] You can also save with a defensive driving course. * [23:41] Look at subscriptions and bundling. Sign up with deals. Keep track of when you should cancel.  * [28:11] Bank loyalty will cost you money. * [29:29] There are some highly competitive online savings accounts like CIT, Discover, and Ally.  * [31:29] Be sure the online bank you are doing business with is FDIC insured. Make sure you're dealing directly with the bank. * [33:30] Tips for looking for legitimate investments. Simplicity trumps most things. * [34:59] Building wealth slowly with average returns. * [42:00] There are a lot of wealth building options open for people who aren't making a lot of money. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-prey/id1488678905] and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: * Podcast Web Page [https://www.easyprey.com/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/EasyPreyPodcast] * whatismyipaddress.com [https://whatismyipaddress.com/] * Easy Prey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/easypreypodcast/] * Easy Prey on Twitter [https://twitter.com/easypreypodcast] * Easy Prey on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/easy-prey-podcast/] * Easy Prey on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgy_xKrjiXghSgGFEAFdTQ] * Easy Prey on Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/easypreypodcast/] * How To Money [https://www.howtomoney.com/] * Joel Larsgaard on How To Money [https://www.howtomoney.com/about-us/joel-larsgaard/] * Joel Larsgaard on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-larsgaard-70175566/] * How To Money on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/howtomoneypod/] * Clark Howard [https://clark.com/] * Undebt.It [http://undebt.it] * Trusted Choice [https://www.trustedchoice.com/] * Policy Genius [https://www.policygenius.com/] * CIT [https://www.cit.com/cit-bank/bank/savings/savings-connect-account] * Discover [https://www.discover.com/] * Ally [https://www.ally.com/]

Scams come in many forms but receiving a freebie from a scammer doesn’t make sense. If something shows up at your door that you didn’t order, should you be worried? Brushing scams are becoming more common and while they may seem harmless at first they can be a gateway to fraud, identity theft and financial loss. Today we’re diving into how these scams work, why they exist and the real dangers behind them. Our guest is Dr. Venkat Margapuri, an assistant professor of computer science at Villanova University. His research focuses on AI applications in agriculture and healthcare but he’s also spent time studying online fraud and digital security. He’s here to help us understand what’s really going on when scammers send you something for free and most importantly what you should do about it. Show Notes: * [00:44] Venkat is an assistant professor in the department of computer science at Villanova University. A lot of his research is focused on artificial intelligence, image processing, and security. * [01:53] Brushing scams are where you receive products that you haven't ordered. It's a fraudulent e-commerce scheme. They try to get reviews or add additional sales for their product. * [04:48] Venkat explains why it's not a good idea to scan those QR codes in products. You don't want to put your credentials into the website. * [05:41] This is where brushing leads to phishing scams by getting people to enter information into a fake website. * [06:20] The major risk of receiving these packages is identity theft. * [09:30] Scam charges on Amazon can be used to verify stolen credit card credentials and overconfidence often leads to being scammed. * [10:52] We discuss where these scammers find people's addresses. * [13:05] A lot of scammers are really smart people who got into the wrong business. Key qualities include narcissism and psychopathy. * [17:05] When you receive these packages just dispose of them. Don't scan the QR codes. * [21:25] A scam where they send emails with the link to free Apple Gift Cards. Be careful about what you post on social media. * [22:43] Assume unsolicited contact is a scam. * [23:50] Don't share personal information. Look out for things that are out of the norm. * [27:04] Venkat talks about advance fee scams. * [28:14] Being careful about geographic perceptions.  * [31:18] Be cautious if you are being rushed.  * [32:18] Whenever you suspect something isn't right, err on the side of caution and don't do it. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/easy-prey/id1488678905] and leave a nice review.  Links and Resources: * Podcast Web Page [https://www.easyprey.com/] * Facebook Page [https://www.facebook.com/EasyPreyPodcast] * whatismyipaddress.com [https://whatismyipaddress.com/] * Easy Prey on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/easypreypodcast/] * Easy Prey on Twitter [https://twitter.com/easypreypodcast] * Easy Prey on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/easy-prey-podcast/] * Easy Prey on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCgy_xKrjiXghSgGFEAFdTQ] * Easy Prey on Pinterest [https://www.pinterest.com/easypreypodcast/] * Venkat Margapuri on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/venkat-m-169261163/] * Venkat Margapuri - Villanova University [https://www1.villanova.edu/university/liberal-arts-sciences/programs/computing-sciences/faculty/biodetail.html?mail=venkatasivakumar.margapuri@villanova.edu&xsl=bio_long]