EP 28 - The Digital Skeletons in Your Closet What Hackers Already Know About You

EP 32 - Real Life Hacker Stories and the Workday Hack

"I recommend for anything that involves somebody saying that they want money, then you should always double check the email address because it's a really common way. Especially if it's an invoice that doesn't make sense."   Welcome back to the Business and Bytes Podcast! In this gripping episode, host John Hansman and co-host Ryan dive deep into the often-unseen world of cybercrime, sharing real-life hacker stories that hit uncomfortably close to home. Kicking off with an audio recording from John's personal archives, you'll hear an actual conversation with a brazen hacker threatening to drain a victim’s bank account—an incident that resulted in a devastating $40,000 loss for a small business.   John and Ryan unpack the evolution of hacker tactics, from email phishing and classic social engineering schemes to the latest AI-driven voice scams and sophisticated business email compromises. They break down what went wrong in these incidents, how attackers exploit emotions like fear and urgency, and why even tech-savvy individuals can find themselves on the losing end.   The episode also covers the recent Workday hack, exploring how large-scale breaches often start with a simple phish and the critical need for layered cybersecurity defenses. John and Ryan share practical advice on cyber insurance, bank protections, and, above all, the importance of regular training and vigilant security practices for businesses of all sizes.   If you’re wondering what steps you can take to better safeguard your business from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, this episode is packed with insights, real-world examples, and actionable tips you can’t afford to miss. Tune in as Business and Bytes pulls back the curtain on the human element of cybersecurity—and what you can do to stay one step ahead.   Support the show by subscribing to our Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/businessandbytes [https://www.facebook.com/businessandbytes]   00:00 Customer's Account Hacked: $40K Lost 04:03 "Business Invites Podcast Introduction" 09:07 Customer Info Shared with Hacker 13:13 Clever Social Engineering Scam 16:54 Business Email Compromise Prevention 18:45 Cloud-Connected Office Tech Solutions 24:06 Email Scam Concerns in Corporations 26:59 Verifying Client Authenticity 28:54 Free Tools Aren't Enough 32:38 Cybersecurity Tools: Beyond Basics 36:31 "Live Interaction Invitation" 37:48 "Follow Us on Your Podcast"

EP 31 - Why tools on the are not the endgame - Why people not tools protect your business

"It's because we have to put good people behind those tools in order to make sure that they're actually not having false positives that shut down businesses."   Welcome back to the Business and Bytes Podcast! In this episode, hosts John Hansman and Ryan dive into a topic that’s becoming more urgent for businesses of all sizes: why the latest tech tools aren’t enough on their own to protect your company. Jon shares firsthand stories from the frontlines of cybersecurity—ransomware attacks, hacker conversations, and the real consequences of relying solely on firewalls and antivirus software.   Together, Jon and Ryan break down why having the right people behind your cybersecurity stack is just as important, if not more so, than any tool you deploy. They share lessons learned, actionable tips for business owners (no matter your size), and discuss how your employees’ decisions—and even a bit of “gut feeling”—can be the last line of defense against constantly evolving threats. Plus, there’s practical advice about risk assessments, managing AI use in your business, and why expertise can’t be automated away.   Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or managing a growing team, this episode has something for everyone looking to understand the real-world challenges of business IT. Tune in and discover why, in today’s world, it’s people—not just the tech—that truly protect your business.   Support the show by subscribing to our Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/businessandbytes [https://www.facebook.com/businessandbytes]   00:00 "Tools Aren't Everything: A Cautionary Tale" 05:11 IT Expertise and Evolving Cyber Threats 07:48 Customized Business Solutions Expertise 11:51 New Malware Discovery Analyzed 15:04 Cybersecurity Costs: Expert-Driven Solutions 18:44 Cybersecurity: Complex and Constantly Evolving 23:42 Employee Risk Management 25:40 Expertise Trumps Tools 28:39 Comprehensive Business Risk Assessment Benefits 32:26 "Tools vs. Smart Partnership"

EP 30 - Cyber Security Insurance is not your safety net - Why you Cyber Security is your responsibility

"if you have a business email compromise and you get somebody in your email and it's unprotected, you're not just affecting your business, but you're affecting all of your clients. You're affecting all the people you partner with. You affect all these business owners down the line, and you're allowing that cyber activity to not stop with you."   Welcome to another episode of the Business and Bytes Podcast! This week, host John Hansman, co-host and IT specialist Emilio Mejia, and guest Reginald Andre dive deep into one of the most misunderstood topics in modern business: cyber security insurance. Coming to you live from Texas, the team kicks off with some banter about travel, weather, and brisket—but quickly shifts gears to address a pressing issue for all business owners.   Too often, small and mid-sized companies hope that should disaster strike, their cyber security insurance will save the day. But as John, Emilio, and Reginald unpack, insurance is not a magic safety net—and if your business isn’t meeting strict security requirements, your policy may not protect you at all. Through candid stories of clients who’ve lost out to cybercrime—and the ones who managed to dodge catastrophe thanks to solid IT practices—the trio highlights why cyber security has to be an active, ongoing responsibility.   You'll hear how business email compromises and ransomware can inflict six-figure losses overnight, all because of simple oversights like weak passwords or skipping multi-factor authentication. But it's not all doom and gloom! The guys also share uplifting wins, where proactive security measures halted attacks in their tracks.   By the end of this episode, you'll walk away with a clearer understanding of cyber insurance, why it’s only one piece of the puzzle, and actionable advice to keep your business—and your clients—safe. If you haven't reviewed your IT policies or talked to a cyber insurance expert lately, this is the wake-up call you need.   Support the show by subscribing to our Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/businessandbytes [https://www.facebook.com/businessandbytes]   00:00 "Vision in Business Challenges" 06:30 Insurance Advice on Equipment and Client Reparations 08:42 Cybersecurity: Prevention Over Remediation 10:51 Insurance Savings via IT Forensics 16:30 Business Email Compromise Devastation 18:56 Business Losses and Recovery Insights 20:53 Costly Cyber Security Oversights 24:21 Cybersecurity Negligence Affecting Businesses 29:31 "Password Practices and MFA Importance" 32:20 Podcast Guest Recommendations 34:09 Buc-ee's Store Experience

EP 29 - How IT Outages show us the importance of Cyber Security and the Sharepoint Zero Day Attack

"And it just becomes a trickle down effect. And the more people that click on it, the more people whose, you know, digital Rolodex you have. And then now that's the more targets."   Welcome to another episode of the Business and Bytes Podcast! In this episode, hosts John Hansman and Emelio Mejia tackle some of the biggest headlines shaking up the tech world—from critical IT outages to headline-grabbing cyber attacks. With frequent guest Ryan out this week, John and Emelio dive into what recent incidents like Alaska Airlines' data center failure (not cyber-related, but still a wake-up call) and the alarming SharePoint Zero Day Attack mean for organizations of all sizes.   They break down how even non-cyber incidents throw a spotlight on business vulnerabilities, urge companies to move away from outdated on-prem solutions, and stress the importance of timely patch management. The discussion also covers practical strategies for protecting your business, from implementing zero trust security and geo-fencing, to staff offboarding best practices and building solid emergency plans—no matter your company’s size. Whether you’re running a two-person shop or managing sensitive military data, this episode is packed with expert advice, bite-sized brilliance, and real-world stories to help you protect your reputation, your data, and your bottom line.   Tune in and get the actionable insights you need to harden your business against the next big disruption!   Support the show by subscribing to our Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/businessandbytes [https://www.facebook.com/businessandbytes]   00:00 Cybersecurity Insights & Business Protection 06:44 Emergency Planning and Response Strategies 07:22 Patch Release Timing Strategy 12:19 VPNs & Zero Trust for Security 16:17 Fraudulent Incident Risks Nonprofit's Reputation 21:07 Airline Outage Costs Millions Daily 24:39 Cloud Backup and Testing Essentials 25:38 Generator Maintenance Challenges 31:08 Limited Access IT Infrastructure Setup 34:58 "Foundation First, Growth Supported" 35:55 Start with Best Practices 40:26 Preparedness Under Pressure 43:23 "Podcast Excitement & Upcoming Conference"

EP 28 - The Digital Skeletons in Your Closet What Hackers Already Know About You

"It's just, if I have enough of this information, what can I piece together? What puzzle can I build with all your information that then will allow me to maybe call your bank?"   Welcome back to the Business and Bytes Podcast! In this episode, “The Digital Skeletons in Your Closet: What Hackers Already Know About You,” hosts Emelio Mejia and Emilio Mejia are joined by guest expert Ryan Miller to dive deep into the world of cybersecurity for small and medium-sized businesses. The trio explores how hackers can easily collect personal and business data without ever breaking into your systems—using only information that’s already out there on the internet.   They break down how seemingly harmless details you share online—like your pet’s name or where you went to school—can be goldmines for cybercriminals. The conversation also covers how oversharing on social media and company websites can put both individuals and organizations at risk. Along the way, they deliver practical strategies to reduce your online footprint, protect your sensitive information, and start building better digital hygiene.   If you’ve ever wondered how much of your life is already exposed online or questioned whether your business is “too small” to be targeted, this episode is packed with insights, real-life examples, and actionable tips you won’t want to miss. Get ready to rethink what you share and how you safeguard your business from lurking cyber threats!   Support the show by subscribing to our Facebook Account: https://www.facebook.com/businessandbytes [https://www.facebook.com/businessandbytes]   00:00 Managing Online Presence Effectively 05:32 Hackers Exploit Facebook Quizzes 09:12 Phishing Emails: Alarming Data Exposure 10:44 Internet Access: Data for Free Use 14:11 Hacking Through Information Gathering 18:43 Job Postings: Security Risks Highlighted 22:43 Cybersecurity Oversight: Hidden Data Risks 24:54 Online Privacy and Security Tips 29:20 Email Retention and Liability Concerns 31:07 Data Management and Digital Footprints 33:40 Effective Website Call-to-Action Tips 38:22 Engagement Request for Podcast Topics 40:25 Affordable Cybersecurity for Small Businesses