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8th Layer Insights

8th Layer Insights

By: Perry Carpenter | N2K Networks
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 Get ready for a deep dive into what cybersecurity professionals often refer to as the "8th Layer" of security: HUMANS. Welcome to 8th Layer Insights (8Li). This podcast is a multidisciplinary exploration into how the complexities of human nature affect security and risk. Author, security researcher, and behavior science enthusiast Perry Carpenter taps experts for their insights and illumination. Topics include cybersecurity, psychology, behavior science, communication, leadership, and more.© 8th Layer Media Economics Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Cognitive Heist series #6: The Shill

    Cognitive Heist series #6: The Shill
    Sep 6 2025
    Some cons don’t succeed because of the smooth-talking seller. Instead, they succeed because of the crowd. Enter The Shill -- a hidden accomplice pretending to be just another customer, audience member, or lucky passerby. They're in the crowd, acting as a 'normal' audience member... all with the goal of bringing validation to the con-artist's claims. They clap first, they nod enthusiastically. They “buy” the tonic. They shout “this stuff really works!” And we believe them… because we think they’re one of us. That’s the power of the shill: weaponized trust and manufactured consensus. Next time: The Trojan Gift - when the real danger is hidden inside the prize. ===== In other news: ===== The FAIK Files: It's a Personality Problem: Audio version: https://pod.link/1771521321/episode/ZWVmYWYxMDgtZGU4ZC0xMWVmLWIwNGQtMmY0YjJkNzQ3YzEx YouTube version: https://youtu.be/RNw1T4CSIU8?si=99tQN5tcPwIaAlV6 Interesting Thing of the Week: The Washington Post has a great article titled, "Making cash off ‘AI slop’: The surreal video business taking over the web." The article covers the -- as the title states -- AI Slop: the internet's latest hustle. Get the book, FAIK! Just a quick reminder that I've got a great book out that's all about deepfakes, disinformation, and deception. Be sure to check it out if you haven't already: https://ThisBookIsFAIK.com. P.P.S -- Did you know that we have an text version of this newsletter? Check it out on LinkedIn or my Website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    9 mins
  • Cognitive Heist series #5: The Long Con

    Cognitive Heist series #5: The Long Con
    Aug 11 2025
    Welcome to Deceptive Minds - An audio newsletter about how we are fooled, how we fool ourselves, and what we can do about it. This one is all about "The Long Con." When the lie moves in next door. Not every con kicks down the door. Some knock politely, charm their way inside, and stay for dinner. In this issue , we explore the anatomy of the long con... a psychological slow-burn that trades urgency for intimacy. Think of these as more than just scams. They’re stories that unfold like relationships... until the final betrayal. In other news: New FAIK Files episode (Video Killed the ...) Audio version: https://pod.link/1771521321/episode/012b4c787fc35a8cd9df3d8f99fcd569 YouTube version: https://youtu.be/mYFwURVoPE8 Interesting Thing of the Week: Hany Farid's TED Talk, How to spot fake AI photos: https://www.ted.com/talks/hany_farid_how_to_spot_fake_ai_photos Until next week... stay safe out there! Perry P.S. -- Just a quick reminder that I've got a great book out that's all about deepfakes, disinformation, and deception. Be sure to check it out if you haven't already: ⁠https://ThisBookIsFAIK.com⁠. P.P.S -- Did you know that we have a text version of this newsletter? Check it out on ⁠LinkedIn⁠ or at ⁠The Deception Project⁠ website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • Cognitive Heist series #4: The Ghost - Panic, Urgency, and the Speed of Deception

    Cognitive Heist series #4: The Ghost - Panic, Urgency, and the Speed of Deception
    Aug 3 2025
    👻 New Deceptive Minds issue: Cognitive Heist series issue #4 -- The Ghost The ghost doesn’t break in. It doesn’t even exist. It just panics you into acting-- fast, unthinking, exposed. This issue explores one of the most dangerous tools in a scammer’s toolkit: urgency. We unpack: 🧠 The psychology of panic and why urgency shuts down critical thinking 📞 Real-world scams that weaponize fake emergencies 🕯️ A chilling tie-in to folklore: the crying child at the door 🐙 And yes, there are tentacles. Always tentacles. The Ghost's superpower is tricking you into moving before you think. --- Check out the most recent FAIK Files podcast: Dark Knowledge & Hidden Agendas Audio version: https://pod.link/1771521321/episode/ae2224ed846ac80ad3c8e2fbc0185087 YouTube version: https://youtu.be/U7447dpffao Interesting research of the week: Sweet-talk the bots: New research shows how LLMs respond to human persuasion tricks Geekwire article: https://www.geekwire.com/2025/sweet-talk-the-bots-new-research-shows-how-llms-respond-to-human-persuasion-tricks/ Wharton School blog post: https://gail.wharton.upenn.edu/research-and-insights/call-me-a-jerk-persuading-ai/ Until next week... stay safe out there! Perry P.S. -- Just a quick reminder that I've got a great book out that's all about deepfakes, disinformation, and deception. Be sure to check it out if you haven't already: https://ThisBookIsFAIK.com. P.P.S -- Did you know that we have a text version of this newsletter? Check it out on LinkedIn or at The Deception Project website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    12 mins
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