Episodes

  • LulzSec, LockBit & the Price of Weak Security

    LulzSec, LockBit & the Price of Weak Security
    May 15 2025
    Chris and Hector dive into the recent breach of the LockBit ransomware gang and what it reveals about operational security failures—even among hackers. They discuss the fallout from the Pegasus spyware scandal, with NSO Group ordered to pay $168 million, and explore the troubling reliance on vulnerable federal contractors. Plus, Hector delivers one of his signature rants—this time on who’s really watching the watchers. Join our new Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed⁠⁠⁠ Send HATF your questions at ⁠⁠⁠questions@hackerandthefed.com
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    47 mins
  • Joe Rogan, Ross Ulbricht, and the $1 Billion Disney Hack

    Joe Rogan, Ross Ulbricht, and the $1 Billion Disney Hack
    May 8 2025
    Chris and Hector react to Joe Rogan’s take on the Ross Ulbricht case, break down the $1B Disney Slack data breach, and explain why passkeys are the next big thing in cybersecurity. Join our new Patreon! ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed⁠⁠ Send HATF your questions at ⁠⁠questions@hackerandthefed.com
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    45 mins
  • Credential Theft, InfoStealers, and the Rise of Cyber Snake Oil

    Credential Theft, InfoStealers, and the Rise of Cyber Snake Oil
    May 1 2025
    Chris and Hector break down the 2025 Mandiant threat report, expose rising cyberattack trends, rant about bad CISOs, and discuss a wild case of a cybersecurity CEO caught installing malware in a hospital. Join our new Patreon! ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed⁠ Send HATF your questions at ⁠questions@hackerandthefed.com
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    54 mins
  • DOGE Drama, Digital Grit, and CVE Chaos

    DOGE Drama, Digital Grit, and CVE Chaos
    Apr 24 2025
    Chris Tarbell and Hector Monsegur dive into the near-shutdown of the CVE system, a whistleblower’s wild claims about the Doge agency and Russian logins, and why the future of cybersecurity depends on more entrepreneurs stepping up. Sharp takes, tech insights, and signature banter throughout. Join our new Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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    52 mins
  • Starlink Bugs, Bank Regulator Breach, and the LastPass Fallout

    Starlink Bugs, Bank Regulator Breach, and the LastPass Fallout
    Apr 17 2025
    Hector’s back from Miami, rubber ducky giveaways in tow, and diving deep into a wild week of cyber news—from Elon Musk’s Starlink bug bounty to a stealthy year-long breach of U.S. bank regulators. The guys unpack major incidents including a Stuxnet-style espionage campaign in Ukraine, AI-powered spear phishing, and yet another haunting update in the LastPass hack saga. But the real fireworks come in Hector’s rant, where he slams the cybersecurity industry's political silence and calls out its leaders for cowardice. Join our new Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
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    41 mins
  • Oracle Breach, MGM Hacker Busted, North Korean IT Scams

    Oracle Breach, MGM Hacker Busted, North Korean IT Scams
    Apr 10 2025
    This week on Hacker in the Fed, Chris and Hector dive into the chaos of the last few weeks in cybersecurity. From Oracle’s alleged breach cover-up and legal trouble to the ongoing threat of North Korean IT infiltration, the guys break down the biggest stories making waves. They also reveal new details behind the infamous Caesars and MGM ransomware attacks — including how one hacker was caught — and share updates on changes coming to the podcast, including a new Patreon!
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    38 mins
  • Telecom Hacks, AI Fears, and the Quantum Threat – Plus, Hector Rants!

    Telecom Hacks, AI Fears, and the Quantum Threat – Plus, Hector Rants!
    Mar 20 2025
    This week on Hacker in the Fed, Hector shares his recent travels, including a trip to Chicago, while Chris discusses his AI presentation and the evolving concerns around artificial intelligence. They break down the security risks in telecom networks, the dangers of unsecured cloud storage, and the legal gray areas of independent security research. Plus, a special listener shoutout, a discussion on quantum computing’s impact on cybersecurity, and Hector’s weekly rant on the confusing jargon in the cybersecurity industry. Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com.
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    51 mins
  • Hacks, Heists, and the Rise of Digital Deception

    Hacks, Heists, and the Rise of Digital Deception
    Mar 13 2025
    In this episode of Hacker in the Fed, Chris Tarbell and Hector Monsegur discuss their recent travels, major cybersecurity threats, and the dangers of disinformation. Topics include a Bluetooth backdoor affecting a billion devices, a $150M crypto heist linked to the LastPass hack, and malware spreading via GitHub. Plus, Hector’s take on propaganda and narrative warfare. Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com.
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    54 mins