Podcast
Hacker And The Fed
Former FBI Special Agent, Chris Tarbell, and ex-Anonymous/LulzSec blackhat hacker turned network penetration tester, Hector Monsegur (aka Sabu), once faced off as adversaries in cyberspace before becoming close friends and now podcast co-hosts. Whether you are a legal professional, cybersecurity practitioner, or forensic investigator, Chris and Hector will bring you their unique perspectives on the latest developments in cybersecurity.
- Episodes
- 156
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 53 min
- On air since
- 2022
- Latest episode
- 5 days ago
Episodes
156 episodes, newest first
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50 min
Google Is Taking Control of Your Android Phone
Show notes
Chris and Hector discuss whether AI-powered vulnerability discovery is creating a new normal for cybersecurity, and why even familiar exploits are becoming harder to defend against. They break down Madison Square Garden's controversial phishing test involving free Knicks championship rings, Google's new Android developer verification requirements, and a certificate authority shutting down its SSL business after a major security failure. Plus, hackers leak 281GB of data from a German political party, Sweden restricts government access to ChatGPT and Claude, and Hector explains why the latest PHP vulnerabilities might not be quite as catastrophic as initially reported.
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Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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56 min
AI Solved a 26-Year-Old NSA Mystery in 30 Minutes
Show notes
Chris and Hector discuss how an internal Anthropic AI model reportedly solved a 26-year-old NSA cryptography mystery in under 30 minutes, a Meta source code theft, and an OpenAI employee accused of hiding a recording device inside an executive conference room. They also break down a sophisticated crypto hardware wallet supply-chain attack allegedly responsible for roughly $100 million in theft, zero-click spyware delivered through online advertisements, and a violent cryptocurrency robbery potentially linked to a financial data breach. Plus, Hector explains why even zoos and aquariums face serious cybersecurity risks.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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56 min
Your Coffee Maker Might Be Spying on You
Show notes
Chris and Hector discuss a smart coffee maker that generated nearly a terabyte of network traffic in just ten days, a lone hacker who reportedly used AI tools to breach South Korean financial institutions, and the latest arrests connected to Shiny Hunters. They also examine allegations against a ransomware negotiator, reports of hackers paying to use the Shiny Hunters name, a SIM-swapping criminal who spent stolen cryptocurrency on gold teeth, and the 40-year prison sentence handed down to an Empire Market operator.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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54 min
Claude Reported Her to the Police
Show notes
Chris and Hector discuss the reported arrest of a Shiny Hunters figure in Jordan and an investigator who says he infiltrated a Chinese organized crime operation that laundered more than $1 billion. Then they debate the privacy implications of a woman who says she used Claude as a diary before messages were flagged and reported to police, new research showing how connected cars share sensitive data with third parties, and an alleged $300 million scheme to smuggle controlled computer servers into China. Plus, Hector reacts to Sam Altman's argument that society may have to accept some harms from AI in exchange for its benefits.
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Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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56 min
700 AI Agents Broke Through Their Guardrails
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down a $350 million crypto theft suspected to involve North Korean hackers, a massive map exposing hundreds of thousands of surveillance cameras, and the arrest of an alleged Shiny Hunters associate. Then they dig into new research reconstructing how hundreds of OpenAI agents bypassed their guardrails, communicated with each other, and launched attacks across the internet. Plus, Hector predicts where autonomous AI hacking could go next.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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55 min
Gemini Escaped Its Test and Started Hacking Real Companies
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down Google's undercover infiltration of hacker group Team PCP, a bug bounty researcher gaining command execution while testing OpenAI, and attackers impersonating European law enforcement to obtain sensitive banking records. They also discuss Gemini breaking out of a cybersecurity test and accessing three real companies, CrowdSec's private source code exposure, and CISA ending its long-running weekly vulnerability bulletin. Plus, the guys discover just how much money Americans are spending on OnlyFans.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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49 min
AI Can Clone Your Wife's Voice in Real Time
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down a real-time AI voice scam that impersonated a victim's wife, the Microsoft vulnerability researcher publicly releasing exploits after his firing, and growing concerns from AI insiders about self-improving models. They also cover a crypto phishing campaign that moved from email to physical mail, backlash against an AI-powered Caltech math competition, and Anthropic's report on how its models are being misused in cyber operations, scams, surveillance, and more.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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53 min
153 Million Driver's Licenses Are for Sale
Show notes
Chris and Hector discuss a service claiming to sell more than 153 million driver's licenses, malware hijacking authenticated Claude sessions to drain AI usage, and research into LG smart TVs collecting data from inside users' homes. They also revisit the controversy surrounding Flock surveillance cameras, debate privacy and law enforcement, and explain why unsupported home routers remain a serious security risk.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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52 min
Your Router Might Come With a Backdoor Already Installed
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down routers shipping with built-in backdoors, new details about AI agents escaping their sandboxes and attacking real infrastructure, the arrests of two young hackers in Australia, a major breach targeting Philippine nuclear and naval systems, and a vulnerability that exposed Signal users' contact data. Plus, Chris reacts to changes in the FBI's applicant vetting standards.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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50 min
AI Is Getting Access to Your Private Messages
Show notes
Chris and Hector debate whether paper password books are actually safer, break down a “zombie card” attack on expired credit cards, discuss millions of allegedly stolen Microsoft records, and examine the privacy and security risks of giving AI access to messages and the open internet.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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49 min
Someone Tried to Hack the Court With an AI Prompt
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down a $34 million bank heist that looks suspiciously like an inside job, hidden AI prompts in court filings, a new government-backed cyber operations program, and hundreds of fake VPN extensions spying on users.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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45 min
The Cybersecurity Industry Can’t Keep Up With AI
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down why ransomware gangs are shifting their focus from executives to mid-level employees, another AI model escaping its cybersecurity sandbox, uncertainty surrounding CMMC requirements, the decline of HackerOne, and a new wave of critical Cisco vulnerabilities.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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55 min
The $90 Million Crypto Wallet Disaster Nobody Saw Coming
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down the massive Bitcoin wallet compromise tied to flawed hardware wallets, Android TV boxes secretly acting as residential proxies, Anthropic's AI breaking into real systems during testing, Coinbase scaling back bug bounties, and a Firefox vulnerability that could expose Tor users.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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56 min
The Snapchat Phishing Scam That Stole Hundreds of Private Photos
Show notes
Chris and Hector discuss the ransomware attack that disrupted Coca-Cola's Fairlife dairy operations, a phishing campaign that stole hundreds of private Snapchat accounts, Romania's crippled land registry after a destructive cyberattack, LG's decision to shut down controversial smart TV proxy software, the growing debate over automated surveillance cameras, and the latest AI security vulnerabilities affecting developers.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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56 min
The Steam Malware That Stole Crypto From Thousands
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down a critical WordPress vulnerability discovered with AI, the Steam malware campaign that stole cryptocurrency from gamers, Madison Square Garden's secret facial recognition database, AI voice cloning scams targeting families, leaked evidence of AI music training on copyrighted songs, and the White House employee accused of profiting from prediction markets. They also discuss SafeHill's latest work, insider threats, and why today's biggest cyber risks often begin with simple social engineering.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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56 min
Japan's First ChatGPT-Powered Hacker Arrest
Show notes
Chris and Hector cover the FBI's takedown of the NetNut residential proxy network, Microsoft's role in identifying a Scattered Spider suspect, a ransomware negotiator who secretly worked with criminals, a controversial Windows zero-day disclosure, a HackerOne data exposure, and a Japanese teenager arrested after using ChatGPT to automate a cyberattack.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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57 min
Canada Just Hacked the Drug Cartels
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down Canada's offensive cyber campaign against fentanyl traffickers, the arrest of an alleged Scattered Spider member, a new wave of AI infrastructure hijacking, growing privacy protections in Virginia, and why the U.S. still struggles to deliver high-speed internet while other countries race ahead
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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45 min
They Mocked the Hackers... Then Lost $3 Million
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down Polymarket's $3 million supply chain attack, a wave of physical intrusions targeting U.S. law firms, a major breach at the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Ford's costly attempt to replace veteran engineers with AI. They also dive into the growing controversy over AI export controls and what they mean for cybersecurity researchers.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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49 min
FIFA Left the Front Door Wide Open
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down a defense contractor caught faking cybersecurity compliance, Germany's growing push away from U.S. cloud providers, the ongoing Anthropic AI controversy, and a FIFA vulnerability that could have exposed critical World Cup systems. Plus, they answer listener questions on how modern hackers actually gain access to corporate networks.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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58 min
Hackers Are Using Fake LinkedIn Jobs to Break Into Companies
Show notes
Chris and Hector break down a fake LinkedIn recruiting campaign used to deploy malware, AI-generated evidence appearing in criminal investigations, Meta’s internal AI turmoil, and the escalating battle between tech giants fighting for dominance in the global AI race. They explore how AI is reshaping cybersecurity, privacy, and the future of trust online.
Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
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