Shared Security Podcast

Join us for this special live edition of the Shared Security Podcast, recorded in scorching Las Vegas at Black Hat 2024. Host Tom Eston is joined by Shourya Pratap Singh, Principal Software Engineer at SquareX. They discuss highlights from Black Hat 2024, emerging themes in cybersecurity such as AI-based threats, compliance, and cloud security. The conversation also covers the DEF CON talk given b...

In episode 341, we cover the unprecedented global IT outage caused by a CrowdStrike update crash, affecting 8.5 million Windows machines. We discuss whether it's the largest outage in history and delve into the intricacies of internet accessibility and responses from key stakeholders like Microsoft. Also, in our Aware Much segment, we explore Japan's AI system, Mr. Smile, designed to standardize e...

In this episode, Tom Eston hosts Jeswin Mathai, Chief Architect at SquareX. This episode is part two of a series featuring SquareX, and Jeswin takes a deeper look into their cybersecurity solutions. Jeswin shares his extensive experience in the field and details how SquareX offers innovative protections at the browser level to guard against phishing attacks and other online threats. Learn about th...

In this episode, host Tom Eston welcomes Dan DeCloss, founder and CTO of PlexTrac. They exchange insights about their history at Veracode and explore Dan's journey in cybersecurity. Dan shares his experience in penetration testing, the origins of PlexTrac, and the need to streamline reporting processes. The conversation also covers the state of the cybersecurity industry, the impact of generative...

In episode 339, hosts Tom Eston and Scott Wright discuss the massive AT&T data breach affecting 110 million customers, which is larger than a previous breach from March affecting 73 million customers. They also talk about the importance of reading privacy policies on sites like Facebook and Instagram, as these platforms may use user data to train AI models. Additionally, they explore the impli...

In episode 338, we discuss the recent breach of the two-factor authentication provider Authy and its implications for users. We also explore a massive password list leak titled 'Rock You 2024' that has surfaced online. Find out why this file may not be as significant as it seems and the importance of avoiding password reuse. Stay tuned for our 'Aware Much?' segment with Scott Wright, featuring ins...

In episode 337, we cover “broken” news about the new SSH vulnerability 'regreSSHion' highlighting the vulnerability discovered in the OpenSSH protocol by Qualys and its implications. We then discuss the Detroit Police Department's new guidelines on facial recognition technology following a lawsuit over a wrongful arrest due to misidentification, shedding light on the broader issues with such techn...

In episode 336 of the Shared Security Podcast, we discuss the Biden administration's recent ban on Kaspersky antivirus software in the U.S. due to security concerns linked to its Russian origins. We also highlight the importance of keeping all software updated, using recent examples of supply chain attacks that have compromised several popular WordPress plugins. Join hosts Tom Eston and Scott Wrig...

In this special episode of the Shared Security Podcast, host Tom Eston interviews Vivek Ramachandran, the founder of SquareX. Vivek shares his journey in WiFi security, recounting his introduction of the Cafe Latte man-in-the-middle attack and founding of Pentest Academy. He discusses his latest venture, SquareX, a company focused on browser security to protect employees from client-side attacks....

In this episode of the Shared Security Podcast, the team debates the Surgeon General's recent call for social media warning labels and explores the pros and cons. Scott discusses whether passwords should be stored in web browsers, potentially sparking strong opinions. The hosts also provide an update on Microsoft's delayed release of CoPilot Plus PCs due to security concerns and reflect on the und...

In episode 334, hosts Tom Eston, Scott Wright, and Kevin Johnson discuss two major topics. First, they explore the ongoing legal battle between Citizen Lab and the Israeli spyware company NSO Group. The courts have consistently blocked NSO's attempts to access Citizen Lab's documents to protect victim privacy. Second, they discuss Apple's new AI features announced at their developer conference, pr...

In episode 333 of the Shared Security Podcast, Tom and Scott discuss a recent massive data breach at Ticketmaster involving the data of 560 million customers, the blame game between Ticketmaster and third-party provider Snowflake, and the implications for both companies. Additionally, they discuss Live Nation’s ongoing monopoly investigation. In the ‘Aware Much’ segment, the rise of work-from-home...

In this episode host Tom Eston welcomes Jen VanAntwerp, founder of Sober in Cyber. Jen shares her journey in cybersecurity and marketing, and discusses the motivation behind creating alcohol-free networking events. Sober in Cyber provides much-needed alternatives to typical alcohol-centered industry events, fostering inclusive environments for both sober professionals and those simply seeking a di...

Episode 331 of the Shared Security Podcast discusses privacy and security concerns related to two major technological developments: the introduction of Windows PC’s new feature ‘Recall,’ part of Microsoft’s Copilot+, which captures desktop screenshots for AI-powered search tools, and Slack’s policy of using user data to train machine learning features with users opted in by default. Tom and Kevin...

In episode 330 Tom, Scott, and Kevin discuss the new features for iPhones and Android phones designed to warn users about secret trackers, possibly aiding in identifying stalkers. The hosts discuss Apple and Google’s collaboration on a technology called DOLT (Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers), aiming to improve user privacy by detecting Bluetooth trackers like Tiles and AirTags. They also high...

In this first-ever in-person recording of Shared Security, Tom and Kevin, along with special guest Matt Johansen from Reddit, discuss their experience at the RSA conference in San Francisco, including their walk-through of 'enhanced security' and the humorous misunderstanding that ensued. The conversation moves to the ubiquity of AI and machine learning buzzwords at the conference, questioning the...

In episode 328, Tom and Kevin discuss two major cybersecurity and privacy news stories. The first topic covers the FCC issuing fines to major US wireless carriers for sharing users' real-time location data, totaling nearly $200 million. They express surprise and skepticism over the carriers' actions and deliberate on whether the fines would be impactful or merely seen as the cost of doing business...

In episode 327 Tom, Scott, and Kevin discuss the findings from Mandiant's M-Trends 2024 report, highlighting a significant rise in traditional vulnerability exploitation by attackers while observing a decline in phishing. Despite phishing's decreased prevalence, it remains the second most popular method for gaining initial network access. Discussions include the impact of high-profile vulnerabilit...

In this episode Erin Gallagher, cybersecurity awareness lead at Fastly, discusses her journey into the field of security awareness and her unique approach to enhancing cybersecurity within tech companies. Erin shares her unconventional path from a communication major to leading security awareness programs at IBM and a large insurance company, before joining Fastly. She highlights the challenges an...

In episode 325, Tom and Kevin discuss a significant backdoor threat that nearly compromised Linux systems globally, stemming from an infiltration into an open-source project called XZ Utils by attackers who gained commit access and inserted a backdoor. The episode further delves into a cybersecurity incident where hackers stole 340,000 social security numbers from a government consulting firm, emp...

Episode 324 features discussions on a significant AT&T data breach affecting 73 million customers and a sophisticated thread jacking attack targeting a journalist. Co-host Scott Wright joins the discussion, highlighting how millions of AT&T customer account passcodes, along with personal information, were compromised due to a leak discovered by a security researcher and reported by TechCru...

In episode 323, the hosts discuss two prominent topics. The first segment discusses a significant vulnerability discovered in hotel locks, branded as 'Unsaflok,' affecting 3 million doors across 131 countries. The vulnerability allows attackers to create master keys from a regular key, granted access to all doors in a hotel. The co-hosts also discuss the vulnerability's relation to legacy systems...

In this episode, special guest Alyssa Miller joins the hosts for an insightful and entertaining conversation covering a broad range of topics from social engineering anecdotes involving Kevin Johnson to Alyssa's journey in aviation and being a pilot. They discuss the challenges within the cybersecurity industry, including the transition to cloud computing and the neglect of on-prem data centers. A...

In episode 321, the hosts discuss how connected cars are sharing driving data with insurance companies, potentially leading to increased rates for drivers. They also talk about the anti-TikTok bill passed by the House, which could force ByteDance to sell TikTok or face a ban in app stores. The episode also covers a significant update to Signal, allowing users to use usernames instead of phone numb...

In episode 320, Tom and Scott discuss the contentious issue of who is accountable when Facebook or Instagram accounts are hacked, discussing potential failings on both the user's and Meta's part. They explore the possibility of inadequate security measures on these platforms and the implications of Meta potentially profiting from fraudulent ads. The episode also covers a Wired article regarding 41...