Easy Prey

Kids are growing up with technology in a way none of us did. Phones, games, social media, school devices, and now AI are all part of everyday life, and parents are left trying to figure out how much access is too much. Keeping kids completely away from technology probably isn't realistic, but neither is handing them everything and hoping they figure it out.
My guest today is Chris McKenna, founder of Protect Young Eyes, author, and digital safety advocate. Chris works with families, schools, churches, legislators, and technology companies to help create safer digital spaces for kids. His path into this work began after a career in business and ministry, where he started seeing firsthand how quickly smartphones and other devices were changing childhood and the kinds of risks young people were encountering.
In our conversation, we discuss what "the right tech at the right time" can look like, how parents can introduce more independence without handing over everything at once, and why relationships and conversations matter just as much as parental controls. We also get into social media, smartphones, gaming, AI, and the pressure kids face when everyone around them seems to have access to the same platforms. Chris also shares practical ways families can lower risk, build digital discernment, and give kids room to make smaller mistakes while they are still learning.
Show Notes:
[00:50] Chris McKenna shares how his background in business and ministry eventually led him to work in digital safety and launch Protect Young Eyes.
[02:52] We discuss why parents began giving smartphones and tablets to younger children and how technology gradually became part of nearly every area of life.
[07:39] We look at the pressure parents face when other kids already have smartphones, social media, and unrestricted access to the internet.
[10:54] We discuss how online risks have changed the old idea of "stranger danger" and why kids need to recognize concerning behaviors instead of simply avoiding strangers.
[12:09] Chris explains why he believes in giving kids the right technology at the right time instead of either banning technology completely or giving them unrestricted access.
[17:00] We discuss the five habits Chris recommends for families, including modeling healthy technology use, building strong relationships, delaying addictive technology, and adding layers of protection.
[20:32] We talk about digital leadership and why adults and kids both need to learn how to slow down before reacting emotionally online.
[22:19] We discuss what parents should consider before giving young teens access to smartphones and social media.
[25:44] Chris explains how parents can create a gradual path toward greater technology access instead of simply saying no without explaining what comes next.
[30:00] We discuss the shared responsibility of parents, technology companies, schools, policymakers, and others when it comes to protecting children online.
[35:12] We turn to artificial intelligence and discuss how parents can begin conversations with kids about AI through curiosity rather than condemnation.
[36:16] Chris explains the difference between relational and technical tools for managing AI and why parents should know which apps their children are downloading.
[38:28] We discuss AI companions and why Chris believes minors should not be using highly personalized AI relationships without strong boundaries.
[40:11] Chris explains his seven-day rule and why parents should try apps themselves before deciding whether their children are ready to use them.
[44:24] We discuss some of Chris's strongest recommendations for families, including monitoring devices and keeping parents in charge of the technology in their homes.
[46:03] Chris explains the idea of helping kids "fail small" so they can develop better judgment while parents are still there to guide them. 
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Protect Young Eyes
Chris McKenna - LinkedIn

Your phone gives off a surprising amount of information just by being connected to a cellular network. Things like your location, who you communicate with, and your daily patterns can all become part of the data tied to your mobile service. While some of that information is necessary to keep a cellular network functioning, questions remain about how much data carriers really need to collect, how long they should keep it, and what happens when that information ends up in the wrong hands.
My guest today is Ruddy Wang, head of consumer growth at CAPE, a privacy-first mobile carrier designed to collect as little customer information as possible. Ruddy began his career as a U.S. diplomat before moving into the technology world, including roles at Facebook and Uber, where he helped launch more than 100 cities across Brazil. His experience in government and technology gave him an early look at how much information our phones can reveal and how that data can be used, which eventually led him to CAPE and its effort to rethink mobile service with privacy and security built in from the start.
In our conversation, we discuss how cellular networks track phones, why identifiers such as IMSI and IMEI numbers matter, and how signaling attacks can potentially intercept calls or text messages without the user realizing anything has happened. We also get into SIM swaps, some of the weaknesses in traditional carrier security, and what CAPE is doing differently to make mobile service more private. We also talk about practical steps people can take to reduce unnecessary data sharing and strengthen the security of their accounts, even if they have no plans to change mobile carriers.
Show Notes:
[01:02] Ruddy Wang shares his background and how his work as a diplomat and in technology shaped his interest in mobile privacy.
[04:36] We discuss why cellular carriers retain customer data and how that information can be monetized or shared.
[07:19] We break down IMSI and IMEI numbers and how these identifiers can be used to recognize and track phones.
[10:13] We explore signaling attacks and how someone may be able to track a phone or intercept communications through the global telecom system.
[12:22] We compare signaling attacks with SIM swaps and explain why some attacks can happen without the phone owner noticing anything unusual.
[14:42] We discuss why vulnerabilities built into the global telecommunications system can be difficult to prevent and what users can do to reduce their exposure.
[18:56] We look at the differences between traditional mobile network operators and MVNOs and how those relationships affect service and security.
[20:26] We discuss how CAPE uses its own mobile core and SIM technology to add privacy protections while still relying on other carriers' towers.
[23:19] We explore the limits of cellular privacy, including why traditional phone calls cannot offer the same end-to-end encryption as some messaging apps.
[26:32] We discuss how CAPE approaches SIM swap protection by giving customers control through a recovery phrase rather than relying on customer support.
[28:35] We talk about who is most interested in privacy-focused mobile service and why demand has expanded beyond people with high-risk security concerns.
[32:55] We discuss how much personal information mobile carriers actually need from customers and CAPE's approach to collecting less data.
[36:18] We look at the cost of privacy-focused mobile service and how CAPE's pricing and referral model compares with traditional carriers.
[40:20] We discuss Ruddy's experience with a convincing fake crowdfunding site and how the scam managed to fool him.
[43:10] We share practical ways to improve mobile privacy and account security, including opting out of data sharing and moving away from SMS authentication. 
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Cape
Ruddy Wang - LinkedIn

Ransomware has changed dramatically over the years. What started as criminals locking up individual computers and demanding relatively small payments has grown into a much larger operation involving stolen data, entire networks, third-party vendors, and increasingly sophisticated ways of pressuring victims to pay. Now AI is adding another wrinkle, giving criminals new tools while also creating some unexpected problems for them.
Joining me to talk about how ransomware has evolved is Allan Liska, a ransomware researcher and Field CISO at Recorded Future. Allan has more than 30 years of experience in information security and has spent the last 12 years researching ransomware. He has advised major corporations and government agencies, served on national ransomware task forces, and written extensively about ransomware and threat intelligence.
We talk about how ransomware became the business it is today, why small businesses can be just as vulnerable as larger organizations, and how attackers are increasingly going after trusted vendors instead of their intended targets directly. We also discuss what happens inside an organization after an attack, why disrupting ransomware groups really can make a difference, how AI is being used by criminals, and some of the mistakes ransomware operators make that ultimately work against them.
Show Notes:
[01:06] Allan Liska introduces himself and shares how his work at FireEye led him to begin researching ransomware more than a decade ago.
[03:10] Growing ransomware problems pushed Allan and other researchers to begin developing better detections for attacks that many security teams were overlooking.
[05:22] Ransomware evolved from attacks on individual computers to taking down entire networks and later stealing data to pressure victims into paying.
[06:30] Publicly naming victims gave ransomware groups their own form of publicity and made it much harder for organizations to quietly deny an attack.
[08:05] Encryption creates technical challenges for criminals, and stealing valuable data can sometimes be just as effective as encrypting an organization's systems.
[09:28] Attackers increasingly target vendors and partners, while some groups are now using AI to create fake stolen data and falsely claim organizations as victims.
[13:05] Chris and Allan discuss how transparency and regular communication can help organizations manage public trust after a security incident.
[14:35] Ransomware response can quickly lead to employee burnout, making outside coordination and basic needs like sleep, food, and scheduling an important part of incident management.
[16:14] A major breach may temporarily open security budgets, so organizations should already know which improvements they would prioritize after an incident.
[23:29] International law enforcement agencies have become increasingly creative about tracking ransomware operators and waiting for them to make mistakes.
[25:48] Being skilled at hacking does not necessarily mean criminals are equally skilled at protecting their identities or activities from intelligence agencies.
[28:21] Ransomware groups frequently make technical and strategic mistakes, including faulty AI-generated tools, reused encryption keys, and stealing data nobody considers valuable.
[29:36] Fewer ransomware victims are paying, but average payments are increasing, and ransomware remains profitable enough to attract new threat actors.
[33:09] Allan explains why simply banning ransom payments may not work and discusses approaches that could give governments better intelligence about where payments go.
[39:33] Collaboration remains an important part of ransomware research, and Allan encourages people entering the field to learn from other researchers and security communities.
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Allan Liska - SANS
Books by Allan Liska
Recorded Future
Ransomware Live
Europol Alerts
CISA Alerts

A counterfeit handbag may leave someone disappointed. A counterfeit medication, airbag, or child's car seat can do far more damage. Fake products now reach into nearly every part of daily life, and many of them arrive through online stores that look completely legitimate.
Kari Kammel saw the danger firsthand when a pharmacist overseas offered her several versions of the same medication. Some were authentic, while others were openly described as counterfeit. That experience stayed with her. She now directs the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection at Michigan State University, where she works with consumers, brands, researchers, and law enforcement.
Kari talks about how counterfeit goods enter the marketplace and why they have become so difficult to recognize. She explains what shoppers should examine before placing an order and what to check when the package arrives. The conversation also looks at the health risks behind fake products, the criminal activity they may fund, and the real reason an unbelievable deal can be so cheap.
Show Notes:
[01:04] Kari Kammel explains how the Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection works to keep fake products away from consumers.
[02:28] An encounter with counterfeit medication leads Kari into the field of brand protection.
[03:34] Why even counterfeit experts sometimes purchase fake products by mistake.
[06:11] The worldwide scale of counterfeiting and how online sales accelerated its growth.
[08:30] Small direct-to-consumer packages make counterfeit shipments harder for customs officials to detect.
[10:46] Why the word "dupe" can refer to either a legitimate alternative or an illegal counterfeit.
[13:22] Counterfeit goods extend far beyond luxury items into car parts, electronics, toys, and medical products.
[16:08] The health risks of fake clothing, cancer medications, and injectable weight-loss drugs.
[18:12] Why people become less cautious and more impulsive while shopping online.
[19:38] Only the brand can confirm authenticity, but consumers can still look for warning signs.
[20:29] Checking the seller, business address, website, and contact information before placing an order.
[23:30] Suspicious photographs, fake reviews, unusual prices, and shortages that attract counterfeit sellers.
[25:41] What packaging, shipping origin, and product differences can reveal after an order arrives.
[27:25] How unauthorized "third shift" manufacturing produces goods outside a brand's quality controls.
[28:36] Following the money from counterfeit sales to organized crime and other illegal activity.
[31:58] How counterfeiters divide shipments and change tactics to avoid customs inspections.
[35:00] The countries involved in manufacturing, transporting, and purchasing counterfeit goods.
[38:15] How brands search for fake products and try to remove them from online marketplaces.
[39:15] The whack-a-mole problem created by counterfeit listings and AI-generated advertisements.
[41:00] Child labor, human trafficking, unsafe factories, and the hidden costs behind cheaper products.
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Kari Kammel - A-CAPP Team - Michigan State University
Kari Kammel - LinkedIn

A convincing lie no longer needs to look suspicious. It can appear in a familiar social media feed, come from someone who seems real, or arrive as a video that looks almost impossible to fake. By the time doubt sets in, the post may already have been shared thousands of times.
Few people understand that online environment better than today's guest. Nina Jankowicz has spent more than a decade studying what she calls the bad things that happen on the internet. She is an internationally recognized expert on disinformation and online harassment. She was also named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in AI.
Nina explains how disinformation spreads and why emotional content travels so quickly. She talks about online harassment, doxxing, romance scams, and AI-generated impersonation. The conversation also covers ways to check questionable information and protect your personal data. Just as important, Nina shares how to step away from trolls before they take over your time and attention.
Show Notes:
[01:00] Nina Jankowicz describes her work studying disinformation, online harassment, and AI-generated harm.
[03:50] The important difference between misinformation and deliberate disinformation.
[05:09] Why an emotional reaction may be a sign that someone is trying to manipulate you.
[07:09] How social media platforms monetize attention and reward harmful engagement.
[10:05] Using lateral reading and multiple sources to evaluate questionable online content.
[12:27] Why slowing down matters when an image or video may have been generated by AI.
[14:04] How algorithmic feeds have made information consumption increasingly passive.
[17:01] When an aggressive disagreement crosses the line into harassment.
[19:34] Threats, doxxing, and the limits of platforms and law enforcement.
[22:18] Nina's one-reply rule and how blocking trolls removes the attention they want.
[24:07] Why laws and law enforcement training have not kept pace with cyberstalking.
[26:06] Preserving screenshots, documenting abuse, and asking employers for support.
[29:23] Password managers, two-factor authentication, and the personal details hidden in photos.
[32:34] Removing information from data brokers and making online safety more manageable.
[34:40] A romance scam involving stolen images and real-time AI impersonation.
[37:35] Why older adults need digital literacy training as much as children do.
[39:44] Addressing disinformation without suppressing speech or telling people what to believe.
[42:12] How social media incentives favor profitable engagement over trustworthy information.
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Nina Jankowicz
Nina Jankowicz - LinkedIn
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