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PODCAST

Hacker And The Fed

Chris Tarbell & Hector Monsegur

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.

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All Episodes

37:34

Oracle Breach, MGM Hacker Busted, North Korean IT Scams

Hacker And The Fed ·

2025/04/10

This week on Hacker in the Fed, Chris 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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51:26

Telecom Hacks, AI Fears, and the Quantum Threat –...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2025/03/20

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

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53:55

Hacks, Heists, and the Rise of Digital Deception

Hacker And The Fed ·

2025/03/13

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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54:58

Smart Bed Backdoor, Crypto Heists, Router Hacks, and...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2025/03/06

In this episode of Hacker in the Fed, former FBI special agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker turned cybersecurity expert Hector Monsegur discuss GrayNoise’s 2025 Mass Internet Exploitation Report, revealing how attackers are exploiting vulnerabilities faster than ever, particularly targeting home routers. The two also cover a shocking backdoor discovery in the Eight Sleep smart mattress, the rising trend of violent crypto-related attacks, and the recent Bybit hack. Hector wraps up with a

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48:28

Inside a Ransomware Gang, Leaked Logs, a $1.4B Crypto...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2025/02/27

In this episode of Hacker in the Fed, former FBI special agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker turned cybersecurity expert Hector Monsegur discuss the leaked Black Basta ransomware logs, a $1.4 billion crypto heist, and new threats targeting Signal Messenger. They also share insights from their latest speaking events, the role of AI in cybersecurity, and the pros and cons of IT centralization in government.Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com.

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53:32

School Cyberattacks, Swatting as a Service, and...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2025/02/20

In this episode of Hacker in the Fed, former FBI special agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker turned cybersecurity expert Hector Monsegur discuss alarming trends in school cyberattacks and the lack of transparency in reporting breaches, a disturbing case of "swatting as a service," and the ongoing challenges in the cybersecurity job market. Hector delivers a passionate rant on hiring issues in the industry, highlighting unrealistic job requirements and outsourcing concerns.Send HATF your

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54:40

SSH Backdoors, the Decline of Ransomware Payments,...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2025/02/13

This week on Hacker And The Fed former FBI agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker Hector Monsegur discussdiscuss a newly discovered SSH backdoor used by Chinese cyber spies, the alarming rise of insider threats in critical U.S. infrastructure, and the significant drop in ransomware payments in 2024. Hector also delivers a passionate rant about government security oversight and the risks posed by unvetted personnel in federal systems. Plus, the duo shares insights on bypassing corporate security

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49:13

Hacked Healthcare, Hacked Cars & The Hidden Risks of...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2025/02/06

This week on Hacker And The Fed former FBI agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker Hector Monsegur discuss a shocking backdoor found in healthcare patient monitors linked to China, a major vulnerability in Subaru's Starlink system allowing remote vehicle control, and the ongoing concerns over modern cars collecting unnecessary user data. They also discuss cybersecurity career paths—Blue Team vs. Red Team—and how to build a well-rounded skillset. Plus, plenty of laughs, from muscle car nostalgia

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48:49

ROSS ULBRICHT PARDONED, Plus Insider Threats,...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2025/02/01

This week on Hacker And The Fed former FBI agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker Hector Monsegur talk hector’s much-needed vacation in the rainforest, and onto the major cybersecurity stories they missed while away. They discuss the recent pardon of Ross Ulbricht, second chances in life, and the complexities of law enforcement and the justice system. The conversation covers everything from insider threats, corporate security risks, personal attack surface reduction and even a recent

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45:32

Holiday Reflections: Cybersecurity, Careers, and...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2024/12/26

This week on Hacker And The Fed former FBI agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker Hector Monsegur celebrate the holidays with heartfelt reflections alongside their standard cybersecurity insights. Hector shares a touching story about family, gratitude, and his journey to providing new opportunities for others. The duo answers listener questions on topics like DDoS attacks, Windows migrations, and breaking into the cybersecurity field, offering practical advice for newcomers and seasoned

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47:04

Yahoo Red Team Layoffs, North Korea Infiltrating U.S....

Hacker And The Fed ·

2024/12/19

This week on Hacker And The Fed former FBI agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker Hector Monsegur discuss Yahoo’s controversial decision to lay off its red team, the rise of North Korean IT workers infiltrating U.S. companies, and the ethical dilemmas around hacking. They also reflects on the desensitization to data breaches, debate the significance of protecting medical history, and share candid moments about their personal lives and experiences in the industry.Send HATF your questions

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46:00

Telecom Hacks, Ransomware Fallout, Encrypted Chats,...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2024/12/12

Cybersecurity Chaos: Encrypted Chats, Ransomware Woes, and a Diss Track ChallengeThis week on Hacker And The Fed former FBI agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker Hector Monsegur discuss the largest U.S. telecom hack in history attributed to Chinese state-sponsored attackers, the FBI’s surprising push for encrypted communications, and the takedown of an encrypted messaging service used by criminals. They also tackle the bankruptcy of vodka giant Stoli following a devastating ransomware attack

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44:55

DB Cooper, ExxonMobil & Corporate Espionage, and Ross...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2024/12/05

This week on Hacker And The Fed former FBI agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker Hector Monsegur discuss their obsession with the DB Cooper case and the latest potential break in the decades-old mystery. Hector shares stories about his early days as a hacker and the challenges of trust in loosely connected cybercriminal groups. They also tackle corporate espionage and the ethics of hackers-for-hire in light of ExxonMobil’s alleged involvement in a hacking scandal. Wrapping up, they address

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47:12

A THANKSGIVING SPECIAL: Phishing Failures, Red Team...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2024/11/28

This week on Hacker And The Fed former FBI agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker Hector Monsegur discuss key cybersecurity challenges, from the effectiveness of phishing training to the ethical dilemmas of vulnerability disclosure. They explore how technical controls and employee education can work together to defend against increasingly sophisticated attacks, including SMS and social media phishing. They also dive into career advice for transitioning from Blue Team to Red Team roles and the

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40:19

Italian Hacking Scandal, NSA Best Practices, Insider...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2024/11/21

This week on Hacker And The Fed former FBI agent Chris Tarbell and ex-black hat hacker Hector Monsegur dive into a massive hacking scandal targeting Italian political elites, revealing insider threats and international intrigue. They break down NSA mobile device security best practices and share their own successes (and failures) in following them. Plus, updates on their personal lives, community work, and how ethical hacking can prevent breaches like this.Send HATF your questions

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29:46

We're Back!

Hacker And The Fed ·

2024/11/14

Hacker And The Fed is back. Finally rebooting after a temporary hiatus. 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

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93:38

The Colonial Pipeline Hack, the SEC's X Account, and...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2024/01/31

On this episode of Hacker And The Fed we interview Special Agent Aron Mann with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Cyber Crime Center about their cyber role and career opportunities. We break down the Colonial Pipeline hack, how the dark web is intensifying the insider threat, and dig into the mother of all breaches. And finally, the SEC's X account was hacked.Links from the

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85:30

A Train Hack, $80M Pig Butchering Scheme, and Greg...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2023/12/21

This week on Hacker And The Fed we interview Greg Van Houten of Haynes Boone and policyholderplaybook.com, a seasoned civil litigator who focuses on insurance recovery. We talk to Greg about the SEC's new cybersecurity disclosure rules, which went into effect this month. We also discuss a massive hack that went unreported, a train hack due to a vendor’s geofencing feature, indictments in an 80-million-dollar pig butchering scheme, and a MongoDB security breach. Links from the episode: Greg Van

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84:17

The FBI Shares Tactics of a Ransomware Gang, a Ransom...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2023/11/30

This week on Hacker And The Fed we speak with Lance Taubin of Alston & Bird about being a cyber lawyer, the FBI shares the tactics of the ransomware gang Scattered Spider, a company pays a ransom and their data is exposed anyway, Alpha BlackCat uses government regulations to further pressure a victim to pay, and the FCC is trying to make SIM swapping more difficult. Links from the episode: FBI Shares Tactics of Notorious Scattered Spider Hacker

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85:00

The SolarWinds hack, North Korea IT Workers, Hackers...

Hacker And The Fed ·

2023/10/26

This week on Hacker And The Fed we break down the SolarWinds hack, there are 8 new vulnerabilities found in SolarWinds, thousands of remote IT workers have been working for North Korea, hackers are targeting a company that handles data requests for law enforcement, and we answer listener questions about VPN services, password managers and patch management. Links from the episode: Critical SolarWinds RCE Bugs Enable Unauthorized Network

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115 results

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