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Hacker And The Fed artwork

Hacker And The FedRanked number 11 in the Top 15

Chris Tarbell & Hector Monsegur

Show details

Cadence
Weekly
Typical episode
~52 min
Established
Since 2022
Latest episode
Sep 3, 2026

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.

Classification

Topics

Cybersecurity NewsCybercrimeAI Security

Formats

Panel & RoundtableCommentary & Analysis

Level

Intermediatelevel

Latest episodes

  • Your Router Might Come With a Backdoor Already InstalledSep 3, 2026Episode length: · 52:16Chris 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:
  • AI Is Getting Access to Your Private MessagesAug 27, 2026Episode length: · 49:59Chris 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:
  • Someone Tried to Hack the Court With an AI PromptAug 20, 2026Episode length: · 48:59Chris 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:
  • The Cybersecurity Industry Can’t Keep Up With AIAug 13, 2026Episode length: · 44:41Chris 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:
  • The $90 Million Crypto Wallet Disaster Nobody Saw ComingAug 6, 2026Episode length: · 55:12Chris 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:
  • The Snapchat Phishing Scam That Stole Hundreds of Private PhotosJul 30, 2026Episode length: · 55:35Chris 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:…
  • The Steam Malware That Stole Crypto From ThousandsJul 23, 2026Episode length: · 56:16Chris 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…
  • Japan's First ChatGPT-Powered Hacker ArrestJul 16, 2026Episode length: · 56:03Chris 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:
  • Canada Just Hacked the Drug CartelsJul 9, 2026Episode length: · 57:02Chris 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:
  • They Mocked the Hackers... Then Lost $3 MillionJul 2, 2026Episode length: · 45:07Chris 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:
  • FIFA Left the Front Door Wide OpenJun 25, 2026Episode length: · 48:45Chris 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:
  • Hackers Are Using Fake LinkedIn Jobs to Break Into CompaniesJun 18, 2026Episode length: · 58:13Chris 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:
  • Your Smart TV Might Be Part of a BotnetJun 11, 2026Episode length: · 44:50Chris and Hector break down a shocking discovery involving smart TVs being used as residential proxy nodes, a major Meta AI support failure that enabled widespread Instagram account takeovers, and new AI systems uncovering decades-old software vulnerabilities. They also discuss AI security guardrails, consumer privacy, and the growing risks of convenience-driven technology. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
  • A Single Email Took Down a Major Food SupplierJun 4, 2026Episode length: · 45:27Chris and Hector break down a phishing attack that exposed employee data at a major food supplier, Microsoft's escalating fight with a security researcher publishing zero days, and the eye watering cost of enterprise AI adoption. They also discuss insider trading on prediction markets, the takedown of a massive DDoS botnet, and why basic security failures continue to create outsized consequences. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
  • Texas Just Declared War on WhatsAppMay 28, 2026Episode length: · 1:12:01Chris and Hector break down Texas suing WhatsApp over encryption claims, a law enforcement operation targeting a ransomware linked VPN provider, and a bizarre hack involving FBI Director Kash Patel’s apparel website. They also dive into the nonstop wave of AI driven supply chain attacks, fake OnlyFans breach panic, and how online scams continue turning ordinary people into criminal defendants. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
  • Microsoft Has a Bigger Security Problem Than Anyone AdmitsMay 21, 2026Episode length: · 53:19Chris and Hector break down a major ransomware attack on Foxconn, the growing strain AI data centers are putting on power grids, and new allegations surrounding Microsoft security and cloud infrastructure. They also discuss insider threats, ransomware leaks, BitLocker concerns, and why cybersecurity vendors continue to overwhelm the industry with noise instead of solutions. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
  • The Student Hack That Crashed BitcoinMay 14, 2026Episode length: · 49:48Chris and Hector break down a massive cyberattack affecting thousands of schools during finals week, Russia’s reported hacker training pipeline through universities, and the growing wave of developer focused supply chain attacks. They also discuss North Korean laptop farms, SIM swap scams tied to Bitcoin manipulation, and why online privacy continues to disappear. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
  • AI Deleted the Entire Database in 9 SecondsMay 7, 2026Episode length: · 51:31Chris and Hector break down a series of AI and cybersecurity failures, including an autonomous coding agent that deleted an entire production database, a breach exposing voice and biometric data from 40,000 AI contractors, and major GitHub and supply chain vulnerabilities. They also discuss the growing risks of AI decision making, deepfakes, and why basic security failures continue to spiral into massive incidents. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:…
  • The Crypto Hacks Funding North KoreaApr 30, 2026Episode length: · 47:02Chris and Hector break down a wild mix of cyber stories, including a U.S. soldier charged for betting on a classified military operation, ongoing North Korean crypto theft campaigns, and major security failures across APIs and SaaS platforms. They explore how insider threats, poor security practices, and repeated mistakes continue to drive massive breaches and real world consequences. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
  • Europe Is Quietly Preparing for a Tech WarApr 23, 2026Episode length: · 51:13Chris and Hector break down a week of cybersecurity stories, from Europe’s push to move away from U.S. tech to supply chain attacks, insider threats, and SaaS compromises. They dig into why modern security tools still fail, how attackers exploit trust in third party systems, and why some breaches matter far less than headlines suggest. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:
  • The Origin StoryApr 16, 2026Episode length: · 1:00:55In this episode, Chris and Hector revisit their origin story, from the investigation that led to Sabu’s identity to the night the FBI showed up at his door. They walk through the arrest, the decision to cooperate, and the months spent working side by side to dismantle major hacking operations. It is a firsthand account of how one of the most infamous hackers became an informant and how that unlikely partnership shaped both of their lives. Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:…
  • How One Developer Took Down the Supply ChainApr 9, 2026Episode length: · 47:07Chris and Hector break down a highly effective North Korean supply chain attack that started with a fake Microsoft Teams update and escalated into full developer compromise. They explore how modern attackers combine social engineering, open source manipulation, and long term access to infiltrate software pipelines. The episode also covers GitHub based attacks, compromised routers at scale, and why simple human pressure remains one of the most powerful tools in cybercrime. Join our Patreon for…
  • What CISOs Actually Worry AboutApr 2, 2026Episode length: · 1:20:46Chris and Hector are joined again by an anonymous CISO for a candid follow up conversation on the realities of modern cybersecurity. They explore why compliance often turns into security theater, how geopolitical conflict is shaping defensive strategy, and what actually keeps security leaders up at night. The discussion cuts through dashboards and certifications to focus on risk, trends, and the uncomfortable truth that many organizations look secure on paper while remaining deeply vulnerable in…
  • The Biggest Cybersecurity Grift in YearsMar 26, 2026Episode length: · 51:01Chris and Hector break down a major compliance scandal where a startup allegedly sold fake SOC 2 certifications using templated reports and questionable auditing practices. They explore how the breach exposed sensitive internal documents, why companies may have knowingly gone along with it, and what it says about trust in the cybersecurity industry. The episode also covers a massive GPU smuggling case tied to China, the collapse of a major cybercrime forum, and a real-world prompt injection…
  • A Petabyte of Data Stolen and Nobody NoticedMar 19, 2026Episode length: · 1:00:25Chris and Hector break down a massive breach involving claims of a petabyte of stolen data and question how something that large could go unnoticed. They also dive into a critical vulnerability in McKinsey’s internal AI platform that exposed millions of records through basic API and SQL flaws, along with ongoing credential theft campaigns targeting VPN users Join our Patreon for weekly bonus episodes:

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Show account

@HackerAndTheFed

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