Speaker 1: Welcome to another deep dive. Today we'll be exploring the
Speaker 1: complete cybersecurity course, Volume one, Hackers Exposed by Nathan House.
Speaker 2: Yeah. This one's a really fantastic resource for anyone who
Speaker 2: wants to better understand well the nuts and bolts of
Speaker 2: protecting their digital lives.
Speaker 1: It's a very hands on guide and it covers just
Speaker 1: a ton of cybersecurity topics, from the basics all the
Speaker 1: way up to more advanced stuff.
Speaker 2: Absolutely.
Speaker 1: You know, one of the things that really struck me
Speaker 1: early on was how the author really emphasizes, you know,
Speaker 1: figuring out what's actually important to you before you even
Speaker 1: start thinking about firewalls and encryption and all of that.
Speaker 2: That's a really important point. You need to know what
Speaker 2: you're trying to protect before you can effectively protect it exactly.
Speaker 1: I mean, what can you absolutely not afford to lose,
Speaker 1: What data, what accounts, what information is is really really
Speaker 1: critical to you.
Speaker 2: I think that's one of the things that makes this
Speaker 2: book so valuable. It really personalizes the security journey.
Speaker 1: Yeah, it helps you figure out what your priorities are
Speaker 1: and how to create a security plan that actually works for.
Speaker 2: You, right, because everyone's situation is different exactly.
Speaker 1: And It also helps to clear up a lot of
Speaker 1: confusion around around some key terms that I think get
Speaker 1: thrown around a lot. Privacy, anonymity, and pseudonymity.
Speaker 2: Yeah, those terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually
Speaker 2: have very distinct meanings.
Speaker 1: The book does a really great job of breaking those down.
Speaker 1: It does so privacy, for example, you know, the book
Speaker 1: talks about that being about controlling access to your information,
Speaker 1: like making sure only the intended recipient can read your
Speaker 1: emails or you know, access your financial data.
Speaker 2: Right, It's about keeping your information confidential exactly.
Speaker 1: And then anonymity that's a whole other level.
Speaker 2: Anonymity is about making it impossible to link actions back
Speaker 2: to your identity. It's like leaving no fingerprints at a
Speaker 2: crime scene.
Speaker 1: So like that burner phone scenario we always see in
Speaker 1: the movies, exactly, the spies use a burner phone, yeah,
Speaker 1: and then they just you know, check it in the trash,
Speaker 1: no trace, no trace. And then you've got pseudonymity, which
Speaker 1: is somewhere in between.
Speaker 2: Right. Pseudonymity is about using a fake name or an
Speaker 2: alias to protect your real identity, but still maintaining a
Speaker 2: consistent persona.
Speaker 1: Okay, so you're not completely anonymous, but you're not using
Speaker 1: your real name either, exactly. Okay, that makes sense. So
Speaker 1: we've talked about what we want to protect. Now let's
Speaker 1: talk about the.
Speaker 2: Threats, right, because the threat landscape is constantly evolving.
Speaker 1: Yeah, the book really opened my eyes to how diverse
Speaker 1: the dangers out there are. Mean, it's not just about
Speaker 1: some you know, lone wolf hacker in a dark room,
Speaker 1: you know, trying to break into my computer.
Speaker 2: Right. A lot of the threats are automated these days.
Speaker 2: Hackers use programs to scan for vulnerabilities, and that means
Speaker 2: that anyone can be a target.
Speaker 1: Okay, so it's not necessarily personal.
Speaker 2: Not always. And then they're also targeted attacks.
Speaker 1: Okay, so someone's specifically going after me, right.
Speaker 2: It could be based on your activities, your location, or
Speaker 2: the information that you share online.
Speaker 1: I actually had a question about that, you know, because
Speaker 1: I do a lot of online shopping and I always thought, well,
Speaker 1: if I see that little padlock icon in my browser window,
Speaker 1: that means I'm safe.
Speaker 2: That padlock means you're using HTTPS, right, which relies on
Speaker 2: ssltls to encrypt your connection. So it makes it much
Speaker 2: harder for someone to snoop on your data.
Speaker 1: Okay, that makes sense.
Speaker 2: But here's the thing you mentioned. You travel a lot
Speaker 2: for work, right I do. Yeah, imagine you're at a
Speaker 2: conference and you're using their WiFi. Someone could be using
Speaker 2: a tool like a Wi Fi Pineapple to perform what's
Speaker 2: called an SSL.
Speaker 1: Strip attack a Wi Fi Pineapple.
Speaker 2: It sounds kind of silly, but it's actually a pretty
Speaker 2: serious tool that hackers can use to basically trick your
Speaker 2: browser into thinking the connection isn't encrypted.
Speaker 1: Wait, so even though I see the padlock, my data
Speaker 1: could still be exposed.
Speaker 2: Exactly. It highlights the importance of being cautious even when
Speaker 2: you think you're on a secure connection.
Speaker 1: Okay, that's definitely something to think about. So even HTTPS
Speaker 1: isn't fool proof, No it's not. And then on top
Speaker 1: of all that, you know, the book mentions this whole
Speaker 1: marketplace of vulnerabilities, like hackers can actually buy ex wait
Speaker 1: kits and zero day vulnerabilities on the dark net.
Speaker 2: It's a chilling thought, right, there are literally marketplaces where
Speaker 2: cyber criminals can buy and sell tools to break into systems.
Speaker 1: Yeah, that's pretty unsettling, and they're paying a lot of
Speaker 1: money for these things.
Speaker 2: They are some of these exploits can go for thousands
Speaker 2: of dollars.
Speaker 1: So that tells you how valuable this information is. It does, Okay,
Speaker 1: so even if I'm being super careful, so it could
Speaker 1: still you know, buy a digital skeleton key to my
Speaker 1: online life.
Speaker 2: It's a possibility, and it's something to be aware.
Speaker 1: Of, okay. And then you know, on top of all that,
Speaker 1: you have the whole issue of government surveillance. I mean
Speaker 1: sometimes it feels like something out of a spy thriller, right.
Speaker 2: It's definitely something to be aware of. The book talks
Speaker 2: about programs like the Five Eyes Alliance, where intelligence agencies
Speaker 2: from multiple countries share information Five Eyes.
Speaker 1: Yeah, it sounds like something out of a James Bond movie.
Speaker 2: It does, doesn't it. And then there are tools like
Speaker 2: Carnivore that can intercept Internet traffic.
Speaker 1: So even our governments are watching us.
Speaker 2: It's a possibility, and it raises some serious questions about
Speaker 2: privacy and how much of it we actually have online.
Speaker 1: Yeah, it feels like we're walking a tightrope between staying
Speaker 1: safe and maintaining our privacy.
Speaker 2: It's a delicate balance, it is.
Speaker 1: What about these back doors that I've heard about? Are
Speaker 1: those real?
Speaker 2: Unfortunately? Yes, A back door is basically a hidden vulnerability
Speaker 2: that's intentionally built into software.
Speaker 1: Intentionally, Why would anyone do that?
Speaker 2: Often it's done by governments to gain access to encrypted data.
Speaker 1: So even our own governments could be putting back doors
Speaker 1: in our software.
Speaker 2: It's happened before. The book uses the example of Juniper routers.
Speaker 2: A backdoor was discovered in their software that allowed someone
Speaker 2: to eavesdrop on connections.
Speaker 1: So even the hardware can be compromised.
Speaker 2: It's a possibility, and it's why understanding these vulnerabilities is
Speaker 2: so important.
Speaker 1: It's a lot to take in. It makes you want to,
Speaker 1: you know, just run and hide, disconnect from the internet completely.
Speaker 1: But the book does talk about encryption as being a
Speaker 1: powerful tool it is. Can you explain how encryption works?
Speaker 1: I always get a bit lost with the technical stuff.
Speaker 2: Basically, encryption is the process of scrambling data to make
Speaker 2: it unreadable without the correct key. It's like putting a
Speaker 2: message in a locked box that only the intended recipient
Speaker 2: has the key to open.
Speaker 1: Okay, that makes sense. Sounds like a secret code.
Speaker 2: You could think of it that way. And there are
Speaker 2: different types of encryption. Symmetric encryption uses the same key
Speaker 2: to encrypt and decrypt the data, while asymmetric encryption uses
Speaker 2: different keys for each.
Speaker 1: Okay, so symmetric is like having one key that fits
Speaker 1: both locks, and asymmetric is like having two separate keys, exactly.
Speaker 1: And I always hear about AES encryption being the gold standard.
Speaker 1: Is that, right?
Speaker 2: AES is a type of symmetric encryption, and it's considered.
Speaker 1: Very strong, so it's pretty much unbreakable.
Speaker 2: With current technology. Yes, it's even used by governments to
Speaker 2: protect classified information.
Speaker 1: So encryption sounds like a powerful way to protect our data.
Speaker 2: It definitely is, but it's not the only strategy. The
Speaker 2: book also talks about the concept of isolation, which is
Speaker 2: all about dividing your digital life into different security zones.
Speaker 1: Okay, so it's like having different bank accounts for different
Speaker 1: purposes exactly.
Speaker 2: If one account is compromised, the others are safe. And
Speaker 2: the book talks about some interesting ways to achieve this,
Speaker 2: like using separate devices for different activities, so.
Speaker 1: Like having a dedicated computer just for online banking.
Speaker 2: Right, But that's not always practical for everyone. So the
Speaker 2: book also gets into virtual machines.
Speaker 1: Virtual machines, I've heard the term, but I'm not really
Speaker 1: sure what that means.
Speaker 2: A virtual machine is basically a computer within your computer.
Speaker 2: You can create isolated environments where you can run potentially
Speaker 2: risky applications without affecting your main operating system.
Speaker 1: So if something goes wrong in the virtual machine, it
Speaker 1: doesn't affect my actual computer exactly.
Speaker 2: It's like having a sandbox where you can play without
Speaker 2: worrying about making a mess.
Speaker 1: Okay, that's a pretty clever idea. Are there other isolation
Speaker 1: techniques that the book mentions.
Speaker 2: Yeah, it talks about hiding encrypted volumes, which makes your
Speaker 2: data much harder to find, and even changing your MEE.
Speaker 1: Address, changing my MA address. What's that?
Speaker 2: Your MS address is a unique identifier for your device's
Speaker 2: network card. Okay, by changing it, you can make it
Speaker 2: more difficult to track your device on a network.
Speaker 1: So it's like changing your car's license plate exactly.
Speaker 2: And the book even walks you through how to do
Speaker 2: this using tools like TMA for Windows and mechy changer
Speaker 2: for Linux.
Speaker 1: Okay, so it's not as complicated as it sounds.
Speaker 2: No, it's actually pretty straightforward.
Speaker 1: Okay, this is all starting to make sense. Yeah, but
Speaker 1: it sounds like the operating consume you use plays a
Speaker 1: big role in security too, it does.
Speaker 2: All operating systems have their strengths and weaknesses. The book
Speaker 2: compares Windows, mac OSX, and Linux in terms of security
Speaker 2: and privacy.
Speaker 1: I've always heard that MAX are more secure than Windows PCs.
Speaker 2: That's a common myth. While MAX have historically had fewer
Speaker 2: viruses targeting them, they're not immune to attacks.
Speaker 1: Okay, so no operating system is perfect.
Speaker 2: Exactly, and the book goes into detail tail about some
Speaker 2: privacy concerns with Windows ten.
Speaker 1: Windows ten. What's wrong with it?
Speaker 2: It collects a lot of data about your browsing history,
Speaker 2: app usage, location.
Speaker 1: It does I had no idea, It's all in.
Speaker 2: The privacy policy. And while some of this data collection
Speaker 2: can be useful, it also raises privacy concerns.
Speaker 1: Is there any way to stop it?
Speaker 2: The book suggests some tools to help you customize your
Speaker 2: privacy settings in Windows ten, or you could look into
Speaker 2: more privacy focused operating systems like Linux.
Speaker 1: Linux. That sounds pretty technical, it can be.
Speaker 2: But there are distributions like Debian that are known for
Speaker 2: their strong security and privacy features.
Speaker 1: So even though it might be a little more challenging
Speaker 1: to use, Linux could be a good option for someone
Speaker 1: who's really serious about.
Speaker 2: Privacy, absolutely, and the book provides some basic guidance on
Speaker 2: using Linux, so it's not as daunting as it might seem.
Speaker 1: Okay, So it's not just about choosing the right operating system,
Speaker 1: it's also about knowing how to use.
Speaker 2: It securely exactly. And the book goes beyond the technical solutions,
Speaker 2: highlighting the the human factor in cybersecurity.
Speaker 1: The human factor.
Speaker 2: What do you mean, well, that brings us to social engineering.
Speaker 1: Ah? Yes, those pesky phishing emails.
Speaker 2: That's one example, but social engineering is a much broader concept.
Speaker 2: It's about manipulating people into giving up sensitive information.
Speaker 1: So it's not just about hacking into computers. It's about
Speaker 1: hacking into.
Speaker 2: People exactly, and it can be very effective.
Speaker 1: Okay, So what can we do to protect ourselves from
Speaker 1: social engineering attacks?
Speaker 2: The book offers some strategies for managing your online identity
Speaker 2: and minimizing how much personal information you reveal, Like what Well,
Speaker 2: it starts by questioning whether you even need to be
Speaker 2: on social media? Could you avoid it altogether or at
Speaker 2: least minimize your usage.
Speaker 1: For some people, maybe, but social media is a big
Speaker 1: part of a lot of people's lives these days.
Speaker 2: I agree. So the next level is compartmentalization. Can you
Speaker 2: use different online identities for different purposes.
Speaker 1: So like having a separate persona for work and for
Speaker 1: personal stuff exactly.
Speaker 2: You can also keep your personal and professional networks completely separate,
Speaker 2: or be really mindful about what information you're sharing online.
Speaker 2: It's all about creating a strategy that works for you
Speaker 2: and your needs.
Speaker 1: Okay, that makes sense. What about when you have to
Speaker 1: register on websites it feels like you're always giving up
Speaker 1: some personal information.
Speaker 2: The book suggests some clever workarounds for that. First, try
Speaker 2: to find services that don't even require you to create
Speaker 2: an account.
Speaker 1: I never thought of that.
Speaker 2: But when you do need to register, the book suggest
Speaker 2: creating a separate email address specifically for online registrations.
Speaker 1: So like a throwaway email address that I just use
Speaker 1: for signing.
Speaker 2: Up for things exactly. And for those websites that require
Speaker 2: you to verify your phone number with an SMS code,
Speaker 2: the book even mentions sites that offer temporary phone numbers
Speaker 2: so I don't have to.
Speaker 1: Give up my real number. That's brilliant, it is.
Speaker 2: And it can really help to protect your privacy.
Speaker 1: Okay, what about those social engineering tactics we talked about earlier,
Speaker 1: Like phishing emails. How can I avoid falling for those?
Speaker 2: Well, one of the biggest those things is to never
Speaker 2: click on links and emails, especially if they're asking for
Speaker 2: personal information.
Speaker 1: Right because that link could lead to a fake website
Speaker 1: designed to steal my passwords exactly.
Speaker 2: Instead, always type the website addressed directly into your browser.
Speaker 1: Good advice. And if I do need to click a link,
Speaker 1: what should I look for?
Speaker 2: Pay close attention to the URL, look for misspellings, unusual
Speaker 2: domain names, or anything that seems off. Be a digital detective.
Speaker 1: Okay, I like that, Be a digital detective.
Speaker 2: Another good tip is to be suspicious of any unsolicited contact,
Speaker 2: whether it's an email, phone call, or text message. Don't
Speaker 2: give out personal information unless you've independently verified the identity
Speaker 2: of the person or organization contacting you.
Speaker 1: So no trusting those emails from Nigerian princes exactly.
Speaker 2: Remember, social engineering is all about exploiting our trust and
Speaker 2: our emotions. Staying calm and thinking critically is your best defense.
Speaker 1: Okay. So it's not just about technology, it's about changing
Speaker 1: the way we think about security exactly.
Speaker 2: It's about being vigilant, cautious, and skeptical.
Speaker 1: I like that.
Speaker 2: Not taking anything at face value and being aware of
Speaker 2: potential dangers both online and offline.
Speaker 1: Okay, So it's about taking ownership of.
Speaker 2: Our security exactly, and that's what this book is all about.
Speaker 2: It's about empowering us to protect ourselves in the digital world.
Speaker 1: This has been really helpful. I'm feeling a lot more
Speaker 1: informed and maybe a little more paranoid, but in a
Speaker 1: good way.
Speaker 2: That's the point. Awareness is the first step to protecting yourself.
Speaker 1: Okay. So now that we've got a basic understanding of
Speaker 1: the threats and the tools, where do we go from here?
Speaker 2: Well, the book goes into a lot more detail about
Speaker 2: the different types of attacks, the motivations behind them, and
Speaker 2: the strategies you can use to defend yourself.
Speaker 1: Okay, So there's a lot more to learn.
Speaker 2: There is, but don't worry, we'll cover it all in
Speaker 2: our next deep dive.
Speaker 1: Great, I'm looking forward to.
Speaker 2: It me too. We've talked a lot about, you know,
Speaker 2: the technical side of cybersecurity, firewalls, encryption.
Speaker 1: All that good stuff, right, the tools and the tactics.
Speaker 2: But this book that come complete cybersecurity course, it really
Speaker 2: it really hits home the point about well, the human element, the.
Speaker 1: Human element, right, right, because, like we said, social engineering
Speaker 1: that praise on our emotions, exact our trust.
Speaker 2: It's not just about you know, having the strongest firewall
Speaker 2: or the most complex encryption algorithm. It's about recognizing that people,
Speaker 2: well people are often the weakest link.
Speaker 1: Yeah, that makes sense. So let's talk about these attackers.
Speaker 1: Who are they, what makes them tick?
Speaker 2: Well, the book goes into like a pretty good amount
Speaker 2: of detail about the different types of attackers. You've got
Speaker 2: you know what they call script kitties, scrypt kitties. Yeah, basically,
Speaker 2: they're amateurs. They're using pre made tools causing mischief.
Speaker 1: Right.
Speaker 2: Then you've got your cyber criminals motivated by well profit,
Speaker 2: they're trying to steal data, financial information, intellectual property.
Speaker 1: Steal money basically.
Speaker 2: Yeah, and then you've got well, well, the state sponsored hackers.
Speaker 1: State sponsored hackers. That sounds like something out of you know,
Speaker 1: a spy movie.
Speaker 2: It does sound like a Hollywood plot, but it's very real.
Speaker 1: So governments are actually hiring hackers.
Speaker 2: Well, they're investing in you know, cyber capabilities, Okay, for
Speaker 2: both defensive and offensive purposes.
Speaker 1: Right, So they're trying to protect themselves, but they're also
Speaker 1: using these capabilities to attack other countries.
Speaker 2: It's a digital arms race, countries fighting for control in cyberspace.
Speaker 1: It's like a whole new battlefield. So what kind of
Speaker 1: tactics are they using?
Speaker 2: Oh, all sorts of things, spear phishing, malware, and you
Speaker 2: know those social engineering techniques we talked about spearfishing. What's that, Well,
Speaker 2: spear phishing, it's it's a targeted attack where the attacker,
Speaker 2: you know, researches their victim, they craft a very specific email.
Speaker 1: Oh so it's not just some random spam email.
Speaker 2: No, this is very personalized.
Speaker 1: Okay.
Speaker 2: They might use information they've gathered from like social media
Speaker 2: or company websites to make it look like it's coming
Speaker 2: from well, a trusted source.
Speaker 1: So it's like a con artist gaining your trust before
Speaker 1: taking advantage of you.
Speaker 2: That's a good way to put it. And then there's malware,
Speaker 2: which is any software designed to harm or exploit a system.
Speaker 1: Okay, malware, that's a pretty broad term, right, I mean,
Speaker 1: what are some examples of that.
Speaker 2: You've got viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware. There's all kinds.
Speaker 1: Really, so many different ways to cause havoc.
Speaker 2: They have different ways of infiltrating systems and causing damage yeah,
Speaker 2: I mean ransomware.
Speaker 1: That one's been in the news a lot lately. It
Speaker 1: has encrypting people's files and holding them hostage.
Speaker 2: It's become a big business for cyber criminals.
Speaker 1: Yeah, and it's not just targeting individuals anymore. It's hitting businesses,
Speaker 1: even government agencies.
Speaker 2: It can cripple entire organizations.
Speaker 1: Right, and I've heard they often demand payment, and bitcoin
Speaker 1: or some other cryptocurrency.
Speaker 2: Cryptocurrencies offer a level of anonymity that's well, it's attractive to.
Speaker 1: Criminals, right, makes it harder to trace exactly. So it's
Speaker 1: like a perfect crime digital it can feel that way.
Speaker 2: Yeah, it's a serious threat.
Speaker 1: Okay, so we've got phishing, we've got social engineering malware.
Speaker 1: What about those exploit kits we talked about earlier, those
Speaker 1: pre made hacking tools, Right.
Speaker 2: Those are packages of software tools that automate the process
Speaker 2: of exploiting vulnerabilities. They're like hacking for dummies, So.
Speaker 1: Even if you don't know how to code, you can
Speaker 1: still use these to launch an attack.
Speaker 2: That's the scary part. And they're readily available on the dirknet.
Speaker 1: Right, those underground marketplaces, making.
Speaker 2: It easier than ever for attackers to get their hands
Speaker 2: on sophisticated tools.
Speaker 1: Okay, this is all starting to sound well, kind of overwhelming.
Speaker 2: It's a lot to take in.
Speaker 1: It feels like we're constantly under attack from all sides.
Speaker 2: It can feel that way, but remember, there are things
Speaker 2: we can do to defend ourselves, right.
Speaker 1: Right, we talked about strong passwords, secure Wi Fi.
Speaker 2: Absolutely, those are the basics, the foundation.
Speaker 1: Okay, the foundation, Yeah, but what about going beyond the basics,
Speaker 1: what about more advanced strategies.
Speaker 2: Well, the book talks a lot about security through isolation.
Speaker 1: Okay, isolation, what's that.
Speaker 2: It's about compartmentalizing your digital life so that if one
Speaker 2: area gets compromised, well, the damage is contained.
Speaker 1: Okay. So it's like if one part of your house
Speaker 1: catches fire, you want to make sure the fire doesn't
Speaker 1: spread to.
Speaker 2: The rest of the house exactly. The book talks about
Speaker 2: physical isolation, which is using completely separate devices for different activities.
Speaker 1: Right, like having a dedicated computer just for online banking.
Speaker 2: Right, But like we said, that's not always practical. So
Speaker 2: the book also gets into virtual isolation, which is using
Speaker 2: virtual machines or vms.
Speaker 1: Vms. I think we touched on that earlier. Can you
Speaker 1: remind me how those work.
Speaker 2: Yeah. So a VM is basically a computer within your computer.
Speaker 1: Okay.
Speaker 2: It creates an isolated environment, so you can.
Speaker 1: Run risky programs in the VM without affecting your main
Speaker 1: computer exactly.
Speaker 2: If the VM gets compromised, your main operating system and
Speaker 2: your personal files are still protected.
Speaker 1: Okay, that makes sense. It's like having a separate, disposable
Speaker 1: workspace for risky activities.
Speaker 2: That's a good analogy. And the book even talks about
Speaker 2: application isolation, isolating specific applications within your operating system.
Speaker 1: Oh. Interesting, So like isolating your web browser exactly. They
Speaker 1: call it sandboxing sandboxing. I'm picturing kids playing in a
Speaker 1: sandbox at the park.
Speaker 2: Think of it like that. You're containing the potential mess.
Speaker 1: Okay, I get it. So if my browser gets infected,
Speaker 1: the malware is contained within that sandbox. It can't spread
Speaker 1: to the rest of my computer.
Speaker 2: That's the idea.
Speaker 1: Okay, so sandboxing adds another layer of protection. And you
Speaker 1: said some operating systems have built in sandboxing features.
Speaker 2: They do, and there are also third party applications you
Speaker 2: can use. The book has some recommendations.
Speaker 1: Okay. So we've got physical isolation, virtual machines, sandboxing, what
Speaker 1: other isolation techniques.
Speaker 2: Does the book mention, Oh, it goes into changing your
Speaker 2: ma seed RUSS, which we talked about earlier.
Speaker 1: Right, that's like changing your car's license plate to make
Speaker 1: it harder to track.
Speaker 2: Exactly, and the book gives instructions on how to do
Speaker 2: it on different operating systems.
Speaker 1: Okay, changing your MAAC address, got it. What about VPNs?
Speaker 1: Those seem to be all the rage these days.
Speaker 2: Yeah, VPNs, or virtual private networks, are a great tool
Speaker 2: for enhancing your security and privacy.
Speaker 1: How do it work?
Speaker 2: Well, they create an encrypted tunnel between your device and
Speaker 2: a VPN server, so it masks your IP address and
Speaker 2: encrypts all of your Internet traffic.
Speaker 1: Okay, so it's like you're driving through a secure tunnel.
Speaker 1: Nobody can see what's inside your car or where you're going.
Speaker 2: That's a great analogy. And VPNs are especially useful when
Speaker 2: you're using public Wi Fi, oh right.
Speaker 1: Because public Wi Fi is often unsecured exactly.
Speaker 2: Anyone on that network could potentially see what you're doing.
Speaker 2: But if you're using a VPN, your traffic is encrypted,
Speaker 2: so it's much harder for anyone to snoop.
Speaker 1: So it's like putting a shield around your data.
Speaker 2: You could think of it that way. The book recommends
Speaker 2: using a reputable VPN service and explains the different types
Speaker 2: of VPN protocols available.
Speaker 1: Okay, so VPNs or a must have for anyone who
Speaker 1: uses public Wi Fi regularly. What else does the book cover?
Speaker 2: Well, it spends a good chump of time on operating systems,
Speaker 2: security and privacy. It compares the strength and weaknesses of
Speaker 2: different operating systems, right.
Speaker 1: Like Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Speaker 2: Exactly, and it goes deeper into their specific features and
Speaker 2: vulnerabilities how to configure them for maximum security.
Speaker 1: Okay, because it's not enough to just choose the right
Speaker 1: operating system, you have to know how to use it securely.
Speaker 2: Right. It provides guidance on customizing privacy settings, finding the
Speaker 2: right balance between security, privacy and usability.
Speaker 1: Right because you don't want to lock things down so
Speaker 1: tight that you can't actually use.
Speaker 2: Your computer exactly. It's about finding that sweet spot.
Speaker 1: Okay. What about social media? We've talked about that earlier,
Speaker 1: but it feels like social media is a cybersecurity minefield
Speaker 1: in itself.
Speaker 2: It can be. Social media companies collect a lot of
Speaker 2: data about us, and we often share things without thinking
Speaker 2: about the potential consequences.
Speaker 1: Right, like our name, our location, our interests.
Speaker 2: All that stuff exactly, and all of that data can
Speaker 2: be used to build a profile of you.
Speaker 1: And that profile can be used by advertisers, marketers, even criminals.
Speaker 2: It's a valuable commodity. So the book offers strategies for
Speaker 2: managing your online identity, minimizing your digital footprint, like what well,
Speaker 2: first of all, being mindful of what you share, do
Speaker 2: you really need to post that photo of your vacation? Oh?
Speaker 2: And more, share your political views, right.
Speaker 1: Because once something is online, it's out there forever.
Speaker 2: It's hard to erase your digital pass, Okay, so think
Speaker 2: before you post.
Speaker 1: What else?
Speaker 2: It also discusses the use of pseudonyms or aliases.
Speaker 1: So like using a fake name online.
Speaker 2: Right, it can help protect your real identity. If you're
Speaker 2: concerned about privacy, it's like having a separate online persona.
Speaker 1: Okay, interesting. What about those privacy enhancing tools you mentioned
Speaker 1: like VPNs?
Speaker 2: VPNs are great, but the book also talks about browser
Speaker 2: extensions that can block trackers and cookies.
Speaker 1: Trackers and cookies, what are those?
Speaker 2: Basically, there are little bits of code that websites used
Speaker 2: to collect data about you and your browsing habits.
Speaker 1: So they are like little spies following me around.
Speaker 2: The internet kind of. They're not always malicious, but they
Speaker 2: do allow companies to build a detailed profile of your
Speaker 2: online activity.
Speaker 1: Okay, that's a little creepy. So how do I protect
Speaker 1: myself from these trackers and cookies?
Speaker 2: You can use browser extensions to block them. You can
Speaker 2: also adjust your browser's privacy settings, so.
Speaker 1: It's like putting up a do not track sign on
Speaker 1: my browser exactly.
Speaker 2: The book gives instructions on how to do that on
Speaker 2: different browsers.
Speaker 1: Okay, managing our online identity, got it? What about social
Speaker 1: engineering on social media? It's not just limited to email, right, No.
Speaker 2: Social engineering can be even more effective on social media
Speaker 2: because people tend to be less guarded.
Speaker 1: Right. It's easier to let your guard down when you're
Speaker 1: interacting with friends.
Speaker 2: And family exactly. So the book offers tips on how
Speaker 2: to spot fake accounts and avoid falling for social engineering traps, like.
Speaker 1: Being careful about who you connect.
Speaker 2: With, right, and being wary of messages that seem too
Speaker 2: good to be true.
Speaker 1: Okay, so don't accept friend requests from strangers. Yeah, and
Speaker 1: don't believe everything you see on social.
Speaker 2: Media exactly, think critically about the information you're consuming and
Speaker 2: the people you're interacting with.
Speaker 1: Okay, good advice. What about location tracking? I know a
Speaker 1: lot of apps want to know my location all the time.
Speaker 2: It's a valid concern. Location tracking can be convenient, but
Speaker 2: it also raises privacy issues, right, It's like, do.
Speaker 1: I really want everyone to know where I am all
Speaker 1: the time?
Speaker 2: The book encourages you to think about those trade offs,
Speaker 2: and it offers advice on how to manage location tracking
Speaker 2: settings on your phone and within apps.
Speaker 1: Okay, So be aware of the risks and make informed
Speaker 1: choices exactly.
Speaker 2: And the book reminds us about the risks of public
Speaker 2: Wi Fi, which we've talked about before.
Speaker 1: Right. Public Wi Fi can be a life saver, but
Speaker 1: it's also a security risk if you're not careful.
Speaker 2: Always use a VPN when connecting to public Wi Fi.
Speaker 1: Okay, So no online banking at the coffee shop without
Speaker 1: a VPN exactly.
Speaker 2: And the book also discusses Mobile Device Management or MDM.
Speaker 1: MDM with that.
Speaker 2: Basically, it's a set of tools that organizations use to
Speaker 2: secure and manage employee devices.
Speaker 1: So it's like a security guard for your phone.
Speaker 2: You could think of it. That way, it helps to
Speaker 2: enforce security policies like requiring strong passwords and encrypting data.
Speaker 1: Okay, that makes sense, But I thought MDM was just
Speaker 1: for companies.
Speaker 2: It is often used in corporate environments, but there are
Speaker 2: also MDM solutions available for individuals.
Speaker 1: Well. Interesting. So if I'm really concerned about mobile security,
Speaker 1: I could use an MDM solution on my personal phone.
Speaker 2: Absolutely. The book talks about some different options.
Speaker 1: Okay, cool. So the book really covers all the key
Speaker 1: aspects of mobile security it.
Speaker 2: Does, from using strong passwords to being cautious about app downloads,
Speaker 2: keeping your operating system and apps updated.
Speaker 1: Okay, patching, patging, patging, it's a recurring theme, it is.
Speaker 2: And it also talks about enabling remote wipe, which allows
Speaker 2: you to erase your device's data remotely if it's lost
Speaker 2: or stolen. Oh wow, So it's like having a self
Speaker 2: destruct button for your phone exactly.
Speaker 1: It can be a lifesaver if your phone falls into
Speaker 1: the wrong hands.
Speaker 2: Okay, So mobile security is just as important as computer security.
Speaker 1: Absolutely. Our phones are basically mini computers these days. We
Speaker 1: use them for everything.
Speaker 2: That's true. I do pretty much everything on my phone.
Speaker 1: So it's important to treat them with the same level
Speaker 1: of security awareness.
Speaker 2: Okay, I'll try to be more mindful of that. What
Speaker 2: about data security in general, that's a pretty broad topic.
Speaker 1: It is. Data security is about protecting sensitive information both
Speaker 1: in transit and at rest.
Speaker 2: Okay, data in transit that's when it's being sent over
Speaker 2: the Internet, right.
Speaker 1: Right, And data at rest is when it's stored on
Speaker 1: our devices or in the cloud exactly.
Speaker 2: And the book covers all the different ways data can
Speaker 2: be compromised, from hacking to data breaches to physical theft.
Speaker 1: Yeah, those data breaches seem to be happening all the
Speaker 1: time these days. Hackers stealing millions of records from companies.
Speaker 2: It's a huge problem, and it often happens because companies
Speaker 2: haven't implemented proper security measures.
Speaker 1: So what can we do to protect ourselves? It feels
Speaker 1: like these data breaches are inevitable.
Speaker 2: Well, the book starts with the basics strong passwords and
Speaker 2: two factor authentication.
Speaker 1: Two factor authentication. Remind me how that works?
Speaker 2: Again, it's basically adding an extra layer of security. So
Speaker 2: instead of just your password, you also need a second
Speaker 2: form of identification to log.
Speaker 1: In, like a code send to your phone or email.
Speaker 2: Exactly. So even if a hacker gets your password, they
Speaker 2: still can't access your account without that second factor.
Speaker 1: Okay, that makes sense. So it's like having two locks
Speaker 1: on your door.
Speaker 2: That's a great analogy. And the book also talks about encryption.
Speaker 1: Encryption. Again, it seems like that's a key theme throughout
Speaker 1: this book.
Speaker 2: It is encryption is crucial for protecting data, both in
Speaker 2: transit and at rest.
Speaker 1: Okay, so use encryption whenever possible. What else does the
Speaker 1: book recommend?
Speaker 2: It talks a lot about data backups backups.
Speaker 1: We talked about those in the context of ransomware, but
Speaker 1: they're also important for other reasons. Right.
Speaker 2: Backups are essential for recovering from hardware failures, accidental deletions,
Speaker 2: or any other situation where you might lose access to
Speaker 2: your data.
Speaker 1: Right because you never know when disaster might strike.
Speaker 2: It's like having a spare tire in your car.
Speaker 1: Okay, so have a good backup strategy.
Speaker 2: The book goes into detail about different backup strategies, using
Speaker 2: external hard drives, cloud storage services, and even off site backups.
Speaker 1: Off site backups what are those?
Speaker 2: Basically, there are backups that are stored in a physically
Speaker 2: separate location from your primary data.
Speaker 1: So it's like having a safe deposit box for.
Speaker 2: Your data exactly. It protects you in case of a
Speaker 2: disaster like a fire or a flood.
Speaker 1: Okay, that makes sense. So data security is about being proactive.
Speaker 2: Exactly, think about the risks, take precautions, and use strong
Speaker 2: security practices.
Speaker 1: Okay, So encryption, backups, strong passwords, all that good.
Speaker 2: Stuff, right, And the book encourages us to think about
Speaker 2: data security as an ongoing process.
Speaker 1: An ongoing process.
Speaker 2: Cybersecurity is a journey, not a destination.
Speaker 1: Okay, what do you mean by that?
Speaker 2: The threat landscape is constantly changing. New threats emerge every day,
Speaker 2: so we can't just set things up once and forget
Speaker 2: about it. We have to keep learning, adapting, and improving
Speaker 2: our security practices.
Speaker 1: So it's like a marathon, not a sprint exactly.
Speaker 2: And this book gives you the training you need to
Speaker 2: run that marathon.
Speaker 1: I like that analogy. So how do we stay ahead
Speaker 1: of the curve? How do we make sure we're always
Speaker 1: learning and adapting? Well?
Speaker 2: The book stresses the importance of continuous learning, reading books,
Speaker 2: following security blogs, attending conferences.
Speaker 1: Okay, so stay informed? What else?
Speaker 2: The book also emphasizes the importance of community and collaboration.
Speaker 2: We're all in this together. We can learn a lot
Speaker 2: from each other.
Speaker 1: This is like a neighborhood watch for the digital world exactly.
Speaker 2: Sharing information about threats and best practices can help us
Speaker 2: all stay safer.
Speaker 1: Right because knowledge is power.
Speaker 2: And finally, the book encourages us to advocate for stronger
Speaker 2: security and privacy protections, contacting our elected offici, supporting organizations
Speaker 2: that are fighting for digital rights.
Speaker 1: So it's not just about protecting ourselves, it's about creating
Speaker 1: a safer digital world for everyone.
Speaker 2: Exactly, and this book empowers us to do just that.
Speaker 1: That's a great message. So we've talked about the threats,
Speaker 1: the tools, the strategies, the mindset. What's the big takeaway
Speaker 1: from all of this? What should our listeners be thinking
Speaker 1: about as they go about their digital lives.
Speaker 2: I think the biggest takeaway is that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.
Speaker 1: Okay, so it's not just up to the experts, it's
Speaker 1: up to all.
Speaker 2: Of us exactly. We all have a role to play
Speaker 2: in protecting ourselves and each other, and.
Speaker 1: That means being aware of the risks, taking precautions, and staying.
Speaker 2: Informed exactly and never stop learning.
Speaker 1: Well said, Yeah, so where we go from here, what's
Speaker 1: next in our cybersecurity journey.
Speaker 2: Well, there's still a lot more to explore. The book
Speaker 2: goes into much more detail about specific types of attacks,
Speaker 2: advanced defense strategies, and even the ethical implications of cybersecurity.
Speaker 1: Okay, there's a whole other layer to this, the ethical
Speaker 1: side of things.
Speaker 2: It's an important part of the conversation and we'll dive
Speaker 2: into that in our next deep dive.
Speaker 1: I'm looking forward to it. Until then, stay safe out
Speaker 1: there in the digital world.
Speaker 2: It really struck me as we've been talking about all
Speaker 2: of this stuff, you know, going through the book. I mean,
Speaker 2: this book, the complete cybersecurity course, doesn't shy away from
Speaker 2: the ethical considerations.
Speaker 1: Yeah. I think that's a that's a really good point,
Speaker 1: the ethical side of cybersecurity. I mean it's something that
Speaker 1: often gets overlooked. Yeah, but as technology, you know, becomes
Speaker 1: more and more a part of our lives, these questions
Speaker 1: are only becoming more and more important, right.
Speaker 2: I mean, it's not just about you know, protecting data,
Speaker 2: it's about privacy, freedom of speech. I mean, even you know,
Speaker 2: the potential for AI to be used in harmful ways.
Speaker 1: Absolutely, I mean the book brings up some really interesting
Speaker 1: questions about the balance, you know, between security and freedom. Yeah,
Speaker 1: how much how much surveillance is acceptable? Right, you know,
Speaker 1: in the name of safety, Right, where do you draw
Speaker 1: the line exactly? And then what are the ethical implications
Speaker 1: of using AI for things like, you know, facial recognition, right,
Speaker 1: predictive policing. It's a brave new world out there, it is.
Speaker 2: It's uncharted territory, and I think the book does a
Speaker 2: good job of really encouraging us to have these conversations, Yeah,
Speaker 2: to think critically about how technology impacts society.
Speaker 1: It's not just a technical issue, right, It's a human issue.
Speaker 2: It's a societal issue.
Speaker 1: Yeah, and it's something we need to be thinking about
Speaker 1: now before it's too late.
Speaker 2: I agree. I think we have a responsibility to shape
Speaker 2: the future of technology and you know, ensure that it
Speaker 2: benefits humanity, not the other way around.
Speaker 1: Okay, so we need to be mindful of the ethical implications.
Speaker 1: What else does the book kind of leave us with.
Speaker 2: Well, you know, one of the things that emphasizes over
Speaker 2: and over again is the importance of taking ownership of
Speaker 2: our security, right. You know, we can't just rely on
Speaker 2: companies or governments to protect us.
Speaker 1: Okay, So it's about empowering ourselves exactly.
Speaker 2: The book gives us the knowledge and the tools we
Speaker 2: need to protect ourselves. It's really it's like a call
Speaker 2: to I like that, a.
Speaker 1: Call to action. Yeah, so what are some specific actions
Speaker 1: that we can take, you know, starting today.
Speaker 2: Well, a lot of the things we've already talked about,
Speaker 2: you know, strong passwords, two factor authentication, right, being aware
Speaker 2: of phishing scams, keeping our software updated, you know, all
Speaker 2: the basics, the basics.
Speaker 1: But it goes beyond that, right now.
Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean the book really encourages us to develop
Speaker 2: good security.
Speaker 1: Habits, Okay, habits so like thinking before we click on
Speaker 1: links exactly, being careful about what we share, right.
Speaker 2: Being skeptical, being vigilant, you know, thinking critically about our
Speaker 2: online behavior.
Speaker 1: So it's about making security a part of our everyday
Speaker 1: lives exactly. Okay, So awareness, vigilance.
Speaker 2: Education, and you know, don't be afraid to ask for help.
Speaker 2: I mean there are a lot of great resources out there, organizations,
Speaker 2: websites right right that offer information and support on you know,
Speaker 2: all things cybersecurity.
Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean there's the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Sans Institute.
Speaker 1: I mean, even the National Institute of Standards and Technology missed.
Speaker 1: They all have, you know, really great resources available.
Speaker 2: They do, and I think this book can serve, as
Speaker 2: you know, a really great starting point. It gives you
Speaker 2: that foundation, you know, to kind of go out and
Speaker 2: explore and.
Speaker 1: Keep learning, a jumping off point for our cybersecurity journey. Absolutely,
Speaker 1: this has been really eye opening. I mean, going through
Speaker 1: this book with you, I feel like I've learned a
Speaker 1: ton me too, and I definitely feel more empowered, more informed,
Speaker 1: more well maybe a little more paranoid, but I think
Speaker 1: that's good in a good way.
Speaker 2: A healthy dose of paranoia is good in cybersecurity.
Speaker 1: Okay, so we've talked about the threats, the tools, the
Speaker 1: strategies that we've talked about, you know, the mindset, the ethics.
Speaker 1: What would you say is is the big takeaway, you
Speaker 1: know from all of this, What should our listeners be
Speaker 1: thinking about as they go about their digital lives.
Speaker 2: I think if there's one thing to remember, it's that
Speaker 2: cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility, right right.
Speaker 1: It's not just up to the experts, the IT guys,
Speaker 1: the government, It's.
Speaker 2: Up to all of us. We all have a role
Speaker 2: to play in protecting ourselves and each other.
Speaker 1: We're all in this together we are, so be aware,
Speaker 1: take precautions, and stay informed.
Speaker 2: Couldn't have said it better myself.
Speaker 1: All right, Well, I think that's a perfect place to
Speaker 1: wrap things up. Big thanks to the Complete Cybersecurity course
Speaker 1: Volume one hackers exposed for opening our eyes to the
Speaker 1: world of cybersecurity, and to you for helping us make
Speaker 1: sense of it all.
Speaker 2: It's been my pleasure.
Speaker 1: Until next time, Stay safe out there in the digital world.