Former FBI Special Agent Chris Tarbell and ex-Anonymous/LulzSec blackhat hacker Hector Monsegur (aka Sabu) faced off as adversaries in cyberspace before becoming close friends and podcast co-hosts. Listen to Tarbell, co-founder of the elite cybersecurity firm NAXO, and Monsegur, a top network penetration tester and security engineer, break down the must-know cybersecurity news and topics of the week. You’ll walk away from each episode with unique perspectives on keeping your family, your company, and yourself safe from cyber attacks.
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Credential Theft, InfoStealers, and the Rise of Cyber Snake Oil
Chris and Hector break down the 2025 Mandiant threat report, expose rising cyberattack trends, rant about bad CISOs, and discuss a wild case of a cybersecurity CEO caught installing malware in a hospital. Join our new Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
DOGE Drama, Digital Grit, and CVE Chaos
Chris Tarbell and Hector Monsegur dive into the near-shutdown of the CVE system, a whistleblower’s wild claims about the Doge agency and Russian logins, and why the future of cybersecurity depends on more entrepreneurs stepping up. Sharp takes, tech insights, and signature banter throughout. Join our new Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com
Starlink Bugs, Bank Regulator Breach, and the LastPass Fallout
Hector’s back from Miami, rubber ducky giveaways in tow, and diving deep into a wild week of cyber news—from Elon Musk’s Starlink bug bounty to a stealthy year-long breach of U.S. bank regulators. The guys unpack major incidents including a Stuxnet-style espionage campaign in Ukraine, AI-powered spear phishing, and yet another haunting update in the LastPass hack saga. But the real fireworks come in Hector’s rant, where he slams the cybersecurity industry's political silence and calls out its leaders for cowardice. Join our new Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Oracle Breach, MGM Hacker Busted, North Korean IT Scams
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!
Telecom Hacks, AI Fears, and the Quantum Threat – Plus, Hector Rants!
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 cybersecurity industry. Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com.
Hacks, Heists, and the Rise of Digital Deception
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.
Smart Bed Backdoor, Crypto Heists, Router Hacks, and U.S. Cyber Command’s Stand Down
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 deep dive into the U.S. Cyber Command's recent decision to halt cyber operations against Russia and what it means for national security. Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com.
Inside a Ransomware Gang, Leaked Logs, a $1.4B Crypto Heist & Signal Under Attack
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.
School Cyberattacks, Swatting as a Service, and Hector Rants on the Broken Cybersecurity Job Market
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 questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com.
SSH Backdoors, the Decline of Ransomware Payments, and Hector Rants on a MASSIVE Insider Threat
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 with SSH tunneling, the evolution of cybercrime tactics, and why cybersecurity resilience is more crucial than ever. Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com.
Hacked Healthcare, Hacked Cars & The Hidden Risks of Modern Tech
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 to an unexpected debate about pole vs. stripper dancing. Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com.
ROSS ULBRICHT PARDONED, Plus Insider Threats, Corporate Security Risks, and A High-Profile Crypto Kidnapping
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 high-profile crypto kidnapping. Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com.
Holiday Reflections: Cybersecurity, Careers, and Christmas Cheer
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 professionals alike. Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com.
Yahoo Red Team Layoffs, North Korea Infiltrating U.S. Companies, Data Breaches, and Protecting your Medical History
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 at questions@hackerandthefed.com.
Telecom Hacks, Ransomware Fallout, Encrypted Chats, and a Diss Track Challenge
Cybersecurity Chaos: Encrypted Chats, Ransomware Woes, and a Diss Track Challenge This 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 and share actionable advice for cybersecurity resilience. Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com.