🛡️ The 2025 Cybersecurity Hangover: 4 Hacks That Changed Everything | Simple Cyber Defense

2025 was a "dumpster fire" for our digital privacy. In this episode, host Carl Wade breaks down the 4 massive cybersecurity incidents from last year that hit regular people the hardest—and more importantly, how you can lock down your digital life for 2026.

From 16-billion-record leaks to AI voice clones that sound exactly like your kids, the game has changed. But don't worry—Carl’s "Simple Defense" strategy makes it easy to stay one step ahead of the scammers.

• 0:00 – Intro: Why 2025 was a wake-up call.

• 1:15 – The "Mother of All Breaches": 16 Billion credentials leaked.

• 2:45 – AI Voice Cloning: The terrifying "Grandparent Scam" evolution.

• 4:30 – Medical Identity Theft: Why the Healthcare Crisis matters for years.

• 6:10 – The Third-Party Trap: Why your bank’s vendors are the weak link.

• 7:45 – Your 2026 Defense Plan: 4 simple steps to stay safe.

1. Kill the Password: It’s time to embrace Password Managers and Passkeys.

2. Establish a Family Safe Word: Protect your loved ones from AI voice-cloning fraud.

3. Audit Your EOBs: Treat your medical "Explanation of Benefits" like a bank statement.

4. Zero Trust for SMS: If it's a text with a link, it's a "no" from us.

• Check your email status: HaveIBeenPwned.com

• Learn about Passkeys: FIDO Alliance Guide

Enjoying the show?✅ Subscribe for more plain-English security tips.💬 Comment below: Did you receive any of those "bank" text scams in 2025?🔔 Hit the bell to stay updated on the latest threats!

#CyberSecurity #Privacy #Podcast #AI #IdentityTheft #SimpleCyberDefense #CarlWade #TechTips

🕒 TIMESTAMPS:🗝️ KEY TAKEAWAYS:🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

The Internet as we know it is changing—and not for the better.

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the wave of "Age Verification" laws sweeping the globe and why they might be the biggest threat to your digital privacy in a decade. While lawmakers claim they are "protecting the kids," the reality is a logistical nightmare of government-mandated data collection and "honeypots" just waiting to be hacked.

#Privacy #VPN #DigitalRights #CyberSecurity #InternetFreedom #AgeVerification #TechNews

Links:

Check out Brain's podcast - Ship It Weekly: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ship-it-weekly-devops-sre-and-platform-engineering-news/id1854585676

Lawmakers Want to Ban VPNs: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/lawmakers-want-ban-vpns-and-they-have-no-idea-what-theyre-doing

Age Verification Is Coming For the Internet: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/12/age-verification-coming-internet-we-built-you-resource-hub-fight-back

Visit Our Website: https://simplecyberdefense

The Internet as we know it is changing—and not for the better.

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on the wave of "Age Verification" laws sweeping the globe and why they might be the biggest threat to your digital privacy in a decade. While lawmakers claim they are "protecting the kids," the reality is a logistical nightmare of government-mandated data collection and "honeypots" just waiting to be hacked.

#Privacy #VPN #DigitalRights #CyberSecurity #InternetFreedom #AgeVerification #TechNews

Links:

Check out Brain's podcast - Ship It Weekly: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ship-it-weekly-devops-sre-and-platform-engineering-news/id1854585676

Lawmakers Want to Ban VPNs: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/11/lawmakers-want-ban-vpns-and-they-have-no-idea-what-theyre-doing

Age Verification Is Coming For the Internet: https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/12/age-verification-coming-internet-we-built-you-resource-hub-fight-back

Visit Our Website: https://simplecyberdefense

Join host Carl and Brian as they investigate the severe security risks posed by AI chatbots, exploring why these tools may not be as secure as we assume. Drawing on recent findings, including Microsoft research, we reveal how easily personal information can be compromised and discuss practical defense strategies.Links:AI chat privacy at risk: Microsoft details Whisper Leak side-channel attack - https://securityaffairs.com/184372/hacking/ai-chat-privacy-at-risk-microsoft-details-whisper-leak-side-channel-attack.htmlMicrosoft finds security flaw in AI chatbots that could expose conversation topics - https://techxplore.com/news/2025-11-microsoft-flaw-ai-chatbots-expose.htmlWhisper Leak: a side-channel attack on Large Language Models - https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.03675

Welcome to Simple Cyber Defense, the podcast where we break down complex cybersecurity topics into easy-to-understand language. Today, we're talking about a change that's quietly reshaping the internet, one age gate at a time.

In this episode we discuss the data breach of 23andMe and the recent bankruptcy that they announced. What might happen to your data and what should you do next?

In this episode, we explore Firefox’s new Terms of Service and its impact on your online privacy. We break down the cybersecurity risks, from anonymized data vulnerabilities to the lack of clear opt-out options, while offering practical tips to protect your information.

Intro:Subterranean Howl by ELPHNT (c) copyright 2019 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjEK32QlJe0Dy4nXxelXrww

In this episode we talk about how car insurance maybe tracking you and how some EV cars may have some serious insecurities.

Intro:

Subterranean Howl by ELPHNT © copyright 2019

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjEK32QlJe0Dy4nXxelXrww

Links:

Is Your Insurance Tracking You?

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/legal/allstate-car-insurer-sued-for-tracking-drivers-without-permission/

Pwn2Own Automotive 2025

https://www.zerodayinitiative.com/blog/2025/1/21/pwn2own-automotive-2025-day-one-results