Lost In Cyberia

Lost In Cyberia

This is your guide to navigating the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. Hosted by Annie-Mei Forster and Anika Guenov, this podcast breaks down complex topics into relatable, easy-to-understand conversations. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious newcomer, or a professional looking for fresh perspectives, join us as we explore cyber threats, digital safety tips, and the human stories behind the screen. Follow us on Instagram @thecybersecuritygals

  1. AUG 25

    Ep. 17 Hacking Humans: What is Social Engineering?

    Hosts Annie-Mei and Anika unpack social engineering or “human hacking”, with insights from books by Chris Hadnagy and Kevin Mitnick. They break down the attack lifecycle, common tactics (phishing, pretexting, tailgating, quid pro quo), and how AI is supercharging scams, then share practical defences: pause-and-verify, reduce digital footprints, and normalise double-checking at work and home. A clear, actionable guide to spotting and resisting manipulation online and off.  Practical takeaways Pause and verify: If there’s urgency, slow down. Confirm via a second channel (Teams/Slack/phone) using contact details you already trust.Know your own levers: List your motivations and soft spots (travel deals, pets, promotions, family). Expect lures to target them.Harden your photos & profiles: Ask permission before posting others; avoid location tags; check backgrounds for whiteboards, monitors, ID, or addresses.At the door: Challenge tailgating politely; ask for ID and verify with the office before granting access—even to someone in high-vis.At work: Prefer frequent, tailored awareness over once-a-year training; normalise “it’s fine to check with me” in leadership; run realistic simulations.At home: Talk with family and friends about what not to share on your behalf.Resources for further education: Chris Hadnagy — Social Engineering: The Science of Human HackingKevin Mitnick — The Art of Deception; The Art of InvisibilitySend us a text Find us on Instagram and YouTube @thecybersecuritygals

    1 hr
  2. AUG 11

    Ep. 16 Combatting Online Scams with Wadzi Nenzou

    Annie-Mei and Anika are joined by Wadzi Nenzou, who is the founder of 'Our Scam Stories'. Wadzi shares her mission of educating people about investment scams to help them build wealth without losing hard-earned money. With over 18 years of experience in financial services, Wadzi discusses the importance of sharing scam survivor stories to reduce stigma and educate the public. The conversation covers the increasing sophistication of scams, common scam tactics, and which demographics most likely to be targeted. Annie-Mei talks about the time she was scammed in China. Do you have a scam story that you'd like to share? Make sure to get in touch with Wadzi. Links to the website and her LinkedIn below. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:45 Guest Background and Achievements 03:33 Journey to Scam Education 05:27 Impact of Scams and Statistics 06:45 Reasons Behind Scam Vulnerability 08:42 Sophistication of Modern Scams 10:12 Stigma and Empathy for Scam Victims 22:15 Targeting Vulnerable Groups 24:10 Personal Scam Stories and Social Connections 27:57 Men and Scams: A Personal Story 29:17 Risk Aversion in Women and Financial Impact 31:55 Mental Health and Vulnerability to Scams 32:51 The Tragic Reality of Pig Butchering Scams 36:06 Fighting Back: Erin West and Operation Shamrock 37:13 Our Scam Stories: A Platform for Victims 39:43 The Importance of Sharing Scam Stories 45:37 Conclusion and Social Links Show Links: Connect with Wadzi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wadzanainenzou/ Learn more about Our Scam Stories: https://www.ourscamstories.com/ Send us a text Find us on Instagram and YouTube @thecybersecuritygals

    49 min

About

This is your guide to navigating the ever-evolving world of cybersecurity. Hosted by Annie-Mei Forster and Anika Guenov, this podcast breaks down complex topics into relatable, easy-to-understand conversations. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a curious newcomer, or a professional looking for fresh perspectives, join us as we explore cyber threats, digital safety tips, and the human stories behind the screen. Follow us on Instagram @thecybersecuritygals