UnHacked - Cybersecurity Made Simple for Small Businesses

Phoenix IT Advisors
  • 5.0 (2)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

When Russian hackers break into your business’s computers, what will they find and how much will it cost you? How long will it take you to recover? Can you recover? Here’s the sad truth: 97% of breaches could have been prevented with basic security measures; but once you’ve been hit… you can never get UnHacked! UnHacked is a weekly cybersecurity podcast for SMB business owners and leaders that helps them sort through the overwhelming security costs and recommendations, and focus on the best practices that give the highest ROI.

  1. 11H AGO

    80. Your Employees Are the Vulnerability: The Truth About Email Scams, Phishing, and the Human Risk You're Ignoring

    Hosts:Justin Shelley — Phoenix IT Advisors | https://www.phoenixitadvisors.com/Mario Zaki — Mazteck IT | https://www.mazteck.com/Bryan Lachapelle — B4 Networks | https://www.b4networks.ca/ What does it take to lose $50,000 in a single email? Not much. A spoofed address. A busy CFO. A wire transfer that clears before anyone realizes what happened. In Episode 80 of UnHacked, Justin Shelley, Mario Zaki, and Bryan Lachapelle dig deep into one of the most financially devastating threats facing businesses today: Business Email Compromise (BEC). This is Episode 6 of their ongoing 12-part series on Security Basics, and this one hits close to home for every business owner who relies on email to run their company — which is all of them. The guys break down exactly how BEC attacks work in two primary forms: lookalike domains designed to trick you letter by letter, and fully compromised email inboxes where a hacker is literally sitting inside your vendor's or employee's account, reading everything and waiting for the right moment to strike. Using AI, attackers can now download entire mailboxes, study communication patterns, and pick up mid-conversation with chilling accuracy. But the scariest part of this episode isn't the technology — it's the human element. From new employees targeted on LinkedIn within days of posting about their new job, to companies that actively silenced their own IT teams who flagged security gaps (and paid dearly for it), the hosts make a compelling case that people — not software — are both the biggest vulnerability and the most powerful defense a company has. You'll learn: The two types of Business Email Compromise and why one is nearly impossible to stop with technology aloneThe one phone call that could have saved a $50,000 wire transfer — and why most companies don't make itWhy punishing employees who report mistakes is one of the most dangerous things a company can doHow attackers use LinkedIn to target new hires and exploit their eagerness to impress leadershipWhat "zero trust" really means in the context of email — and how to build it into your team's daily behaviorHow to report lookalike domains and get them taken downWhy a culture of security awareness is more valuable than any software tool you can buyThis episode is a wake-up call. Email is not safe by default. Your vendors can be compromised. Your new hires are being targeted. And if you don't have written policies and a culture that rewards vigilance, no firewall in the world will save you.

    42 min

  2. 3D AGO

    79. Your Backup Strategy Is Probably Broken (And It Will Cost You)

    Hosts: Justin Shelley - https://www.phoenixitadvisors.com/ Mario Zaki - https://www.mazteck.com/ Bryan Lachapelle - https://www.b4networks.ca/ Think your business is protected because you're paying for IT services? Think again. In this eye-opening episode, three cybersecurity experts share real horror stories of backup failures that cost businesses everything – from tape backups that never worked to QuickBooks files that vanished when needed most. You'll discover why modern backups are more complex than ever (hint: your data isn't just on one server anymore), what immutable storage means for your protection, and the critical difference between having backups and having backups that actually work when disaster strikes. The hosts walk you through a practical framework for auditing your current backup strategy, testing it properly, and creating manual processes to keep your business running during recovery. Plus, learn why some businesses can survive ransomware attacks while others are devastated – and which category you're currently in. Whether you're relying on "my IT guy handles that" or managing backups yourself, this episode will either confirm you're truly protected or expose dangerous gaps before they cost you your business.

    40 min

  3. FEB 26

    78. The Real Perimeter: Why Every Device in Your Business Is a Target

    Hosts: Justin Shelley - https://www.phoenixitadvisors.com/ Mario Zaki - https://www.mazteck.com/ Bryan Lachapelle - https://www.b4networks.ca/ What happens when your laptop gets stolen and you forgot to lock it? In this episode of UnHacked, our hosts dive deep into endpoint security - the real perimeter of your business in today's digital world. Justin, Bryan, and Mario explore real-world examples of how endpoints (computers, phones, VPNs, smart devices) are compromised and share practical CEO-level guidance on protecting these critical access points. From VPN vulnerabilities to improperly configured guest networks, learn why 97% of breaches could be prevented with basic security measures. Key topics include: the four essential endpoint protection checks every CEO should perform, why "it's in the cloud" doesn't mean you're protected, the importance of detection systems alongside prevention, and how to hold your IT team accountable. Whether you're paying for managed IT services or handling security in-house, this episode provides actionable steps to verify your endpoints are truly protected. Don't wait until your business is the next cautionary tale.

    49 min

  4. FEB 19

    77. The Hidden Cyber Threats Lurking in Your Business (That Your IT Guy Doesn't Even Know About)

    Hosts:Justin Shelley - https://www.phoenixitadvisors.com/ Mario Zaki - https://www.mazteck.com/ You can't secure what you can't see. In this critical episode of our baseline security series, Justin and Mario expose the dangerous reality of "shadow IT" - the hidden software, devices, and vulnerabilities lurking in your business that could be costing you everything. From TeamViewer installations left wide open to former vendors still having backdoor access years later, discover why even the most well-intentioned businesses are sitting ducks for ransomware attacks. Learn the shocking truth about unprotected home computers accessing corporate data, outdated backup software creating attack surfaces, and why "we moved to the cloud" doesn't mean you're safe. This episode delivers actionable steps every CEO needs to take THIS WEEK to identify their digital assets and close dangerous security gaps. Don't wait until you're the next headline - your business depends on knowing what you're protecting.

    47 min

  5. FEB 13

    76. Courts Can Now Use Your ChatGPT History Against You (And Other Identity Nightmares)

    Hosts:Justin Shelley - https://www.phoenixitadvisors.com/Mario Zaki - https://www.mazteck.com/Bryan Lachapelle - https://www.b4networks.ca/ Episode 76 kicks off a comprehensive multi-part series on baseline cybersecurity with a deep dive into identity and access control. The hosts reveal why courts can now pull your ChatGPT conversations in legal proceedings, and break down the critical difference between passwords and passphrases. Learn why shared accounts are a business owner's worst nightmare, discover the three essential Microsoft 365 security settings most companies miss, and understand why your ego might be your biggest security vulnerability. From conditional access policies to employee onboarding checklists, this episode provides non-technical business owners with actionable steps to protect their greatest asset - their business. The conversation includes real-world horror stories of access control failures and practical solutions for companies of all sizes.

    50 min

  6. JAN 27

    75. Governance, Frameworks & Compliance: Your Business Survival Guide

    Hosts: Justin Shelley - https://www.phoenixitadvisors.com/Mario Zaki - https://www.mazteck.com/ In this episode, Justin and Mario dive deep into why "I didn't know" isn't a legal defense when your business gets hit with a cyber attack. Using a realistic scenario of a 60-employee manufacturing company facing $180,000 in losses from ransomware, they explore how delayed IT decisions can devastate businesses overnight. The hosts kick off a comprehensive mini-series on cybersecurity governance, frameworks, and compliance, breaking down complex topics for non-technical business owners. Mario shares real-world stories from his MSP practice, including the shocking reality of passwords taped to monitors and the doctor who simply didn't care about security. Key topics covered: the true cost of cyber attacks, cybersecurity frameworks (CIS, NIST), multi-factor authentication beyond just Office 365, risk assessment strategies, and why business owners must take ownership of their cybersecurity decisions. Whether your industry is regulated or not, this episode provides the foundation every business owner needs to make intelligent security decisions and protect their greatest asset: their business.

    35 min

  7. JAN 22

    74. The AI Trap That's Making Business Owners Dangerously Complacent

    Hosts:Justin Shelley - https://www.phoenixitadvisors.com/Mario Zaki - https://www.mazteck.com/Bryan Lachapelle - https://www.b4networks.ca/ After a two-month hiatus, the UnHacked team returns with hard-earned lessons from 2025 and critical predictions for 2026. When their scheduled guest no-shows, Justin, Mario, and Bryan deliver an unfiltered discussion about the dangerous complacency creeping into business security. Mario reveals how AI is making business owners go "on autopilot" with potentially devastating consequences, while Bryan predicts the mainstream adoption of passkeys will revolutionize login security. Justin warns about the hidden security risks as AI democratizes coding and development. Key takeaways include the power of consistency over perfection, why AI can't spell "strawberry" correctly but businesses still trust it with critical decisions, and practical steps to avoid becoming the low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals in 2026. Perfect for business owners who want to stay ahead of emerging threats while learning from real-world security experiences.

    35 min

  8. 11/24/2025

    73. Microsoft Engineer Reveals: How AI Can Read Your Entire Database (In Plain English) - with Faiz Gouri

    Hosts:Justin Shelley - https://www.phoenixitadvisors.com/Mario Zaki - https://www.mazteck.com/Bryan Lachapelle - https://www.b4networks.ca/ Guest: Faiz Gouri -https://www.linkedin.com/in/faizgouri/ https://modelcontextprotocol.io/  Microsoft Senior Software Engineer Business owners, your data just became incredibly powerful—and potentially dangerous. Microsoft engineer Faiz Gouri reveals the Model Context Protocol (MCP), the breakthrough technology that lets AI read and analyze your entire business database in plain English.Imagine asking your computer: "How many customers did we lose last month and why?" or "Which products are trending down and what should we do?" This isn't science fiction—it's happening now.But here's the catch: While MCP can revolutionize how you access business intelligence, it also creates new security vulnerabilities that could expose everything. Faiz breaks down the real risks, the massive opportunities, and what every business owner needs to know before their competitors get there first. Key topics: AI data integration, business intelligence automation, cybersecurity implications, and practical implementation strategies.

    39 min
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About

When Russian hackers break into your business’s computers, what will they find and how much will it cost you? How long will it take you to recover? Can you recover? Here’s the sad truth: 97% of breaches could have been prevented with basic security measures; but once you’ve been hit… you can never get UnHacked! UnHacked is a weekly cybersecurity podcast for SMB business owners and leaders that helps them sort through the overwhelming security costs and recommendations, and focus on the best practices that give the highest ROI.

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