Cognitive Heists series #1: The Insider -- Trust by Proximity, not Proof

🕵️‍♂️ New Deceptive Minds mini-series: Behind the Scams (Cognitive Heists) 🕵️‍♂️

They didn’t pick the lock.

They didn’t sneak in through the vents.

You held the door open for them.

This week’s issue kicks off a new 10-part series: Cognitive Heist—a deep dive into the psychological exploits behind the world’s most effective social engineering attacks.T

his week is all about "The Insider": Trust by proximity.

Why do we let people in—not because they’re verified, but because they seem like they belong?

We unpack:

⚡ The psychology of in-group bias and “trust theater”

⚡ Real-world infiltration tactics (think BEC, fake IT staff, Slack scams)

⚡ Urban legends and conspiracies that make insiders feel mythic

⚡ How your mind, not your firewall, is the real attack surface

You’ll never look at the new guy in the group chat the same way again.Oh... and there are a couple other fun bits in there as well.

Enjoy!

• Cognitive Inoculation: Winn Schwartau and the Metawar -- FAIK Files Podcast (audio version): https://thecyberwire.com/podcasts/the-faik-files/41/notes
• Cognitive Inoculation: Winn Schwartau and the Metawar -- FAIK Files Podcast (YouTube version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ntZlQ4Lbkw

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