Why Free Apps Are Never Free: Cybersecurity Lessons with Leila Taghizade

At WHX Tech, cybersecurity expert Dr Leila Taghizade, Group Head of Cyber Risk Management / CISO IberoLatAm at Allianz, breaks down what every individual—and every hospital—should know about protecting themselves in 2025. From the basics of stronger passwords and two-factor authentication to the risks of free apps and third-party tools, she explains in clear terms why “there’s no such thing as free lunch” in cybersecurity. Leila also highlights the dangers of phishing, the vulnerability of medical devices, and how AI both helps defenders and lowers the cost of attacks. Show Notes 00:00 – Introduction: why cybersecurity basics matter in 2025 00:30 – Strong passwords, two-factor authentication, limiting app permissions 02:00 – Giving apps only the access they really need 03:00 – Cybersecurity in healthcare: medical devices as weak links 04:30 – Default passwords and firmware updates as major risks 05:30 – Phishing: why reporting is critical for protection 07:00 – Everyday cyber hygiene: logging out, password managers 08:30 – AI’s impact on cybersecurity: lowering cost of attacks, improving defense 10:00 – The risks of free apps and third-party tools 11:00 – Data leaks and how AI tools may unintentionally share information 12:30 – AI as a double-edged sword: prevention vs. risk 14:00 – Final advice: caution doesn’t mean fear, but informed use

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