
Hacker And The Fed
Former FBI Special Agent, Chris Tarbell, and ex-Anonymous/LulzSec blackhat hacker turned network penetration tester, Hector Monsegur (aka Sabu), once faced off as adversaries in cyberspace before becoming close friends and now podcast co-hosts. Whether you are a legal professional, cybersecurity practitioner, or forensic investigator, Chris and Hector will bring you their unique perspectives on the latest developments in cybersecurity.
Latest episodes

Jun 12, 2025 • 53min
We Fixed Cybersecurity (You're Welcome)
Chris and Hector unpack Trump’s new cybersecurity order, contractor reliance in government, and the looming risks of quantum computing — with some shoutouts and listener questions along the way.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

Jun 5, 2025 • 41min
The $400 Million Mistake, Router Invasions, and Crypto Chaos
This week, Chris and Hector tackle a massive breach at Coinbase, insider threats in India, and a shady delay in reporting. They also explore how state actors are silently hijacking home routers, and why LexisNexis is the latest data broker to drop the ball.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

May 29, 2025 • 43min
Backdoors, Breaches, and Bitcoin
Chris and Hector break down a wild crypto kidnapping, supply chain sabotage in U.S. infrastructure, and the growing cyber risks of imported tech. Plus, shoutouts and real talk from the front lines of cybersecurity.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

May 22, 2025 • 37min
SIM Swaps, Insider Threats & the Rise of 'Zishing'
Chris and Hector break down recent crypto security breaches, including Coinbase’s insider-driven data leak and the SEC’s SIM swap hack. They explore the rise of “Zishing” (Zoom phishing), deepfake scams, and the real-world dangers facing crypto holders.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

May 15, 2025 • 47min
LulzSec, LockBit & the Price of Weak Security
Chris and Hector dive into the recent breach of the LockBit ransomware gang and what it reveals about operational security failures—even among hackers. They discuss the fallout from the Pegasus spyware scandal, with NSO Group ordered to pay $168 million, and explore the troubling reliance on vulnerable federal contractors. Plus, Hector delivers one of his signature rants—this time on who’s really watching the watchers.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

May 8, 2025 • 45min
Joe Rogan, Ross Ulbricht, and the $1 Billion Disney Hack
Chris and Hector react to Joe Rogan’s take on the Ross Ulbricht case, break down the $1B Disney Slack data breach, and explain why passkeys are the next big thing in cybersecurity.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

May 1, 2025 • 54min
Credential Theft, InfoStealers, and the Rise of Cyber Snake Oil
Chris and Hector break down the 2025 Mandiant threat report, expose rising cyberattack trends, rant about bad CISOs, and discuss a wild case of a cybersecurity CEO caught installing malware in a hospital.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

Apr 24, 2025 • 52min
DOGE Drama, Digital Grit, and CVE Chaos
Chris Tarbell and Hector Monsegur dive into the near-shutdown of the CVE system, a whistleblower’s wild claims about the Doge agency and Russian logins, and why the future of cybersecurity depends on more entrepreneurs stepping up. Sharp takes, tech insights, and signature banter throughout.Join our new Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefedSend HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

Apr 17, 2025 • 41min
Starlink Bugs, Bank Regulator Breach, and the LastPass Fallout
Hector’s back from Miami, rubber ducky giveaways in tow, and diving deep into a wild week of cyber news—from Elon Musk’s Starlink bug bounty to a stealthy year-long breach of U.S. bank regulators. The guys unpack major incidents including a Stuxnet-style espionage campaign in Ukraine, AI-powered spear phishing, and yet another haunting update in the LastPass hack saga. But the real fireworks come in Hector’s rant, where he slams the cybersecurity industry's political silence and calls out its leaders for cowardice.Join our new Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed

Apr 10, 2025 • 38min
Oracle Breach, MGM Hacker Busted, North Korean IT Scams
This week on Hacker in the Fed, Chris and Hector dive into the chaos of the last few weeks in cybersecurity. From Oracle’s alleged breach cover-up and legal trouble to the ongoing threat of North Korean IT infiltration, the guys break down the biggest stories making waves. They also reveal new details behind the infamous Caesars and MGM ransomware attacks — including how one hacker was caught — and share updates on changes coming to the podcast, including a new Patreon!