

Hacker And The Fed
Chris Tarbell & Hector Monsegur
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 24, 2025 • 58min
Zero Trust, Many Fails: Government Cybersecurity Exposed
Chris and Hector dive into alarming cyber incidents shaking the U.S. government and military. They break down the massive National Guard network compromise by Chinese-linked group Salt Typhoon and the shocking revelation that Microsoft allowed Chinese engineers indirect access to Defense Department systems. Plus, they preview their upcoming Patreon series on the top 10 hacks of all time.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

Jul 17, 2025 • 45min
McDonald’s Has Been Compromised
Chris and Hector then discuss the McDonald’s AI hiring bot breach caused by a weak password, the risks of AI in HR, and why cybersecurity basics still matter. They also touch on hacker penalties in the UK, a hack targeting a security researcher, and answer a listener’s email about a dam breach in Norway.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

Jul 10, 2025 • 50min
Are We Losing the Cyber War?
Chris and Hector break down the massive Qantas Airlines data breach, expose the growing threat of ransomware negotiation scams, and discuss a dam hack in Norway that had potentially disastrous consequences. They get into real-world advice on 2FA bypass scams, the importance of network segmentation, and a candid look at why critical infrastructure hacks are so dangerous.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

Jul 3, 2025 • 47min
Arrests, Airline Breaches, and the Human Side of Hacking
Chris and Hector dive deep into the latest waves of cybercrime, from the FBI’s battle with the Scattered Spider group targeting airlines, to takedowns of notorious data breach forums. The duo break down government responses, the real risks for average people, and share honest, hard-won advice for young hackers.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

Jun 26, 2025 • 42min
Burning Millions and Breaking MFA
Chris and Hector break down major cyber attacks, from SIM swaps to insider breaches. They expose weak MFA, vendor failures, and the real cost of outdated systems. They also highlight how even small actions (like a single employee recognizing a phishing attempt) can prevent disaster.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

Jun 19, 2025 • 42min
Your AI Assistant Just Betrayed You
Chris and Hector dive into Europe's move to take back digital control with DNS4EU, questions the integrity of Telegram amid Russian FSB connections, and reflect on turning points in their own journeys.
Join our new Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/c/hackerandthefed
Send HATF your questions at questions@hackerandthefed.com

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