How Hacks Happen https://howhackshappen.net/podcasts/how-hacks-happen/ Hacks, scams, cyber crimes, and other shenanigans explored and explained. Presented by your friendly neighborhood cybersecurity gal Michele Bousquet.   Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:22:39 +0000 en-us © 2025 How Hacks Happen Many Worlds Productions episodic Hacks, scams, cyber crimes, and other shenanigans explored and explained. Presented by your friendly neighborhood cybersecurity gal Michele Bousquet.   Many Worlds Productions false https://howhackshappen.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/g6t2949bnp3dutzm9gh57g0hy9ss.jpg How Hacks Happen https://howhackshappen.net/podcasts/how-hacks-happen/ Hacks, scams, cyber crimes, and other shenanigans explored and explained. Presented by your friendly neighborhood cybersecurity gal Michele Bousquet.   No yes 238b5345-d46f-5fe5-8d59-762d7aba34f9 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Bug Bounties: Getting Paid to Hack https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/bug-bounties-getting-paid-to-hack/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bug-bounties-getting-paid-to-hack Sun, 14 Sep 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/bug-bounties-getting-paid-to-hack/ The finale of HBO's Silicon Valley series pointed up a subtle parallel to the real-world challenges in vulnerability reporting—rather than risk going to jail, Pied Piper chose to burn the company to the ground. For decades, white hat and gray hat hackers had no place to report cybersecurity flaws without fear of legal hassles. Nowadays […]

The post Bug Bounties: Getting Paid to Hack first appeared on .

]]> The finale of HBO's Silicon Valley series pointed up a subtle parallel to the real-world challenges in vulnerability reporting—rather than risk going to jail, Pied Piper chose to burn the company to the ground. For decades, white hat and gray hat hackers had no place to report cybersecurity flaws without fear of legal hassles. Nowadays […]

The post Bug Bounties: Getting Paid to Hack first appeared on .

]]> false no 0:00 No no Red Team: The Best Job in Cybersecurity (Until You Get Arrested) https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/red-team-the-best-job-in-cybersecurity-until-you-get-arrested/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=red-team-the-best-job-in-cybersecurity-until-you-get-arrested Sun, 07 Sep 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/red-team-the-best-job-in-cybersecurity-until-you-get-arrested/ What is Red Teaming, and what does it have to do with cybersecurity? In this episode, we look at how Red Teamers are hired to attack company security using all manner of tactics, from tossing malware-infested USB sticks into parking lots to posing as an HVAC technician. We also take a look at one of […]

The post Red Team: The Best Job in Cybersecurity (Until You Get Arrested) first appeared on .

]]> What is Red Teaming, and what does it have to do with cybersecurity? In this episode, we look at how Red Teamers are hired to attack company security using all manner of tactics, from tossing malware-infested USB sticks into parking lots to posing as an HVAC technician. We also take a look at one of […]

The post Red Team: The Best Job in Cybersecurity (Until You Get Arrested) first appeared on .

]]> false no 0:00 No no Random Number Generators Pt 3: Under the Hood https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/random-number-generators-pt-3-under-the-hood/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=random-number-generators-pt-3-under-the-hood Sun, 31 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/random-number-generators-pt-3-under-the-hood/ What goes on under the hood of random number generators (RNGs)? Here we look at one of the best sources of randomness—static from electronic chips—and discuss terminology like entropy and bias, the role of the Birthday Paradox in RNGs, and the fake bias of the Excel RAND function. We'll even do a simple exercise you […]

The post Random Number Generators Pt 3: Under the Hood first appeared on .

]]> What goes on under the hood of random number generators (RNGs)? Here we look at one of the best sources of randomness—static from electronic chips—and discuss terminology like entropy and bias, the role of the Birthday Paradox in RNGs, and the fake bias of the Excel RAND function. We'll even do a simple exercise you […]

The post Random Number Generators Pt 3: Under the Hood first appeared on .

]]> false no 0:00 No no Random Number Generators Pt 2: Unsecure Devices https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/random-number-generators-pt-2-unsecure-devices-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=random-number-generators-pt-2-unsecure-devices-2 Sun, 24 Aug 2025 23:00:00 +0000 https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/random-number-generators-pt-2-unsecure-devices-2/ Ever heard of the Internet of Things, or IoT? This episode explores the use of random numbers in our everyday devices, and how they’re often not as secure as our PCs. We also look at how Apple gets it right, and what we can do to keep our devices secure in this connected world. Resources […]

The post Random Number Generators Pt 2: Unsecure Devices first appeared on .

]]> Ever heard of the Internet of Things, or IoT? This episode explores the use of random numbers in our everyday devices, and how they’re often not as secure as our PCs. We also look at how Apple gets it right, and what we can do to keep our devices secure in this connected world. Resources […]

The post Random Number Generators Pt 2: Unsecure Devices first appeared on .

]]> false no 0:00 No no Random Number Generators Pt 2: Unsecure Devices https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/random-number-generators-pt-2-unsecure-devices/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=random-number-generators-pt-2-unsecure-devices Sun, 24 Aug 2025 23:00:00 +0000 https://howhackshappen.net/?podcast=random-number-generators-pt-2-unsecure-devices Ever heard of the Internet of Things, or IoT? This episode explores the use of random numbers in our everyday devices, and how they’re often not as secure as our PCs. We also look at how Apple gets it right, and what we can do to keep our devices secure in this connected world. Resources […]

The post Random Number Generators Pt 2: Unsecure Devices first appeared on .

]]> Ever heard of the Internet of Things, or IoT? This episode explores the use of random numbers in our everyday devices, and how they’re often not as secure as our PCs. We also look at how Apple gets it right, and what we can do to keep our devices secure in this connected world. Resources […]

The post Random Number Generators Pt 2: Unsecure Devices first appeared on .

]]> false no 0:00 No no Random Number Generators Pt 1: Cheating at Video Games https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/random-number-generators-pt-1-cheating-at-video-games-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=random-number-generators-pt-1-cheating-at-video-games-2 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 17:00:00 +0000 https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/random-number-generators-pt-1-cheating-at-video-games-2/ This episode explores the mysterious world of random number generators (RNGs) in video games. Looking at popular games like Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Diablo II, we describe how players hack these random numbers in the same ways hackers hack encryption keys. This episode lays the groundwork for Part 2, a discussion of RNGs in encryption. […]

The post Random Number Generators Pt 1: Cheating at Video Games first appeared on .

]]> This episode explores the mysterious world of random number generators (RNGs) in video games. Looking at popular games like Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Diablo II, we describe how players hack these random numbers in the same ways hackers hack encryption keys. This episode lays the groundwork for Part 2, a discussion of RNGs in encryption. […]

The post Random Number Generators Pt 1: Cheating at Video Games first appeared on .

]]> false no 0:00 No no Random Number Generators Pt 1: Cheating at Video Games https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/random-number-generators-pt-1-cheating-at-video-games/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=random-number-generators-pt-1-cheating-at-video-games Tue, 19 Aug 2025 17:00:00 +0000 https://howhackshappen.net/?podcast=random-number-generators-pt-1-cheating-at-video-games This episode explores the mysterious world of random number generators (RNGs) in video games. Looking at popular games like Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Diablo II, we describe how players hack these random numbers in the same ways hackers hack encryption keys. This episode lays the groundwork for Part 2, a discussion of RNGs in encryption. […]

The post Random Number Generators Pt 1: Cheating at Video Games first appeared on .

]]> This episode explores the mysterious world of random number generators (RNGs) in video games. Looking at popular games like Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Diablo II, we describe how players hack these random numbers in the same ways hackers hack encryption keys. This episode lays the groundwork for Part 2, a discussion of RNGs in encryption. […]

The post Random Number Generators Pt 1: Cheating at Video Games first appeared on .

]]> false no 0:00 No no Payday Loans: A Very American Scam https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/payday-loans-a-very-american-scam-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=payday-loans-a-very-american-scam-2 Sun, 10 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/payday-loans-a-very-american-scam-2/ Need cash quick? Why not try a payday loan? While it might look like a better option than a credit card on its surface, the truth is that payday loans can be rather ugly and expensive, and can trap you in a cycle of debt if you don't know how it works. Find out how […]

The post Payday Loans: A Very American Scam first appeared on .

]]> Need cash quick? Why not try a payday loan? While it might look like a better option than a credit card on its surface, the truth is that payday loans can be rather ugly and expensive, and can trap you in a cycle of debt if you don't know how it works. Find out how […]

The post Payday Loans: A Very American Scam first appeared on .

]]> false no 0:00 No no Welcome to Season 5! https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/welcome-to-season-5-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=welcome-to-season-5-2 Sun, 10 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/welcome-to-season-5-2/ New season, new theme music—and even more hacks and scams to explore. Thanks for coming on these adventures with me. Let's do some more!   Send us a text Support the show Join our Patreon to listen ad-free!

The post Welcome to Season 5! first appeared on .

]]> New season, new theme music—and even more hacks and scams to explore. Thanks for coming on these adventures with me. Let's do some more!   Send us a text Support the show Join our Patreon to listen ad-free!

The post Welcome to Season 5! first appeared on .

]]> false no 0:00 No no Payday Loans: A Very American Scam https://howhackshappen.net/podcast/payday-loans-a-very-american-scam/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=payday-loans-a-very-american-scam Sun, 10 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://howhackshappen.net/?podcast=payday-loans-a-very-american-scam Need cash quick? Why not try a payday loan? While it might look like a better option than a credit card on its surface, the truth is that payday loans can be rather ugly and expensive, and can trap you in a cycle of debt if you don't know how it works. Find out how […]

The post Payday Loans: A Very American Scam first appeared on .

]]> Need cash quick? Why not try a payday loan? While it might look like a better option than a credit card on its surface, the truth is that payday loans can be rather ugly and expensive, and can trap you in a cycle of debt if you don't know how it works. Find out how […]

The post Payday Loans: A Very American Scam first appeared on .

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