The Secure Family Podcast

On this episode of The Secure Family Podcast, host Andy Murphy sits down with former FBI undercover operative and cybersecurity expert Eric O'Neill for a fascinating conversation about how modern scams really work. Eric explains why today's cybercriminals don't think like hackers—they think like spies, using deception, pressure, impersonation, and psychology to target everyday people.
 
Andy and Eric break down the fake DMV and toll road text scams that hit millions of phones, how criminals gather personal data to make attacks feel believable, and why AI deepfakes are making scams more dangerous than ever. They also share practical ways families can protect themselves, spot red flags before it's too late, and respond quickly if an account or identity is compromised.
 
If you want to understand the new world of cybercrime in plain English—and learn how to stay one step ahead—this is an episode you don't want to miss. 
 
For more for Eric O'Neill visit: https://ericoneill.net
Take control of your data with DeleteMe. Because they sponsor the podcast you can get 20% off a privacy plan from DeleteMe with promo code: DAD. 
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00:00 Show Welcome
02:05 Meet Eric ONeill
03:51 Only Spies Not Hackers
05:49 Everyone Is A Target
06:33 Scams And Recon
07:52 Opportunity Vs Targeted
10:10 Deepfakes And Kidnap
13:26 Spotting Red Flags
16:16 Verify Through Channels
18:13 Speaker Tax Form Scam
20:15 Cape Town Con Story
26:45 Scam Fallout and Revenge
28:04 Pressure and Confirmation Bias
29:17 DICED and PAID Frameworks
30:57 Prepare Basics and 2FA
33:40 Assess and Social Media Radar
35:15 Investigate and Verify Everything
36:42 Decide to Act and Next Steps
38:07 Victim Response Checklist
42:04 Rapid Fire Scam Q&A
44:30 Critical Infrastructure Fears
47:08 Where to Find Eric and Newsletter
50:08 Final Thoughts
 
The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Secure Dad, LLC.
 
The Secure Dad LLC makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date information, but no guarantee is made regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the content in this podcast or any related materials. Information may change over time, and inadvertent errors or omissions may occur. The Secure Dad LLC is not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from the use of, or reliance on, any information provided.
The Secure Dad® is a registered trademark of The Secure Dad, LLC. This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, a commission may be earned. All rights reserved.

Why do so many people say, "He came out of nowhere" after a crime happens? The truth is, most threats don't appear out of thin air, they were there the whole time. We just didn't see them. 
In this episode, Andy breaks down practical situational awareness skills that can help you stay safer in public, make better decisions faster, and avoid becoming an easy target. You'll learn why watching only the front door can limit your awareness, how time of day changes the safety of any environment, why multitasking and smartphones can make you vulnerable, and how social media can expose your movements before you even arrive. 
If you want to feel more confident, more prepared, and more in control when you're out in the world, this episode is for you. 
Take control of your data with DeleteMe. Because they sponsor the podcast you can get 20% off a privacy plan from DeleteMe with promo code: DAD. 
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00:00 Welcome: Why Awareness Matters
02:15 Why Threats Don't "Come Out of Nowhere"
03:12 What Situational Awareness Really Is
04:20 Why Watching the Door Isn't Enough
06:28 Look for What Doesn't Belong
06:55 How Time Changes Safe Places
09:18 The Myth of Multitasking
10:35 Smartphones, Headphones, and Easy Targets
12:05 Digital Recon and Oversharing Online
12:58 Most Likely vs Worst-Case Thinking
16:05 Awareness Buys Time, Action Saves Lives
18:32 Simple Ways to Start 
20:02 Resources and Final Thoughts
 
The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Secure Dad, LLC.
 
The Secure Dad LLC makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date information, but no guarantee is made regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the content in this podcast or any related materials. Information may change over time, and inadvertent errors or omissions may occur. The Secure Dad LLC is not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from the use of, or reliance on, any information provided.
 
The Secure Dad® is a registered trademark of The Secure Dad, LLC. This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, a commission may be earned. All rights reserved.

Andy sits down with Joe Scalone of Yubico to break down why passwords are no longer enough to keep your family safe online and what's replacing them.
Joe explains how passkeys and physical security keys are changing the future of cybersecurity, why hackers are moving faster than ever (thanks to AI), and what that means for everyday families. 
The conversation also dives into parenting in a digital world from managing kids' online identities to building trust, communication, and smart guardrails at home.
They also tackle the controversial rise of age verification, digital IDs, and whether giving your face or ID to tech companies is a risk parents should be concerned about.
For more on Yubico check out: https://www.yubico.com/ 
Take control of your data with DeleteMe. Because they sponsor the podcast you can get 20% off a privacy plan from DeleteMe with promo code: DAD. 
Connect
📧 Subscribe to The Secure Dad emails
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00:00 – Intro & scam text story
02:20 – Meet Joe Scalone and Yubico
03:00 – Why passwords are broken
04:30 – What passkeys are (and why they matter)
06:00 – Are passwords going away?
07:00 – How security changes over time (credit cards → biometrics)
10:00 – Evolution of cybersecurity (from physical to AI threats)
12:30 – AI: helping defenders and attackers
14:00 – Why physical security keys still matter
15:30 – Is text-message 2FA enough?
16:30 – Prioritizing security for different accounts
17:30 – Family security: Netflix, school, Roblox
19:30 – Parenting approach: trust, verify, communicate
22:00 – Practical guardrails for kids online
25:00 – Age verification & digital identity explained
27:00 – Should you trust companies with your face/ID?
29:30 – The future of digital ID (10–15 years out)
31:30 – Teaching kids to protect their identity
33:30 – What's next for kids online (gaming, social, attention economy)
37:00 – Parenting through tech (building PCs, bonding)
39:00 – How fast weak passwords get hacked
40:30 – Most overrated online safety advice
41:30 – Where to find Joe & closing thoughts



The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Secure Dad, LLC. 
 
The Secure Dad LLC makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date information, but no guarantee is made regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the content in this podcast or any related materials. Information may change over time, and inadvertent errors or omissions may occur. The Secure Dad LLC is not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from the use of, or reliance on, any information provided.
The Secure Dad® is a registered trademark of The Secure Dad, LLC. This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, a commission may be earned. All rights reserved.

Home Security on a Budget: Practical, Low-Cost Upgrades for Families
 
In this episode, Andy shares inexpensive, practical ways to improve home security amid rising costs. He points out that safety is a personal responsibility and that effective security is often low-tech. The tips he shares can be for families who rent or own their homes as many ideas don't require permanent installation.
Take control of your data with DeleteMe. Because they sponsor the podcast you can get 20% off a privacy plan from DeleteMe with promo code: DAD. 
Defend your home with FlipLok. Listeners get 20% off when using discount code SECUREDAD at checkout.
WYZE Core Home Security Kit: https://amzn.to/41dMLkx
 
WYZE Outdoor Bulb Camera: https://amzn.to/4rZpAFt 
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00:00 Welcome to Secure Family
01:04 DMV Text Scam Story
01:33 DeleteMe Privacy Sponsor
02:17 Home Security on a Budget
02:50 Affordable Alarm Systems
05:07 Remove Listing Photos
06:42 Reinforce Doors and Locks
07:39 Secondary Lock Upgrade
08:30 Timers and Lighting Tricks
10:31 Budget Security Shopping List
11:33 Wrap Up and Next Steps
12:07 Outro and Where to Follow
 
The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Secure Dad, LLC.
 
The Secure Dad LLC makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date information, but no guarantee is made regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the content in this podcast or any related materials. Information may change over time, and inadvertent errors or omissions may occur. The Secure Dad LLC is not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from the use of, or reliance on, any information provided.
 
The Secure Dad® is a registered trademark of The Secure Dad, LLC. This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, a commission may be earned. All rights reserved.

CSM Bart Womack on Surviving Betrayal and Practicing Proactive Situational Awareness
 
Host Andy speaks with retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Bart Womack about his book, "Embedded Enemy," recounting the March 2003 Camp Pennsylvania insider attack in Kuwait.
 
Womack describes the chaos of responding in darkness with limited ammo and visibility, coordinating security, casualty collection, evacuation and ultimately identifying and apprehending Sgt. Hasan Akbar.
 
He shares how the incident reshaped his concept of trust and outlines proactive situational awareness strategies—trust analysis, observe/listen/report, "listen don't just hear," know your neighbor/coworkers, gut checks, and recognizing signs—using examples from schools, social media threats, and everyday suspicious behavior.
 
For more from Command Sergeant Major Bart Womack visit: https://bartwomack.com/
Take control of your data with DeleteMe. Because they sponsor the podcast you can get 20% off a privacy plan from DeleteMe with promo code: DAD. 
Connect
📧 Subscribe to The Secure Dad emails
📸 Follow The Secure Dad on Instagram
📺 Subscribe to The Secure Dad on YouTube
🖥️ Visit The Secure Dad Website
00:00 Welcome
02:04 Meet CSM Bart Womack 
03:24 Kuwait Night Begins
05:30 Explosions in the Tent
08:39 No Ammo Response
11:57 Chaos and Casualties
18:32 Suspect Identified
20:38 Akbar Captured
26:20 Aftermath and Losses
29:53 Lessons Under Fire
37:28 Trust Shattered
44:12 Diary Reveals Motive
46:22 Trust No One
50:14 Proactive Awareness Basics
51:25 School Shooter Reality Check
53:49 Observe Listen Report
57:57 Know Your Neighbor
01:02:55 Listen Dont Just Hear
01:10:35 Gut Check And Signs
01:16:07 Closing Thoughts
 
The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Secure Dad, LLC.
 
The Secure Dad LLC makes every effort to provide accurate, up-to-date information, but no guarantee is made regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the content in this podcast or any related materials. Information may change over time, and inadvertent errors or omissions may occur. The Secure Dad LLC is not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from the use of, or reliance on, any information provided.
 
The Secure Dad® is a registered trademark of The Secure Dad, LLC. This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, a commission may be earned. All rights reserved.