”Old Scams in Shiny New Packages” Podcasts

Gangsters and Servers

I've received a data breach letter from a company.  What happened and how are these modern data thieves like gangsters in the 1920s?  In this podcast learn how it happens, learn why data collected about you is so vulnerable, and understand why "staying off the Internet" is not a viable strategy. 
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
Links and References:
John_Dillinger: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dillinger 
Research report of business cybersecurity vulnerabilities:  https://businessdigitalindex.com/research/report-500-companies-score-cybersecurity/ 
Reported breaches in 2023: https://securityscorecard.com/company/press/securityscorecard-threat-research-21-of-sp-500-companies-reported-breaches-in-2023
ITRC 2025 report on data breaches: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025-ITRC-Annual-Data-Breach-Report.pdf 
Dark Web data market: https://www.breachsense.com/blog/dark-web-markets/ 

Cookies and the Internet

In the last few years I've had to decide whether or not to accept cookies when I go to a Web site.  This feels like a scam.  Is it a scam?  In this podcast we talk about the history of personal data tracking tools (i.e., cookies), what they are used for, recent related regulations, and the real risks of this type of technology.  
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
 
Links and References:
Cookies on Wikipedia:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie 
Different Types of Cookies: https://termly.io/resources/articles/types-of-internet-cookies/ 
ESPN.com
EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): https://gdpr.eu/what-is-gdpr/ 

One Phish, Two Phish, I’m A Scammed Phish

What is phishing and why is it a potential threat?  Is it new?  What can I do to protect myself?  On this podcast we discuss old types of phishing attempts, what to do if you suspect a phishing attempt, and how artificial intelligence (AI) might affect phishing in the future.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
 
Links and References:
Types of Phishing Attacks: https://www.fortinet.com/resources/cyberglossary/types-of-phishing-attacks
What is authentication?: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/security-101/what-is-authentication 

Romance Scams: Too Good To Be True?

What do handsome men in nice cars, catfishing, and Henry VIII all have in common?  They are all stories about romance- and love-related scams.  Learn about romance scams and and how we think AI will change dating in the future in this episode.  
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
 
Links and References:
AARP: Learn How to Avoid Romance Scams:  https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/romance/ 
FBI: Elder Fraud, in Focus: https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/elder-fraud-in-focus 
Plenty of Fish dating site data: https://www.doulike.com/blog/statistics/pof-statistics/ 
 

Your Private Messenger

I see them advertised a lot online.  What is a VPN (Virtual Private Network) and how it is like the Bible story of Jonah and the Whale?  Learn about the usefulness and limitations of a VPN in this episode.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
 
Links and References:
Why Use a VPN? Here Are 6 Reasons to Use a VPN: https://share.google/o0kLJrKwWz54HG64u
These 18 Popular VPNs Share Parent Companies and Privacy Risks: https://share.google/ipkoBqfqou5lEHyFg
Microsoft: Are VPNs safe and secure? https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/cloud-computing-dictionary/what-is-a-vpn 

Read Legalese or Click Thru?

I downloaded an app, installed it, and now have to read a legal document to use the app.  What should I do when confronted with this modern "fine print"?  Read a lengthy, confusing legal document or just "accept" the terms of use?  This podcast helps you better understand the situation and gives you things to think about for the future.   
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
 
Links and References:
Google Privacy Policy – Privacy & Terms – https://share.google/BjOgb8WTFgHZDtU15
Apple Privacy Policy - https://share.google/FIvIJ7YZrpeWyJ9ib
Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81602884?s=a&trkid=13747225&trg=cp&vlang=en&clip=81770074

Web Sites and Storefronts

How is looking at a potentially bad Web site like walking thru a European town in the 1980's?  This podcast helps you today by using skills you've developed in the past.  We also discuss the risks and benefits of modern location services and talk thru the process of evaluating a potentially fraudulent email message.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
 
Links and References:
Wikipedia entry for Filene’s Basement: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filene%27s_Basement
Wikipedia entry for a web browser’s address bar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Address_bar 
Domain Name System (DNS) lookup: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/dns-lookup 

The Cloud and Salt Mines

What is the computer "cloud"?  Is it safe and secure?  This episode discusses the history and usefulness of the computer cloud.  We also discuss the privacy and security implications of putting files and data on cloud-based servers.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app. 
 
Links and References:
What is the cloud? See https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/cloud-computing-dictionary/what-is-the-cloud 
A million library books to be sent down the mines - Manchester Evening News https://share.google/3FTqtYVgnklFgzQDw 
Amazon Web Services: see https://aws.amazon.com/  and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Web_Services 

Privacy and Security Basics

What exactly is "privacy"?  What is "security"?  How are they related?  This wide-ranging discussion defines these terms and explains how they work with each other.  It also touches on lessons from the animal kingdom, the history of the Internet, and how it relates to the automobile industry.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
Links and References:
Dictionary definition of “privacy”: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privacy
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) definition of “privacy”: https://iapp.org/about/what-is-privacy/ 
Data protection and privacy laws now in effect in 144 countries: https://iapp.org/news/a/data-protection-and-privacy-laws-now-in-effect-in-144-countries
“There is no explicit mention of privacy in the U.S. Constitution”  Source: https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/privacy/ 
IBM’s Systems Network Architecture (see description at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_Network_Architecture) and Systems Application Architecture (see description at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Systems_Application_Architecture) 
HIPAA is the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.  It is a U.S. federal law that protects individuals' health information.  See details at https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/php/resources/health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act-of-1996-hipaa.html 

Why Are We Doing This?

Why do we want to do these podcasts?  What can we contribute?  This podcast explains our motivations and unique perspectives on helping older people deal with the risks and challenges associated with living in the 21st century.
More episodes can be found at https://oldscamsinshinynewpackages.podbean.com/ or by searching for "Old Scams" in your favorite podcast app.
Links and References:
FBI Releases Annual Internet Crime Report: https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-annual-internet-crime-report 
GAO report “Information Superhighway: An Overview of Technology Challenges” at https://www.gao.gov/products/aimd-95-23
Netscape See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netscape 
America Online See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AOL 
“Elder fraud is a growing problem and a shameful crime,” said Kimberly Milka, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division.  See https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/boston/news/fbi-highlights-growing-number-of-reported-elder-fraud-cases-ahead-of-world-elder-abuse-awareness-day