8th Layer Insights

Author: Perry Carpenter N2K Networks

Get ready for a deep dive into what cybersecurity professionals often refer to as the "8th Layer" of security: HUMANS. Welcome to 8th Layer Insights (8Li). This podcast is a multidisciplinary exploration into how the complexities of human nature affect security and risk. Author, security researcher, and behavior science enthusiast Perry Carpenter taps experts for their insights and illumination. Topics include cybersecurity, psychology, behavior science, communication, leadership, and more.
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Language: en

Genres: Science, Social Sciences, Technology

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Cognitive Heists series #7: The Trojan Gift
Monday, 29 September, 2025

Hey folks! It's been a few weeks, but now the gift is here. :) It's the 7th installment of the "Cognitive Heists" series. This one is titled, "The Trojan Gift." 🎁 Not all traps look like traps. Some arrive with a bow on top. The Trojan Horse is the oldest example. But today, the gift often looks like a free service. No charge, no strings… except the ones you don’t see. Because the real price isn’t money. It’s privacy. -- It’s data. -- It’s you. In this issue of Cognitive Heists, we explore: 🔹 How “free” has always been one of the most effective disguises in the con artist’s playbook 🔹 Folklore warnings about cursed gifts that crumble into ash 🔹 Why reciprocity, curiosity, and flattery make us drag danger through our own gates 🔹 And how modern Trojan Gifts hide in inboxes, QR codes, cloud apps, and “free” platforms The cost of convenience is rarely written on the tag. Enjoy! Next up: The Double Agent—where the betrayal sits across the table, smiling like a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices