Most people think cybercriminals target technology — but as Sanford Weinberg explains in this episode, the real target is always the person. Criminals exploit fear, urgency, and trust to bypass even the most careful among us, and the results can be devastating.

Sanford walks Barry through a heartbreaking real-world story: an elderly woman living alone lost nearly $40,000 to scammers who posed as Microsoft support, convinced her the bank was complicit, and guided her step-by-step to a Bitcoin machine — all while she believed she was protecting her savings. It's a chilling reminder that no one is immune, regardless of age or tech savvy.

The conversation gets practical fast. Sanford introduces his PAUSE framework — a five-step approach anyone can use: Pause when pressured, Authenticate independently, Use strong protection like password managers and multi-factor authentication, and never assume your email is unimportant. He explains why email is "the keys to the kingdom" and why reusing passwords across accounts puts everything at risk.

Barry and Sanford also explore the emotional mechanics behind scams — how urgency, authority, and fear short-circuit our thinking — and why even cybersecurity professionals find their own family members falling for these tactics.

Sanford Weinberg is a decades-long cybersecurity expert, educator, and speaker who has protected organizations from small businesses to major enterprises, with a specialty in translating complex cyber concepts into clear, actionable guidance for everyday people.