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Hackers broke into a real estate closing company\u2019s servers and waited three months for the right deal \u2014 then intercepted a wire and stole $1.2 million from a couple who did everything right, right down to the closing table.<\/p>\n
Dr. Eric Cole was a former CIA hacker, Cybersecurity Commissioner under President Obama, and longtime security advisor to Bill Gates. We\u2019re resharing this conversation, originally released in June 2025, in honor of his sudden passing this year and the practical security knowledge he left behind.<\/p>\n
Listen Here<\/b><\/h2>\n
Apple Podcasts<\/strong><\/a> See your full financial picture \u2014 income, debt, safeguards, and goals \u2014 in one place with our free one-page worksheet: https:\/\/affordanything.com\/cornerstone<\/a> Note: Timestamps are approximate and may vary across listening platforms due to dynamically inserted ads.<\/i><\/p>\n (03:41) Why you\u2019re an easier target than a big bank Thanks to our sponsors!<\/p>\n Policy Genius<\/strong> Monarch Mintmobile Cozy Earth MasterClass
Spotify<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nKey Takeaways<\/h2>\n
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Resources<\/b><\/h2>\n
Dr. Eric Cole\u2019s firm, Secure Anchor Consulting: secure-anchor.com<\/a>
Signal, the encrypted messaging app Dr. Cole recommends for sensitive conversations: https:\/\/signal.org<\/a>
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Stay in the loop \u2013 https:\/\/affordanything.com\/newsletter<\/a>
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Join our community \u2013 https:\/\/affordanything.com\/community<\/a><\/p>\nChapters<\/b><\/h2>\n
(06:46) Why cryptocurrency theft is nearly impossible to reverse
(10:59) How one password can move half your savings
(17:35) The fake unpaid-toll text that\u2019s made scammers millions
(21:55) Why paying the ransom is sometimes the smart move
(29:05) How AI clones your kid\u2019s voice for scams
(37:58) The one thing to never hand a child
(54:57) Why you should mask your location online
(01:16:18) The setting that blocks almost every account hack
(01:18:45) The bank alert that can undo fraud fast<\/p>\n
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