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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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.
Cognitive Heist series #4: The Ghost - Panic, Urgency, and the Speed of Deception
8th Layer Insights
12 minutes
3 months ago
Cognitive Heist series #4: The Ghost - Panic, Urgency, and the Speed of Deception
👻 New Deceptive Minds issue: Cognitive Heist series issue #4 -- The Ghost
The ghost doesn’t break in. It doesn’t even exist. It just panics you into acting-- fast, unthinking, exposed.
This issue explores one of the most dangerous tools in a scammer’s toolkit: urgency. We unpack:
🧠 The psychology of panic and why urgency shuts down critical thinking
📞 Real-world scams that weaponize fake emergencies
🕯️ A chilling tie-in to folklore: the crying child at the door
🐙 And yes, there are tentacles. Always tentacles.
The Ghost's superpower is tricking you into moving before you think.
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Check out the most recent FAIK Files podcast: Dark Knowledge & Hidden Agendas
Audio version: https://pod.link/1771521321/episode/ae2224ed846ac80ad3c8e2fbc0185087
YouTube version: https://youtu.be/U7447dpffao
Interesting research of the week: Sweet-talk the bots: New research shows how LLMs respond to human persuasion tricks
Geekwire article: https://www.geekwire.com/2025/sweet-talk-the-bots-new-research-shows-how-llms-respond-to-human-persuasion-tricks/
Wharton School blog post: https://gail.wharton.upenn.edu/research-and-insights/call-me-a-jerk-persuading-ai/
Until next week... stay safe out there!
Perry
P.S. -- Just a quick reminder that I've got a great book out that's all about deepfakes, disinformation, and deception. Be sure to check it out if you haven't already: https://ThisBookIsFAIK.com.
P.P.S -- Did you know that we have a text version of this newsletter? Check it out on LinkedIn or at The Deception Project website.
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8th Layer Insights
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.
