#1 Cybersecurity Expert: This Conversation Could Save You Thousands of Dollars

Thu Feb 19 2026

If you’ve ever clicked “Accept All Cookies,” ignored software updates, saved your passwords, or logged into free Wi-Fi, you have to hear this. The little “harmless” things you do online are exactly what scammers count on. In today’s conversation, Mel sits down with award-winning cybersecurity expert Caitlin Sarian (aka “Cybersecurity Girl”) to give you the short and simple checklist of things that protect your money, your identity, and your privacy online. You don’t need to understand cybersecurity. You just need to stop treating online habits like they’re harmless, because they can leave you open for a scam. This isn’t about being paranoid, it’s about realizing that a few tiny changes can shut down most online threats. This conversation will educate and inform you. In this episode, you’ll learn: -The biggest cybersecurity mistake almost everyone makes (and how to fix it fast) -The #1 Venmo scam happening right now, and exactly what to do if it happens to you -What to d...

Transcript

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Hey, it's your friend Mel. And welcome to the Mel Robbins Podcast. Here's something I did that I'm not proud of, but I'm going to tell you anyway. So yesterday I got this pop up notification that said, update Apple Settings. And you know what I did? Click ignore. Then I got another one from Zoom, and you know what I did? Click ignore. You ever do that? I mean, why do I need to update all this stuff all the time? Maybe you're a little bit like me in that way. You kind of accept all the cookies on every website. You share your location so Uber Eats can find you no matter when you're ordering. You grant camera access to apps so that you can use them. Duh. Well, our guest today, a cybersecurity expert, told me that all these little things that I'm doing, and I know you do them too, they are making you and me an easy target for scammers. In fact, I bet you lock your door at night. But here you and I are, leaving the door wide open for hackers to just walk right into our accounts. Now, before I even get into this, I need to tell you something. I didn't think I needed to care about cybersecurity. I thought cybersecurity was something for like tech people or banks or corporations or governments. I didn't think it had anything to do with me and you. Then I met Caitlin Sarian, also known as cyber Security Girl to the millions of people that follow her online. And she told me that all these little things that you and I do, you know what we're doing? We are giving the keys to our accounts to hackers. They can get in in less than 30 seconds. And I thought, oh my gosh, this isn't just a tech person's problem. This is everyone's problem. Caitlin has worked in cybersecurity consulting for over a decade. She's an award winning CyberSecurity expert. At EY. For example, she performed global cybersecurity awareness assessments across 20 key cybersecurity sectors. At TikTok, she was the global lead of cybersecurity advocacy. And now? Well, now Caitlin travels all over the world. She works with publicly traded companies, consulting on compliance related to data, our data, and privacy laws. She's here to give you and me the step by step simple things that we need to do that you need to do with your kids, that you need to do with your grandparents and your aging parents. She's going to tell you the number one scam right now on Venmo, and it's if you don't hear about this, you're going to fall for it. She's also going to tell you the five simple things that you can do as soon as you're done listening or watching this. That will protect you from 95% of the threats online, Caitlin says. Everyone that means you, that means me is an easy target to be scammed online because we were never taught how to properly protect ourselves. Until today. On TikTok teens get over 50 built in protections from the start. But for parents, further visibility and control of content can help create the right environment. That's where family pairing comes in. With family pairing, parents can set their own screen time limits or even set restricted times based on what works best for their family. Parents can also link accounts to see their teens followers and who they follow and help restrict content that's not right for them. When safety comes first, discovery can follow. Learn more@TikTok.com guardiansguide you know how every January people start yelling New Year. New you? Yeah, no, the you right now. The one juggling work, kids, aging parents, your own head that you, that you is already doing a good job. And the goal this year shouldn't be to replace her, it's to support her better. That's where Ollie comes in. They make science backed supplements that fit the real lives women are living. Multivitamins, Vaginal probiotics, Libido support Ollie Probiotic Mango Gummies make taking care of yourself feel more doable. They support your gut, digestive health and immune system. Three little wins in just two gummies Whatever your goals are for 2026, Ollie makes it simple to find what you need so you can feel more grounded, more energized and more supported on your own terms. Ollie offers solutions that help you take care of yourself while you're taking care of everything else. And honestly, that should be the vibe this year. Not a new you. A more cared for you. Head to o l l y.comollie.com and start supporting your gut and overall well being with solutions that are easy and delightful. Ollie, these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Hey, it's your friend Mel. And welcome to the Mel Robbins Podcast. It is such an honor to be together and to spend this time with you. I am so glad you're here. And if you're a new listener or you're here because someone shared this with you, I just wanted to take a moment and personally welcome you to the Mel Robbins Podcast family. Today you and I are going to learn to protect yourself online from award winning cybersecurity expert, Caitlin Sarian. Now, Caitlin has been working in cybersecurity for a decade. At EY, she performed global cybersecurity awareness assessment across 20 key cyber sectors. She then went on to TikTok where she was the global lead of cybersecurity advocacy. And now she travels the world working with publicly traded companies, helping them with cybersecurity and compliance with privacy laws and data. And for the last three years, Caitlin has been on a mission to make cybersecurity easy. Not just to the big companies she's consulting with, but to real people like you and me. She has been recognized with multiple awards, including Cybersecurity Woman of the World, Cybersecurity Educator of the Year, top Cyber News magazine, 40 under 40 in 2024. You're gonna love her. She's brilliant down to. And she's going to teach you and me the simple, fast changes that will protect you, your money and your privacy. Please help me welcome Caitlin Sarian to the Mel Robbins Podcast.

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Mel Robbins Podcast

Episode #1: "Cybersecurity Expert Reveals: 5 Ways to Protect Yourself Online (Starting Tonight)"

Guest: Caitlin Sarian (Cybersecurity Girl)
Date: February 19, 2026

Episode Overview

In this actionable and eye-opening episode, Mel Robbins interviews Caitlin Sarian, an award-winning cybersecurity consultant known online as "Cybersecurity Girl." The episode’s main theme is empowering everyday people—parents, kids, and seniors alike—with practical, easy-to-implement strategies to protect themselves from the ever-growing threat of cyber scams and data breaches. Mel and Caitlin break down the realities of digital vulnerabilities, reveal the biggest scams happening right now (including the Venmo scam), and deliver a concrete list of five essential actions listeners should take to shield themselves online—starting immediately.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Everyone Needs to Care: The Scale of Cyber Threats

[07:07] Caitlin Sarian: “The cyber scam economy is the third largest in the world. That’s how much money they’re making.”
Mel confesses to a lax approach with notifications and updates—mirroring most listeners' habits.
Cybersecurity isn't just for "tech people and banks" anymore; every internet user is a target.

2. Your Digital Footprint: What’s At Risk

[10:05] Caitlin defines cybersecurity as "protecting your digital footprint," which encompasses everything you do online: apps, websites, games, and accounts.
[10:30] She explains how incognito mode still leaves you visible to websites, only hiding activities from other users of your device—not from service providers or the sites themselves.

3. Quickfire Cyber Hygiene Tips

A. Protect Personal Information

Never give out real birthdays, names, or phone numbers unless necessary. Use alternate personas for non-essential sign-ups.
- [12:34] "Why do they need your name? Why do they need your phone number? My question back to you is, why do they need it?" —Caitlin
Use a Google Voice number if an app requires a phone number.

B. Limit Online Accounts

Avoid creating unnecessary online accounts (e.g., for reservations, newsletters) to reduce data exposure.
- Use alternative, throwaway emails and numbers.

C. Don't Broadcast Your Whereabouts

Never post vacation photos or current travel plans in real time; scammers can use open source intelligence to target you when you're away.
- [15:42] "There's a lot of social engineering...they see you're at a Marriott in the Bahamas—they could call and pretend to be you."

D. Free WiFi Risks

[17:23] "If any product or app is free, you are the product."
Open/free WiFi is often unencrypted; avoid entering sensitive info (especially banking) on it.
Look for "HTTPS"—the "S" means secure—when using websites (especially abroad).
Prefer tethering or a VPN for security. Hotspot ≠ VPN.

E. Password Management

Never save passwords/credit cards in unprotected notes or browsers.
Use password managers (e.g., Lastpass, iPhone’s built-in manager), or at minimum, lock notes with FaceID/password.

F. Security Questions

Avoid using factually correct answers for security questions (like your mother’s maiden name), since such info is often public.
- Create an alternate persona for these answers.

G. Software Updates

Always enable automatic software updates.
- Patches usually fix vulnerabilities: "90% of software updates are to fix some type of bug or vulnerability because hackers are getting so much better." —Caitlin ([28:26])

H. Device Charging Risks

Never use public USB charging stations (e.g., at airports or hotels) due to risk of "juice jacking".

I. Stop Thinking “Hackers Don’t Want Me”

[30:30] "It doesn't matter who you are. They just want money. If you are an easy target, you're an easy target." —Caitlin

4. How Cybercrime Happens and Recognizing Scams

A. Password Reuse & Account Leaks

Hackers use leaked passwords (and all their common variations) to break into multiple accounts rapidly.

B. Phone and Phishing Scams

Law enforcement/phishing scams: scammers call pretending to be the FBI or police, using public info to intimidate victims into sending money (often crypto).
- [37:54] "If anyone needs you to send crypto, let's just be red flag."
Never respond to calls from unknown numbers or set a personalized voicemail; scammers record your voice for future scams.

C. Voice Cloning and Safe Words

Voice cloning can mimic family members, tricking relatives into sending money. Set a family "safe word" for verification.
- [42:49] “If my mom gets on a phone with someone that says that they're me...she's gonna be like, okay, can you tell me your family safe word?”

D. Venmo Scam

[43:58] Scammers send money from stolen cards, then ask you to send it back. When the original transaction is reversed as fraud, you lose your own legitimate funds.

5. Responding to Data Breaches and Identity Protection

A. What To Do After a Breach

Immediately change your passwords and enable multifactor authentication.
If it’s a credit/financial breach, take advantage of free credit monitoring and freeze your credit to prevent identity theft.
- “You’ll never know if someone is using your parents' information until it’s too late.” —Caitlin ([47:29])

B. Protecting Seniors & Kids

Freeze elderly parents’ credit, set strong passwords, enable multifactor authentication.
Open communication about scams is crucial—avoid making kids ashamed to report potential issues.
- Kids’ phones: use children’s/child accounts, block messaging, set to private, regularly review permissions.

6. App and Privacy Settings

Routinely review and lock down app permissions. Only enable camera, microphone, or location access when strictly necessary.
- [65:05] "Does it have access to your camera, to your microphone, to your location? If it doesn't need it, turn it off."
Social, delivery, and shopping apps: set permissions to “only while using the app” or even restrict to specific photos when sharing.
Social media apps are scanning your photo roll to build content suggestions—limit their access.

7. Facial Recognition, Wearables, and IoT Concerns

Wearables and IoT devices (e.g., smart rings, sleep pads) collect vast biometric data. Always review privacy policies.
- Tip: Paste privacy policies into AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot) for layman summaries and red flags.
[67:16] Facial recognition/biometrics are everywhere (TSA, cameras, etc.)—not always avoidable. Consider blue light/infrared-blocking sunglasses to shield from some forms of surveillance.
Cover laptop cameras. Use password-protected (or strong unique) passwords on ALL connected cameras (doorbell, baby monitor, etc.). Never reuse the same password on multiple devices.

8. Spotting Sophisticated Scams & Phishing

Don’t trust purported Mel Robbins communications unless from verified accounts.
[76:41] "Do not click on any links. That is like a blanket statement rule I have."

The Five Cybersecurity Essentials (Caitlin’s List)

[77:17]

Strong, Unique Passwords:
- List your key accounts (banks, social, email); each must have its own strong, unique password.
- Prefer a secure password manager or locked notes.
Automatic Software Updates:
- Set all devices and apps to auto-update.
Freeze Your Credit:
- Takes 5-10 minutes per bureau; essential for you and your parents/grandparents.
- Prevents identity theft by stopping new accounts from being opened in your name ([79:12]).
Pause 9 Seconds Before Clicking Links:
- This deliberate pause disrupts impulsive clicking, allows checking email senders/URLs, and shrinks scam risk.
Limit the Data You Provide Online:
- Don’t overshare; provide only what’s necessary.
- Consider using services like Incogni to automate removal of personal data from data brokers/websites.
  - For DIY: Manually remove info from databases like Whitepages, True People Search, People Finder.

Bonus: Audit app permissions. Review camera, microphone, and location access—turn off what’s unnecessary.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

"If any product or app is free, you are the product." —Caitlin Sarian [17:31]
"The S in HTTPS stands for 'secure.' If it's just HTTP, it's not secure." —Caitlin [19:33]
"I personally use a password manager. I love it. I swear by it." —Caitlin [23:32]
"It doesn’t matter who you are — they [hackers] just want money." —Caitlin [30:30]
"Family safe words have saved people’s life savings." —Mel Robbins [42:46]
"The scam now is people send you money on Venmo, and then ask for it back. And you’re the one left out the money." —Mel & Caitlin [44:02-44:55]
"You can scrub your data. Services like Incogni scan and send out opt-out requests for you." —Caitlin [80:29]
"Cybersecurity is not just for experts. It’s for everyone." —Caitlin [83:07]

Timestamps for Important Segments

06:19 — Caitlin’s introduction; why most people feel behind on cybersecurity
07:07 — The massive global economy behind cyber scams
10:05 — The real extent of your digital footprint
15:42 — The dangers of posting live vacation images
17:31 — Free product/app = you are the product
19:22 — The meaning of "HTTPS"; secure sites vs. non-secure
23:32 — Password managers; why not to store passwords in notes
28:27 — Software updates patch hacker vulnerabilities
30:30 — “Hackers don’t care who you are” myth
37:18 — The psychology and tactics of today’s phone scams
42:49 — Family safe words and voice cloning scam defenses
43:58 — Current Venmo scam explained
47:29 — Why and how to freeze your (and your parents’) credit
49:56 — Non-negotiable child safety phone/app settings for parents
65:05 — How to audit and lock down app permissions
72:33 — Why you should cover cameras on all devices
77:17 — Caitlin’s “top 5” things everyone must do to secure themselves, detailed

Final Takeaways and Tone

Mel and Caitlin keep the conversation lively, relatable, empowering, and at times humorous—even as they break down complex threats. Rather than inducing fear, the episode focuses on practical steps, doable routines, and the message that everyone can improve their security with just a few small changes. Mel openly acknowledges making every “wrong” move, making it easy for listeners to feel comfortable and motivated to act.

What To Do Next (Tonight!)

Audit your passwords; use unique, strong ones for every major account.
Turn on automatic updates for all your devices.
Freeze your credit (if not applying for loans/credit soon).
Pause before clicking any suspicious link or giving up personal info.
Scrub your online information via DIY or use services like Incogni.
Review all app permissions, especially camera, microphone, and location.

Share this episode with everyone you care about. As Mel says: “This conversation might be just the thing that protects them from making a mistake they can’t undo.” [30:57]

For more, follow Mel (@melrobbins) and Caitlin (@cybersecuritygirl) for practical security tips and updates.