Episode
#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
3:02:59
Published: Tue Nov 22 2022
Description
Chris Tarbell is a former FBI special agent and cybercrime investigation specialist who brought down Ross Ulbricht and Silk Road, and Hector Monsegur (aka Sabu) of LulzSec and Anonymous. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - True Classic Tees: https://trueclassictees.com/lex and use code LEX to get 25% off - InsideTracker: https://insidetracker.com/lex to get 20% off - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod to get 3 months free - BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/lex to get 10% off - Blinkist: https://blinkist.com/lex to get 25% off premium EPISODE LINKS: Hacker And The Fed podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/hacker-and-the-fed/id1649541362 Naxo: https://naxo.com/who-we-are PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (08:05) - Silk Road (18:28) - Mass surveillance (22:40) - Operation Onion Peeler (27:56) - Hacker Avunit (38:45) - Ross Ulbricht and Silk Road (51:29) - Edward Snowden (53:33) - NSA surveillance (1:05:40) - Silk Road murders (1:14:26) - Dark web (1:18:28) - Ross Ulbricht's arrest (1:26:27) - Aaron Swartz (1:29:45) - Donald Trump and the Mar-a-Lago raid (1:32:50) - Tech companies and censorship (1:41:49) - War in Ukraine (1:45:47) - Anonymous and LulzSec (1:55:59) - FBI (1:59:00) - Personal threats (2:04:47) - Hector Monsegur a.k.a Sabu (2:17:57) - Cyber attack threats against civilians (2:34:45) - Most secure operating system (2:38:33) - Cyber war (2:46:28) - Advice for young people (2:51:39) - FBI's credibility (3:00:10) - Love
Chapters
Former FBI Special Agent, Chris Tarbell, shares his perspective on cybercrime investigations and discusses his experiences in pursuing and apprehending high-profile cybercriminals like Russ Ulbricht and Hector Monsegur.
00:00 - 01:26 (01:26)
Summary
Former FBI Special Agent, Chris Tarbell, shares his perspective on cybercrime investigations and discusses his experiences in pursuing and apprehending high-profile cybercriminals like Russ Ulbricht and Hector Monsegur.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker reflects on the comfort and appeal of minimalist fashion, particularly the black t-shirt.
01:26 - 06:22 (04:55)
Summary
The speaker reflects on the comfort and appeal of minimalist fashion, particularly the black t-shirt. The conversation then shifts towards social media's impact on people's mental well-being.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the speakers discuss Jeffrey Dahmer and how the portrayal of a seemingly normal person doing very dark things can change one's perspective on human beings.
06:22 - 12:16 (05:53)
Summary
In this podcast, the speakers discuss Jeffrey Dahmer and how the portrayal of a seemingly normal person doing very dark things can change one's perspective on human beings. They also discuss the early days of Silk Road, including whether it used to sell guns or fake degrees.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Silk Road was initially investigated by law enforcement as a drug-related issue, but further investigation revealed that it was also being used to facilitate illegal activities related to child exploitation.
12:16 - 18:13 (05:56)
Summary
The Silk Road was initially investigated by law enforcement as a drug-related issue, but further investigation revealed that it was also being used to facilitate illegal activities related to child exploitation. While child exploitation is a universally condemned crime, the use of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for illegal activity is still a topic of debate.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The conversation dives into the history of government abuse and why people have an innate desire to protect their privacy, despite not necessarily needing to.
18:13 - 22:37 (04:24)
Summary
The conversation dives into the history of government abuse and why people have an innate desire to protect their privacy, despite not necessarily needing to. The discussion also touches on potential government and tech company cooperation to limit privacy.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast dives into the story of Silk Road, a notorious online black market, and the dark web.
22:37 - 29:42 (07:05)
Summary
The podcast dives into the story of Silk Road, a notorious online black market, and the dark web. It explores the layers of encryption and anonymity used by Silk Road and how the FBI ultimately brought down its founder.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker is interested in understanding the minds of active criminals and wonders if it is possible to have a podcast conversation with someone who has not been caught.
29:42 - 32:15 (02:32)
Summary
The speaker is interested in understanding the minds of active criminals and wonders if it is possible to have a podcast conversation with someone who has not been caught. They question whether there is a difference in talking to an active criminal versus one who has been caught.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The motivations, ethics, and worldviews of individuals involved in cyber attacks are discussed, including their views on good and evil, love for their community, and beliefs that attacking cybersecurity weaknesses will lead to a safer world.
32:15 - 38:45 (06:30)
Summary
The motivations, ethics, and worldviews of individuals involved in cyber attacks are discussed, including their views on good and evil, love for their community, and beliefs that attacking cybersecurity weaknesses will lead to a safer world.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A discussion on the issue of trust in dark web markets, with a particular focus on Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road.
38:45 - 42:35 (03:49)
Summary
A discussion on the issue of trust in dark web markets, with a particular focus on Ross Ulbricht, the creator of Silk Road. Ross required his employees to send their ID for their trust, yet he himself bought fake IDs off the site.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast discusses the rise and fall of a social media Ponzi scheme orchestrated by the owner of Twitter account '@thefakemovado'.
42:35 - 48:58 (06:22)
Summary
The podcast discusses the rise and fall of a social media Ponzi scheme orchestrated by the owner of Twitter account '@thefakemovado'. The owner of the account convinced hundreds of people to invest in his scheme through promised financial returns.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses the potential cyber threat that remote workers face, particularly from individuals looking to gain access to a network.
48:58 - 57:25 (08:27)
Summary
The speaker discusses the potential cyber threat that remote workers face, particularly from individuals looking to gain access to a network. He cites the example of narco-traffickers and expresses his view that such actions are anti-American.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The founder of Silk Road did not initially plan for the infrastructure that would protect his online business, but instead found help through online posts seeking cryptocurrency assistance.
57:25 - 1:01:36 (04:10)
Summary
The founder of Silk Road did not initially plan for the infrastructure that would protect his online business, but instead found help through online posts seeking cryptocurrency assistance. He utilized a private Jabber server and a VPN to connect to servers in Iceland for added security.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Ross Albrick case was a high-profile case where the owner and operator of the dark web marketplace Silk Road was prosecuted for his involvement in drug trafficking, computer hacking, and money laundering.
1:01:36 - 1:05:27 (03:51)
Summary
The Ross Albrick case was a high-profile case where the owner and operator of the dark web marketplace Silk Road was prosecuted for his involvement in drug trafficking, computer hacking, and money laundering.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Dark Overlord hacker group was responsible for some of the most significant data breaches in history.
1:05:27 - 1:08:51 (03:24)
Summary
The Dark Overlord hacker group was responsible for some of the most significant data breaches in history. In this episode, we learn about their rise to notoriety and the law enforcement effort to bring them down.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The use of cryptocurrency in illegal activities is not a new phenomenon.
1:08:51 - 1:15:01 (06:09)
Summary
The use of cryptocurrency in illegal activities is not a new phenomenon. Some individuals have used crypto to steal money or even pay for illegal acts, such as murder.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Exploring the complexities of the digital world, the speaker discusses the challenges of visualizing the anonymous usernames and activities that occur online.
1:15:01 - 1:19:21 (04:20)
Summary
Exploring the complexities of the digital world, the speaker discusses the challenges of visualizing the anonymous usernames and activities that occur online. With agreements, handshakes, and groups built in the digital space, anyone can be multiple people, making it difficult for human beings to comprehend.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A former law enforcement officer discusses his approach to handling a high-profile Bitcoin case, noting the importance of being in charge without getting too caught up in the amount of money involved.
1:19:21 - 1:23:40 (04:18)
Summary
A former law enforcement officer discusses his approach to handling a high-profile Bitcoin case, noting the importance of being in charge without getting too caught up in the amount of money involved.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Hollywood often misrepresents technical minds as some sort of "shitty parody of a hacker," failing to capture the profound genius and intricacies behind their work, whereas shows like Chernobyl have shown the potential for accurately portraying both the human and technical sides of a story.
1:23:40 - 1:28:41 (05:01)
Summary
Hollywood often misrepresents technical minds as some sort of "shitty parody of a hacker," failing to capture the profound genius and intricacies behind their work, whereas shows like Chernobyl have shown the potential for accurately portraying both the human and technical sides of a story.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast discusses the existence of pressure from higher-ups for law enforcement professionals to lean towards one political direction or another.
1:28:41 - 1:33:02 (04:20)
Summary
The podcast discusses the existence of pressure from higher-ups for law enforcement professionals to lean towards one political direction or another. While people have their personal and political beliefs, it is important to maintain unbiased behaviors in professional duties.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The conversation between individuals with different political leanings within Facebook and the FBI can negatively impact the general public's faith in internet surveillance and its purpose.
1:33:02 - 1:40:56 (07:54)
Summary
The conversation between individuals with different political leanings within Facebook and the FBI can negatively impact the general public's faith in internet surveillance and its purpose.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast host aims to understand the real impact of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict by traveling to Ukraine and Russia to talk to soldiers, leaders, and civilians who have been directly affected by the war.
1:40:56 - 1:46:03 (05:07)
Summary
The podcast host aims to understand the real impact of the Ukrainian-Russian conflict by traveling to Ukraine and Russia to talk to soldiers, leaders, and civilians who have been directly affected by the war. Through his conversations, he gains insight into the deep human side of the conflict, including the toll it has taken on families and communities.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Aaron Barr threatened to de-anonymize members of the hacker group, Anonymous.
1:46:06 - 1:50:40 (04:34)
Summary
Aaron Barr threatened to de-anonymize members of the hacker group, Anonymous. However, without any scientific proof to identify members, he resorted to falsely naming individuals in the collective.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The act of hacking for fun can lead to serious consequences such as the release of personal information and even potential nuclear war.
1:50:40 - 1:57:21 (06:40)
Summary
The act of hacking for fun can lead to serious consequences such as the release of personal information and even potential nuclear war. It is important to consider the impact of one's actions, especially when they have a large platform.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker reflects on how dressing up like an FBI agent can give a sense of security and how their appearance reflects their honesty and transparency.
1:57:21 - 1:59:58 (02:36)
Summary
The speaker reflects on how dressing up like an FBI agent can give a sense of security and how their appearance reflects their honesty and transparency.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A father shares his experience of having a code word with his wife to signify to each other to drop everything and get to their kids in case of danger, and how he still carries a gun with him due to his concern for his children's safety.
1:59:58 - 2:04:04 (04:06)
Summary
A father shares his experience of having a code word with his wife to signify to each other to drop everything and get to their kids in case of danger, and how he still carries a gun with him due to his concern for his children's safety.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The stereotype of what hackers look like is no longer accurate, as it's no longer possible to pinpoint a traditional look for hackers.
2:04:04 - 2:07:12 (03:08)
Summary
The stereotype of what hackers look like is no longer accurate, as it's no longer possible to pinpoint a traditional look for hackers. An individual learned to hack after finding some NYPD computers on the sidewalk for trash in the Lower East Side of New York.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker talks about their tendency to stare suspiciously at babies in public in order to avoid kidnappers, and how this fear emerged around the time when they were concerned about the online security of someone they knew.
2:07:12 - 2:10:08 (02:55)
Summary
The speaker talks about their tendency to stare suspiciously at babies in public in order to avoid kidnappers, and how this fear emerged around the time when they were concerned about the online security of someone they knew.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker recounts their experience joining the FBI and meeting a member of the "Cult of the Dead Cow" while wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
2:10:08 - 2:14:26 (04:18)
Summary
The speaker recounts their experience joining the FBI and meeting a member of the "Cult of the Dead Cow" while wearing shorts and a t-shirt.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Neil Bridges shares the importance of cybersecurity and how hackers try to probe for information to collect all possible attack factors.
2:14:26 - 2:19:03 (04:37)
Summary
Neil Bridges shares the importance of cybersecurity and how hackers try to probe for information to collect all possible attack factors.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The key to securing user data is to control credentials and access, refreshing it often and limiting access only to necessary areas.
2:19:03 - 2:25:04 (06:00)
Summary
The key to securing user data is to control credentials and access, refreshing it often and limiting access only to necessary areas. Good onboarding procedures for employees are also important for maintaining data security.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses the challenges of making cybersecurity convenient for users and how hackers can take advantage of low hanging fruit like weak passwords and access to personal devices to breach security.
2:25:04 - 2:33:53 (08:49)
Summary
The speaker discusses the challenges of making cybersecurity convenient for users and how hackers can take advantage of low hanging fruit like weak passwords and access to personal devices to breach security.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker recommends encrypting data to protect privacy as it can delay agencies, like the FBI, in accessing important information.
2:33:53 - 2:37:19 (03:25)
Summary
The speaker recommends encrypting data to protect privacy as it can delay agencies, like the FBI, in accessing important information. The speaker also left the government and started his consultancy, bringing most of his good colleagues with him.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker highlights the crucial need for individuals and organizations to be aware and prepared for cyber attacks, both in terms of technical defense and potential panic that could arise from a major hack becoming public.
2:37:19 - 2:43:06 (05:47)
Summary
The speaker highlights the crucial need for individuals and organizations to be aware and prepared for cyber attacks, both in terms of technical defense and potential panic that could arise from a major hack becoming public.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
John Boles discusses the vulnerability of celebrities to hacking attacks due to their public image, and highlights the need for them to take extra measures to protect their valuable personal information.
2:43:06 - 2:45:31 (02:24)
Summary
John Boles discusses the vulnerability of celebrities to hacking attacks due to their public image, and highlights the need for them to take extra measures to protect their valuable personal information.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The hosts discuss the dangers of oversharing and giving too much of oneself away on social media, especially for young people who are trying to figure out their future.
2:45:31 - 2:51:36 (06:05)
Summary
The hosts discuss the dangers of oversharing and giving too much of oneself away on social media, especially for young people who are trying to figure out their future. They offer advice on how to remain professional and mindful when interacting online.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The hacking culture has evolved over the years, with many hackers realizing they can make a positive impact on the world through legitimate means.
2:51:36 - 2:55:53 (04:16)
Summary
The hacking culture has evolved over the years, with many hackers realizing they can make a positive impact on the world through legitimate means. It's inspiring to see hackers become leaders in their fields.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses the loss of a loved one and the value of their unique life story.
2:55:53 - 3:00:41 (04:47)
Summary
The speaker discusses the loss of a loved one and the value of their unique life story. The stories are gone forever, but may be shared again someday in heaven.
Episode#340 – Chris Tarbell: FBI Agent Who Took Down Silk Road
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses the prioritization of statistics and career advancement over empathy and emotional intelligence in policing.
3:00:42 - 3:03:11 (02:29)
Summary
The speaker discusses the prioritization of statistics and career advancement over empathy and emotional intelligence in policing.