You already know to watch out for IRS scams—but do you know how to lock down your Social Security number before someone uses it? In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze visits Clouded Coffee on 7th St. in St. Paul, MN, sipping a bright caramel salty dog latte, to unpack a quiet but powerful identity[...]

The moment money shows up unexpectedly, most of us want to do the right thing—send it back, fix the mistake, move on. That's exactly what scammers are counting on. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze visits Hamlin Bread inside Oxford's historic Covered Market to unpack one of the most deceptively simple scams circulating right[...]

Trust is the thing scammers exploit most—and tax season hands it to them on a silver platter. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze visits The Mixing Jug, a hidden courtyard gem in Marlow, England, and draws a powerful parallel between the quiet trust of a neighborhood coffee shop and the misplaced trust that costs[...]

Your phone isn't eavesdropping—it's doing something far more calculated. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze visits Meta Coffee and Bookstore in Anoka, MN, where the warmth of an old-school wooden bar and a quiet cup of herbal tea set the stage for one of the most common digital mysteries people experience: why does an[...]

Your phone is never fully asleep—and most people have no idea what's running quietly in the background. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze visits Compassion Coffee in Anoka, MN—a nonprofit built on second chances—and draws a powerful parallel: just like the unseen systems keeping a coffee shop running smoothly, your devices are constantly working[...]

A third-grader mishearing a Paul Simon song just delivered the most important cybersecurity lesson of the year. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze stops into Conscious Cup Coffee in Crystal Lake, IL—home of the salted hazelnut latte that turned her into a coffee lover—to talk about what it really means to raise a generation[...]

What does flying a small airplane have to do with cybersecurity? More than you'd think. In this episode of SipCyber, host Jen Lotze visits Grounds Coffee Bar in Crystal Lake, IL, and draws a powerful connection between the calm of flight preparation and the peace of mind that comes from digital preparedness. After the loss[...]

You don't have to be in college to become a victim. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze visits Sunshine Coffee in Lake Elmo, MN, to break down the "ghost student scam"—a sophisticated identity theft operation targeting anyone with a Social Security number, including children. Scammers are using stolen identities to enroll in online college programs,[...]

The agreement you clicked through without reading just changed the rules. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze visits Raw Deal in Menominee, Wisconsin, and breaks down TikTok's recent U.S. Terms and Privacy Policy update—the one most people accepted without a second thought while scrolling between videos. Recorded fresh off a middle school basketball tournament, Jen[...]

In this episode, Jen breaks down how to "rabbit hole yourself" before someone else does. She walks through practical steps to audit your digital footprint, delete dormant accounts, and intentionally curate the top results that show up when someone searches your name. This isn't about scrubbing the truth—it's about making sure the best version of[...]

What do a North Carolina brewery destroyed by Hurricane Helene and a cybersecurity victim have in common? More than you think. This isn't just another "how to prevent hacks" episode—it's about what happens when the levee breaks. Host Jen Lotze shares a powerful story from Zillicoah Beer Company in North Carolina, where 10 years of hard[...]

Think white papers are just boring documents for IT teams? Think again. Understanding these authoritative guides is your secret weapon for spotting massive risks before they become disasters—whether you work in HR, marketing, finance, or any department handling sensitive data. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze breaks down exactly why white papers matter for everyone[...]

Ever clicked "Sign in with Google" without thinking twice? You're not alone—but that convenience might be your biggest security risk. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze breaks down the invisible web of permissions connecting your entire digital life, filmed at Black Sheep Coffee in St. Paul, MN. This is Part 1 of a two-part series[...]

Looking back at the cybersecurity lessons that made the biggest difference this year? Jen breaks down the 9 most powerful, actionable steps you've learned through SipCyber - the security moves that drastically reduce your risk without requiring a tech degree. From credit freezes to SIM swap protection, these aren't theoretical tips - they're the defenses[...]

The holidays aren't just busy for shoppers—they're prime hunting season for cybercriminals. While you're wrapping gifts and booking flights, threat actors are unwrapping your financial data at gas pumps, coffee shops, and fake charity sites. In this holiday edition of SipCyber, host Jen Lotze breaks down four critical defensive strategies to protect your cash, cards, and[...]

AI companions are becoming digital "friends" to our children—and that's a serious problem. When kids start treating AI like a trusted companion instead of a tool, we're seeing real harm: emotional manipulation, self-worth issues, and even incidents of self-harm. These agents don't have feelings, can't understand ethics, and are simply mirrors reflecting collected human data.[...]

The tools we trust most can deceive us fastest. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze brings insights straight from Wild West Hackin' Fest—one of the premier ethical hacking conferences—to Wabasha Brewing in St. Paul, MN. Fresh off an AI cybersecurity course, Jen breaks down two critical vulnerabilities in the AI tools millions of us[...]

Trust is essential in our daily lives—but it's also what scammers exploit most. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze visits Central Park Coffee in Owatonna, MN, to discuss two evolving scams that prey on human trust: quishing (QR code fraud) and pig butchering (romance investment scams). From fake QR codes on restaurant tables to[...]

That urgent text about a package delivery? That call from "your bank"? They might be scams designed to steal your personal information. In this episode of SipCyber, Jen Lotze breaks down smishing (SMS phishing) and vishing (voice phishing)—two increasingly common tactics scammers use to bypass your email filters and catch you off guard. ☕ Featured Coffee[...]

What if a criminal could steal your phone number and use it to break into every account you own? That's exactly what happens in a SIM swap attack—and it's more common than you think. In this episode of SipCyber, host Jen Lotze explains how attackers trick mobile carriers into transferring your phone number to their device,[...]

What if someone could steal your house without ever stepping foot on your property? It happened to Graceland—and it could happen to you. In this episode of SipCyber, host Jen Lotze breaks down the growing threat of property fraud while sipping coffee at the vintage-inspired Maqua Coffee in Roseville, MN. Property fraud isn't just about stolen[...]

What if your coffee habit could teach you one of the smartest cybersecurity moves for protecting your money? In this episode of SipCyber, host Jen Lotze takes us on a virtual trip to Nomad Coffee Bar in Enfield, Ireland—a dreamy, pink-hued sanctuary—to deliver a financial security tip that every traveler, parent, and online shopper needs[...]

Enjoying coffee at a cozy booth in Greenbridge Coffee got me thinking: why don't our social media profiles feel as secure as this space? The uncomfortable truth is that most apps default to "public"—meaning strangers can see your posts, photos, and even your real-time location. In this episode of SipCyber, we're breaking down how to[...]

What if that urgent email from "Amazon" isn't from Amazon at all? Before you click that link, you need to know what to look for—because phishing scams have gotten scary good, and they're counting on you to act fast without thinking twice. In this episode of SipCyber, host Jen Lotze visits Waystone Coffee in River Falls,[...]

Think public Wi-Fi is harmless? Think again. In this episode of SipCyber, host Jen Lotze breaks down exactly why connecting to that coffee shop network is like broadcasting your most sensitive information to everyone around you. Discover why your phone's 5G connection is actually safer than that "free" airport Wi-Fi, and learn the one simple habit[...]

What happens when you combine the perfect latte with life-changing cybersecurity advice? Welcome to the very first episode of SipCyber! Jennifer Lotze kicks things off at Backstory Coffee Roasters in St. Paul, Minnesota—a hometown hero just three minutes from IT Audit Labs that's roasting beans and building community. But here's the kicker: while you're sipping that[...]

We're thrilled to announce SipCyber, a new podcast presented by IT Audit Labs.Meet Jen Lotze, our newest team member who brings an incredible journey: special education teacher → school district tech leader → Minnesota Cybersecurity State Coordinator → IT Audit Labs.SipCyber is our newest addition to The Audit Podcast family, combining:Coffee shop reviewsDecaffeinated cybersecurity tipsMaking[...]