Listener sentiment
Security Now commands strong loyalty among security professionals and IT workers, who prize Steve Gibson's deep technical expertise and the show's thorough breakdowns of cybersecurity news and vulnerabilities. Most listeners credit decades of listening and recommend it as essential. However, structural issues are eroding some long-time listeners' patience. Episode length (frequently 2–3+ hours) frustrates time-constrained audiences; ad volume and pacing, with extended sponsor reads and full article recitations, make the show feel bloated. A recent complaint surge targets Leo Laporte's handling of AI, with some listeners feeling the show has become unabashedly pro-AI without skepticism. Political commentary from Leo also resurfaces periodically as a friction point for listeners seeking a purely tech-focused show. Steve's presentation—thorough but occasionally monotone—works well for deep learners but loses casual listeners. The result is a podcast that remains world-class in expertise and content but risks losing casual audiences and some long-timers to editing, pacing, and on-air tone concerns.
Apple4.3 · 468
Summary generated May 28, 2026
