The Get CyBUr Smart: Behind the Screens Newsletter

Issue #3: Free Book Preview

Hello friends, welcome to Issue #3 of my newsletter. I am perhaps as surprised as anyone that I even made to a third issue. Now, I am not gonna lie to you, my fine readers, I procrastinated pretty well this week. So as I was trying to figure out what to post, I thought, “Hey, people like stories, how about I tell a story or 2 (or in this case 3).”

Now, I won’t lie—these stories are from my book Get Cyber Smart: A User-Friendly Guide to Protecting Your Family, Your Business, and Yourself Online. If you like the stories, you can find more like them right HERE.

Screen 1: The Victim that started me on this path

I first met Mrs. Jenkins when she was brought into my office by her concerned neighbor, Mr. Thompson. Mrs. Jenkins was a sweet older lady, who had fallen victim to a cruel and heartless, but common, online scam. As an FBI Supervisory Special Agent in the Cleveland Division, I had seen my fair share of cybercrime, but this one hit close to home, as Mrs. Jenkins could have been my mother.

Mrs. Jenkins had received an unsolicited email claiming that she had won an online lottery. Over the course of several weeks, she had been coerced into sending over $200,000 to the scammers who kept promising her that she would receive her winnings as soon as she paid the necessary taxes and fees. The scammers had kept her on the hook for so long, and Mrs. Jenkins was convinced that she was moments away from receiving her lottery winnings. The scammers relied on her kindness and naivete to continue to victimize her.

As Mr. Thompson relayed the heart-wrenching details of Mrs. Jenkins' ordeal, I felt a knot form in my stomach. The scammers were located overseas and were operating under the cloak of anonymity. Mrs. Jenkins had no information about where she had sent the money, and the fact that a significant amount of time had passed before she came to the FBI meant that the chances of recovering her money or catching the scammers were slim. Her hesitance was caused by an all-too-common reason: she was embarrassed by the being scammed and didn’t want to tell anyone. Fortunately, she finally told Mr. Thompson who knew she needed to tell law enforcement.

I delved into the conversation, hoping to find a glimmer of hope for Mrs. Jenkins. However, it became evident that she had no concrete information that could lead us to the scammers. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks - no one was going to go to jail, and Mrs. Jenkins wasn't going to get her money back.

As Mrs. Jenkins left my office, her shoulders slumped in defeat, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of helplessness. I had witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of cybercrime, and I knew that Mrs. Jenkins was not the only victim out there.

This was a wake-up call for me. I realized that the general population had very little understanding of the perils of cyber threats and scams. If only Mrs. Jenkins had possessed some basic knowledge about online security, this whole tragedy could have been averted.

The lesson hit home for me - education and awareness were the keys to preventing cybercrime. It was clear that most people did not know where to turn when faced with online threats, and I made it my mission to spread awareness and offer resources to the community. Mrs. Jenkins' story was a cautionary tale, and I vowed to do everything in my power to ensure that others did not fall victim to such heartless cybercriminals. And it wasn’t just individuals who were blind to the range of cyber threats, but also business professionals. There is no one immune from the scourge of online cyber criminals. The criminals rely on the fact that most people and businesses believe one of two things (or in some cases both): 1) They don’t have anything a cyber bad guy would want and 2) They are too small to be considered a legitimate cyber target.

I may not have been able to help Mrs. Jenkins recover her money, but her story inspired a change in me. From that day on, I dedicated myself to educating the public about the threats and risks from cyber bad guys. Not just the cyber criminals that scammed Mrs. Jenkins, but those that target our kids online, and our businesses. I have created podcasts, participated in workshops, distributed informational materials, spoken to thousands of people in conferences, been on local and national news shows, and worked tirelessly to provide crucial training to those who needed help. Mrs. Jenkins' story served as a reminder that a little knowledge could go a long way in preventing devastating losses.

Understanding some simple cybersecurity basics are essential for protecting personal information from being stolen or compromised by cyber criminals. By understanding common cyber threats, individuals can take the necessary precautions to safeguard their personal and sensitive information. With the increasing prevalence of online activities, such as shopping, banking, and social networking, the risk of cyber threats has also grown. It is crucial for everyone to be aware of the potential dangers and take steps to protect themselves. Mrs. Jenkins story is just one in a long line of stories of cyber victims who I have met and spoken to who, if armed with some simple cybersecurity basics, could have been spared the misery of becoming a cyber victim.

Screen #2 - We’ll this can’t be good!

I will never forget the night my best friend from high school called me in a panic. It was a few years ago, and I was at home, when the phone rang. It was my friend, and he sounded desperate. His wife's Facebook account had been compromised, and the situation was spiraling out of control.

A hacker had gained access to her Facebook account and had also created an Instagram account in her name. To make matters worse, they were using these accounts to send out messages to her friends, potentially luring them into online scams. It was a nightmare scenario, and my friend and his wife were at a loss for what to do. They had reached out to Facebook for help but had yet to speak to anyone who could help.

As I talked to them, I realized that they had made some critical mistakes when it came to their online security. They hadn't set up two-factor authentication on her Facebook account, and they couldn't even remember the last time they had changed her password.

I quickly got to work, helping them reset her Facebook account using an emergency backup email, which they had fortunately created. We created a new, long and secure password, and I made sure they stored it in a password manager so they wouldn't forget it. I also guided them through setting up two-factor authentication, adding an extra layer of security to her account.

With some effort, they were able to regain control of her Facebook account, but the damage had already been done with the Instagram account. Since she had not actually set up the account, there was really no way she could delete it. She would just have to contact all her friends and tell them to ignore anything from her from Instagram. It was a stressful and overwhelming situation, a big wake-up call for them, and unfortunately, an all-too-common experience for many on social media.

The main lesson learned from this ordeal is the importance of taking online security seriously. When setting up any kind of online account, whether it's for social media, banking, or email, it's crucial to use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication. These simple steps can make a world of difference in protecting yourself from cyber threats.

Screen #3 - The Dark Side of Social Media

The 15-year-old boy, let’s call him Alex, was a typical teenager who loved spending time on social media, chatting with friends, and exploring his interests in online gaming and Japanese anime. One day, he received a message from a girl claiming to be 16 years old and sharing similar interests. They hit it off and started a “relationship” through TikTok, exchanging messages and eventually explicit pictures of themselves.

Little did Alex know, the person behind the screen was not who they claimed to be. The “16-year-old girl” turned out to be a scammer, preying on vulnerable teenagers. After gaining Alex's trust and coaxing him into sending compromising photos of himself, the scammer began to extort him, demanding $1000 in exchange for not releasing the photos to his friends and family.

Frightened and feeling helpless, Alex didn't know where to turn. However, he eventually mustered the courage to confide in his parents, who immediately sought help from the FBI. As the Supervisory Special Agent of a cybercrime squad, I worked closely with the Special Agent assigned to Alex's case. It was disheartening to see yet another innocent victim fall prey to the dangers of online exploitation.

After meeting with Alex and his family, my team and I were able to provide reassurance and guidance. We explained that this was a common scam on social media and advised them to not give in to the scammer's demands. We also instilled hope by assuring them that in the worst-case scenario, denying the photos would be a viable option since Alex had never revealed his face in the pictures.

With our guidance, Alex and his family chose not to comply with the scammer's demands. To their relief, the scammer never followed through with their threats.

The incident served as some good positive reinforcement for the family, who had proactively had open conversations about online safety and the potential risks lurking on social media platforms with their kids after hearing me speak at a parent meeting on cyber threats at a local church some month’s before.

The lesson from this cautionary tale is clear: as cybersecurity novices, it’s crucial to be vigilant and aware of the dangers that exist in the digital world. Parents need to educate themselves and their children about the potential threats and risks of online interactions, no matter how innocent they may seem. By fostering open communication and staying informed, families can protect themselves from falling victim to malicious online schemes. This experience was a close call for Alex, but it served as a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity awareness and resilience in today's digital age.

And there you have it, a little look into “Get Cyber Smart.”

If you have topics you’d like to see in this newsletter, feel free to email me at darren@thecyburguy.com.

Enjoy your weekend.

Your friend,

Darren

If you are interested in my other content, please check out my podcasts:

The CyBUr Guy Podcast

The CyBUr Smart Morning News Update

The Tactical Cyber Podcast

All are available on your favorite podcast platform. Give a listen, tell a friend.