So... What Is Cybersecurity, Anyway?

Feature Story

Oops! Linda Took the Bait…

Linda is 67, retired, and tech-savvy enough to order groceries, check her bank account, and Facetime her granddaughter. One morning, she received an alarming email that said:

The email looked official. It used her bank’s logo. It had colors and wording that felt right. Even the link looked like her bank. So, Linda clicked.

By dinner, Linda’s account was drained of $2,300. Oh no! (many four-letter words being said!).

What Actually Happened to Linda?

Linda fell victim to a phishing email — common tactic cybercriminals use to trick people into giving up private information like usernames, passwords, and even Social Security numbers.

Here’s how phishing worked in Linda’s case:

• Sender’s address —> Looked legit, but had tiny differences (e.g., @securebank-alerts.com vs @securebank.com)

• Urgent message —> Created panic and rushed her decision (“verify now or lose access”)

• Fake link —> Hovering would’ve shown it led to a sketchy website

• No personal info —> The email didn’t mention Linda’s full name or account number — red flag

Why It Worked — Even for Linda

Cybercriminals prey on trust and urgency.

• They know people of older generations are more likely to check email than use an app

• They know fear can cloud judgment

• They craft emails that feel real using logos, official language, and convincing links

Even smart, cautious people can fall for it. You’re not alone if this has happened to you.

How to Spot a Phish Next Time

When you get a suspicious message, pause and inspect. Ask yourself:

• Is this email trying to make me panic or act fast?

• Is the sender’s address correct? Look closely —> tiny changes matter

• Are there any grammar errors or strange formatting?

• Does the message use your full name, or just “Dear Customer”?

• Where does the link go? (Hover, don’t click)

If in doubt, don’t click anything. Call the company using a known number or go directly to their website.

Quick Fact:

According to the 2024 IC3 Annual Report, phishing scams accounted for 193,407 complaints. The reported financial losses from these scams totaled $102,074,512.

Question for You:

Have you or someone you know received a suspicious email, text, or call pretending to be a bank, the IRS, or even a grandchild?

What tipped you off (or didn’t)?

Reply and share your story — we may feature it (anonymously) in an upcoming issue!

A Final Note:

Cybersecurity can sound technical, but at its heart, it's just about staying safe in a world that keeps getting more digital.

Whether you're booking flights online, ordering dog food, or video-calling your grandkids, you deserve to do it safely and confidently.

Remember: You don’t need to be a tech wizard to protect yourself. You just need a few simple habits and a healthy dose of curiosity (and maybe a little skepticism).

• Did something today surprise you?

• Hit reply and tell me — I love hearing from readers.

• And if you found this helpful, forward it to someone you care about.

See you next time — same time, same inbox.
Stay sharp,
– Russ