Today I posted on social media the latest online cyber threats, where a so-called attorney’s office informed me of a huge bundle of money coming my way.  Naturally, I told the fine young man to stop scamming and get off my phone.  Next, I went on Facebook to advise people to do the same when and if they receive such a call, or they could blow a police whistle in the scammer’s ear.

Scammers Turning to Threats

A friend answered my post with a very disturbing occurrence in her life recently.  She receives vicious emails threatening to show any embarrassing pictures or emails on her computer IF she does not hand over a bundle of money.  Their primary push “What would your children say if they saw compromising pictures or information about you?”

There were several things that hit me while reading her post:

• What would I do if someone threatened me in that way?
• Is there anything on my computer I would never want my family to see?
• Should such a thing happen, would my children wait for an explanation or condemn me outright?
• How do you get these jerks off your back?
• How does a single, senior woman sleep at night with cyber threats like this one coming at her in her own home on her own computer?

What Should I Do?

After some serious thinking, the answers were slow in coming, other than I would report these jackals to the email server handling my account. I would also forward the threatening email  to the scam section of the FBI and CIA, since they appear to be coming from the Nigeria Nasty Quarter.  This is the place where so many scams come to life, because the poverty in that area is such that even these ugly scams are considered legitimate work.

What I Would Not Do

I would not answer the email for any reason.  Forward the email with explanation to the server, as well as local law enforcement offices.

What about My Own Computer

I searched on my own computer for anything that might be embarrassing.  The worst news is I found it!  A couple of years ago I took pictures of myself to see how much weight I needed to lose.  I had no wish to put those on my computer.  However, I also did not take them OFF my digital camera.  At some point, when asked by the site where I store pictures if it wanted all pictures uploaded, I said yes, totally forgetting my ‘weight challenge’ pics.  Frankly, the worst that would have happened had anyone seen them would have been a mass exodus from sheer fear!  But still, who wants your kids to see your faults?

Now for the big question – as a senior citizen using computers, do YOU realize just how much that computer puts everyone else into your life?  Or that not everyone with your information is kind and thoughtful?  Probably not, especially, if you have been using the computer or cell phone for a short time.  Look at our children, many of whom seem to begin using computers before they are out of their crib.  Unless some terrible thing actually occurs to another child they know, the danger factor does not seem to enter their heads.

What Would My Children Think?

As to whether my children would want an explanation or immediately condemn, I believe they would listen thoughtfully and carefully to my explanation.  However, not every family is close and loving and willing to hear both sides of any story.  How about yours?  Might it not be a great idea to have this conversation now?  I don’t mean if you have pictures you want no one to see on your computer, that you drag them out for movie night with the kids.  I mean talk about whether it is easier for them to believe a stranger than you, should something like this arise?  Especially if that stranger can provide embarrassing pictures?  You might be surprised – sometimes happily and sometimes not so much.

Protect Yourself?

How do you get scammers off your back?  You can’t.  At least not all of them.  As soon as one goes away, another arises from the sewer to grab tainted money, to make your life miserable, to threaten, to pass a little bit of hate they have for society right into your lap.  All you can do, is report them, delete them from your computer, find something to do that makes you happy and takes your mind off the scum who do this for a living.

Safety for Single Women

How does a single woman sleep at night with things like this invading her home?  She gets one honking big Doberman or German Shepard, treats those darling like kings or queens so that IF one of these scumbags is not all bluff and tries to visit her home, she has a nice surprise waiting.  You see when you treat an animal well, that animal will be your defender.  You don’t have to have any command except ‘STOP’.  That’s for when your precious pup is chasing that bozo down the road and refuses to give up because nobody hurts its human.  Even a small dog will scream a warning and many of them will attack the intruder, giving you a chance to get help.

Consider a Roommate

Have two phones.  Always keep one in your bedroom, since most who break in usually make sure the victim is asleep first.  If you can handle having a roommate, get one.  If not, don’t.  Sometimes after living alone, having a roommate can almost be worse than having a night visitor.  Trust me – been there and done that!  I lived with one roommate who would have made Godzilla a preferable friend.  But I also lived with three who were kind and thoughtful in every way.  In the end, discovered I preferred living alone until my brother eventually moved into my home.

Is a Weapon the Answer?

There is another alternative making the news these days.  Consider getting a gun for protection and lessons in proper usage of the weapon.  Should you have an aversion to guns, check with your local police about the legality of tasers in your area.  Should you fear using a taser, use a homemade pepper spray.  Why a home version of pepper spray?  Because, it is inexpensive, extremely debilitating when it hits the attacker in the eyes and the ingredients are easy to come by.  Check here for a recipe for making your own pepper spray and useful information such as the need for wearing protective gloves before beginning the process.

Security Systems Rock!

The most useful item in your arsenal of protection against scammers is a good security program  which will block many of them.  AVG offers an excellent security product free.  Other vendors provide a trial period to allow testing of the program before you buy.  Also change your password often.  Please do not use things such as your address, birthdate – yours, your spouse or your children – or other easily found information.  Avoid brilliant ones such as:  1234567 or ‘password’ (so many use that one).  Include capital letters, digits and symbols or make up some odd word that truly is not a word.

Remember, your best defense in the world of cyber threats is being alert to the fact that there are sick minds, evil minds and greedy minds at work who use the Internet as their greatest weapon.