In today's digital age, as we all know the technology era is advancing daily so far cyber crimes, fraud, hacking, phishing, and bullying keep advancing with it. And how it has done more than good, creating confusion for its users. Cyber security is a pressing concern that affects us all. I've had multiple personal encounters with cyber security failures, one involving a musician I love so dearly, my husband, and my mom. These experiences taught me valuable lessons about the importance of cyber security and the need for vigilance.
The first incident involved Tiwa Salvage, a renowned Nigerian musician I admire. Her intimate video was leaked online as in a caught-in-act video with someone she trusted. How it happened became my worry. The news sparked widespread controversy. I was shocked and worried about the potential damage to her reputation and career. However, Tiwa remained calm and composed, refusing to engage with bloggers or respond to the blackmailer's demands for money. Her manager handled the situation discreetly, and eventually, the controversy died down without harming her career. How she was able to conquer the chance of being ruined and blackmailed needs to be studied. I think I love her the more👌
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This incident taught me the importance of staying calm and composed during a cyber security crisis. The scenario highlighted the need for fans or an effective crisis management team and the importance of having a strong support team. Additionally, it reinforced the lesson that trust is a luxury we can't afford in the digital age🤔 Even those closest like blood-related spouses let alone friends or girlfriends can betray our trust, intentionally or unintentionally.
The second incident involved my husband's bank account being hacked. His account was drained of all funds within 10 minutes due to a phishing scam. He had inadvertently shared his bank details online during a transaction, making him vulnerable to cyber attacks. Fortunately, he acted swiftly, reporting the incident to the bank and resetting his account details with a stronger pin.
This experience taught me the importance of being cautious when sharing personal information online. It also highlighted the need for strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular account monitoring. Additionally, it reinforced the importance of having a plan in place for emergency situations like cyber attacks.
Another one was my mother. She is a retired officer relying on her pension and the stipends her children will give. On this day, she received a call and this person pretended he was calling from her bank to do some maintenance and he demanded her ATM card number.
She gave it out and the guy asked her to send her OTP to him immediately once received and she obeyed diligently without thinking twice🤔
This guy wiped all the money in her account to the last kobo. She called to inform me of how she has been receiving debit alerts🤔
We almost lost her because her BLood pulse rose higher than normal. Then, I tried to educate her to be safe about her bank details.
These experiences have taught me valuable lessons which are:
Never listen to anyone calling from the bank asking to send your details for maintenance. I would rather into the bank to do my things.
Trust no one: Even those closest to us can betray our trust, intentionally or unintentionally.
Stay calm and composed: During a cyber security crisis, it's essential to remain calm and composed to think clearly and make rational decisions.
Be cautious with personal information: Sharing personal information online can make us vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication: Strong passwords and two-factor authentication can prevent unauthorized access to our accounts.
Regular account monitoring can help detect suspicious activity prevent cyber-attacks and plan B recovery accounts.
Cyber security is a critical concern that affects us all. All these experiences have taught me the importance of being vigilant, cautious, and staying alert. By staying informed and taking proactive measures, we can protect ourselves from cyber threats and ensure a safer digital experience. Be safe!
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My participation in the #hivelearners second edition of the week 124 writing contest on the topic; **Cyber security **
Thanks for reading 💕
