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A Former FBI Agent Specialized in Cybersecurity Shares 5 Fundamental Tips Everyone Should Follow to Avoid Online Scams and Ensure Their Digital Security Against Hackers and Internet Fraud
The internet has transformed the way we live and connect, but it has also paved the way for the exponential growth of online scams. Jason Hogg, a former FBI agent, shares his insights on cyber threats and how to protect yourself from them.
He has held strategic positions in cybersecurity companies and has led forensic digital investigations and penetration testing.
Although Hogg has extensive experience, he recognizes that scammers operate at a highly sophisticated level, but there are still actions we can take to minimize risks. Because of this, he listed five actions you can take to reduce the chances of becoming a victim.
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1 – Distrust Is a Powerful Defense Against Online Scams
One of the fundamental lessons Jason Hogg emphasizes is to always remain distrustful. Online scams can come in various forms, whether through video calls, phone calls, emails, or direct messages.
He suggests always confirming the authenticity of the sender before interacting with any content. In a personal case, he recounts how someone attempted a deepfake phone scam on his mother, impersonating his eldest daughter.
Fortunately, his mother was suspicious and called him to verify the truth. Not everyone has this awareness, and many victims end up falling into digital traps.
2 – Listen to Your Phone: It May Be Alerting You About Scams
Another point highlighted by Hogg is the importance of paying attention to security alerts issued by devices.
When the phone warns about a compromised password, many people ignore the message, which can lead to serious consequences.
Hogg’s own father, who was the CEO of MasterCard and an FBI agent, had money withdrawn from his account for not updating his compromised credentials.
Hogg’s recommendation is to check the list of apps with compromised passwords and change them, at least on the most important accounts.
Additionally, he warns against using the same password for everything, a common mistake that facilitates online scams. Although it can be a hassle, he ensures that spreading passwords across services is an effective preventive measure.
3 – The Risk of Free Wi-Fi
Using public Wi-Fi networks is also a facilitator of online scams. In places like cafes and stations, these networks can be easily intercepted by cybercriminals.
Hogg advises using a VPN to protect privacy and avoid financial transactions while connected to a public network. It’s a simple measure, but it can prevent the interception of sensitive data.
4 – Protect Your Credit Information
One of the most impactful stories Jason Hogg shares involves a friend’s father, whose identity was stolen. Without having blocked their credit bureaus, criminals used a fake identity to acquire properties in his name and then conducted fraudulent transactions. This led to a massive financial and personal crisis.
To avoid this situation, Hogg suggests that everyone block their credit reports at major agencies like Experian. This process is simple and free, yet many are unaware or neglect its importance.
With the block in place, any attempt to open credit in your name without your permission is automatically stopped, providing an additional layer of security against online scams.
5 – Post Carefully
Finally, Hogg warns about the dangers of social media. Every post, photo, or video can potentially be used against you. Platforms on the dark web utilize advanced machine learning techniques to analyze and exploit publicly available information.
This is how deepfakes are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using voice and image models derived from personal data shared online.
He recommends that users carefully consider what they post and avoid unnecessarily tagging people in public photos.
For the former FBI agent, social media is a gold mine for cybercriminals and malicious actors, who can use this information for targeted attacks, identity theft, and other forms of online scams.
Despite the challenging landscape, Jason Hogg’s tips provide a solid foundation for reducing the risks of online scams.
From maintaining a distrustful posture to taking preventive measures, such as using VPNs and blocking credit reports, it is possible to navigate the internet more safely.
However, he reminds us that constant vigilance is crucial, as threats are continuously evolving. By adopting these practices, you can be better protected against the various forms of cybercrimes that plague the digital world.
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