A cyber safety event held at Minot State University featured a resident agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, Darrik Trudell, who shed light on the disturbing reality of online predators and the importance of educating children and loved ones about cyber security threats.
Trudell, who has worked on numerous child exploitation cases, emphasized the growing trend of sextortion, where minors are extorted for money or sexual favors via blackmail. He shared heartbreaking case studies of high school students who fell victim to sextortion and tragically took their own lives out of despair.
One key point Trudell made was the futility of simply taking away a child’s phone as a means of protection. Instead, he stressed the importance of open communication and proactive education about the dangers of online interactions. By engaging in honest conversations with children and making them aware of the signs of online predation, families can create a safer environment for their loved ones.
In his presentation, Trudell delved into the manipulative tactics used by cyber predators to coerce children into sending inappropriate images and videos, leading to further exploitation and financial blackmail. He urged attendees to be vigilant and proactive in addressing these threats to ensure the safety of their children.
Moving on to the session on financial threats and crimes, Jacob Rued, a fraud investigator, highlighted the various tactics employed by cyber criminals to compromise individuals’ financial security. Rued explained the risks associated with phishing, spoofing, and pharming, which can lead to significant financial losses for victims.
Rued also touched upon the use of cryptocurrency and bitcoin ATMs in financial scams, pointing out the staggering amounts of money being stolen by sophisticated criminal organizations. He emphasized the vulnerability of using paper checks, citing them as the most insecure and inefficient payment method that exposes individuals to significant financial risks.
The presentations at the cyber safety event covered a range of topics, including risk management, personal cyber security advice, and cybersecurity engineering safety. The event aimed to provide valuable insights to attendees, especially computer engineering students, on how to enhance their online security practices and create secure websites through coding and site engineering.
Overall, the event underscored the importance of staying informed and vigilant in the face of evolving cyber threats. By educating oneself and others about online dangers and adopting proactive security measures, individuals can better protect themselves and their loved ones from falling victim to cyber predators and financial scams.