ScamsNOW!
The SCARS Institute Magazine about Scam Victims-Survivors, Scams, Fraud & Cybercrime
Cybercrime/Cybersecurity Training Has Failed!
A commentary on the state of cybercrime/cybersecurity training and helping victims avoid scams/fraud/cybercrime.
By Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
Cybercrime/Cybersecurity training does not work?
Cybercrime training, also known as cybersecurity training, is a form of education that aims to teach individuals and organizations how to protect themselves against cyberattacks and other forms of online threats. But it mostly has failed.
These training programs can take various forms, including in-person classes, online courses, videos, and simulated exercises, and are often designed to teach people about topics such as password security, phishing scams, data protection, and scams (financial fraud).
Despite the widespread availability of cybercrime training, it is becoming increasingly clear to those that help the victims to pick up the pieces afterward, that these programs are not very effective at preventing cyber attacks. There are several reasons for this.
First, cybercrime training often relies on lectures and theoretical explanations of how to protect oneself online. While these types of presentations (in whatever form) can be useful for providing a general understanding of cybersecurity concepts, they are not always effective at helping people internalize and apply these concepts in real-world situations. In many cases, people may forget or overlook the information they have learned, or they may not be able to apply it when faced with a real-world cyber threat.
Second, cybercrime training often focuses on teaching people to recognize and avoid specific types of threats, such as phishing scams or malware attacks. However, cybercriminals are constantly adapting and evolving their tactics, making it difficult for people to stay up-to-date on the latest threats and how to defend against them. As a result, even if people have received cybersecurity training, they may still be vulnerable to new types of attacks that they have not learned about.
Third, cybercrime training often fails to take into account the fact that human behavior is the major factor in the success of cyber attacks. Cybercriminals often rely on exploiting human weaknesses & vulnerabilities, biases, and psychology, such as our tendency to click on links or open attachments without verifying their authenticity. While cybersecurity training may teach people to be cautious and to verify the source of a link or attachment before interacting with it, it is difficult to change deeply ingrained habits and behaviors. As a result, people continue to engage in risky behavior even after receiving cybersecurity training.
Finally, cybercrime training is often time-consuming, which can be a barrier for many organizations and individuals. Potential target actually resent (in many cases) having to take training that they firmly believe will never happen to them – because they know better. Also, not everyone knows that they have access to this type of education, which can create an uneven playing field where some people and organizations are more vulnerable to cyber attacks than others.
While cybercrime training can be a useful tool for helping people and organizations protect themselves against online threats, it is clear from the simple facts that these crimes are growing uncontrollably that it is not effective. Cybercriminals are constantly adapting and evolving their tactics, and human behavior is the major factor in the success of cyber attacks.
To truly protect ourselves against cyber threats, we need to take a more holistic approach that includes not just training, but also ongoing education, robust security systems, and a culture of security within organizations that focuses not on knowledge, but on behavioral changes.
However, we also have to be honest about our failures. Training is important, but as an organization that helps after the fact, SCARS knows that mitigation and recovery training – something that is virtually never taught is just as important – maybe more for organizations to perform.
If you are an organization that is dissatisfied with your current training models, contact SCARS – we understand the victims and as such, what failed and why!
If you are an individual victim of a cybercrime/scam/online financial fraud please contact us, we can help! We also offer free support programs for scam victims here: support.AgainstScams.org
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors, please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and not to blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and help victims avoid scams in the future. At times, this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims; we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens, and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
SCARS INSTITUTE RESOURCES:
IF YOU HAVE BEEN VICTIMIZED BY A SCAM OR CYBERCRIME
♦ If you are a victim of scams, go to www.ScamVictimsSupport.org for real knowledge and help
♦ Enroll in SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
♦ To report criminals, visit https://reporting.AgainstScams.org – we will NEVER give your data to money recovery companies like some do!
♦ Follow us and find our podcasts, webinars, and helpful videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RomancescamsNowcom
♦ Learn about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
♦ Dig deeper into the reality of scams, fraud, and cybercrime at www.ScamsNOW.com and www.RomanceScamsNOW.com
♦ Scam Survivor’s Stories: www.ScamSurvivorStories.org
♦ For Scam Victim Advocates visit www.ScamVictimsAdvocates.org
♦ See more scammer photos on www.ScammerPhotos.com
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Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this and other SCARS articles are intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair, please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
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A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish. Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors’ experience. You can do Google searches, but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
