The Power of Slowness: Navigating Cyber Threats with Deliberation
A new approach to personal & corporate cybercrime avoidance – slowness!
By Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Managing Director – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
Is Slowness the Answer?
Let’s admit the truth. Almost all cyber & online safety training is failing!
The Japanese seem to understand this issue well. They have a term called Shinrin-Yoku – The Art of Slowing Down! They also have ‘Ukino’ to describe their attitude towards slow living, which literally means ‘to live in the moment and be far from common life matters’. It means taking a slower course in every part of your life.
So let’s consider slowness in how we can use it to avoid cybercrime!
Why Slowness?
In our fast-paced digital world, where cyber threats loom at every corner, it is essential to embrace the value of slowness when responding to these constant challenges.
The immediacy and urgency often associated with cyber threats can push us towards impulsive actions, potentially compromising our security and exacerbating the situation.
But there is significance in taking a deliberate and measured approach, advocating for “slowness” as a powerful strategy in navigating the complex landscape of cyber threats. By pausing, reflecting, seeking input, and consulting a trusted wingman, we can enhance our decision-making and better protect ourselves online.
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Avoiding Impulsive Reactions:
Our natural instinct may be to act swiftly, responding to the sense of urgency and sometimes fear that phishing emails may evoke. However, impulsivity can lead to hasty decisions, such as clicking on suspicious links or hastily providing sensitive information or jumping into an even more serious scam.
Slowness allows us to pause, take a step back, and consider the potential risks and consequences before taking any action. It enables a rational and measured response rather than succumbing to knee-jerk reactions that may leave us vulnerable to cyberattacks.
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Embracing the Power of Sleep:
Sleeping on a decision can be an effective strategy when dealing with any major decisions, especially involving money.
Often, scams & fraud arrive in the form of urgent emails or alarming messages designed to elicit immediate responses. By allowing ourselves time to sleep on it, we gain valuable perspective and clarity. Rested minds are better equipped to evaluate the situation, identify potential red flags, and make informed decisions, mitigating the risk of falling victim to phishing attempts, scams, or malware. This is especially true for anyone who has already be scammed and who is suffering from the trauma following that experience.
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Seeking Input and Collaboration:
Facing these scams & cyber threats alone can be overwhelming, especially for pre-adults and the elderly – but even for adults in the workplace too.
Consulting with a trusted friend, family member, or colleague can provide fresh insights and alternative perspectives. By involving a wingman, we expand our understanding and decision-making capacity. They can help us identify potential risks, weigh the pros and cons of different actions, and offer valuable advice in navigating the situation. Collaboration enhances our ability to make informed choices and reinforces a sense of shared responsibility in the digital realm.
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Practicing Digital Hygiene:
Slowness in responding to cyber threats extends beyond individual incidents; it also applies to our overall digital habits. Taking the time to develop and maintain good digital hygiene practices is crucial. Regularly updating software, employing strong and unique passwords, and being cautious with sharing personal information (especially on social media) are examples of deliberate actions that safeguard our digital lives. Slowing down to implement these practices can prevent potential threats and minimize the impact of cyber attacks.
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Cultivating Mindful Digital Citizenship:
Slowness in the face of scams, fraud, and cyber threats is not merely about individual actions; it also encompasses a broader approach to digital citizenship.
It involves cultivating mindfulness, deliberateness, purposefulness, responsibility, and ethical behavior in our online interactions. By pausing to consider the potential consequences of our actions, treating others with respect, and promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness, we contribute to a safer digital environment for all.
Looking Deeper to the Advantage of Slowness
After the pandemic, the levels of fear and trauma have risen throughout the world. Still to this day everyone is stressed and uncertain!
Our impulsiveness is often triggered by latent fears, uncertainty, and even trauma. This then becomes how triggered emotions such as fear, panic, or urgency, prompt us to act quickly to resolve the situation without us even taking the time to fully understand it.
This rush to take immediate action can cloud our judgment and make us vulnerable to further exploitation. By consciously pausing and resisting the impulse to act hastily, we create space for critical thinking and a more rational assessment of the situation. This enables us to identify warning signs, evaluate potential risks, and make informed decisions that are less likely to compromise our security.
Slowness in responding to potential scams, fraud, and cyber threats is not solely about individual actions; it is about cultivating a new mindset – mindfulness in all that we do!
We need to be more aware of our online behavior, having situational awareness both in the physical world and online. Slowing down and considering the potential consequences of our actions before acting, sharing information, engaging in online discussions, or interacting with others fosters a safer digital environment for all. By prioritizing mindfulness and responsibility, we contribute to a collective effort in combatting cyber threats and promoting a healthier online ecosystem.
But Equally as Important
By slowing down to make better decisions, safer decisions, and actions, we also relieve the massive stress and potential guilt from our daily lives.
We know, deep down when we make good decisions and when we are rushed. The more we make bad decisions or rushed decisions the more guilt and stress builds up inside us! By slowness, we reduce our stress and feel happier about what we do. Who couldn’t use more of that in our personal and work lives?
Summary
The importance of slowness in responding to cyber threats cannot be overstated.
By resisting impulsive reactions, prioritizing rest and reflection, seeking input from others, practicing good digital hygiene, practicing safe actions online, and cultivating mindful digital citizenship, we can navigate the digital and real worlds with greater resilience and protect ourselves from potential harm. Slowing down allows us to make informed decisions, stay vigilant, and keep our cool.
Slowness in Your Life!
Here are a few articles you might want to consider:
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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
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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
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♦ Learn about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
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♦ Scam Survivor’s Stories: www.ScamSurvivorStories.org
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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.
Since the scam happened, I have learned to slow down and evaluate incoming potential email threats, not answering phone calls and text messages unless it is someone I know, reducing my social media footprint by going private and unfriend many people I don’t associate often. This brought me so much peace and calmness in life.