Your online identity is quickly becoming more crucial to your personal and professional success than in-person communications. But most of us don't understand this digital Wild West and the dangers that lurk around every corner. Most of us are unaware of the digital breadcrumbs that we leave behind with every post, and how easy it is for a person with malicious intent to harm us. In her book, Catching the Catfishers and on today's episode Tyler Cohen Wood teaches us how to protect ourselves and our families from online predators.

Tyler Cohen Wood is a cyber-authority with 20 years of highly technical experience at the Department of Defense. As a Cyber-, Intelligence, National Security Expert, three-time Author, and Public Speaker, Tyler is relied on for her wealth of knowledge and unique insights. Tyler served with the Defense Intelligence Agency as a Senior Intelligence Officer where she developed highly technical cyber-solutions and made recommendations significantly developing and changing critical cyber-policies and directives affecting current and future intelligence community programs. She has helped the White House, DoD, federal law enforcement and the intel community thwart many cyber threats to the USA. Tyler's expertise has made her a frequent guest and writer for both national and local television, radio, print, and online media.

What is catfishing? What do parents need to do to protect their children online? What can you do in this uncertainty to protect yourself from cybersecurity issues? In this information-packed episode, we answer all these questions and more.

Show Notes:

• [01:02] - When Tyler first started her cybersecurity career, she was doing digital forensics for The Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center.
• [03:01] - Parents often post pictures of kids and information without privacy settings. This can put kids in potential danger.
• [03:57] - Catfishing is someone pretending to be someone they're not in order to get you to do something or to give them information.
• [05:31] - In most catfishing cases there are some monetary or other things they are actually looking for.
• [07:30] - These attacks are always based on some fear or urgency.
• [09:55] - It is really concerning that kids are being targeted now more than ever.
• [10:35] - Predators target kids through online gaming platforms and social media apps. It is so important for parents to really know what their kids are doing, who they are talking to and what accounts they have.
• [11:05] - It is good to talk with your kids and sit with them and see what they are doing.
• [11:36] - What do parents need to do to protect their children online?
• [12:35] - Make sure you have accounts on all the same platforms that your kids do. Often predators will start a conversation on Instagram and then move to an encrypted platform like TikTok, WeChat or WhatsApp.
• [13:43] - Once a predator has a target they will continue to go after that target. If they see someone that they consider "easy prey" they are going to go after that.
• [14:58] - One of the number one things you should be watching out for is if someone claims to be somebody, but they don't have an online presence normal for that person.
• [17:15] - A Home Incident Response Plan involves talking with your kids about what to do if you have problems online including downloading malware.
• [19:06] - In a Home Incident Response Plan you want to include a paper copy of all of the numbers of people that you would need to call in the event of identity theft or other emergency and all of your accounts.
• [21:53] - If your friend sends you something that seems out of character or they're using words that they don't typically use that is an indication of a potential scam.
• [22:12] - If anyone ever asks you for money on the spot just walk away.
• [24:52] - Be really cognizant of what's in the background of your photos.
• [26:37] - You want to see what apps on your phone have access to. They may have access to your microphone, video, or contacts. If they don't need it then turn it off.
• [28:12] - Fear, uncertainty, doubt, and urgency really get people in trouble. Stop and take a breath before you react.
• [30:26] - You have to take time right now to nurture yourself.
• [32:08] - It is important to talk to our kids about what's going on in the world right now.
• [34:01] - Just be aware of what you're posting and what you're doing and trying to be as paranoid as your be without being crazy paranoid.

Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review.

Links and Resources:

• Podcast Web Page
• Facebook Page
• whatismyipaddress.com
• Easy Prey on Instagram
• Easy Prey on Twitter
• Easy Prey on LinkedIn
• Easy Prey on YouTube
• Easy Prey on Pinterest
• Tyler on Twitter
• Tyler on LinkedIn
• Catching the Catfishers Book