Identity Theft isn't just a movie with Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy, it is a real issue people face every day...often with much less comedic and sentimental outcomes.

Cybercriminals are always seeking new ways to gather enough personal information about you to steal your identity. Motivations vary, but it often involves financial gain.

So, how do we combat this crime? How do we best protect ourselves? What are some things we are doing that make us easy targets? What can law enforcement do when we fall victim?

We sat down with Dr. Jin Lee, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society at George Mason University. Dr. Lee's research focuses on a range of topics within cybercrime and cybersecurity, including law enforcement competencies and perceptions of online crime; computer hacking and the role of the Internet in facilitating criminal and deviant behaviors; online illicit market activities; ideologically motivated cyberattacks; and online interpersonal violence offending and victimization.

The Crossing the Firewall podcast is hosted and produced by the Michigan State University Center for Cybercrime Investigation & Training.

You can follow the Crossing the Firewall podcast on Instagram and Bluesky. The Center for Cybercrime Investigation & Training can be found on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Dr. Karen Holt is an Assistant Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University and an expert in sexual deviance and how it relates to digital mediums.

Sextortion (the threat of sharing sexually explicit material of a victim unless money or other products are provided) is an increasing threat to people of all ages. Law enforcement is attempting to respond to this increased threat, but also acknowledge that they need more resources and training to successfully do so.

Dr. Karen Holt joins our hosts for a discussion on Sextortion and Revenge Porn. In this episode, Dr. Holt shares ways that cyber-criminals are targeting potential victims and what we can do to protect ourselves from this increasing threat. The team also discusses what law enforcement officers need to know to help combat these crimes.

The Crossing the Firewall podcast is hosted and produced by the Michigan State University Center for Cybercrime Investigation & Training.