Our children will all learn how to use a computer better than we can. To keep them safe, all kids should take computer security training. Thousands of people, young and old, are getting scammed. A computer security training class could help our kids recognize the scams.
It’s hard to believe anyone would need a computer security training program to tell them not to trust someone they’ve never met in person. But, we warn kids not to trust strangers we meet on the street. So, kids are more likely to trust someone they “met” online than someone walking down the street.
Online matchmaking sites capitalize on this. So do scammers.
People tell themselves, “I’m a good judge of character. I won’t let myself get scammed.” It’s the overly confident who could most benefit from a computer security training course. Just like in face-to-face relationships, people who meet online chat back and forth, open up and then disclose personal information. This open communication leads to a bond of trust. Many romance scammers actually propose marriage to their chat buddies to strengthen the bond of trust before scamming them. The scammer often gets hundreds or thousands of dollars before the victim realizes there will be no wedding.
Hard to believe? A proper computer security training course would show you the stats of just how often this happens. And that number is astonishing.
A computer security training class should focus on encouraging people to always question that trust with someone they have never met. It seems so obvious. Why would anyone give money to someone they've never met? To someone who says he or she is “working overseas?” Why would anyone say “yes” to an online marriage proposal?
People have. And people still do. Why else would scammers still be using the same tactics?
Online singles sites are proliferating, broadening the opportunities for scammers and vexing site operators who can’t seem to protect their users from such fraud.
A computer security training program would teach you to watch out for popular scams. The person might ask for help with a money transfer. He/she might ask for help shipping goods overseas. There are numerous scams and the scams change as people become savvy to them.
If you find yourself faced with a scam … or even a potential scam … agree to do it. But, don’t actually do it! Instead, report the scammer to the authorities.
A good computer security training program would teach you who to contact, what information to give them and how to keep the scammer on the line until the authorities have enough information to make an arrest.
None of this means you should avoid the Internet or online chat. What it does mean is that you need to be cautious rather than trusting. In the future, our children will have computer security training classes like we had Home Economics. Perhaps Home Economics classes today should provide kids with computer security training instead of needle work. You can lose a lot more to an online scam artist than you’ll lose by not being able to mend your own clothes!
If you’re interested in taking a computer security training program, find companies that offer classes to learn how to use a computer. If they don’t have a computer security training course, write to them and ask them to start one.
