A few years ago, two teens were attending University of Virginia. Jackie wanted Duffin, but he didn’t return the affection. So Jackie invented a boy named “Haven Monahan” who began texting Duffin and claiming to have feelings for Jackie. In Sep 2012, Jackie told Duffin that while on a date with Haven Monahan, she was gang-raped by several upperclassmen.
The story went viral, University of Virginia’s name was dragged through the mud, Rolling Stone Magazine wrote a sensational article about rapes on college campuses. After a lengthy, expensive, and exhaustive investigation by the university, VA police, and others, it was determined that no rape occurred; no one named Haven Monahan had ever attended UVa. In short, a teenage infatuation upturned several lives, launched several court cases, and has potentially ruined several lies. The practice of inventing fake online personas to validate or test the intentions of a lover or dethrone a romantic rival is known as “catfishing”.
Duffin isn’t the 1st victim of catfishing, nor will Jackie be the last catfisher. Page 100 of UNPLUGGED has several examples of catfish victims, and MTV has a popular show of the same name that showcases this growing practice. As we approach Valentine’s day, I strongly urge you to have a conversation with your middle school / high school / college kids about catfishing. Teach them that catfishing is NOT a harmless joke – it could land them in jail, or worse. And teach them to be skeptical of what they read online, the texts, tweets, snapchats, and
Digital come-ons they get.
Not every pretty girl is who she claims to be.
Not every Romeo will sweep you off your feet.
Some of them may be an ex out to break your heart; others may be professional crooks out to drain your back account.
Wear your heart on your sleeve, fall madly in love, and above all, TRUST BUT VERIFY.
Be well, stay safe, do good in the world.
ABOUT RAJ GOEL:
Author, entrepreneur, IT expert and public speaker, Raj Goel is globally known as the go-to man in cyber security and privacy law. He is committed to educating individuals and organizations about online safety and how to protect their most important assets – people and data. His expert advice helps individuals, companies and conglomerates navigate their way through the world’s ever-changing technology and increasingly complex IT compliance laws. He often appears in the media and at conferences world-wide to educate the public on cyber-security and digital privacy, a subject he is passionate about.
What some readers are saying about the book:
“For the tech-savvy, tech-challenged and everyone in between, Unplugged: A Luddites’ Guide to Cyber-Security is an eye-opening introduction to the hidden dangers–and sometimes grave consequences—of uninhibited social media use and the disturbing lack of security pervasive in many of the modern technologies we use every day.”
“Unplugged: A Luddites’ Guide to Cyber-Security is a tremendously informative read, with practical advice for navigating the pitfalls of the digital landscape, and for overcoming the obstacles that can make our lives less productive.”
“For anyone concerned for the security and well-being of themselves and their loved ones, Unplugged: A Luddites’ Guide to Cyber-Security is a must-read.”
“I recently began to incorporate just a few of the principles and some of the practical advice offered in Unplugged: A Luddites’ Guide to Cyber-Security and have already begun to reap the benefits! Now, not only is my life much easier and more efficient, but I have more time and fewer headaches.”
“While growing up, I was taught that pointing out problems is of little value unless you can also provide solutions. In Unplugged: A Luddites’ Guide to Cyber-security, Raj Goel has revealed many of the potential
dangers that can accompany the greater freedom and conveniences of technology, but, more importantly, he has also presented solutions and advice that will aid in avoiding those dangers.”
TWITTER | LINKEDIN | SKYPE | Email Raj | BRAINLINK | RAJGOEL
Reference Links: Washington Post | Amazon | MTV | Wikipedia
–Raj
Rajesh Goel, CISSP
cell (917) 685-7731
CTO: Brainlink International, Inc.
You run your business, and leave the IT to us.
UNPLUGGED Luddites’ Guide To Cybersecurity
What to teach your Kids AND Grandparents before they access the internet
Raj Goel, CISSP
Speaker, Author
[email protected]
917-685-7731
