You don't really know who you're talking to online...

The following is a story that I think highlights the assumptions that get you into trouble online...

https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threat-insight/i-knew-you-were-trouble-ta456-targets-defense-contractor-alluring-social-media

This is particularly scary since we found so much utility in online connections during the pandemic and out of necessity, started trusting more online. Please note the timeline for this breach - it was a long, slow process, a key factor in many 'cons'. "Build trust" is a key first step, once someone has identified you as a party.

You think...you're convinced you know who your talking to, but if you don't triangulate the identity with some non-online, ideally in-person information, you shouldn't trust. And even if you do get what seems like real-life confirmations of identity, you must look at questioning motives, needs, and keeping danger at arms-length.

Online includes email, texting (sms), application chatbots, voice communications - all of which can be have the identity spoofed. Think of another way to verify the identity. For instance, if they emailed you, make a voice call back to a number you've previously contacted them on (a form of real world multifactor identification).

Many times the best thing is to ignore unsolicited communications, like in the case of toll-smishing scams where you get a text telling you owe a toll and provides a link to click to pay it - https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2024/PSA240412

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