Crossing The Firewall

You click the link in the email you received. It seems legit - from a former co-worker - you're just going to sign the documents and then get back to your day. Your computer shuts down. You can't click on the pop-up that is now covering your entire screen. It says that you have to pay $1,000 to unlock your computer, only payable in Bitcoin. You have until the end of the week. You realize you fell victim to a ransomware attack. Who would do this? Why would someone do this?You're not alone

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

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