Tales From The Cyber Crypt: 69 Simple Ways To Protect Yourself

by Stella Firewall

Hack-Proof Your LifeLearn to spot a scam at 50 paces with nine true tales that reveal the manipulative tactics cybercriminals use on you.

Enhance your cyber awareness and protect yourself from the latest pig butchering, vishing, smishing, mobile phone trojans, spear-phishing, whale attacks, and other digital threats.

Knowledge is power. Arm yourself with insider tips from a cybersecurity banking boss to stay one step ahead of scammers using sophisticated weaponized social engineering tactics.

Spoof-proof yourself against scams and deep fakes with more than 69 simple ways to outsmart the cunning cybercriminals.

Whether you’re an individual or a business owner, equip yourself with the skills to navigate the cyber jungle unscathed.

97 pages, Hardcover

Published March 21, 2024

Reviews

[Josephine Wrightson · Rating 4 out of 5]

scams

This book was well laid and presented. Not a story, but full of useful info. None of the scams are new, however they do get forever more prevelant and difficult to spot. This reminds us to be vigilant. And the layout pops it out at you, easy to read and understand.

[Book Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Gone Phishing!: 69 Simple Ways To Protect Yourself” by Stella Firewall is a well-written, valuable and enjoyable work that warns of the many ways cybercriminals are out to swindle all of us, each and every today, ranging from identity theft to the draining of bank accounts or entirely locking down your online files and life for ransom.

Anyone with an online life -- phone or internet -- should buy a copy of this and read it and, more importantly, make sure their loved ones are also aware of all these threats, especially older folks and less tach-savvy family members and friends.

The Chief Information Security Officer who wrote this book offers chilling real-life tales to demonstrate how each of the various swindles operate, and teaches ways to hack-proof your life from schemes with names like pig butchering, vishing, smishing, spear-phishing, whale attacks and mobile phone trojans.

I enjoyed the stories used to illustrate the scams, fully admitting that many were creepy and felt quite real, even frightening in how well designed they were to capture the gullible. Advice followed on how to fend off each such threat, presented in clearcut everyday language.

We have all received con emails and texts, so everybody has been but a few careless clicks from immense damage and troubles. The old standby advice still holds, to never click on links in suspicious emails or texts, and that will go a long way to keeping us safe. Also to be wary of any email or text asking us to click, even when seemingly from reputable sources. But that is not enough: scammers are getting more sophisticated by the day and better at their counterfeiting of legit comms from companies etc.

Common sense alone cannot deflect all threats. So reading a book like this one is a good further step. Her writing style is quite enjoyable, too, making this a quick and enjoyable read.

Five stars – buy this for your loved ones.

[Chiquita Joyner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very valuable information in here

This book is definitely a much needed. Especially for older people. With so many scams floating around this book gives you a great introduction on how and what to watch out for, so you will not get scammed.

Definitely recommend reading it, to stay updated with cyber world.

[Lyndi Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having experienced a few phishing scams and computer hacks, fortunately to no long-term great losses, I determined it was time I became more aware of what others were occurring so I could protect myself. So, I picked up a copy of I Gone Phishing! by Caroline Hurry. When I read the stories of those who had been hacked and scammed (some to their ruin), I felt a lot of compassion for them. I found it particularly upsetting how often perpetrators prey on human vulnerabilities.

I appreciated how this text made me aware of new scams, explained how these phishing expeditions work, provided the red flags to watch for and suggested precautions that could be taken. What was particularly alarming were the ways AI could be used to impersonate people who you trust so you follow their instructions and in no time are scammed for information and money. A recommended read.

[Yvonne Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The scammers are out there and they're getting smarter. This book gives you a glimpse into their tricks so you won't be hoodwinked and end up having your data held for ransom, your ID stolen, your bank account wiped out, and your life put on hold trying to clean up the calamity of the click.

And by the way: love Stella Firewall! The perfect pseudonym for this book!

[A.J. SAUNDERS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although these scams aren’t new, I liked the way the book was set out. A little flash fiction to introduce each topic, and then the things to look out for to avoid falling into the traps.

An interesting read.