Augenbaum - The secret to cybersecurity: a simple plan to protect your family and business from cybercrime

The Secret to Cybersecurity

A Simple Plan to Protect Your Family and Business from Cybercrime

2019 Scott Augenbaum

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book shall be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, magnetic, and photographic, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

Published by Forefront Books.

Cover Design by Bruce Gore, Gore Studio Inc.

Interior Design by Bill Kersey, KerseyGraphics

Jacket design by Bruce Gore | Gore Studio, Inc.

Jacket front Image by Shutterstock

ISBN: 978-1-948-67708-0 print

ISBN: 978-1-948-67709-7 e-book

IF YOU WOULD HAVE TOLD me more than thirty years ago that I would be enjoying retirement after an amazing career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, married to the woman of my dreams, and the author of a book about cybersecurity, I would have told you thats not my life. As I look back on this journey, I am reminded that you are only as strong as the people you surround yourself with. Throughout my career, I met so many incredible people who inspired me, and Ive listed a few who made this dream possible.

If it was not for my mom, Alice Augenbaum, I never would have found that entry-level job with the FBI. If she hadnt filled out the application for me, who knows where Id be today.

My friend Natalie OConnell pushed me to go back to college at City College in New York. She also inspired me to work on an MBA in Information Technology at Fordham University, which led to my passion for technology.

Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Robert Grubert of the FBIs New York office was my supervisor for six years. He provided all the tools I needed to succeed. I also wouldnt have made it without the friendship and support of several special agents, including Philip Sarcione, Joseph Cervini, Robert Leneck, and the late James Downey.

While assigned to the Syracuse Resident Agency, I was mentored by four of the greatest FBI agents around: John Winslow, Philip Looney, Robert Haley, and my Supervisor Michael Mason. I had numerous great friendships with so many other awesome people while working there.

While assigned to FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., I wouldnt have made it there for three years without the friendships of Ray Goergen, Todd Ratcliff, and Leslie Bryant.

In Nashville, I had the support and friendship of Matthew Dunn, Richard Campbell, Randy Bechtel, and Keith Moses. Together we ran the Nashville Division and made sure our staff was proud to work for the FBI. Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division, Perrye Turner, pushed me to go back and finish my MBA, as well as continue a lifelong path of education.

Id especially like to thank John McMurtrie, Brandon Harcum, John Medeiros, Jeff Dale, Casper Cromwell, Cameron Beall, Dean Kinsman, and Merridee Isabell for being my direct reports during my seven years as a supervisor. Thanks for making my life so easy. To Matthew Espenshade, Jeff Peterson, and Jeremy Baker, thanks for being true leaders and allowing me to do my job.

How can I not mention Victor Rodriguez, my good friend and trusted lieutenant, with his encyclopedic knowledge of technology. Id also like to commend my friends at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Franklin Police Department, such as Kevin Williams, Cesar Salazar, Richard Littlehale, Mark Gwyn, and Eric Anderson, for their unconditional support to the Nashville Cyber Task Force. We couldnt have kept the community safe without you guys.

To my great friend and former FBI Agent Jason Smolanoff, Senior Managing Director, Cyber Risk: your guidance, support, and friendship allowed me to follow my passion to teach individuals and organizations how not to be the next cybercrime victim.

David Briggs of First Tennessee Bank invited me to scare his clients, which is where I met my current business partner and close friend, David Byerley. When I met David, I told him my goal was to write a book and speak around the country on keeping people safe. David convinced me I should aim much higher and instead of educating the country, why not educate the world? David provided me with the confidence to aim much higher than I could on my own.

Id also like to thank my family at Hero Publishing for taking a retired FBI agents dreams and using them to make the world a better and safer place. I am blessed to work with such a team of superstars: Matt Rigsby, Blake Byerley, Sam Lingo, Josh Oakes, Zak Manning, Hannah Paramore, Holly Hubert, Betsy Woundenberg, and Paul Clements. Paul is an amazing nonfiction author who took my original 70,000-word manuscript and made it into a meaningful story that flowed.

I cant forget my friends Darren Mott, Robert Bannazia, Mike Rech, Rich Hlvati, Jordon Flowers, Dan Wittig, Don Baham, Brien Welsh, Bill Mulholland, Don Slaughter, Maria Dominici, Don Mac McCarthy, and Wiley Robinson, whove all been tortured by me asking, What do you think about this story or point?

Jonathan Merkh at Forefront Books and his team made this book a reality, and I spent the past several months with Mark Schlabach working on this project and perfecting the story.

To my sister, Bonni, and brother in-law, Rick, and nieces Emily and Sydney, thanks for your love and support over the years. To my brother, Stephen, thanks for making me laugh.

Words cant describe how much I love my wife, Maureen, and appreciate her for allowing me to chase my dreams. Writing a book takes a tremendous amount of effort and patience, and she understood how important it was for me to get my story published. I have no idea where she comes up with the patience to put up with me, and because of her I am a much better person. To my boys Aidan and Quinn, thanks for keeping me young. Im always so proud of both of you.

Finally, thank you to the brave men and women of the FBI, who day in and day out continue to keep the country safe, and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association, which never stops fighting for their rights.

Scott E. Augenbaum

www.scotteaugenbaum.com

ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT it was fewer than twenty-five years ago when America Online (AOL) and its Youve Got Mail! slogan ruled the World Wide Web. Its also hard to believe that the Internet, which was once considered nothing more than a novelty, would bring so many great things into our lives.

But while weve been greatly enriched by the wealth of information, entertainment, goods, and services provided by the Internet, nobody ever really considered how much crime would come with it. Who would have ever imagined that plugging an Ethernet cable into the back of our computer or connecting our laptop, cell phone, or tablet to a wireless network in an airport would become an open door for criminals to ruin our lives and destroy the economy?

I was one of the first special agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation assigned to investigating cybercrime back in the late 1990s. At the time, we were chasing amateur hackers, thrill seekers, and teenagers who were mostly more mischievous and adventurous than criminal.

When I joined the FBI, I never could have imagined cybercrime would become my specialty. I was twenty years old when I was hired as a file clerk in the FBIs New York field office in 1988. After my mother completed the application and submitted it on my behalf, she handed me $100 to buy two pairs of polyester slacks, four dress shirts, and two ties. I knew very little about computers and even less about the Internet.