Eric Cole - Online Danger: How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones From the Evil Side of the Internet

How to protect yourself
and your loved ones from

the evil side
of the Internet

Dr. Eric Cole

(Online Security Expert and Cyber Ninja)

NEW YORK

LONDONNASHVILLEMELBOURNEVANCOUVER

Online Danger

How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones From the Evil Side of the Internet

2018 Dr. Eric Cole (Online Security Expert and Cyber Ninja)

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in New York, New York, by Morgan James Publishing. Morgan James is a trademark of Morgan James, LLC. www.MorganJamesPublishing.com

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ISBN 9781683505334 paperback

ISBN 9781683505341 eBook

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017907388

Cover Design by:

Rachel Lopez

www.r2cdesign.com

Interior Design by:

Chris Treccani

www.3dogcreative.net

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This book is dedicated to all of the hard-working Law Enforcement Officers, who work tirelessly to keep us safe from the dangers that lurk in both the real world and cyberspace.

Two of the most exciting moments as an author are when you start a book and when you finish it. Between those two events falls a lot of work and amazing people who support you along the way. I truly believe that everyone stands on the shoulders of other people, who have helped and provided guidance to get you to your current state.

My story is no exception. From when I was young to where I am now, I want to thank all of the friends, families, and colleagues who believed in me, pushed me to be my best, and offered a word of encouragement when it was most needed.

Most important is my amazing family, who all support me with any endeavor I go after and provide a pat on the back if I am down or a kick in the pants if I am not operating at my full potential. And above all, they say I love you, and I am proud of you at the end of each day.

From a book perspective, starting from the beginning is my friend and colleague Ted Demopoulos, who introduced me to my publisher, Morgan James Publishing. Karen Anderson made me feel like family from the moment we met, and we hit it off on aligning and getting everything needed for the book. Thanks to David Hancock for a wonderful dinner in Nashville and an amazing evening of conversation. Tiffany Gibson jumped in and gave me the guidance and direction that was needed.

All I can say is I am a big believer in reading and replying to LinkedIn ads because it allowed me to meet an amazing group of people at ProResource. When I needed an editor, I went to the best. Judy Schramm, Jen Hitchcock, and Mona Neff are the dream team that helped turn my words into an amazing book. Jeff Haas jumped in like a pro and took care of the illustrations. As we wrap up the writing, I can say that this team made the book not only such an enjoyable experience, but made me sound like I know what I am talking about.

One of the things that I do not like about writing acknowledgments is that you always forget someone very obvious and very important. For that person, just remember that I love you, thank you, and please forgive me.

Finally a book means nothing without people to read it, so to everyone who picked up a copy of this book, thank you for being awesome.

Now.

We want it now.

Our world so rapidly adapted to the possibilities of cyberspace, that not only do we want it all, but we also demand it now. Maybe information technology should be renamed instant technology.

No more watching a painfully slow download, waiting to talk to customer service during business hours, or checking a credit card balance when the snail mail arrives.

But do you ever feel like your trip on the information superhighway is a little too risky and you are not aware of the online dangers.

My journey into cyberspace began when I would take apart every household gadget I could lay my hands on, as soon as my mom turned her back. I have always wanted to know how technology works, and if I had to sacrifice an alarm clock or blender in the process, it has been well worth it.

This trip has taken me into the discreet world of intelligence, to corporate boardrooms around the globe. I work with policymakers and boards of directors. My interaction with the typical technology user is usually limited to my friends and family, who flood me with questions on topics from programming their DVR to installing antivirus software to quietly keeping track of their kids online.

That is actually what inspired me to write this book. Consumer cybersecurity is not very hard. Protecting your family and protecting yourself online does not require a degree in computer science. This book is filled with concrete advice and proactive tips aimed at making the digital world a safer place for all users.

I want to share with you my knowledge of cyberspace, so we can all enjoy the benefits of technology while minimizing the risks to our security that new technology creates.

Cyberspace is an extremely dangerous place, and everyone deserves to be safe when entering the digital realm. Be a warrior in cyberspace, channel your inner ninja.

And if you feel like technology is moving too fast, please make sure you have your children safely buckled in with a five-point harness!

You probably think I do not know much about parenting if I believe children have a hard time adapting to new technology. I do have three kids, and more than once I have seen them learn how to master a new app or solve a simple coding problem before I can even get my reading glasses on. But while children quickly pick up the how of technology, they often fall short when it comes to the why. After all, they are kids.

Parents and educators not only need to stay abreast of new technology for themselves, but also so they can safely guide children through cyberspace.

Allowing kids to have smartphones, electronic devices, computers, and connectivity to the Internet with no oversight, structure, or discipline is a disaster waiting to happen. As adults, we need to set the example, explain what is right or wrong, and take away their devices if they act dangerously, or cruelly, online.

Cyberspace revolutionizes more than just the gadgets and computers in our lives. It also revolutionizes crime. Imagine giving the worst kind of criminals a host of superpowers: the ability to leap continents in a single millisecond, a cloak of invisibility, and unlimited resources. At the same time, law enforcement finds itself underfunded and hampered by a lack of strong legal protections both at home and abroad.