Cybersecurity has become an important issue both nationally and locally. At a recent Campus Connect event at the downtown Fairfield University Store, three experts — Dr. Speretta, Fairfield Police Detective Brian Griffin, and Sergeant Jenna Wellington — shared insights with the local community on cybersecurity threats and best practices.
Dr. Speretta highlighted the sheer volume of cyber threats, noting that more than 3.4 billion spam emails are sent daily, accounting for nearly 48 percent of all emails in 2022. While phishing scams make up only one percent, they remain a major issue across all demographics. “Every minute, $17,700 is lost due to phishing attacks,” he warned.
Detective Griffin, who frequently handles cybercrime cases, emphasized that most originate from fraudulent emails and misleading pop-ups. “It happens all the time,” he said, adding that many local departments lack the resources to investigate these crimes.
The discussion also covered social media and romance scams, with Detective Griffin recounting cases in which victims lost anywhere from thousands to millions of dollars. Sergeant Wellington urged online daters to use Google reverse image searches, verify names, and be wary of individuals who avoid meeting in person. “Victims are often highly intelligent people — it can happen to anyone,” she said, encouraging those affected to seek help without embarrassment.
The speakers also warned about digital privacy risks, urging attendees to reconsider actions like:
- Linking phones to cars
- Charging devices at public stations
- Logging into streaming accounts at hotels
- Using public Wi-Fi
Dr. Speretta advised minimizing the number of online accounts requiring personal information and reducing one’s digital footprint. “Almost every company will be hacked at some point," Detective Griffin said, "so it’s crucial to stay vigilant.”
