Are you Wyoming? Hackable? The data says probably

According to a non-profit watchdog group, Wyoming is one of the worst states when it comes to falling for cybersecurity scams. The group, CyberWyoming, has found that people’s personalities play a significant role in their vulnerability to cyber scams. Traits such as impulsivity and overachieving make individuals more likely to click on suspicious links and attachments without vetting them. Other factors, such as social media habits, upbringing, self-motivation, and extroversion, also contribute to vulnerability. Last year, Wyoming ranked 37th in the country in terms of fending off cybercrimes, with online shopping and negative review scams being the most common types of scams.

Online shopping scams involve cybercriminals posing as legitimate online retailers and offering luxury items at low prices. Negative review scams, on the other hand, consist of scammers posting negative reviews for restaurants and businesses and then offering to remove them for a fee. One particular scam reported in Wyoming involves scammers impersonating Microsoft Teams and asking for login information, which is then used to hack into individuals’ email accounts.

Oversharing on social media is another trait that makes individuals vulnerable to cybercrime. Personal information shared on social media, such as high school and hometown details, can be used to manipulate individuals in scams. Surveys that ask for information like pet names and favorite ice cream flavors can also trick individuals into giving away their password reset questions. Cyber criminals are constantly looking for ways to exploit people on social media.

In order to protect themselves online, individuals are advised to be cautious and meticulous before clicking on links or responding to messages. It is also suggested that individuals create an alter-ego online and adopt a suspicious mindset when interacting on the internet. Implementing two-factor authentication and avoiding oversharing personal information can also help to mitigate the risk of falling victim to cyber scams.