If you don’t control your message—someone else will! What if your

company’s private information suddenly became public—and you weren’t the

one who shared it?

In today’s episode of the Learn Online Security Podcast, Chris Howells,

Director of IT and Head Instructor, explains how to take back control of

your message when communication slips out of your hands.

When unexpected events hit—like public announcements, travel plans, or

emergencies—information can spread fast. Chris shows you how to stay

ahead by creating clear communication policies, educating your team,

and reducing opportunities for attackers to exploit confusion or chaos.

You’ll discover how to:

✅ Build a communication plan that keeps your organization secure and

professional

✅ Prevent social engineering attacks by controlling information flow

✅ Empower your staff and community to respond with consistency and

confidence

✅ Develop “away policies” that protect both privacy and productivity

✅ Strengthen your company’s defense through proactive messaging and

teamwork

This video delivers practical cybersecurity strategy mixed with

real-world communication planning. It's perfect for IT leaders,

business owners, and security-conscious teams.

Join our Learn Online Security community on Skool for deeper training,

discussions, and tools to help you secure your organization’s

communications from the inside out.

What are my next steps?

📖 Start learning for free at https://learnonlinesecurity.com/start-here

🏫 Join the free Skool community at

https://www.skool.com/learn-online-security-4898

🔐 Become a superhero and support the channel

https://learnonlinesecurity.com/heroes/superheroes

🏢 Learn more about our social engineering training for employees &

business certification courses

https://learnonlinesecurity.com/business-training

Follow Learn Online Security:

Skool: https://www.skool.com/learn-online-security-4898

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearnOnlineSec

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learnonlinesecurity

Rumble: https://www.rumble.com/learnonlinesecurity

Website: https://www.learnonlinesecurity.com

⌚Time Stamps ⌚

00:26 Introduction to Learn Online Security

00:39 When You Can't Control the Message

01:19 Planning for Emergencies and Worst-Case Scenarios

02:08 Educating Staff and Preparing in Advance

03:37 Regaining Control After Losing Information

04:06 Out-of-Office Messaging and Extended Absences

05:16 Empowering Surroundings and Preventing Social Engineering

07:01 Join Skool!

08:03 Reviewing Company Policies and Communication Procedures

10:03 Real-World Example: Medical Emergency Response and Lessons Learned

#CyberSecurity #InformationSecurity #CrisisManagement #SocialEngineering

Wondering what happens to your old devices when they’re recycled,

upgraded, or passed down? In this video, Chris and Sarah Howells from

Learn Online Security explain how laptops, phones, printers, gaming

systems, and even smart home devices can hold sensitive information—and

why scammers target them.

Learn practical tips for wiping, factory resetting, and safely disposing

of your devices to protect your personal and business data.

Key topics we cover:

📌 Wipe or destroy end-of-life devices

📌 Business and home devices hold sensitive data

📌 Factory reset, remove memory, or physically destroy

📌 Children’s and seniors’ devices need extra care

📌 Include how you'd like your devices handled in your will

What are my next steps?

📖 Start learning for free at https://learnonlinesecurity.com/start-here

🏫 Join the free Skool community at

https://www.skool.com/learn-online-security-4898

🔐 Become a superhero and support the channel

https://learnonlinesecurity.com/heroes/superheroes

🏢 Learn more about our social engineering training for employees &

business certification courses

https://learnonlinesecurity.com/business-training

Follow Learn Online Security:

Skool: https://www.skool.com/learn-online-security-4898

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearnOnlineSec

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learnonlinesecurity

Rumble: https://www.rumble.com/learnonlinesecurity

Website: https://www.learnonlinesecurity.com

#DigitalSecurity, #LearnOnlineSecurity, #DeviceSafety

Scammers are using your out-of-office replies against you! In this

video, Chris Howells from Learn Online Security breaks down the most

common and preventable attack happening today. Learn how AI and social

engineering make it easier than ever for attackers to impersonate

authority and trick YOU or your team into sending money or gift cards.

Protect yourself and your business by understanding the risks and

implementing simple defenses.

Defense tips: verify by voice, use security words/passphrases, and route

requests through official channels

Key Points Covered:

📌What an out-of-office attack is and why it’s so easy to prevent

📌How attackers use AI to identify who’s away and who has authority

📌The reversed attack: attackers posing as underlings to pressure the

boss

📌Real-world example: a staffer almost tricked into buying gift cards

while on vacation

📌Why email and text are risky channels for urgent requests

Stay safe, stay alert, and remember: always verify before you act!

What are my next steps?

👉 Don’t miss out — join our Skool community and grow with us.

https://www.skool.com/learn-online-security-4898/about?ref=afd43f6b9d63430aab8f077e49a05b0f

📖 Start learning for free at https://learnonlinesecurity.com/start-here

🔐 Become a superhero and support the channel

https://learnonlinesecurity.com/heroes/superheroes

🏢 Learn more about our social engineering training for employees &

business certification courses

https://learnonlinesecurity.com/business-training

Follow Learn Online Security:

Skool: https://www.skool.com/learn-online-security-4898

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearnOnlineSec

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learnonlinesecurity

Rumble: https://www.rumble.com/learnonlinesecurity

Website: https://www.learnonlinesecurity.com

⌚Time Stamps ⌚

00:00 Out-of-Office Attacks: The Most Dangerous Scam

00:17 How Attackers Exploit Absence to Impersonate Authority

01:53 How AI Identifies Targets Through Out-of-Office Replies

03:04 Mapping the Organization: Targeting the Right Employees

04:45 Why Email and Text Are Risky Channels for Financial Requests

05:30 Real-World Example: Staffer Tricked While on Vacation

07:41 Slowing Down Scammers: Building Time to Protect Yourself

09:43 Unpredictable Responses: Disrupting Attacker Plans

12:22 Using Security Words and Passphrases to Safeguard Transactions

13:33 Removing Electronics: Safer Financial Communication

#CyberSecurity

#SocialEngineering

#OnlineSafety

Artificial Intelligence is transforming the world—but can it also put

you at risk? In this episode of the Learn Online Security Podcast,

Richard Bankert (Social Engineering Expert & CEO) and Chris Howells

(Director of IT & Head Trainer) break down the hidden dangers of AI

in cybersecurity.

From data scraping and deepfakes to AI-powered scams and emotional

manipulation through AI avatars, this conversation explores how

cybercriminals are already using AI to launch faster, smarter, and more

convincing attacks.

You’ll learn:

✅ How AI supercharges data collection & online profiling

✅ Why old accounts (like Myspace or forgotten Facebook posts) are goldmines for attackers

✅ How cybercriminals use AI for spear-phishing, romance scams, and fake business emails

✅ The real risks of AI avatars, deepfakes, and misinformation campaigns

✅ Why human error is still the #1 vulnerability in cybersecurity

✅ Steps you can take: digital deep dives, stronger policies, and employee training

💡 Key Takeaway: AI itself isn’t evil—but it gives attackers more

powerful tools than ever before. Protecting your data starts with

awareness, digital hygiene, and critical thinking.

🔒 Stay Protected:

👉 Learn more about our Digital Deep Dive Service. Our digital

footprint product is a professional service done by real experts who

analyze and help you secure your online presence.🔍

https://learnonlinesecurity.com/training/digital-footprint

What are your next steps?

📖 Start learning for free at https://learnonlinesecurity.com/start-here

🔐 Become a superhero and support the channel

https://learnonlinesecurity.com/heroes/superheroes

🏢 Learn more about Learn Online Security's social engineering training

for employees & business certification courses

https://learnonlinesecurity.com/business-training

Follow Learn Online Security:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearnOnlineSec

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learnonlinesecurity

Rumble: https://www.rumble.com/learnonlinesecurity

Website: https://www.learnonlinesecurity.com

Here's a video from @ScammerPayback that we think you should watch! Social Engineer: YOU are Easier to Hack than your Computer (It is a long video and if you don't have time to watch it all at least catch timestamp 31:39)

⌚Time Stamps ⌚

0:00 – Introduction to AI as a Tool

1:18 – AI Supercharging Data Scraping

2:57 – Forgotten Accounts & Digital Footprints

5:01 – Digital Deep Dives & Data Cleanup

7:37 – Misinformation & Deepfakes

10:40 – Smarter AI-Driven Scams

13:14 – Real-World Case: Corporate Phishing

15:40 – Internal AI Risks & Employee Training

17:15 – Emotional Exploitation Risks

22:55 – Key Takeaways & Closing

Who this video is for: Small business owners, IT managers, and data-handling professionals: learn how AI, deepfakes, and phishing scams put your company at risk—and practical steps to protect employees, sensitive data, and digital hygiene.

#AI #OnlineSafety #DataPrivacy

You’re not alone in underestimating how easily authority can be faked!

In this episode of the Learn Online Security Podcast, Richard Bankert

and Chris Howells expose the hidden world of authority-based social

engineering attacks — a psychological tactic hackers use to bypass

security by posing as trusted figures.

🔍 What You’ll Learn:

📌What social engineering really is and why authority plays a key role

📌Real-life stories of penetration tests where attackers walked out

undetected

📌The psychology behind why employees hesitate to question

authority

📌How scammers use urgency and fake credibility (Boss Gift Card

Scam) to trick staff

📌Practical security awareness tips to protect your business, team,

and yourself from attacks

💡 Key Takeaways:

✔ Always verify authority before granting access

✔ Train employees to recognize urgent manipulation tactics

✔ Reduce attacker “time to operate” by questioning credentials

✔ Build a security-conscious workplace culture

🎯 Perfect for:

Small business owners • IT professionals • Corporate security teams •

Anyone wanting to protect themselves from cybercrime & social

engineering scams

What are my next steps?

📖 Start learning for free!

🔐 Become a superhero and support the channel!

🏢 Learn more about our business certification courses

Follow Learn Online Security:

Facebook, Instagram, Rumble

Learn Online Security Website

Links referenced in this episode:

• learnonlinesecurity.com

Just like athletes review game film to win, you need to recognize the

plays scammers run against you. In this perspective-changing episode

of the Learn Online Security Podcast, we compare cybersecurity threats to

professional sports strategy.

🎙️ Hosted by Tamara Michèle with experts Richard Bankert and Chris

Howells, we uncover how most people are reacting too late—only seeing

the scam, not the entire attack strategy.

🔎 Learn how to:

📌 Read the "plays" behind scams and cyberattacks

📌 Understand social engineering in real life

📌 Spot red flags before the damage is done

📌 Protect yourself using awareness, not just tools

📌 Recognize pressure, authority, and trust-based manipulation

🚨 Whether you're an individual, parent or business, you're already in

the game. This episode shows you how to stop being a passive target and

start playing smarter, not scared.

Podcast Host Tamara Michéle

This is not a paid endorsement. Guest opinions are their own.

What are my next steps?

📖 Start learning for free!

🔐 Become a superhero and support the channel!

🏢 Learn more about our business certification courses

Follow Learn Online Security:

Facebook, Instagram, Rumble

Learn Online Security Website

When private medical records are dumped in an alley, who really pays the price? In this episode of the Learn Online Security Podcast, Tamara

Michèle and Chris Howells unpack a disturbing privacy breach involving

discarded psychiatric files and the fallout that followed. They explore

the real-life consequences of identity theft, how sensitive data can be

exploited, and the harsh truth that once your information is out, you

may never know where it went—or who has it.

From fake IDs to stolen medical identities, Chris shares how easy it is

for someone to assume your identity with just a few pieces of personal

information. Tamara opens up about her own experience trying to change

her Social Insurance Number after a workplace data breach.

This episode covers:

✅Why medical data is a goldmine for criminals

✅What companies are supposed to do after a breach

✅Why the blame often falls on the wrong people

✅What steps you can take when you get that letter

✅The role of street smarts and teaching kids how to protect

themselves

Whether you're dealing with a breach or want to prevent one, this

episode offers a practical look at what really happens when your

personal data leaks—and what you can do about it.

Independent Fact Check:

Health records found in alley prompt privacy commissioner report

https://www.sasktoday.ca/regina-today/regina-news/health-records-found-in-alley-prompt-privacy-commissioner-report-10485380

INVESTIGATION REPORT 251-2024, 004-2025 Dr. Chukwuemeka Odenigbo and Dr. Nebeolisa Ezeasor (Elphinstone Medical Clinic)

https://oipc.sk.ca/assets/hipa-investigation_251-2024-004-2025.pdf

Decades Later, Patient Records Still Blowing in the Wind

https://www.rosensunshine.com/blog/decades-later-patient-records-still-blowing-in-the-wind

Anyone who handles or relies on sensitive medical data—from doctors and

clinic managers to cleaners and everyday patients—should watch this

video. It reveals how easily private information can fall into the wrong

hands and what happens when no one takes proper responsibility.

Podcast Host Tamara Michéle

This is not a paid endorsement. Guest opinions are their own.

What are my next steps?

📖 Start learning for free!

🔐 Become a superhero and support the channel!

🏢 Learn more about our business certification courses

Follow Learn Online Security:

Facebook, Instagram, Rumble

Learn Online Security Website

What if your biggest cybersecurity strength isn’t your tech—but your

team? In this episode, Tamara Michèle talks with Kolbe Certified

Consultant Blair Andrew about how fulfilled, valued employees are more

than just productive—they’re protective.

Blair shares how the Kolbe Index and OPgig platform help organizations

align people with the roles that match how they naturally take action.

When employees feel seen, supported, and successful, trust deepens—

and that trust strengthens everything from communication to crisis

response.

Good culture isn’t just good business—it’s built-in security.

Learn How:

✅ Conative strengths reduce burnout and improve team alignment

✅ Engaged employees are more alert to risks and scams

✅ OPgig reveals overlooked roles where people can thrive

✅ Strong internal culture is a key pillar of cyber resilience

Whether you’re building a startup or leading a legacy brand, this

episode offers a fresh lens on why investing in your people is the

smartest security upgrade you’ll ever make.

References:

🧠 Altruistic Coach 📊 https://altruisticcoach.com/

🏡 Living Skies Lodge 🛏️ https://livingskieslodge.com/

🐶 Second Family Dog Lodge 🐾 https://secondfamilydoglodge.com/

Simon Sinek https://simonsinek.com/

Ready to Lead with Integrity?

Discover the six pillars 🏛️ that build stronger teams, safer

organizations, and greater trust.

🎓 Enroll in Bill Pipke’s Integrity: The Foundation of Leadership course

today.

👉 Start the course now

https://learnonlinesecurity.com/training/online-training

Tamara Michèle Podcast Host:

https://www.youtube.com/@UCNW7n6n7q9GzulfZ8fIW0cg

This is not a paid endorsement. Guest opinions are their own.

Podcast Host Tamara Michéle

This is not a paid endorsement. Guest opinions are their own.

What are my next steps?

📖 Start learning for free!

🔐 Become a superhero and support the channel!

🏢 Learn more about our business certification courses

Follow Learn Online Security:

Facebook, Instagram, Rumble

Learn Online Security Website