Catfishing and Phishing

With great power comes great responsibility. The internet has given people across the globe incredible power, something I’ll admit I often take for granted. AI is one of the biggest examples. Its potential is mind blowing: it can be used to create, to innovate, and to push society forward. But just as easily, it can be twisted into a tool for deception and exploitation.

Every so often, I’ll get a text from my grandparents asking if a strange message they received is real. Almost always, it’s not, and I can’t help but feel a little anger that someone is deliberately trying to prey on their lack of tech experience. My parents do the same, sending me screenshots of suspicious links or “urgent” emails, double checking if they’re safe. On one hand, I’m glad they’re cautious. On the other, I hate that criminals force people into this constant state of suspicion.

Discussing catfishing and phishing in class opened my eyes even more. The articles and videos we studied shocked me with their statistics. The exponential rise in these scams is staggering, but honestly, not surprising. Victims are often mocked or judged for “falling for it,” but I see it differently. Many are elderly, raised in a time where trust was the default, not the exception. Imagine going from a world where you could take someone at their word to one where a simple text message could be a trap.

That erosion of trust is the real danger. As face-to-face interactions become less common and more of life shifts online, it gets harder to read people, harder to gauge sincerity, values, and intent. It leaves a gap that scammers are eager to exploit.

This is like an arms race. On one side: criminals hiding behind screens, waiting for the vulnerable. On the other: coders, cybersecurity experts, and everyday people trying to fight back. Personally, I can only hope the “good guys” stay a step ahead. In the meantime, I’ll keep helping my family, staying cautious myself, and cheering for those who are working to make the internet a safer place.

Comments

  1. williams.dan76September 9, 2025 at 12:33 PM

    Great response, thanks. Today does seem like an arms race between scammers and security experts, and things keep evolving quickly as the technology and AI capacities keep developing. You're right about older people being less tech savvy and more vulnerable. I am glad you can help your parents and grandparents.

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