Disclaimer: The following story is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real-life events or individuals is purely coincidental.
I led a life of routines like any ordinary university student. Studies occupied my days, while my nights were filled with browsing, chatting, and sharing most of my life moments on social media.
I have always considered myself cautious online, but looking back, I can understand how self-ignorant and egoistic I was. Little did I know that the invisible threads of the digital world could be manipulated to weave a tapestry of deception.
It all started one ordinary evening as I scrolled through my favorite social media platform, sharing snippets of my life with friends; known and unknown. A direct message popped up on my screen, and the sender’s profile picture showed a friendly face. The message read, “Congratulations! You’ve won a contest! Click here to claim your prize!”
My excitement bubbled over as I clicked the link without a second thought. It redirected me to a page that seemed legitimate, asking for my login credentials. It all felt so real, and in my eagerness, I entered my username and password.
That’s when the realization struck me—it was a trap. The page abruptly closed, and panic washed over me. I’d fallen victim to a phishing attempt right through my social media account. My heart raced as I scrambled to change my password, but the damage was done.
The next morning, my laptop screen displayed a haunting message: “Your files are encrypted. Pay Rs.50,000 to unlock them.”
My world crumbled as I stared at those words. My research papers, notes, and cherished memories—all held hostage by cybercriminals. Anguish filled me, but I refused to pay the ransom, knowing it would only support these criminals’ nefarious activities.
The battle to regain control was arduous. My victimization delved me into anxiety and self doubt. At that time, I didn’t know how to seek help and whom to reach out to.
Yet, it was a simple notice pinned on the university’s bulletin board that changed the course of my recovery.
One afternoon, I spotted a flyer advertising a cybersecurity awareness session organized by a volunteer organization based on the university. The timing felt serendipitous. Intrigued, I attended the session, my curiosity piqued by the prospect of learning to protect myself in the digital realm. As the presenter unraveled the intricacies of online threats, my awareness deepened.
Through the session, I came to realize the extent of my vulnerability, or anyone who surfed in cyberspace without knowledge of such dark shadows lurking there. I recognized the tactics used by cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting individuals. My journey from victim to self-aware individual was a gradual awakening. It wasn’t a perfect transformation – I’m still grappling with residual anxiety and regret. Yet, the knowledge I gained became my armor against future threats.
Soon after the session, I began to make subtle changes to my online habits. I adopted stronger passwords, embraced two-factor authentication, and became an avid reader of cybersecurity articles. I got to know about the institutions a cyber crime victim could reach out to; like the police special division on cyber crimes and the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team.
The scars of my cyber ordeal are lingering , but they didn’t define me. I have emerged from the ordeal wiser, conscious of the digital pitfalls that could ensnare anyone. In the maze of unseen dangers, I was able to find a sense of empowerment through understanding. My journey wasn’t about perfection, but about growing from the experience.
As I look ahead, I can see the digital landscape with clearer eyes. The digital world was no longer a vast unknown – it was a space where vigilance and knowledge could dispel the shadows of deception. Between my diary pages, I’m keeping the handouts I received in the awareness session that changed my vision on cyberspace, as a reminder of the day I took the first steps towards protecting myself in the virtual realm, and I’m writing this blog as my responsibility to you, as a victim of a cyber crime.
Penned by Team CyberWise – a project to raise awareness about cyber crimes and promote online safety.
Rotaract Club of Faculty of Law University of Colombo 