Author: John Johnson (Shepherd Security)
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When “Trusted” Isn’t Trustworthy: Scammers Are Abusing Microsoft’s Own Email Systems
For years, cybersecurity advice has included a simple rule: check the sender’s email address. If the message comes from a trusted company domain, that’s usually a good sign. Unfortunately, attackers are always adapting. I have recently seen a scam campaign where attackers are abusing Microsoft’s own internal notification system to send spam and phishing content…
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Heartbeats, Not Assets: Strengthening the Human Firewall
In cybersecurity, we often talk about systems, tools, endpoints, vulnerabilities, and risk management. We invest heavily in firewalls, endpoint protection, multi-factor authentication, and monitoring solutions. Those things matter. But one of the strongest security defenses any organization can have is its people. I was at a tech conference some time ago, and I heard a…
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The Copypasta Scam: “60 Minutes” Facebook Post Is a Hoax
If you spend any amount of time on social media, you’ve probably seen one of these posts: “Just in case you missed 60 Minutes… I do not give Facebook or Meta permission to use my photos, messages, or personal data…” It usually continues with a long legal-sounding statement and ends with instructions to copy and…
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Pi Day – The Cyberattack Pie: Top Cybersecurity Attack Types 2025
Every year on March 14th (3.14) people celebrate Pi Day — a day dedicated to the famous mathematical constant and, of course, actual pie. Bakeries run specials, math teachers bring dessert to class, and the internet fills with pie-themed jokes. But while the world is talking about slices of pie, cybersecurity professionals are looking at…
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Small Targets, Big Risk: Cyber Threats During Global Escalation
Recent geopolitical tensions involving Iran rarely stay confined to physical borders. In today’s world, conflict spills into cyberspace quickly — While government and critical infrastructure sectors tend to be the focus, this affects small businesses, nonprofits, churches, and everyday individuals as well. At Shepherd Security, we focus on practical, grounded cybersecurity. And when global tensions…
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Who to Contact After a Cybersecurity Incident
It’s a normal Tuesday morning. Coffee is warm, emails are flowing, and everything seems routine — until someone from accounting messages IT: “Hey… I can’t open any files on the shared drive. They all have weird extensions.” Minutes later, more reports come in. Systems slow down. A ransom note suddenly appears on a workstation. Leadership…
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2026: New Year, New Passwords
As the calendar turns and we welcome a new year, many of us take time to reflect, reset goals, and recommit to better habits. We clean out inboxes, update resumes, and resolve to take better care of our health. Yet one critical habit is often overlooked: password hygiene. At Shepherd Security, we believe good cybersecurity…
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Fall Into Cybersecurity: Best Practices for this Fall Season
Fall is here—the air is crisp, leaves are changing, and routines are settling back in. Just as we prepare our homes for cooler days by cleaning gutters, sealing windows, and storing up for the winter, we should also take time to strengthen our digital defenses. Cyber threats don’t take a holiday. In fact, scammers often…
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Beware of Scams Exploiting the Death of Charlie Kirk
When tragedy strikes, criminals waste no time taking advantage of people’s grief, shock, and compassion. The recent assignation of Charlie Kirk has not only left many saddened but has also created a dark opportunity for attackers and scammers. Our heart hurts for the people of this nation and world righting now, but we have a…
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Protecting Your Child’s Privacy When Going Back to School
Back-to-school season is filled with excitement—new teachers, new friends, and new opportunities to learn and grow. But in today’s digital world, it also brings new risks. From online accounts for homework to apps that track grades and communication platforms between schools and parents, our children’s personal information is being collected more than ever. As parents,…
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