Reset Your Password

It was a typical Monday morning for Michael, the owner of a successful marketing firm. He had just settled into his desk and was getting ready to start the workweek when he received an email from his IT department. The subject line read "Urgent: Reset Your Password."

Michael groaned to himself. He knew that this was going to be a tedious task and he had a lot of work to do yet as he knew of himself, he had always been meticulous about his computer security, and with the constant threat of hacking and cybercrime, it was a necessary task to reset his password regularly. As he typed in his new password, he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

Michael looked at his new watch and it was 10:00am so he shrugged it off and went back to work. At 11:08 he started receiving emails from his clients, complaining that their confidential information had been leaked and according to their IT techs it just happened within the last half an hour. He couldn't understand how this could happen, until he realized that his account had been hacked again, shortly after he just changed the password! He immediately contacted the IT department, who confirmed his suspicions and locked his account yet again for a second time.

Michael was shocked and confused. He couldn't think of anyone who would have a motive to hack his account, twice in the same day, let alone within an hour after he had already been told by his IT department to “reset your password”, so he changed it! After a few minutes Michael stepped away from his computer to get some water and stretch. Shortly after he left the computer there was activity on the screen, which if he had been sitting there he may have seen happening! The hacker just hacked his company again for a third time and neither the techs nor Michael knew it had happened yet! The questions in Michaels mind started to multiply about who and why as he was looking out the window drinking his now cup of coffee after just having water? He had always been careful about who he shared his information with and couldn't think of anyone who would have access to his password and accounts, and not that fast.

As he started to investigate the situation, Michael began to suspect an ex-employee of his company. She, a now ex-girlfriend named Susan, had been fired a few months ago for embezzlement but decided not to press any charges as he still had feelings for her. Still, he couldn't shake off the feeling that she was behind the hack. He decided to confront her and so set up a meeting with her for lunch.

When he met with Susan for lunch around one-pm the same day, she of course denied any involvement in the hack, had an alibi, and wanted to know how everything else was going? Michael didn’t feel comfortable with these questions and strongly felt without saying anything more to Susan, she knew more than she was letting on to! Michael was left with more questions than answers now and wondering which way to turn.

His clients have now had their personal information stolen and leaked, which may cause his company harm financially too! As the day went on, Michael started to notice some strange activity on his computer. Emails were being sent from his account that he didn't write, and files were being deleted without his knowledge. He immediately contacted the IT department and they discovered that his account had been hacked, yet again now three times in one day!

Michael was shocked. He couldn't believe that someone had breached the security of his company. The IT department assured him that they were working on the problem and that his account would be locked permanently until they could figure out what had happened.

Michael was frustrated. He couldn't work on any of his projects until his account was unlocked. He decided to take a walk to clear his head. As he walked, he couldn't help but think about who could have done this. He couldn't think of anyone who would have a motive to hack his account. After about a mile Michael’s cell phone rang and as he picked it up, he felt this was an important call!

He looked at the screen and saw it was Charmaine, Susan’s best friend who told Michael that her ex-boyfriend, yet still roommate Jack had been arrested within the last few minutes for hacking into his company's system. The IT techs at Michaels firm had been able to trace a link coming from an outside source, called the police and with their help were able to guide the police right to the source!

Jack was now dating Michaels ex-girlfriend Susan, who having been fired for embezzlement now had a score to settle with him! Susan felt she had been scorned after their breakup and had used Michael’s account to access all the sensitive information and delete important files. So, Susan and Jack conspired together to take Michael down and steal all they could, and not only from Michael, yet all his clients’ monies and resources too. Upon Susan returning home she emailed Jack who was still living with her best friend Charmaine, and said the heat is getting hot, so be very careful on how you proceed Jack. What Susan didn’t know is that the police now had control of Jacks computer, and Jack in handcuffs watching as this email came in!

Susan thus in a revenge scenario set out to get back at Michael for as she felt, causing her near poverty after having had an extravagant lifestyle with other people’s money.

Michael knew he had to confront Susan again and let the cat out of the bag!

When he arrived after calling to see where Susan could meet, he dutifully followed the instructions of his IT Techs having them on the phone directly in front of Susan and had them reset a password for him yet again just until he could get back to the office and make one of his own! On the way to meet with Susan, Michael had called one of his attorneys for some advice on how to deal with this matter once and for all? The attorney asked him where he was going to be meeting Susan and when? Michael said they were going to have dinner at one of his favorite spots and asked him to bring his wife along too! The attorney was a very smart man and called the district attorney who happened to be one of his best friends. They arranged for the police to be there when Michael was talking with Susan, and she too was now arrested and taken to jail as well.

After all this Michael felt a rush of adrenaline as he heard the news from a cell call that his IT department had recovered all the client’s information successfully, and notifications went out to all pertinent places from his company, and for his clients. He couldn't believe that someone he had once loved so dearly could do something like this. He felt a sense of redemption knowing that the perpetrators had been caught and that the company's security had been restored.

The experience had been a wake-up call for Michael. He realized that the tedious and seemingly dull act of changing one's password can bring with it a kaleidoscope of emotions - ranging from feelings of frustration to redemption, and even a rush of adrenaline. He made a mental note to always be vigilant about his computer security and to never take it for granted.

From that day forward, Michael always made sure to reset his password regularly and to be extra cautious about who he trusted. He learned that even the most mundane task, like changing a password, can have a profound impact on his life and the security of his company. He also learned that love and business should never mix when sensitive data and information, that could be damning to clients, could have reached the wrong hands! He always made it a point at the board meetings to tell everyone there to be very cautious of your passwords and even that is not always enough! Michael would always tell his employees from that point on to “Reset Your Password” from time to time and save it in a safe place!

The moral to this story is: During a situation of love, business and hate to reset your passwords immediately following any troubles with relationships!

By Daryl Z Wade

1-17-2023