Tag Archives: cybersecurity

Cybersecurity: An “06880” Guide To Trends And Tips

Posted on August 23, 2025 | 3 comments

Paul Pioselli has lived in Westport for 3 years. He blends a passion for community with expertise in personal cybersecurity.

Paul Pioselli

As the founder of Solace – Truly Personal Cybersecurity — a local concierge cybersecurity firm — he helps residents safeguard their digital lives, financial assets, and privacy.

When not advising clients he’s active in local safety initiatives, charity road races, and technology mentorship groups. Paul writes:

As a Westport resident and founder of Solace – Truly Personal Cybersecurity, I’ve had a front row seat to how quickly digital threats are changing, and how often our own community is targeted.

In recent months, Westport Police have sounded the alarm on a steep rise in scams aimed squarely at residents, particularly older adults. Nearly every day we hear reports of cybercriminals using sophisticated impersonation tactics. They include:

  • Fake toll violation notices
  • Urgent calls claiming a relative has been injured
  • False accusations of money laundering or other financial crimes.

A Westport couple recently called me after receiving a convincing voicemail claiming to be from local police. The message warned that they’d missed a jury summons, and a warrant had been issued. The “officer” even provided a badge number, and directed them to a website payment portal to “clear the warrant” immediately.

Police will never call about a jury duty summons.

Fortunately, they paused long enough to contact Solace before any money changed hands. A brief analysis by our team confirmed it was a scam.

In 2024, Connecticut residents lost an estimated $90 million to fraud, up from $70 million the year before. Nationwide, imposter scams alone caused $789 million in losses. Email remains the top delivery method for online scammers, followed closely by phone calls and texts.

Scam are increasingly harder to spot, but here are several warning signs to help you steer clear:

  • Unexpected calls, texts, or emails demanding immediate payment
  • Payment requests in the form of gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
  • Caller ID showing a police station or government office you’ve never dealt with
  • Messages designed to spark fear, urgency, or promises of large rewards
  • Website URLs with small but suspicious differences such as a single extra letter
  • Email and text messages with poor grammar or formatting
  • Requests for personal or financial details over the phone or text message.

Best practice: Pause before acting on any unexpected request, no matter how urgent or convincing it may seem. Verify its legitimacy using a trusted, independent source.

Netflix would never start an email “Hi Dear.” They would not say you “may want to” update your payment details. And they would not refer you to a “Help Centre”; it would be spelled “Center.”

While imposter scams dominate the statistics, our team has also helped Westport residents deal with:

  • Viruses and spyware compromising personal devices
  • Email and online account takeovers that damage reputations
  • Identity theft and phishing campaigns stealing sensitive data
  • Phone SIM-swapping attacks to hijack phone numbers and bypass security codes.

This isn’t random. Affluent ZIP codes like ours attract cybercriminals who believe residents have more to lose.

To stay safe:

  • Validate phone calls and text messages. Call the organization directly, using a trusted phone number.
  • Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Incorporate more characters, digits and symbols to your passwords, and turn on multi-factor authentication everywhere.
  • Limit sharing of personal information online. Ensure appropriate privacy settings on social media, and limit posting of personally identifiable information.
  • Educate your household. Make sure everyone is aware of scam red flags.

There are several types of multi-factor authenticataion. Two involve sending a code to your smartphone, or pinging it. 

From our office in Darien, we offer concierge personal cybersecurity services to Westport residents. They include:

  • Emergency cyber response if you’re hacked or scammed
  • Personal cybersecurity consulting to protect accounts and digital footprint
  • In-person and virtual security audits that secure devices and data
  • Digital privacy and data removal to help prevent identity theft and scams.

In today’s digitally connected world, personal cybersecurity is essential. If something feels off, trust your instincts. Remember these red flags and tips.

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Roundup: Michael Rapaport; Elf; Ballots …

Posted on August 28, 2024 | 3 comments

Michael Rapaport is well known across the country, as an actor, advocate and comedian.

Westporters know him as our neighbor.

On September 15, we won’t have to travel far to hear him speak. He won’t have too far to go either.

That night, Rapaport headlines a United Jewish Federation event at Stamford’s Rippowam Middle School.

He’ll speak candidly — and humorously — about his Jewish heritage, and how it’s shaped his life and career. A Q-and-A will follow.

Tickets are $75 through September 3, then $100. Sponsorships (including cocktails, light bites and a meet-and-greet) are $500 per couple. Click here for tickets, and more information. Questions? Email dianesloyer@ujf.org.

Michael Rapaport

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Anyone can use any of the Westport Library’s many (VERY many!) resources.

And anyone can attend any of the Library’s “Anyone Can Use…” classes. They provide basic instruction, in a wide range of areas, on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

No one has to pay. They’re free! But … registration is required.

Upcoming classes include

Anyone Can Use: Candid Foundation Directory (September 4): Unlock the potential of your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts by learning how to use the Foundation Directory, a powerful tool with more than 265,000 grant-maker profiles. You’ll also learn how to enhance your organization’s visibility through the GuideStar platform. Click here to register.

Anyone Can: Save Money on Streaming with Your Westport Library Card (September 18): With your card, you can install Hoopla, Freegal and Kanopy, and their many movies, TV shows and music. Click here to register.

Anyone Can Use: Social Media for Marketing (October 2): Join a hands-on workshop exploring the nuances of Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok, along with cutting-edge creator tools like Canva, CapCut and ChatGPT, to elevate your brand’s online presence and storytelling capabilities. Click here to register.

 Anyone Can Use: Nexis Uni (October 16, 11 am-12 pm): Nexis Uni is a trove of information spanning centuries and continents, offering everything from Supreme Court rulings to contemporary corporate insights. Click here to register.

Questions? Email us: Ref@WestportLibrary.org.

Library card unlocks wonders

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Calling all elves.

Or at least, any male actor age 10 to 14. He should be a strong singer, have some dance or movement skills — and an unchanged voice,

Staples Players’ fall production is “Elf: The Musical” (based on the beloved holiday film).

They’ve got an eager cast of high school students. But they need a “Michael Hobbs”: the young man who befriends Buddy the Elf.

Click here for important audition details. The deadline is this Friday (August 30).

Additional questions? Email co-director Kerry Long: shsplayers@westportps.org.

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A follow-up to Monday’s kittens-trapped-in-a-storm-drain story:

Westport Animal Shelter Advocates rescued one of them yesterday evening. Two more were found in a trap at 10:30 p.m.

WASA has set traps, monitors them every hour, and is fostering the kittens. They’ve gotten great help from the Westport Fire Department, which moves the heavy grates.

WASA is still working to save the remaining 2 kittens, and their mama.

(Photo courtesy of Westport Fire Department)

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Many companies are aware of the importance of cybersecurity.

Many non-profits are not.

But the threat of disruption to services, damage to the people they serve, and the erosion of public trust is as real to organizations as they are to corporations.

A special “Cybersecurity for Non-Profits” meeting is set for the Westport Woman’s Club on October 9 (breakfast networking 7:30 a.m., program 8:30 a.m.).

Bill Siegel — co-founder and CEO of Coveware, a cyber incident response firm — will speak.

Click here to register.

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For nearly a decade, Westporters have been generous supporters of Catch a Lift.

The non-profit was founded in memory of Army Corporal Chris Coffland, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2009. The organization has helped over 13,000 combat-injured veterans from Afghanistan and Iraq regain mental and physical health through gym memberships, home gym equipment, personalized fitness and nutrition programs, and a peer support network.

Giving money, time and personal support, Westport has welcomed Catch a Lift to town. They’ve visited our gyms, our police and fire station, the VFW, and our homes.

The 10th annual Connecticut fundraiser is September 9 (Patterson Club). The golf event is sold out, but tickets are still available for the after-golf event (4:30 to 7:30 p.m.).

You’ll be inspired by Catch A Lift Fund veterans, as they describe their triumphs over significant obstacles, on their journey to healthier futures.

Click here for details. Questions? Email   jdrew@catchaliftfund.com.

Catch a Lift veterans and volunteers, at Birchwood Country Club.

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Recent elections have shined a light on the importance of administering fair and transparent elections.

Some states play games with the democratic process.

Connecticut is not one of those.

Even in light-voting elections — like the August 13 primaries — state officials watch closely, to ensure fairness.

This month, our Secretary of the State — Norwalk’s own Stephanie Thomas — randomly chose 39 precincts to audit results.

Westport’s District 136-1 is number 39. All ballots cast in the Republican primary will be hand counted, to ensure that tabulators did the job accurately. 

Fortunately, that’s not too labor intensive. Only 30 or so votes were cast. 

If a district in our town is randomly chosen in November … well, that will take quite a bit longer.

Waiting for voters. (Photo/Dan Woog)

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We don’t know whether this guy overstayed the 60-minute limit, got nailed for parking beyond the sign, or both.

But the message is clear: No matter what kind of car you drive, you can’t escape The Law.

(Photo/Jonathan Alloy)

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Jazz at the Post continues into fall with a full slate of Thursday shows.

This week’s headliner (August 29, 7:30 and 8:45 p.m.; dinner at 7 p.m.) is pianist Janice Friedman.

She has played with the Jazz Rabbi — saxophonist Greg Wall — since the late 1980s.

Joining them at VFW Joseph J. Clinton Post 399 are bassist Leon “Boots” Maleson and drummer Tim Horner.

The music cover is $20; $15 for veterans and students. Click here to purchase.

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Former Y’s Women president Arlene Bloom died Monday. She was 91.

The Massachusetts native earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Boston University, and embarked on a career in education.

After 20 years in the classroom, she focused on teaching teachers how to accommodate differences among students in the classroom, without making anyone feel as if they did not belong.

She and her husband Herb lived in Massachusetts and Illinois, before setting in Westport. In every new place, Arlene made connections, started bridge groups, enhanced speaker series, and attended plays.

Her family calls her “a devoted and passionate friend,” who spent hours on the phone listening to and helping others. She had “2 abiding characteristics: the love of friends and family connections, and the importance of urging young people to aspire, reach high and know they can create worlds of betterment and impact.”

In addition to her leadership with Westport’s Y’s Women, Arlene was president of her Illinois chapter of the League of Women Voters, and an avid bridge player.

Arlene is survived by her daughter Sarah (Jamie Raskin), son Kenneth (Abby Meiselman), and grandchildren Hannah (Hank Kronick), Tabitha (Ryan Vogel),  Phoebe and Lily. She was predeceased by her husband Herbert and grandson Thomas Bloom Raskin.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Arlene’s memory can be made to the Tommy Raskin Memorial Fund for People and Animals,

Arlene Bloom

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Some of our “Westport … Naturally” photos show big, cool images — like yesterday’s alpaca).

Some are much smaller. And sometimes they are not cool.

(Photo/Dana Kuyper)

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And finally … today is the 61st anniversary of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s momentous “I Have a Dream” speech, at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom.

How far have we come? And how far do we still have to go?

(From Michael Rapaport to “Elf” auditions: If it happens here, or involves Westporters, “06880” will let you know. Please let us know you appreciate our work. Just click here to donate. Thank you!)

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Graham Zemel: Teenager Hacks For Greater Good

Posted on June 19, 2024 | 3 comments

All throughout high school, Graham Zemel chased bugs.

It’s a passion project. And it pays.

Graham — who graduated from Staples last week — estimates he’s earned somewhere between “a tank of gas, and four years of college.”

Graham is not chasing beetles, mosquitoes or cicadas.

He’s after bugs in computer code. They can cost companies big bucks, if the bad guys — “black hat hackers” — find them.

Graham is a good guy: a “white hat hacker.” He’s part of a group that gets paid bounties by those companies, before the black hats hit.

Payments range from $50 to $2 million.

Graham Zemel: White hat hacker.

But Graham is not just a member of the white hat hacker community.

He’s a leader in it.

Though still a couple of months away from freshman year at the University of Colorado, Graham is the real deal.

He took all 8 computer science courses at Staples (plus discrete math, his favorite, studying subjects like cryptography and fractals).

But he’s also self-taught. Starting during COVID — when, to battle boredom, he built his own computer — Graham explored the internet. He learned how to code, on his own.

Then — still in his mid-teens — he put his mathematical mind and creative skills to work.

The more Graham learned about ethical hacking, the more he wanted to share. On his website — where he calls himself “a full-stack developer, cybersecurity programmer, and IT enthusiast” — he links to The Gray Area.

He began the site by providing educational resources to beginning programmers and cybersecurity enthusiasts.

But it evolved to much more. Over 30 writers have contributed more than 250 posts. More than 2 million readers have learned about topics like “How I Hacked the Dutch Government” and “The Akira Ransomware Saga.”

Meanwhile, GrahamZemel.com is the place to find projects like Game Bank (where users play online games with friends, or alone); a variety of hacking tools, and links to resources like the book he wrote about ethical hacking (“A Beginner’s Guide to Bug Bounty Hunting” is on Amazon).

It’s hard to believe, looking at his vast web presence, that until a few days ago, Graham was still a high school student.

He made his mark there too. He founded the Crypto Club, and was president of both the Cybersecurity Club and Coding Club.

In his spare time he developed the PowerSchool GPA Calculator. The Chrome extension helps students navigate their grades efficiently. Nearly every student at Staples uses it. So do thousands of others, across the country.

Clearly, Graham could be a black hat hacker if he wanted. There’s money to be made extorting companies after discovering their vulnerabilities.

Yet, he says, “it gives me a high to find vulnerabilities, and report them.” Plus, he adds, “I don’t want to go to jail.”

He has discovered 7 “high-quality” vulnerabilities, and hundreds more lower-level ones.

Graham Zemel, at work.

Bug hunting requires “divergent thinking,” Graham says. He sifts through code, runs a variety of tests, and sometimes spends hours searching for a particular bug.

He’s a very motivated young man. He’s accomplished a lot on his own.

But Graham has plenty of praise for his Staples education. Teachers like Dave Scrofani, Nick Morgan, John Wetzel and Maxim Kolb do a “fantastic” job, he says.

He tips his (white) hat to them.

(“06880” often highlights the accomplishments of Staples students — and everyone else in town. If you enjoy reading stories like these, please click here to support our work. Thank you!) 

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