I have been suspicious of other people and their motives for most of my adult life. This may be because I spent the better part of a decade living in New York City after college, where 40 percent of the population seems to be trying to take advantage of the other 60 percent. On top of this, my training has emphasized situational awareness and the importance of not letting strangers into my personal space.
Now living in a remote area rather than a city, I fall back on the mantra many cops are taught: be polite to everyone but friendly to no one. I’m perfectly capable of appearing friendly if someone strikes up a conversation at the adjoining gas pump or in line at the store, but I don’t let my guard down. You should do the same; don’t let people lull your suspicions by acting be friendly. Keep in mind how a con game works and don’t let people inside too quickly.
Living out here in the middle of nowhere, instead of being wary of aggressive panhandlers in the subway or people in bars, I am now suspicious of unknown cars that drive up our private road or people who approach our house uninvited.
I can think of multiple incidents over the past 30 years where my suspicious nature has helped keep me safe, kept me from being scammed, or allowed me to avoid another problem. I recommend it.
Even More Important Now
In an era of spam email, scam emails, phone scams using AI, social engineering, and hacking, you need to be suspicious of electronic devices as well as people. By all means, have anti-virus software and a firewall, but still verify before you trust. And remember, your phone is like a tiny computer that manages your life. Never give anyone but your spouse access to your phone.
In the physical world, you could be carjacked at the gas station, caught in a burglary at the convenience store, or followed home from the ATM and attacked in your garage. Be aware of what is going on around you. Keep your head up and scan your environment rather than looking down at your phone. Be able to spot predators and show them they need to pick another target.
On a global scale, we have just witnessed two sneak attacks that used subterfuge and daring. First, Ukraine snuck drones into Russia and blew up multiple strategic aircraft. Second, Israel did much the same thing in Iran, sneaking drones and rockets into Iran to attack their radar installations, surface-to-air missile batteries, and ballistic missile launchers on the morning Israel attacked. This allowed Israel to dominate the skies over Iran without losing a single aircraft and minimized or delayed Iran’s response. They also tricked Iran into thinking an attack was unlikely and somehow convinced Iran’s top military leadership to meet in a single room, which Israel then targeted. Impressive.
The U.S. needs to be suspicious so Iran or another enemy doesn’t launch a similar sneak attack inside the continental United States. So many people poured in over the border during the Biden Administration that there could be unregistered Chinese and Iranian agents in place waiting for a signal to attack.
Drone Technology
This Iranian sneak attack was made possible in part because drone technology is ahead of anti-drone technology, giving drone users a window of opportunity of which both Ukraine and Israel took advantage. That may make us vulnerable.
“Off switches” reportedly hidden inside solar power equipment manufactured in China is another example of a backdoor attack an enemy could launch. This approach is not unlike last year’s pager attack, which Israel used to take out much of Hezbollah’s leadership. This kind of subtle attack, which starts at the factory and can lie hidden and dormant for months or years, is a new level of warfare unlike we have seen before. We need to prep for it.
In the meantime, stay polite but reserve friendliness for those that have proven they are friends. Keep your head on a swivel. Don’t click that link and don’t let in the cop who knocks in the night without verifying who they are.
Video of the Day
This video goes into some detail about how Israel’s Mossad infiltrated Iran and attacked it from within.
