Lagos, Nigeria — In today’s digitally connected world, the biggest cybersecurity threat may no longer be technical it’s psychological.
That was the warning from Victoria Ogunsanya, co-founder of TechNovelle, during her presentation at Legacy Lab’s Digital Edge webinar series. Speaking on the theme “Think Before You Click: Building a Cyber-Savvy Mindset,” Ogunsanya urged individuals to be more mindful of their online interactions, emphasizing that human behaviour is now the primary target for cybercriminals.
“In a digital world where every click could be a trap, the best defence isn’t just antivirus software or firewalls it’s awareness,” she said. “You don’t need a cybersecurity degree to protect yourself. You just need mindfulness, habits, and the courage to pause.”
Hackers Now Targeting Human Nature
Ogunsanya explained that modern cyber attackers are relying less on brute-force tactics or system vulnerabilities, and more on manipulating human emotions such as fear, curiosity, urgency, and trust in authority.
She gave examples of common phishing tactics that play on these instincts, including messages like:
- “Click here to see who viewed your profile!”
- “Your bank account has been compromised.”
- “Act now or lose access to your account.”
“It’s not stupidity; it’s human nature,” Ogunsanya noted. “Hackers are increasingly turning to individuals as easier prey. They don’t need to break through firewalls when they can trick you into letting them in.”
The S.T.O.P. Method
To help everyday users combat these threats, Ogunsanya introduced a practical framework called the S.T.O.P. Method:
- S – Stop and take a breath before reacting
- T – Think about the context and ask if it makes sense
- O – Observe for red flags like poor grammar or suspicious links
- P – Proceed only after verifying the source
She cited research suggesting that this method alone can prevent up to 90% of successful phishing attacks.
Free Tools for Smarter Clicks
Ogunsanya also recommended free verification tools such as:
- VirusTotal – for scanning suspicious links and files
- CheckPhish – for detecting cloned websites and phishing sites in real-time
“Before clicking a ‘DHL tracking’ link or logging into a Microsoft page from an email, run it through one of these tools,” she advised. “It could save your data or your bank account.”
Building a Human Firewall
The session, which attracted attendees from across multiple industries and countries, concluded with a call to action. Ogunsanya urged participants to educate their peers and communities on the basics of cyber hygiene.
“The most dangerous cyber incidents today stem from something deceptively simple: a click,” she concluded. “But if we can change how we think before we click, we can change everything.”
As the digital threat landscape evolves, Ogunsanya’s message is clear: technology alone is not enough. The strongest firewall, she argues, is a vigilant and informed human network.
