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When Bob Clicked the Wrong Link: A Western Mass Cybersecurity Tale

man on laptop sitting by window in a cafe

Meet Bob. Every office has a “Bob.” He’s friendly, hard-working, and always the first to bring donuts to the breakroom (usually from Dunks, of course). But one morning, Bob did something that nearly cost his company thousands of dollars—he clicked the wrong link.

 

The Click Heard ’Round the Office

It started with what looked like a legitimate email:

Subject: “Urgent: Package Delivery Attempt”

From: UPS Support (totally-legit-looking@email.com)

Body: “We tried to deliver your package. Click here to reschedule delivery.”

Bob had ordered something online that week, so he didn’t think twice. One quick click later, a fake login page appeared. He typed in his work email credentials, and just like that, a cybercriminal had the keys to the kingdom.

 

What Happened Next

Within hours:

  • Hackers used Bob’s account to send phishing emails to his entire contact list.

  • Several clients almost fell for the same trick.

IT alarms went off due to unusual login attempts from overseas.

Luckily, Hogan Technology’s security monitoring flagged the suspicious behavior. Our team swooped in, reset Bob’s account, traced the breach attempt, and blocked the hackers before they could do real damage. Bob was red-faced, but relieved.

 

The Lesson (Without Picking on Bob Too Much)

Here’s the truth: anyone can be a Bob. Hackers know people are busy, distracted, and used to clicking links without thinking. That’s why phishing remains one of the most successful cyberattacks against businesses in Western Mass and beyond. The good news? With the right protections, one mistaken click doesn’t have to become a disaster.

 

5 Ways to Make Sure “Bob” Doesn’t Take Down Your Business

  1. Employee Training: Teach your team to spot suspicious emails. (Hint: hovering over links reveals the real URL.)

  2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Even if a password is stolen, MFA prevents unauthorized logins.

  3. Email Filtering: Advanced filters block many phishing attempts before they hit inboxes.

  4. Security Monitoring: 24/7 monitoring (like Hogan provides) catches abnormal behavior fast.

  5. Create a “No Shame” Culture: Encourage employees to report mistakes right away. The faster IT knows, the faster damage can be stopped.

After the incident, Bob became the loudest voice in the office for cybersecurity awareness. He now jokes, “If I can click the wrong link, so can you.” And he’s right. Cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls or antivirus—it’s about people, habits, and quick responses.

At Hogan Technology, we help Western Mass businesses prevent small mistakes from turning into big problems. From phishing simulations to advanced email security, we’ve got your back.

Need help training your team and securing your inbox? Contact Hogan Technology today.