Midland, Texas – The Federal Bureau of Investigation held a cyber‑security roundtable at its local office, emphasizing the importance of online safety as Cyber Awareness Month draws to a close. The event, open to the public, featured FBI Special Agents Jeffrey Reisinger and David Mayberry, who shared practical steps for protecting personal and community data.
Practical steps for better cyber hygiene
Agent Reisinger explained that protecting information begins with “good cyber hygiene.” He urged attendees to replace simple passwords with longer, memorable pass phrases and to enable multi‑factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible. “You want to layer that multi‑factor as well, as best you can,” he said, recommending the use of authenticator apps in addition to biometric options such as facial recognition and fingerprint scanners on smartphones.
Scams targeting older residents
When asked about recent threat trends in the Permian Basin, Agent Mayberry noted a pattern involving older individuals on social media. “They’ll develop relationships that aren’t genuine. Typically, they are scammers that will look to take the conversation from getting to know one another to ‘investment opportunities,’” he warned. The agents stressed that vigilance and verification are essential when approached with unsolicited financial offers online.
Infrastructure at risk from ransomware
Both agents highlighted how ransomware attacks can ripple beyond the immediate victim. Reisinger illustrated the broader impact: “If the water company has a bad day and they’ve become compromised, that doesn’t just affect the water company. That affects everybody. Same thing with the electrical grid. Same thing with the hospitals.” The message underscored the interconnected nature of modern utilities and the need for robust cyber defenses across all sectors.
How to report cyber crimes
The FBI reminded Midland residents that the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at IC3.gov is the central hub for reporting scams, digital fraud, ransomware and other cyber offenses. Community members are encouraged to submit detailed reports promptly, helping law‑enforcement track and disrupt criminal networks.
Local relevance and next steps
Midland officials praised the roundtable as a valuable resource for families, small‑business owners and critical‑infrastructure operators. The FBI plans to continue outreach throughout the region, offering additional workshops and online resources to reinforce the message that every citizen has a role in safeguarding the digital environment.
For more information on protecting personal data and reporting cyber incidents, residents can visit the FBI’s local Midland office or the IC3 website.
Original reporting: CBS7 / First Alert 7 KOSA (Gray) — read the source article.
