Page 7 of Phishing for Love
Then Aaron says, “I hid the attack in a cat video.”
Horror washes over me. Wait, what? I love cat videos. They’re my kryptonite.
“Who was it?” Rick asks. “Who clicked on the video?”
Aaron is looking straight at me when he says, “Tess Miller.”
Kenzie lets out a dismayed gasp.
I feel my face freeze as heads swivel my way. In some dim part of my brain, I register Mark nearly crumpling in relief that it’s not him.
“It was a funny cat video!” I say defensively, my cheeks on fire. “Anyone would have clicked on it.”
“Not me,” says Rick. “I hate cats. Anyway, I wouldn’t be so stupid.”
Oh, the irony. If a hacker sent Rick a pic of a silicone-loaded woman in a skimpy bikini, I think he’d sprain a finger in his haste to click on it.
Sofia says under her breath, “Well, we all know what rhymes with Rick.”
“A company can possess all the technical safeguards in the world,” Aaron continues, “but if its employees are—” He pauses, and I imagine him mentally sifting through the myriad of options available to him: Imbecilic. Moronic. Incompetent. “—untrained, then those safeguards are useless.”
Calvin nods. “As Aaron explained to me, homeowners can install an alarm system, but if they don’t activate the alarm then it’s useless.” He points a finger at us. “You will all be taught how to activate the alarm. Metaphorically speaking.”
To complete the day’s descent into the Nine Circles of Hell, Calvin adds, “The first training session starts tomorrow. I want it known that staff performance reviews will now include security awareness metrics. Aaron will be sending out regular mock phishing emails to test all of you. If anyone falls for one, they’ll have to undergo additional security training.”
That won’t be me, I resolve, my cheeks still burning. I’ve learned my lesson.
CHAPTER THREE
“I have to hand it to you,” Sofia says to me, “when you crash and burn, you do so in spectacular fashion.” She makes a gesture that mimics an explosion.
I bury my face in my hands. Honestly, I’m still reeling. An epic internal wail ofnooooooois fighting to be let out.“Please don’t remind me.”
Kenzie nudges my giant blueberry muffin. “Have another bite, Tess.” Her soft and soothing tone is a cool compress on my battered ego.
I break off a piece, pop it into my mouth, and chew mechanically. The sweet pastry makes me feel a little better. I break off another chunk.
As soon as the meeting ended, Sofia and Kenzie dragged me to Beth’s Bakery, our favorite coffee shop, for pity pastries. One of the advantages of working at Amell Greetings is that as long as the work gets done, Calvin’s not too bothered when we take our breaks. The three of us are huddled in our favorite spot at the back, a wall of fake palms concealing us from prying eyes.
A shudder rips through my body. “All I can think about is that moment when Aaron announces my name.”
“I’m sure it’s all anyone is thinking about,” Sofia murmurs as she scoops some of the cream from her chocolate eclair with a finger. When I cringe, Kenzie elbows her. Sofia tries to look repentant, but it’s a look she rarely adopts so it sits odd on her face.
I lower my eyes to my mauled muffin. “If only I hadn’t clicked on that stupid cat video!”
Kenzie pats my shoulder. “It’s just bad luck you were the only person in the entire company to do so.”
Which is weird, I think absently. Why would Calvin be so worried about security if I was the only one who fell for the fake scam? Didn’t that Aaron guy mention he ran a number of simulated attacks?
We lapse into silence. Although I’m comforted by their concern, I’m soon lost in the awful memory of the meeting playing in a loop inside my head. I don’t know how much time passes before I’m aware of how quiet Sofia and Kenzie are. Suspiciously quiet. I look up. Their expressions are anything but concerned. Kenzie has tears streaming down her cheeks and Sofia’s shoulders are shaking with suppressed laughter.
I raise my eyebrows. “Seriously?”
“I can’t believe you called him a pretty boy,” Kenzie manages to gasp out.
“I think it’s time you work on your inside voice,” Sofia says, and they both howl with laughter, Sofia with her usual gusto while Kenzie is more tempered. They’re beginning to draw the attention of other customers. Exactly what I don’t want.
“Keep it down,” I hiss.
