It was an honor and a great pleasure to join a casual conversation with my friend Giorgos Tzegas (aka cryptocapitalist) to discuss cybersecurity. I tried to talk about Cybersecurity in simple words so that people could understand how exposed we really are… especially those of us who run a business or deal with cryptocurrency.
Many of the tips we shared on the Money 2.0 podcast are the fundamental things I discuss in private sessions and the cryptocurrency seminars I conduct with my students.
Cybersecurity is often a field that intimidates people. Terms like ransomware, multifactor authentication, and data leakage sound technical and distant. But in the world we live in, where everything runs through screens, internet security is not “something for the IT department.” It’s something for everyone.
That’s the spirit I tried to convey when I appeared as a guest on the Money 2.0 show by Giorgos Tzegas, in an episode titled “Cybersecurity in Simple Words.” It was a conversation that combined substance with humor, technical knowledge with human stories, exactly how it should be when you want to talk about serious things without being boring.
From personal losses to life lessons
We started with something that has happened to all of us: data loss. I shared my own experience, an older incident where I lost all my files after a simple hard drive failure. Photos, work, years of documents… gone in an instant. Why? Because I hadn’t made a backup. It was the harshest lesson about how much we take “tomorrow” for granted. Since then, backup became a ritual. And it should become one for everyone.
Cybersecurity: It’s not a luxury, it’s a necessity
As the conversation progressed, we explained why cybersecurity is not a luxury. It’s not just about technology, it’s about survival. A hacked device can trigger a scam. A compromised email can launch a social engineering scenario that drags in not just you but also your colleagues or friends. Hackers no longer look for technological “holes”; they exploit human weaknesses.
When the attack becomes personal
One of the most discussed segments of the episode was ransomware. I talked about real incidents in Greece, small businesses that suddenly found their files encrypted and a message demanding thousands of euros in Bitcoin. I compared it to someone coming, changing the locks on your house, and asking you to pay to get back in. The image might make you laugh, but the reality is harsh.
Simple solutions that make a big difference
Through simple language, we showed ways to increase your security without becoming… a hacker. Using Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is one of the most powerful tools. Instead of relying solely on a password, which someone could easily steal, you add a second “key” that changes every 30 seconds. It’s the digital equivalent of a double lock on your door.
Similarly, password managers are an excellent solution so you don’t have to remember 27 passwords or, worse, use the same one everywhere. A tool like KeePass can transform your daily routine, keeping all your passwords secure with access only for you.
And of course, public WiFi? I mentioned it with humor: it’s like sitting in a cafe and shouting your banking password. If you don’t have a VPN, it’s like putting your sensitive data in a shop window.
Cryptocurrency and compliance: New wars, new defenses
We also discussed cryptocurrency. Digital wallets and exchange platforms have become hacker targets. Whether you hold a little or a lot, you need to manage it as if you have a small treasure in the cloud. MFA, strong passwords, and frequent app updates are now mandatory.
Special mention was made of compliance regulations such as NIS2, DORA, and ISO27001 standards. Small and medium businesses in particular need to stop seeing these as “paperwork” and start seeing them for what they are: survival guides in the modern digital war.
Cybersecurity is a way of life
Closing our conversation, I mentioned something I often say to my clients: cybersecurity is like having an alarm system at home. It might seem excessive when you don’t have a problem. But when “trouble” comes, you wish you had invested earlier.
If one thing should remain from this conversation, it’s that internet security is not a luxury. It is an essential self-protection tool. You don’t need to be technical, nor do you need to know programming. Just start with the basics. The first step is to take it seriously.
If you use cryptocurrency, it’s advisable to contact Tictac for a check on whether you’ve already been hacked or if your personal information has been leaked, as this is particularly dangerous. Learn more about Tictac’s Digital Risk Monitoring Service.