Introduction:

Growing up under communism, I had a unique perspective on intelligence and security from an early age.

My grandfather, who held the position of second-in-command in Yugoslavia’s state secret intelligence services, served as both a mentor and a figure of caution.

I closely observed his demeanour—how he carried himself in public, at home, and in our private conversations. Yet, his most persistent warning to me was clear: Never seek a career in state intelligence and security services.

At the time, I could not fully grasp why he was so adamant. But as fate would have it, my own path led me into military security services and later into the diplomatic security intelligence sector.

In 2024, I travelled to Berlin to deepen my research, conduct interviews, and explore one of the most formidable intelligence agencies in history—STASI, the East German secret police.

What I uncovered reinforced both my grandfather’s words and the realities of a world few utterly understand.

The Stasi (Ministry of State Security, or Ministerium für Staatssicherheit), the GDR’s secret police and intelligence agency, was one of the most powerful and dreaded organizations in the nation and was instrumental in upholding the totalitarian system.

Only a year after the GDR was put into place after World War II ended and Germany was divided, the Stasi was founded in 1950.

As a communist state influenced by the Soviet Union, the GDR aimed to bolster its authority and eradicate any challenges to the system. To guarantee East German allegiance and stop Western influence from penetrating the nation, the Soviet Union promoted the establishment of a strong secret police.

The Stasi initially concentrated on eliminating former Nazis and Western sympathizers, but as time went on, their mission grew to include stifling all types of dissent, including intellectual, cultural, and political.

The Stasi, an all-seeing, all-knowing surveillance system that penetrated every element of East German life, was used as a weapon of severe political repression under Erich Mielke’s leadership starting in 1957.

The formidable leader of East Germany’s extensive intelligence network, the Stasi, was Erich Mielke.

After Communist Party head Erich Honecker, Mielke was the most powerful individual in East Germany during the Stasi’s massive authority from 1957 to the collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

This is the tale of the nation’s most powerful man.

Erich Mielke: Who Was He?

One of the most influential and feared individuals in East Germany, Erich Mielke’s life would come to represent the oppressive government that ruled the nation for many years.

His story started in the tumultuous early 20th-century European years and then shifted into a sombre period of history during the Cold War.

On December 28, 1907, Erich Mielke was born in the Brandenburg state, then a part of the German Empire, in a tiny village close to the town of Schönhausen.

He had no special advantages because of his family’s lowly beginnings—a homemaker mother and a mechanic father.

The uncertain environment in which Erich Mielke was raised—post-World War I Germany, the emergence of the Weimar Republic, and the growth of radical ideologies—marked his early years.

Mielke had a challenging childhood. His family struggled financially, and he was frequently disobedient in school.

He asserted that he struggled with authority from his early years, a characteristic that would accompany him throughout his professional life.

The advent of Adolf Hitler’s government and the growth of National Socialism in Germany while Mielke was a teenager altered the trajectory of his life.

Mielke became involved in the communist youth movement when he was sixteen years old, which resulted in his strong opposition to the Nazi government and his membership with the German Communist Party (KPD).

Become a revolutionary

Mielke was an ardent Communist Party member in the early 1930s. He got active in anti-fascist sabotage and other underground actions.

However, Mielke’s spirit of revolution took a tragic turn in 1931. The Nazis detained him during a period of political unrest and launched a violent crackdown on the communists.

In addition to being a formative period, Mielke’s incarceration was characterized by the radicalization that would shape his future.

After escaping to Moscow in 1931 to avoid being arrested for the murder of an officer, Mr. Mielke spent two years at the International Lenin School preparing for a career in security services under the alias Paul Bach. At the beginning of the civil war, the Soviets dispatched him to Spain.

He fought against Franco’s forces as a staff officer in the 14th International Brigade, where he finally became a captain, under the name Fritz Leissner.

Mr. Mielke travelled to France following Franco’s triumph in 1939, where he was imprisoned during the German invasion. After escaping, he worked as a lumberjack under false pretences until being apprehended by German authorities once more in late 1943 and sent to a forced labour station.

He landed in East Germany, the Soviet occupation zone, a month after the war ended and was hired as a police inspector right away.

He solidified his position within the Soviet establishment in Moscow. He collaborated extensively with Soviet intelligence and underwent military training.

As Mielke’s future as a spy and security chief started to take form, this experience would prove to be pivotal.

The Ascent to Power of the Stasi

The German Democratic Republic (GDR), also referred to as East Germany, was established in 1949 following World War II.

The new communist state was heavily influenced by the Soviet Union, and Mielke was sent back to Germany at this time to find obedient communist leaders.

East German politics were controlled by the KPD, which subsequently changed its name to the Socialist Unity Party (SED), and Mielke was soon favoured by Soviet authorities.

Mielke was named head of the Ministry of State Security, East Germany’s secret police and intelligence organization, the Stasi, in 1957.

The Stasi was one of the world’s most feared monitoring agencies by that time. Mielke’s ascent represents how the Soviet Union brutally suppressed any dissent, used intimidation, and kept complete surveillance over Eastern Europe.

The Nation That Spied on Itself

For more than 30 years, Mielke and the Ministry of State Security repressed dissent and maintained the 16.5 million people living in East Germany under communist rule.

In addition to launching a successful campaign against people it deemed to be state enemies, the ministry’s army of 260,000 informants and 90,000 operatives turned East Germany into a nation that spied on itself.

The fear of suspicion and treachery spread by Stasi informants, many of whom were forced, permeated every aspect of society, including relationships between spouses, coworkers, and classmates.

This fear persisted after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the official dissolution of the East German state in October 1990.

In 1982, Mielke delivered his motto, “All this chatter about there being no executions and no capital punishment, it’s all rubbish, comrades,” to Stasi archives and subordinates. “Execute without trial if required.”

The Stasi: Monitoring, Anxiety, and Control

The Stasi developed an extensive network of informants and spies throughout East Germany under Mielke’s direction.

Suppressing resistance to the communist dictatorship and removing any threat to the state were the organization’s main objectives.

The Stasi kept copious records of millions of East Germans, tracking their associations, talks, and activities. It was pervasive and affected every facet of life in East Germany.

In East Germany, Mielke fostered an atmosphere of terror.

The Stasi was notorious for employing harsh tactics, such as psychological abuse, manipulation, and torture, to coerce confessions.

Persecuted for the smallest perceived transgressions were intellectuals, political opponents, dissidents, and even common people.

The Stasi frequently utilized friends, family, and coworkers who were close to the target as informants, violating trust and turning the nation into a place where nobody was safe.

Mielke exercised strict control over the Stasi.

His leadership was characterized by his paranoia, emphasis on total control, and determination to do whatever it took to uphold the regime’s supremacy.

In 1961, he presided over the building of the Berlin Wall, which came to represent the harsh separation of East and West Germany. Mielke’s desire to control all East-West travel with the Stasi led to the Wall’s construction.

Water-drop-related murders

The “rubber” cell was a horrendous method of torture used by Stasi agents.

Rubber coats the floor and walls of this small space, barely a meter wide. The guards would force the inmate into the space, pour ice water up to his ankles, and leave him standing.

The prisoner would start to freeze after the water had taken away all his body heat.

The prisoner would eventually perish from hypothermia if he did not confess to the demands made of him in a timely manner.

The Stasi used water droplets to kill people.

Until the prisoner said what the Stasi wanted to hear or until tiny, nearly weightless, transparent drops of water pierced his skull, the inmate would kneel on the floor, lower his head, have his hands tied and pulled through two bars, and have water drip onto his head from a bucket, drop by drop.

Gathering fragrance samples from people

Officers from the Stasi entered apartments and took underwear, which they kept in separate containers in case the sniffer dog required it for identification or hunting!

They would then be collecting smell samples from chosen “targets” in their archive. Investigators discovered that they also ran at least one brothel.

A huge scandal erupted when it emerged that one of West German Chancellor Willy Brandt’s close aides was a Stasi operative.

Most people who were arrested were innocent

Making a political joke or even mentioning that you wished to leave the nation may land you in jail.

If you inquired about the prospect of emigrating to a Western embassy, you would face two and a half years of forced labour. People who did not turn in a friend who was considering running away also ended up behind bars.

Advanced Brainwashing

There were no broken legs or arms, bruised bodies, or blood on the ground because of the Stasi’s torture.

This was advanced brainwashing.

The process was known as Seelische Zersetzungsmassnahme (systematic soul dissolution) by specialized state psychologists.

The Berlin Wall’s fall and Mielke’s collapse

Although Mielke remained in power during the 1970s and 1980s, Eastern Europe’s political climate was shifting by the late 1980s.

The authoritarian system that Mielke had spent his life constructing was starting to fall apart because of Gorbachev’s changes in the Soviet Union, the emergence of Solidarity in Poland, and the escalating turmoil in East Germany.

Widespread demonstrations in East Germany eventually led to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. People now viewed the Stasi, once a symbol of oppression, as a remnant of a failing government.

Mielke’s hold on power relaxed as the Wall collapsed. The ensuing pandemonium imprisoned him along with other senior regime officials.

Mielke’s demise came quickly. In the early 1990s, he was put on trial for his involvement in the monitoring and persecution of East German citizens.

In 1993, a court found Mielke guilty of supervising an organization that committed widespread human rights violations and ordered the deaths of multiple individuals.

He was imprisoned for his involvement in the August 1931 murders of two police officers in Berlin, which occurred 61 years prior.

During the last days of the Weimar Republic, the police officers had been assassinated in reprisal for the murder of a young communist.

His deteriorating health led to his release from prison after only a few years.

Death and Legacy

Although many people outside of Germany have forgotten about Erich Mielke since his death in 2000, he continues to serve as a symbol of the surveillance state and terror that characterized East Germany.

His life is a terrifying reminder of the state’s ability to stifle, threaten, and subdue its citizens’ will.

The Stasi and Mielke’s legacy still have a lasting impact on Germany.

Following the collapse of East Germany, the Stasi files were released to the public, exposing the entire scope of the decades-long spying, manipulation, and treachery committed by Mielke and his group.

Mielke’s leadership has left scars on those who endured the Stasi’s constant surveillance.

Erich Mielke’s life is a frightening tale of oppression, power, and the pernicious effects of cause allegiance.

His tale serves as a reminder of the perils of unbridled state power and the repercussions of residing in a nation where distrust and fear permeate every aspect of daily existence.

During my recent journey to Berlin—a city where every street corner whispers secrets of a divided past—I uncovered the chilling reality of “Zersetzung.”

This was not just another research assignment; it was an immersive exploration into the dark art of psychological warfare.

Amidst the solemn corridors of historic museums, I engaged with former STASI operatives and leading experts, drawing on my extensive background in human intelligence and interrogations.

Their firsthand accounts and my rigorous investigation reveal how East Germany’s covert strategy was designed to systematically dismantle not only dissent but the very essence of a person’s identity.

In the ideological and political conflict between the Soviet Union-led Eastern Bloc and the United States-led Western world during the Cold War, psychological warfare emerged as a crucial weapon.

Subversive strategies intended to weaken and destabilize the opponent from inside were used in addition to military might and diplomacy to fight the war.

“Zersetzung” was one of the most covert and pernicious strategies employed by the East German Ministry of State Security—Stasi.

This strategy was a methodical psychological offensive designed to dismantle and weaken opponents, dissidents, and those deemed to be state enemies.

The German term “Zersetzung” literally translates to “disintegration” or “corrosion,” perfectly capturing the essence of the process.

In contrast to overt physical assault, “Zersetzung” aimed to subtly undermine a person’s identity and will through psychological manipulation.

It was a device intended to impair a person’s mental stability by separating them from their social networks and making them doubt their own understanding of the world.

Join me as we delve deep into the meticulously orchestrated tactics of the Stasi—a narrative that is as compelling as it is disturbing, and one that continues to resonate in today’s era of digital manipulation.

Zersetzung’s History: Stasi and the Cold War Setting

The German Democratic Republic (GDR), the communist state in East Germany, had a state security agency known as the Stasi, or Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (MfS).

When created in 1950, shortly after the GDR took power, it was one of the world’s most powerful and feared secret police agencies.

With more than 90,000 full-time staff members and more than 170,000 unofficial accomplices, the Stasi established a vast monitoring network that permeated practically every sphere of East German life at its height.

The development of Zersetzung

The Stasi’s larger plan to suppress, control, and eradicate dissent in East Germany included the development of Zersetzung in the 1950s and 1960s.

Maintaining strict control over the GDR’s population became a key strategy throughout the Cold War.

In contrast to overt repression or imprisonment, Zersetzung was intended to conceal the state’s actions, making it more difficult for people to realize they were being singled out while progressively weakening their emotional and mental fortitude.

The Mechanism of Zersetzung: Psychological Strategies

Zersetzung’s fundamental tenet was that destabilization could occur without the individual’s awareness. To weaken their targets, the Stasi employed a variety of psychological techniques that caused them to doubt their identity and their faith in the outside world.

The main strategies employed in this psychological conflict are:

1. Social Isolation

Isolating the target from their social support system was one of the initial stages of a Zersetzung campaign.

This might entail influencing the target’s interactions with friends, family, and coworkers.

The Stasi would use covert tactics, like establishing suspicion in the target’s social environment, spreading rumors, and disseminating misleading information.

The intention was to make the person feel alone and incapable of asking for assistance.

To make the subject feel even more alone, the Stasi would occasionally even go so far as to coerce or extort close friends or family members into betraying them. Personal relationships may suffer as a result, and the person’s network of support may weaken.

2. Psychological manipulation and gaslighting

Another characteristic of Zersetzung was gaslighting, a type of psychological manipulation that led the subject to question their own memory, perception, and sanity. To skew the person’s perception of reality, the Stasi would use a variety of techniques.

This could involve:

• Modifying the target’s surroundings:
  The Stasi occasionally broke into a person’s house and left odd items or furnishings to confuse them.
• Creating false memories:
  Agents spread gossip or made-up stories to manipulate targets into believing they did something wrong.
• Producing contradicting information:
  The Stasi would make phone calls or send anonymous letters posing as various individuals while contradicting one another. The target would become perplexed and begin to doubt how they perceive the situation.The goal of the Stasi’s tactics was to induce self-doubt in the target by undermining their sense of control over their surroundings.

3. Planting Paranoid Seeds

Because Zersetzung frequently worked based on paranoia, it was very successful.

Stasi methods were meant to make the target feel like they were being watched, unsure of whom to trust, and afraid that loved ones would betray them.

They may see unusual persons observing them, hear strange noises, or receive anonymous letters.

The person’s anxiety and stress levels would rise as a result of these unnerving events, which would make them doubt the security of their surroundings.

This paranoia may also permeate the target’s public life or place of employment. The Stasi would frequently use wiretapping, monitoring, and informant recruitment to keep tabs on the target’s activities and give them the impression that they were constantly being monitored.

4. Personal assaults and psychological warfare

Zersetzung also included insults directed at the person’s identity and emotional well-being.

These assaults could consist of:

• Spreading false information about the target’s character:
  The Stasi would disseminate false information about the target’s moral character, accusing them of crimes, betrayal, or anti-state behavior, among other things.
• Public humiliation:
  Through planned social isolation in their communities or stoked rumors, certain targets would experience social exclusion in public settings.
• Severe harassment:
  The Stasi would frequently plan harassment operations that included phone calls, physical threats, and anonymous threats. The intention was to give the target the impression that their life was in continual danger.The target’s mental stability and sense of self-worth could be severely damaged by these personal assaults.

5. It is producing both physical and mental fatigue.

Zersetzung frequently targeted a person’s physical and mental well-being by exposing them to a protracted campaign of anxiety, bewilderment, and stress.

Exhaustion may result from the ongoing assault of psychological manipulation, as well as the consequences of social exclusion and harassment.

The target would eventually become more vulnerable to mental health conditions, including anxiety, despair, and paranoia, as a result of this wear and tear.

The psychological strain had a considerable physical cost as well. Targets frequently had trouble focusing, sleeping, or even going about their regular lives normally.

This fatigue would weaken their resistance, increasing the likelihood that they would succumb to the Stasi’s demands or become despondent.

Zersetzung’s Effects and Legacy

In East Germany, Zersetzung was a very successful tactic for silencing opposition and weakening targets. The regime employed this strategy against a multitude of dissidents and opponents.

Because there was no outward sign of coercion, victims found it difficult to show they were being attacked, which made Zersetzung more deadly.

Many people continued to struggle to overcome the psychological scars left by the Cold War.

Today, the effects of Zersetzung are still being felt. It is impossible to overstate the psychological toll it inflicted on East Germans, as many of the victims still suffer from the anguish of being duped by their own country.

The psychological warfare tactics used by the Stasi have turned into a terrifying reminder of the extent to which totalitarian governments will go in order to keep their citizens under control.

Today’s Zersetzung

Psychological warfare tactics like Zersetzung or similar ones are still in use in many parts of the world today.

The fundamental idea of undermining and destabilizing opponents through psychological manipulation, disinformation, and harassment may not be used in the same precise form as during the Cold War, but it is still applicable in contemporary political, social, and military campaigns.

Authoritarian governments or organizations usually employ these techniques to quell dissent, manage people, or weaken opposition.

Here are a few examples of modern applications for Zersetzung-like techniques:

1. Authoritarian regimes and surveillance states

Psychological manipulation is still a potent tactic used in authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent and control populations.

Social media, digital technologies, and modern surveillance technology have allowed governments to improve and broaden psychological warfare strategies.

China: Monitoring and Social Credit System

For instance, China frequently implements psychological control by combining social influence with widespread surveillance.

People are rewarded or punished by the Social Credit System according to their online and offline behaviour.

This system impacts everything from employment prospects to travel limitations, and it erodes public confidence by making people afraid to criticize the government.

Like the psychological warfare strategies used in Zersetzung, the Chinese government monitors internet activity and manipulates digital narratives to suppress dissent and discourage opposition.

Without resorting to physical conflict, the administration destabilizes social and political opposition by controlling media access, excluding dissenters, and employing propaganda.

Disinformation and harassment in Russia

Similar psychological strategies have been employed by the Russian government, especially when dealing with opposition leaders, journalists, and dissidents.

Threats, intimidation, and disinformation operations are frequently employed to undermine and destabilize opponents.

For instance, social networking sites use “troll farms” to disseminate propaganda and fake accounts, leading to confusion and mistrust.

People may begin to doubt reality because of this kind of psychological manipulation, which damages their credibility and sense of self.

2. Psychological warfare and online manipulation

In the digital age, psychological manipulation has spread to the online sphere, where state and non-state actors frequently employ Zersetzung’s techniques to shape political results, manipulate narratives, and discredit people or groups.

The topic of “gaslighting” and social media is being discussed.

Social media sites like Instagram, Facebook, and X have evolved into psychological warfare tactics. This covers orchestrated harassment campaigns, the dissemination of false information, and gaslighting.

State-sponsored actors and other groups are known to use these strategies, frequently with the intention of undermining political rivals or movements.

For example:

• Online trolling:
  Campaigns of harassment are frequently launched against individuals who criticize particular political regimes or ideologies in an effort to silence them or get them to doubt their convictions. Similar to Zersetzung’s psychological warfare, these operations may use malicious rumors, flood attacks, or phony accounts.
• Misinformation and manipulation:
  By using bots, fake news, and conspiracy theories to manipulate information, organizations can destabilize opposing groups by confusing people, alienating them, and fostering mistrust.

3. Targeting human rights defenders and activists.

Psychological warfare techniques are frequently used against journalists, political dissidents, and human rights advocates worldwide in an effort to undermine their morale and discourage them from acting.

To damage their reputation and disrupt their work, governments may employ tactics including disinformation, internet harassment, smear campaigns, and surveillance.

The Dissidents’ Case in Turkey

Zersetzung-like tactics have been used by the Turkish government against journalists, human rights advocates, and political dissidents.

The Turkish government began a massive purging of opposition organizations following the 2016 coup attempt.

Online and offline, journalists and critics have been subjected to psychological abuse, threats, and incarceration. Reports suggest that ongoing surveillance, false charges, and public humiliation have psychologically manipulated people.

In addition, the Turkish government has launched disinformation campaigns against opposition leaders and activists in an effort to undermine them.

These strategies can have a severe psychological impact since they make people doubt their credibility and their capacity to trust others.

4. Contemporary Psychological Functions and Intelligence Organizations

Several contemporary intelligence services still use psychological operations, or psyops, to destabilize their enemies.

These operations frequently concentrate on influencing the target population or individuals using propaganda, disinformation, and covert manipulation.

US and NATO PsyOps In several war areas, the US military and NATO have also used psychological strategies. For instance, U.S. military actions in the Middle East have involved psychological operations designed to weaken rebel organizations.

To change the attitudes and actions of enemy fighters as well as the public, these psyops have used radio broadcasts, pamphlets, and other media.

5. Political and Corporate Power

Businesses in the corporate sector occasionally use similar strategies to silence competitors or whistleblowers.

Zersetzung includes, for example, corporate sabotage by disseminating false information and engaging in psychological harassment to harm a person’s career.

Adversaries who aim to undermine the credibility and reputation of political figures or activists can also employ these strategies against them.

Conclusion

During the Cold War, one of the Stasi’s most pernicious strategies was zersetzung. It demonstrated the use of psychological warfare to subjugate, disrupt, and destroy people without resorting to physical force.

The Stasi was able to crush internal resistance by employing tactics like harassment, gaslighting, manipulation, and isolation, which frequently left victims with long-lasting psychological and emotional harm.

The practice of Zersetzung serves as a clear reminder of the effectiveness of psychological manipulation under authoritarian governments.

It emphasizes how far governments will go to keep control and quell opposition, even at the expense of their populations’ mental health.

The lessons of Zersetzung are more pertinent than ever in the present era, as information warfare and spying continue to be major political factors.

The fundamental ideas of psychological warfare, deception, and destabilization are still employed in many ways today, even though Zersetzung as a tactic was specifically linked to the Cold War and the Stasi’s operations.

To weaken, control, or eliminate opponents from inside, authoritarian governments, intelligence services, and even political and business actors use psychological strategies.

These strategies may involve gaslighting, harassment, disinformation, surveillance, and the exploitation of interpersonal and social connections.

Although these tactics are more common and simpler to use in the digital era, they nevertheless essentially use the same techniques: isolating the target, warping their reality, and causing uncertainty, dread, and self-doubt.

Whether used through internet harassment, disinformation operations, or official monitoring, psychological warfare is a potent and dangerous tool in the modern world.

Introduction

How do you respond when you’re angry at yourself for your own mistakes? Do you dwell on them, replaying every decision that led you to failure? Do you carry regret like a weight on your shoulders, unable to let go?

Each of us has a story—a collection of victories and defeats, of choices made and paths untaken. But what if I told you that the biggest battle you will ever fight is not against the world—but against yourself?

We live in a time where mistakes feel unforgivable. Society demands perfection. Social media reminds us of everyone else’s curated success. And we, in turn, become our own harshest critics. We punish ourselves for errors, for missed chances, for not being “enough.”

But here’s the truth: Mistakes are not life sentences—they are lessons. They are stepping stones, not walls. The ability to forgive yourself is not a weakness—it is power.

So, if you’re holding on to regret, if there’s something in your past that you can’t let go of—this is your moment. Because moving forward isn’t just possible—it’s necessary. Let’s dive in.

Mistakes are part of life

First and foremost, I believe you are all aware that mistakes are an unavoidable part of life.

Let’s start with some that we’re all familiar with: maybe we didn’t choose a school we like, we got a job and worked in jobs that didn’t suit us, they tired us out, they exhausted us, maybe we chose life partners who didn’t meet our expectations, maybe we expect too much from the people around us, our friends, and so on.

Mistakes exist for the purpose of teaching us. Such events should serve as a reminder that making mistakes is an essential part of the learning and growing process.

Mistakes teach us the importance of communication and understanding.

Making a mistake isn’t bad.

Understanding your mistakes and using them as stepping stones to learn more about yourself, life, and people is crucial.

Taking accountability for your actions is crucial

Accepting responsibility is a crucial step in the process of forgiving oneself. I am aware that it is simple to say. But trust me, we require it.

You should accept responsibility for the situation but not blame yourself.

Here’s an illustration.

At one time, I broke up with a friend because I was unable to move on from certain things. That was my choice at the time, but perhaps I was too proud.

And I then discovered and understood that it was my choice at the time and my duty.

Taking responsibility for your actions empowers you to gain fresh insights from life experiences and improve your future position.

We frequently steer clear of confrontation in both friendly and romantic relationships.

Most of us then retreat.

Then, all we need is a little honesty and bravery to have an honest discussion.

To establish a relationship based on mutual understanding, we must be more open and honest with ourselves and others rather than avoiding conversations.

Similar things happen in business relationships; what we avoid or fail to express clearly eventually becomes a barrier that hinders our ability to do our jobs.

We can advance when we take ownership of our choices and communicate effectively.

Acknowledge your feelings

The first step we must take is to acknowledge the emotions that have brought us to an uncomfortable circumstance.

We were wrong.

We must acknowledge our feelings over our error before we may forgive ourselves.

Perhaps we put our jobs ahead of our families?

Perhaps we put our jobs ahead of our health?

Perhaps we’re upset because we failed to meet the deadline for a significant assignment at work?

I believe the examples could go on indefinitely.

And we all experience this. It is not appropriate to repress these emotions, as they are normal.

I must say that journaling has been really helpful to me, especially when I’m traveling and need to jot down my thoughts and emotions.

It’s one way I accept accountability for the choices I make.

Analyse mistakes without judging yourself

It is consistently the most effective method for impartially assessing the circumstances we are in.

And let’s examine the situation rather than circling back and forth and placing blame on ourselves. I understand that being proactive is crucial, despite its occasional challenges.

Let me give you an example.

We are in a difficult scenario at work, which resulted in a perilous financial condition for me.

I once thought I was in a terrible situation, or I found myself in one.

What took me to where I was?

What risky decision did I make?

Abruptly, everyone around me disengaged, leaving me alone.

Wait, I had to stop. Questions do you have enough information?

Did you react to pressure?

It took time, but comprehending these scenarios helped me lessen guilt, get working, get things in order, and better prepare for future difficulties and initiatives.

I understand how difficult it is, but first and foremost, we must be honest with ourselves.

Take lessons from your mistakes

Every error teaches a valuable lesson.

Mistakes become chances for personal development and for enhancing bonds with others and yourself when you view them through the lens of learning.

Opportunities arise. We are more conscious of both our strengths and weaknesses.

Although none of us can alter the past, we can choose to go in a different direction.

You may concentrate on the here and now rather than obsessing over what might have been done differently. And it is what matters most.

Accepting the past releases you from its weight and makes room for a more contented and tranquil existence.

What’s next?

Set new goals and celebrate your accomplishments.

One of the most effective methods to let go of the past is to focus on the future.

Today, I wouldn’t be here to share my experiences if I had made mistakes or listened to others who didn’t believe in me and told me I couldn’t.

When you take action and admit to yourself that you made mistakes, those mistakes lose their impact.

We should acknowledge every step toward forgiveness, no matter how small.

It takes time to forgive yourself for past transgressions. It’s a journey that requires self-love, tolerance, time, and responsibility.

You release the past and make room for new opportunities when you own your actions, learn from your mistakes, and move forward.

Introduction

The globe was in shock, believing the fall of the Berlin Wall to be the ultimate event signaling the start of the Eastern Bloc’s disintegration. But this story ignores the crucial deeds Hungary took to prepare the ground for the collapse of communist governments all throughout Eastern Europe.

Living in the former Yugoslavia during these historic events, I remember how often Hungary’s importance was minimized and how many saw Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies—hailed in the West—as a betrayal of the Eastern Bloc.

Long before the first bits of the Berlin Wall fell, Hungary’s choice to open its borders, the fall of the Iron Curtain, and Moscow’s quiet but forceful acquiescence helped to define the path of history.

Emphasizing Prime Minister Miklós Németh’s leadership, diplomatic contacts with Mikhail Gorbachev, and the broad effects of Hungary’s policy reforms, this investigative essay chronologically explores Hungary’s role in this momentous move.

Policy changes and a leadership shift in Hungary

Notable changes inside Hungary started in November 1988 with the appointment of Miklós Németh as Prime Minister.

Unlike his predecessors, Németh saw the unsustainable character of the communist government supported by the Soviet Union and the severe economic catastrophe engulfing Hungary.

Stopping financial contributions to preserving Hungary’s militarized border with Austria—a legacy from the Iron Curtain used to stop people from escaping to the West—was one of his first and most important moves.

Early 1989 saw the Hungarian government start talking about tearing down border security policies, a step toward transparency.

Hungary was expressing its intention to break free from the strict restrictions imposed by the Soviet Union; hence, this choice was not only financial but also profoundly political. Hungary could not, however, proceed so boldly without contacting Moscow.

The meeting with Gorbachev

Prime Minister Németh visited Moscow in March 1989 in order to see the Soviet head of state, Mikhail Gorbachev.

The debates cantered on Hungary’s aspirations for political reform, the economic challenges it faced, and the future developments of its border policy.

Emphasizing that it was a financial burden and an ideological barrier to development, Németh freely declared Hungary’s refusal to keep the Iron Curtain in place.

Crucially, Gorbachev reassured Németh that the Soviet Union was not going to interfere militarily in the internal events of Hungary.

This marked a significant departure from previous Soviet actions, such as the brutal suppression of the 1956 Hungarian Uprising.

Knowing that a Soviet military crackdown was improbable, Gorbachev’s policy of non-intervention and perestroika (restructuring) gave Hungary the confidence to move forward with her reforms.

The fall of the Iron Curtain

Considering Gorbachev’s guarantees, Hungary decided to be innovative in May 1989 and started tearing down the barbed-wire barrier along the Austrian border.

This was the first time a country with Soviet alignment physically destroyed a portion of the Iron Curtain, an act that rocked Eastern Europe.

The Hungarian government presented this as a humanitarian and financial need.

The border fortifications were considered outdated, costly, and most importantly, a symbol of tyranny. Spreading over the media, the pictures of Hungarian officials slicing across the barbed wire represent the Eastern Bloc’s starting point for the end.

Pan-European Picnic and East German Exodus

Organized close to the Austrian Hungarian border, the Pan-European Picnic took place on August 19, 1989. Designed as a symbolic show of European solidarity, this event became surprisingly historical.

Over 600 East Germans, who had arrived in Hungary in search of escape to the West, surged across the temporarily open border.

Hungary’s answer was unheard of: it let East Germans cross unhindered into Austria.

This resulted in a diplomatic crisis between East Germany and Hungary since the leadership of the former saw it as a betrayal.

Hungary, however, refused to block its borders since it saw the Eastern European movement toward freedom developing.

Inspired by this accomplishment, many more East Germans sought escape by visiting Hungary. Hungary took another audacious action on September 10, 1989: it formally opened its border with Austria, enabling tens of thousands of East Germans to permanently escape to the West.

East Germany’s government, which battled to contain the mounting unhappiness among its people, suffered severe strain from this departure.

The Domino Effect: Regarding the Eastern Bloc

The acts of Hungary had an instant and broad influence. The enormous outflow of East Germans through Hungary challenged the Berlin Wall by demonstrating that Eastern European people could get over its limitations by way of transit through Hungary.

This undermined the communist leadership of East Germany, which resulted in growing Berlin demonstrations.

November 9, 1989, saw the Berlin Wall fall as predicted. The decision by Hungary to open its borders was a primary trigger for this momentous event, starting a domino effect that resulted in the fall of communist governments across Czechoslovakia, Poland, Bulgaria, and Romania in the next year.

The bloody aftermath: Yugoslavia and Romania

While most Eastern Bloc countries moved through rather calm revolutions, extreme bloodshed marked Romania’s disintegration. Protests against Nicolae Ceaușescu’s rule intensified in December 1989 and turned into a full-scale uprising.

Eventually the Romanian military turned against Ceaușescu, resulting in his quick trial and execution on Christmas Day, hence transforming Romania’s revolution from the most peaceful of the Eastern Bloc movements.

In Yugoslavia, meanwhile, the fall of communist authority set off strong ethnic and nationalist unrest.

The power vacuum caused by the fall of communism and the disintegration of the federal government led to the Yugoslav Wars (1991–2001)—a terrible sequence of battles resulting in immense human misery, war crimes, and finally the country breaking up into independent states.

Conclusion

Hungary’s part in the fall of the Eastern Bloc was both strategic and rather humanitarian. Hungary became a catalyst for change by refusing to keep the Iron Curtain, negotiating diplomatically with the Soviet Union, and giving human freedom top priority over political affiliations.

Allowing East Germans to emigrate despite possible consequences showed a compassion for liberty and self-determination.

While much of Eastern Europe changed quietly, the fall of communism brought anarchy to nations like Romania and Yugoslavia, where long-standing divisions burst into bloodshed.

The events of 1989–1991 remind us that although revolution can offer freedom, it can also reveal the fragility of countries, therefore preparing the ground for fresh wars that would impact history in ways nobody could have predicted.

Love is in the air—or is it?

As February unfolds, the world is painted red with roses, hearts, and romantic gestures. But beneath the glossy surface of chocolates and candlelit dinners lurks a different kind of romance—one fueled by deception, fraud, and heartbreak.

While millions celebrate love, cybercriminals see Valentine’s Day as an open season for scams. They don’t send love letters; they send phishing emails. They don’t whisper sweet nothings; they lure victims with fake admirers and investment schemes. In the digital age, falling in love can mean falling into a trap.

From romance scams that drain bank accounts to cryptocurrency cons that exploit trust, online predators prey on the vulnerable, turning affection into a lucrative business. Every year, thousands of people looking for love find themselves entangled in a web of lies.

So, before you open that mysterious Valentine’s Day email or believe that too-good-to-be-true love story, ask yourself—are you being seduced, or are you being scammed? Let’s dive into the dark side of love in the digital age.

Legends about Valentine’s Day

Specifically, February has traditionally been regarded as the most amorous month of the year.

However, Saint Valentine makes Valentine’s Day unique.

It is worth noting that the Catholic Church honors three saints called Valentine or Valentinus, all of whom were martyrs.

The most popular legend is that Valentine was a third-century Roman priest. Emperor Claudius II forbade young men from marrying, believing that single men were better soldiers than those with wives and kids.

According to legend, Valentine secretly wed couples because he thought it was unjust. He resisted until Claudius discovered him and gave the order to execute him.

However, not every narrative emphasizes marriage.
Some assert that Valentine’s murder stemmed from his efforts to help Christians escape Roman jails, where they frequently suffered abuse and torture.

“From Your Valentine.”

Additionally, a story claims that Valentin’s imprisonment began when he sent his first love letter to his jailer’s daughter, the woman he was in love with. Before his death, he signed his letter to her with the words “From your Valentine,” which remain in use today.

Regardless, the romantic and heroic portrayal of Valentine contributed to his popularity as a saint, particularly in medieval England and France.

Many people believe that February 14 was selected as the official date of Valentine’s Day celebration because it is the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial.

Valentine’s Day is an occasion to celebrate love, but.

In the world of cybersecurity, Valentine’s Day always means one thing: an explosion of scam emails.
Cybercriminals always try to defraud Internet users at the start of the year, taking advantage of last-minute purchases for a loved one or the need to meet someone before the big day.

In 2025, Valentine’s Day will be preceded by a deluge of unwanted correspondence (spam) aimed at tricking people into revealing personal information or purchasing a romantic gift for their sweetheart.

Regretfully, criminals are still a threat now and throughout the month, particularly on the internet.
Valentine’s Day is a chance for cybercriminals to take advantage of people’s feelings for their own malicious purposes.

Being on guard against the growing number of Valentine’s Day scams is essential as we get ready to give and receive gifts of affection with our loved ones.

Scammers now use fake chocolate offerings, diamond-like rings, perfumes, personalized gifts, heart-shaped jewelry, and replica watches as their hooks.

Common Phishing Scams on Valentine’s Day

Here are some popular strategies used by cybercriminals during this romantic season, along with advice on how to protect your money, data, and heart from Valentine’s Day phishing scams.

Fake Messages and E-Cards

Making phony electronic greeting cards or messages is a common strategy used by cybercriminals in Valentine’s Day phishing attacks.

These communications purport to include a beautiful poem, a passionate letter, or even a digital gift.

However, clicking on the offered link may take you to a phishing website that collects sensitive data, including credit card numbers and login credentials.

Romance’s Allure

Valentine’s Day phishing attacks frequently exploit the feelings of romance and love.
Cybercriminals are skilled at creating alluring emails, texts, or postings on social media that seem to be from a long-lost romantic interest or a secret admirer.

Subject lines such as “Someone Has a Crush on You” or “A Valentine’s Day Surprise for You” may appear in these communications.

The intention is to trick unwary people into downloading harmful attachments or clicking on malicious sites.

Online Shopping Discounts

Cybercriminals take advantage of Valentine’s Day’s association with gift-giving by advertising phony online sales.

Watch out for unsolicited emails or social media posts that offer deals on chocolates, flowers, or romantic vacations.

When you click on these links, you can be taken to phony websites where fraudsters can infect your device with malware or steal your financial details.

In the realm of digital romance, one can easily find both love and deceit.

Digital dating and cryptocurrency scams

The rise of online dating applications like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and Match.com, as well as social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X, has made it easier than ever for romance to grow in the digital arena.

We all need love, and this vulnerability has led to the emergence of a rogue’s gallery of con artists eager to exploit it.

Scammers have discovered a new ally in cryptocurrencies.

The attractiveness of digital money stems from its decentralization and perceived anonymity, making it the preferred currency among scammers.

Typical lies used by cryptocurrency romance scammers

In what ways do these romance scammers operate?

They take advantage of your desires.

Romeo and Juliet, unlike some of today’s digital daters who might overlook the warning signs due to their rapid emotional outbursts, did not rush into marriage.

Scammers today closely monitor the information you provide on dating apps or social media.

Their attention to detail ensures that they are your ideal match, sharing your interests, experiences, and stage of life.

When hopeful romantics want to meet these potential love interests in person, they usually come up with a long list of reasons why they can’t.

Even though scammers don’t do this, it should be the biggest warning sign for anyone interacting with romance scammers.

The fictitious online personas frequently included these justifications.

They might say they work on distant military outposts, offshore oil rigs, or in the military or secret services.

Once the scammers have the victim’s trust and confidence, they frequently fabricate elaborate stories of difficulty, such as illness, legal issues, or other problems, in order to defraud them of their money.

However, I’ve observed a noticeable rise in strategies that give purported insider knowledge about bitcoin investments.

In reality, the scammers keep the funds provided for these “investments.”

Essentially, the criminal lures the victim online and then persuades them to invest fraudulently in cryptocurrency.

Sadly, in addition to financial fraud, there has been a startling rise in threats to release private, personal images without payment.

This article explains how cryptocurrency romance scams operate

The typical fraud proceeds systematically, with scammers searching the internet for possible victims before reaching out to them via direct messages on websites, dating apps, SMS, or social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn.

They create a romantic narrative by pretending to be successful, attractive people with fake profiles. They devote a significant amount of time, perhaps even hours every day, to exchanging charming messages full of affectionate language in an effort to build a relationship that may last for weeks or months.

Scammers use images of luxury and fortune to entice their victims into allegedly investing in cryptocurrencies while the relationship appears to be expanding.

They could offer the unwary victim a phishing link that deposits money straight into the scammer’s cryptocurrency wallet or point them to a cryptocurrency ATM in order to obtain funds.

In order to maintain the appearance of a successful investment, victims who agree to purchase cryptocurrencies are directed to bogus websites that show fictitious profits.

How to Protect Against Valentine’s Day Phishing Scams

Think Before You Click

Be wary of unexpected messages, particularly those that contain romantic overtones or promises of surprising gifts. Steer clear of downloading attachments or clicking links from unidentified sources.

Verify Sender Information

Before responding to any messages, look up the sender’s email address or social media profile. Reputable companies and people will have easily identifiable and validated contact information.

Educate Others and Yourself

Keep up with the most recent phishing techniques and let your friends and family know about them. One effective strategy for stopping cybercrime is raising awareness.

Use reputable websites for online shopping

When making Valentine’s Day purchases, only use well-known and trustworthy online merchants. Verify the website’s URL again for any misspellings or variants that can point to a phishing attempt.

Maintain Software Updates

Make sure that all your apps, operating system, and antivirus program are current. Regular updates frequently include security fixes that protect your device from the most recent threats.

How to protect yourself from cryptocurrency romance scams

First, avoid people who try to get you to wire money, demand gift card numbers, or insist on cryptocurrency transactions.

Such requests are serious warning signs of fraud.

Speaking with friends or family about recently discovered romantic interests can also offer a dispassionate perspective and reveal issues that one may be too emotionally invested to observe.

By performing a reverse image search on their profile photographs, one can additionally verify a persona’s digital trace.

Differences between the search results and the information they have provided frequently expose the facade of a fraud.

These techniques are not only safeguards but also fundamental procedures in online dating and money management that will help you stay secure and prevent exploitation.

The thrill of discovering real connections can coexist with awareness and healthy scepticism.

Pursuing love should never make one oblivious to the reality of deceit.

In the end, phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated, and cybercriminals are skilled at playing on our emotions.

You can safeguard your data and your heart from Valentine’s Day phishing schemes by using cybersecurity best practices, being aware, and exercising caution before clicking.

Happy Valentine’s Day, and be careful and secure!

Introduction

I have a story I’d like to share with you.

Not so long ago, I flew back to my old country, Croatia, to visit old friends and places and attend some anniversaries, and being a keen photographer, I asked my old school friend to stop near an oil refinery.

As a side note, Croatia is a stunning country with mountains, seas, and infinite fields. I sincerely hope you will include Croatia on your list of places to visit. You will thank me for it.

Let me return to my story.

Established in 1926, the Sisak refinery sits at the confluence of the Kupa and Sava rivers. Sadly, the effects of time, war, and corruption have diminished what was once a huge giant.

The idea was to capture the big flame erupting into the sky at sunset; after all, oil refineries have a few of those “chimneys.” Therefore, I positioned my tripod and camera to achieve a well-framed shot.

A police officer patrol unexpectedly emerged next to me while I was stopping in the street and took a few pictures with my camera.

They asked me a lot of questions, including who I was and why I was taking pictures in a forbidden area. And I had already arrived at the police station by the time I regained my bearings.

The questions at the police station went on to ask me if the cameras were mine, if I had purchased them in Croatia or imported them, and once more, why I was taking pictures in a forbidden place.

All factories, public places, etc. were communist, so taking pictures was forbidden. In democratic Croatia, this practice was somewhat prevalent, but it is no longer the case.

After we had settled down and I explained that I wasn’t aware that I was not allowed to take pictures and I needed to dig deep into conversation, offering to make a phone call, they knew from the public life situation that it was much friendlier.

I questioned how the Google car could travel the entire nation while filming for Google Maps.

They responded to me, and we also stopped and fined them yesterday.

We chuckled, but basically, the area surrounding the refinery is protected and off-limits to photography.

However, my failure to notice a sign compelled me to pay the fine and adhere to the state regulations.

Despite the relative harmlessness of my story, we must take these precautions.

Of course, the world of espionage has advanced in today’s era of sophisticated recording, photography, and drone equipment.

Kiel Espionage

A Chinese national was detained a few days ago while shooting pictures at a naval facility in Kiel, a major port on the Baltic Sea in northern Germany.

The state criminal police of Schleswig-Holstein have begun an investigation into potential espionage at the Kiel naval base.

This kind of espionage is common in the hybrid warfare period of today.

The German official television reported that on December 9, a Chinese national allegedly entered the military base in the port of Kiel and took pictures.

The case of the prosecutor

We took the Chinese national into custody and showed him to the prosecutor.

“The Flensburg public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation against a Chinese national on suspicion of espionage,” said the case’s head prosecutor.

This relates specifically to the crime of showing pictures that jeopardize security on military property.

The prosecutor did not provide additional information about the case because it involves state security.

He did, however, clarify that the defendant is at large.

Investigators involved in the case are examining the Chinese man’s cell phone.

Security personnel reportedly picked it up initially before turning the individual over to the police.

The VDR investigation discovered that the person was in detention following a brief arrest.

Investigators are examining the man’s cell phone and other belongings, the VDR said.

The Federal Office for Military Counterintelligence (MAD) is involved in this case.

China reacts to an investigation into spying

The Chinese Foreign Ministry intervened in the case of possible espionage in the Kiel Navy.

China has consistently advised its citizens abroad to follow local rules and regulations, according to a representative.

Beijing isn’t aware of any instance.

“We hope that the German side will stick to the facts and stop using so-called espionage cases for manipulation and slander,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry also cautioned German authorities.

The spokesperson urged Germany’s federal government to defend the rights and interests of Chinese nationals.

There are concerns over Chinese spying

Chinese espionage has long been a source of concern in Kiel.

The region is home to military sector enterprises, in addition to the Bundeswehr and Navy’s valuable real estate.

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems shipyard in Kiel, for example, produces cutting-edge submarines. NATO is also present in the port city.

Last year, suspicions of probable Chinese espionage in the Baltic Sea were so high that the previously agreed-upon municipal collaboration between Kiel and Qingdao was cancelled on short notice.

The espionage case in Leipzig

Police in Leipzig arrested a Chinese national in October on suspicion of spying for weapons supplies. Police accused her of being a Chinese secret service intelligence agent.

She was then identified as Yaki X., who obtained information regarding “the transport of military equipment and people connected to a German arms company” by using her position.

German prosecutors claim that a logistics company at Leipzig-Halle Airport employed Yaki X.

For the German military industry, the airport serves as a vital logistics hub for the sale of weaponry, particularly military supplies to Ukraine.

Between mid-August 2023 and mid-February 2024, Yaki X. allegedly provided information she had gathered to another suspect who worked for Chinese intelligence.

The information included flights, airport passengers and cargo, and military equipment movement.

Given Germany’s strategic significance and status as one of Europe’s most powerful militaries, these incidents are neither unusual nor arbitrary.

Considering my innocuous incident in Croatia and similar situations, I would like to advise you to exercise extreme caution when taking pictures and to abide by local laws when visiting other nations.

Introduction:

When something is marketed as “free money,” alarm bells should ring.

The PayPal-owned browser extension Honey—once heralded as the ultimate deal hunter for online shoppers—has found itself at the epicentre of what could be the largest influencer scandal in history.

As allegations of commission theft and deceptive practices surface, the shiny veneer of this billion-dollar tool is cracking.

Mega-influencers like MrBeast, who helped propel Honey to stardom, now face the fallout of a scandal that could reshape the influencer economy.

How did a platform celebrated for saving shoppers money turn into a cautionary tale of exploitation, lawsuits, and betrayed trust?

Let’s dive into the digital underbelly of Honey to uncover how influencers, brands, and consumers alike got caught in its sticky web.

A honey

I’m sure you thought of something sweet right away, but…

Due to the Honey extension, which was misleading consumers, PayPal was at the center of a scandal in late 2024.

Up to three million customers suddenly stopped trusting the PayPal application Honey, which has been drawing people in for years with promises of savings and discounts.

A new video from MegaLag demonstrates how the well-known extension uses contentious strategies that harm users and content producers.

Once praised as every shopper’s greatest friend, PayPal’s browser extension Honey is now under fire for allegedly stealing influencer commissions directly out of their wallets.

However, let’s begin in order.

Honey, what is it?

Honey is a browser plugin that was introduced in 2012 with the goal of assisting consumers in locating and using the best discount codes at the point of sale.

Honey has gained widespread recognition since PayPal purchased it in 2020 for an astounding $4 billion.

Honey has established itself as the ultimate money-saver for internet buyers because of its more than 30,000 partner companies and endorsements from mega-influencers like MrBeast.

However, a scandal that is endangering its reputation lurks beneath its user-friendly interface.

PayPal owns the free browser extension Honey, which assists users in finding deals when they shop online.

Additionally, the addon gives users points that they may exchange for gift cards, PayPal credits, or money.

Influencer marketing was Honey’s primary marketing tactic.
Influencers on websites like YouTube and TikTok have promoted honey with the alluring slogan, “It’s literally free money!”

Honey is renowned for its ability to locate the “best prices” when buying online. While the functionality appears appealing, the details of Honey’s business plan present a distinct perspective.

The well-known browser plugin Honey was at the center of a scandal in late December 2024.

MegaLag, a YouTube blogger, stepped up and made a daring charge against the firm in a video.

According to him, Honey is abusing affiliate connections that are meant to compensate influencers for product promotion and deceptive advertising.

Such news was unavoidable and sparked a fierce online response right away.

Several well-known influencers, including Mr. Beast, initially endorsed Honey, establishing his reputation for trustworthiness.

You are aware that products or services gain popularity quickly when well-known influencers endorse them, but you must always exercise caution.

What went wrong with Honey, then?

Or allow me to ask you this:

What do you get when you combine a PayPal-owned browser extension with one of the largest worldwide influencers (MrBeast, MKBHD Inc.)?

This situation clearly has the potential to lead to the largest influencer fraud in history. Naturally, for the time being, this is still at the level of accusations, but we’ll see.

The world of influencers, where YouTube creators earn millions of dollars through affiliate marketing and sponsorships, is facing challenges.

The person who uploaded the video, YouTuber MegaLag, was among the first to recognize that anything was wrong.

He observed that Honey intentionally delayed the setting of its cookie until the user had logged out and then replaced the links with its own when a user clicked on a creator’s affiliate link.

It transferred the commission payments to itself in the process.

Imagine going to your favorite YouTuber’s channel and seeing them promote something with an affiliate link.

After clicking on that affiliate link, you are ready to buy the product.

Honey unexpectedly shows up and suggests that you search for coupons before making a purchase to get the best deal.

But Honey substitutes its own cookie for the affiliate cookie, generating a fee without offering anything of value, while your favourite YouTuber receives nothing.

An avalanche has started

Many users voiced their displeasure and concerns with Honey’s tactics following the release of MegaLag’s video.

Influencers that had previously collaborated with Honey terminated their relationships with the platform.

Since its December 21 release, the MegaLag author’s video has received over 14 million views, causing a wave of unfavourable comments and widespread uninstalls of the Honey extension.

In just a few weeks, the extension’s user base on the Chrome Web Store has decreased from over 20 million to barely 17 million, according to the Wayback Machine.

The Response of Honey

Med has also not been quiet. According to spokespeople, their procedures, which include allocating commissions using a “last click” methodology, are consistent with industry norms.

By lowering cart abandonment rates, they have demonstrated their dedication to offering value to both shoppers and merchants.

Even with Honey’s explanation, the company’s predicament is becoming worse.

Lawsuits

In a class action lawsuit, Christensen Law Group demanded damages exceeding $5 million. LegalEagle, another YouTuber, later filed a fraud lawsuit against PayPal.

PayPal is accused in the lawsuit of:

· Willfully disrupting future business partnerships and contracts and

· Using Honey’s methods to steal influencer commissions

The dispute has turned into a big battle (like David vs. Goliath) between the fintech behemoth and influencers, with the latter seeking damages exceeding $5 million.

Taking a bigger picture

The foundation of influencer income is affiliate marketing, and accusations such as these jeopardize the confidence that exists between customers, companies, and influencers.

Sponsorships, partnerships, and advertising are how creators earn a living.

However, these practices hinder the entire “influencer” economy.

Short-term profits are less significant than long-term client connections.

Honey became well-known and profitable very soon. However, partners and clients stopped doing business with the company after its fraud schemes were made public.

What began as a tool to make online shopping easier has turned into a warning to the IT industry.

The accusations made against Honey underscore the necessity of openness and equity in the influencers tech sector.

Conclusion

One thing is evident as influencers mobilize for accountability: the age of unbridled technical domination is coming to terms with it.

Digital technologies that appear helpful at first look can conceal corporate practices that hurt users and influencers, as demonstrated by Honey.

As a result of these disclosures, more and more consumers are searching for trustworthy and transparent alternatives to online buying.

This instance reminds us that “free” rarely means truly free and calls into question our ability to trust the tools we use on a daily basis.

The stakes are high whether you’re a buyer, influencer, or just an interested watcher, so we’ll be watching this story as it develops.

Introduction

How many times have you checked your phone today? Ten times? Fifty? Research shows the average person picks up their phone 344 times per day—once every four minutes. These devices have become more than tools; they’re our wallets, personal assistants, and lifelines. But as mobile use skyrockets, so do the risks hiding behind every tap and swipe.

With nearly 7 billion smartphone users globally, cybercriminals have found fertile ground for scams.

From malicious apps masquerading as crypto wallets to SIM card swaps that hijack your entire digital identity, the convenience of mobile technology comes with a chilling cost.

Cryptocurrency, hailed as the future of finance, has only amplified these risks, making your phone not just a portal to opportunity but a prime target for fraud.

This article uncovers the shadowy tactics of scammers preying on mobile users and the steps you must take to protect yourself in this digital battleground.

What are frauds on mobile devices?

Any fraud that targets victims via a mobile phone or other mobile device is considered a mobile scam.

Based on phone data, research indicates that as of February 2023, there were approximately 6.92 billion smartphone users worldwide, meaning that 86.34% of people on the planet own a smartphone. This is a fairly high percentage of mobile phone usage.

These frauds may appear as:

• malicious websites,
• text messages,
• phone calls, or
• apps.

Some smartphone scammers will attempt to fool you into providing them with sensitive information, such as wallet keys or details about your cryptocurrency exchange account.

Some individuals may attempt to infect your device with malware.

Others will even attempt to defraud you of cryptocurrencies.

Since there are new techniques to try to con people every day, avoiding mobile phone scams has become a proactive part of our lives.

To avoid scams, one must learn how to spot them, as some are subtle.

What kinds of mobile crypto frauds are there?

These days, mobile phones are practically a part of our everyday lives, and cybercriminals are aware of this.

Our mobile devices are always with us, and we use them to access anything from social media monitoring to our kids’ movies to our most private data.

Our phones are the ideal target for cryptocurrency theft and fraud, as we have connected them to our bank and cryptocurrency exchange accounts, emails, and other private information.

Your cryptocurrency exchange accounts or wallets may be impacted by a variety of mobile device scams, some of the most well-known of which include:

1. Scams using mobile viruses
2. WiFi Breach
3. Fake Crypto Apps
4. Crypto-jacking apps
5. Apps for Clippers
6. Vishing and phishing.
7. SIM Card Swaps

Scams using mobile viruses

A mobile virus, a form of malware, can infect a mobile device much like a computer virus does.

You may have encountered a page alerting you to a virus infection on your phone while browsing specific websites.

The page may have advised you to download an antivirus app right away.

Watch out!!! This software is spyware or malware that is attempting to take over your device or infect other devices.

Scammers may then be able to access all of your accounts and passwords, including your bitcoin wallets and exchange accounts.

How to protect yourself

Ignoring all pop-ups on the internet and having cybersecurity on your phone are the simplest ways to defend yourself against these kinds of attacks.

Breach of WiFi

When someone illegally accesses your WiFi network and utilizes it to listen in on your traffic, it’s known as a WiFi breach.

It’s crucial to be mindful of this if you use a public WiFi network since thieves may use it to intercept any cryptocurrency transactions you make.

How to protect yourself

Steer clear of public WiFi networks when transacting with cryptocurrencies.

Additionally, if you have a lot of cryptocurrencies in your mobile wallet, you should stay away from unprotected WiFi networks.

To encrypt your traffic and make it more difficult for hackers to intercept your data, use a virtual private network (VPN) whenever you can.

Watch out for any unusual devices or traffic on your networks that could point to suspicious activity.

Fake Crypto Apps

Today, there are numerous kinds of fraudulent bitcoin mobile applications that aim to steal your cryptocurrency. Among the most well-known versions are:

• Fake Exchange Apps
• Fake Wallet Apps
• Fake Earning Apps
• Fake Exchange Apps

Mobile apps that deceive cryptocurrency investors into believing they are authentic are known as fake exchange apps.

How to protect yourself

Verify the app’s legitimacy before downloading it.

Examining the number of downloads, reviews, and ratings can help achieve this.

Fake apps either contain reviews with complaints about scams or ratings that are immaculate.

Additionally, reliable businesses create trustworthy programs, and you can verify the developers by looking through the details in the app store.

Fake Wallet Apps

Fake wallets are another type of cryptocurrency-related mobile app that is frequently used to defraud investors.

Although there are many different types of bitcoin wallets, smartphone wallets are the most popular because of their increased convenience.

Scammers have taken advantage of the recent increase in cryptocurrency values by producing a number of phony versions of well-known wallets, including MetaMask, Exodus, Jaxx, Coinomi, and Ledger.

These bad actors want to fool consumers into downloading a phony wallet app so they can steal their password or private keys.

Scammers typically accomplish this by simply duplicating a well-known wallet’s interface and making minor word changes here and there.

How to protect yourself

Before importing your own addresses, see if your wallet software creates new ones. If it does, you can confirm that the wallet you created is real (the majority of fraudulent apps can also fake the wallet creation portion).

Utilize all the tips provided in the section on fake exchange apps.

Fake Earning Apps

The so-called earning applications are another type of fraudulent cryptocurrency mobile software.

The idea behind these apps is that they typically give users the opportunity to earn cryptocurrency by fulfilling specific tasks.

Typically, companies offer these programs as freebies or fake profit-making apps with large payouts.

But most of these earning apps are just frauds designed to steal cryptocurrency.

How to protect yourself

Do your research and watch out for any warning signs, such as large prizes offered in exchange for inactivity.

Always confirm the app’s legitimacy by looking at its developers, ratings, and other details.

Phishing, Smishing, & Vishing

Phishing is a kind of scam when a hacker poses as a trustworthy website, software, or service in an attempt to fool you into providing them your personal information.

They accomplish this by making a phony login page that is exactly like the real one.

Some of the most prevalent cryptocurrency frauds at the moment are these phishing schemes.

“Smishing”

Phishing scams, sometimes referred to as “smishing,” also occur using SMS messages.

These scams deliver links to malicious software in an attempt to persuade you to take action.

If you click on the link, spyware or malware infects your device.

“Vishing”

Like phishing, vishing is an attacker attempting to fool you by sending a phony text message or phone call rather than a phony website.

Because these frauds are so hard to identify, they are growing more prevalent.

How to protect yourself

Using websites that have been vetted and bookmarking those that hold your personal information so you can easily access it is the best defense against phishing schemes.

The most important thing to remember when it comes to vishing attacks is to never divulge personal information, even if the individual or website appears trustworthy.

Cryptojacking Apps

An assault known as “cryptojacking” occurs when a hacker mines cryptocurrency on your device without your knowledge or consent.

Despite being most often associated with websites, cryptojacking can also occur through mobile apps.

For instance, the popular game Fortnite once included a cryptojacking script.

How to protect yourself

Verify the permissions that an application is asking for.

Because mining uses a lot of electricity, be sure to check whether your mobile device is overheating.

Clipper Apps

Clipper programs replace the address in your cryptocurrency wallet with the attacker’s address.

For instance, the clipper program would substitute the attacker’s address for yours if you copy and paste your Bitcoin address to send it to a buddy.

How to protect yourself

Make sure the address you are sending your cryptocurrency to is correct first.

Installing a mobile antivirus will assist you in identifying malicious software.

SIM card swapping

An attack known as SIM shifting occurs when a hacker deceives your mobile service provider into transferring your phone number to a SIM card under their control.

An attacker can reset your passwords and gain access to your online accounts once they have your phone number.

Criminals have utilized SIM swapping attacks to access people’s bitcoin wallets and exchange accounts, albeit they are not exclusive to the cryptocurrency field.

How to protect yourself

Steer clear of posting your phone number on social media since hackers can use it to steal your cryptocurrencies and pose as you.

Watch out for any suspicious activity on your phone, such as unexpected calls or texts.

Why am I bringing this up so much?

As you can see, scams come in a wide variety of forms, but they always aim to take your cryptocurrency.

You must be ready for the frequent emergence of new types of scams.

Avoid using apps or websites you’re not sure aren’t scams, monitor your phone’s data, and be careful who you share it with.

Think about storing only the cryptocurrencies you trade or use on exchanges and mobile wallets and using a hardware wallet for the ones you own.

I realize that all of this may sound monotonous, but we must all exercise caution since safeguarding our cryptocurrency investments and implementing proactive security measures will pay off in the long term.

Cases of cryptocurrency scams are on the rise.

Reports are “overwhelming” prosecutors’ offices and police stations. Despite the steady improvement in technological capabilities for tracking stolen cryptocurrency, it’s crucial to keep in mind that thieves and scammers are constantly evolving.

Introduction:

Information is the most precious commodity in a company today and keeping it safe is non-negotiable.

Organizations may ignore the underlying risks, though, as they hunt for cost-cutting ideas, including hiring digital nomads and virtual assistants (VAs).

Though these behaviours seem innocuous, partying late and “working” during the day can have expensive results ranging from data breaches to industrial espionage and social engineering operations.

I visited Bali to look at how this way of living affects intellectual property security as well as the actual cost of outsourcing to paradise.

Digital Nomads: Revealing the Dangers Hidden Within the Paradise Lifestyle

The popularity of digital nomadism in recent times has transformed how people approach life and employment. Remote work has made the globe an open office, from beaches in Thailand to cafés in Lisbon.

Rising among the best places for digital nomads, Bali, Indonesia, draws thousands of visitors annually with its breathtaking scenery, reasonably priced living expenses, and active culture.

Beneath the shiny Instagram pictures, though, is a less attractive reality that puts major dangers for companies depending on intellectual property and sensitive data on these remote employees.

Why Do People Become Digital Nomads?

Being a digital nomad has considerable appeal. It offers the flexibility to work according to one’s own schedule, freedom from the traditional nine-to-five routine, and the opportunity to explore remote locations.

For many, Bali presents the ideal setting: beautiful beaches, famous rice terraces, and a way of life that welcomes leisure and meditation.

Those looking for reasonably priced living also find appeal in remote work. The low cost of living in Bali lets digital nomads maximize their incomes and enjoy a better quality of life. For many remote workers on little budgets, a villa with a private pool, world-class dining, and wellness activities is a luxury.

For those looking for a fresh start or escape from conventional employment settings, Bali appeals because of its mix of affordability and beauty.

Bali: Paradise or Problem for a Digital Nomad?

The infrastructure of Bali has changed to meet the flood of digital nomads. The island’s business scene, from modern cafés with free Wi-Fi to coworking venues like Dojo Bali in Canggu, aims to attract remote workers.

But my visit to Bali exposed another aspect of this apparently perfect way of life.

Many digital nomads operate in unofficial groupings, frequently in open environments like shared office spaces or beach bars.

Cooperation creates questions regarding secrecy even if it can inspire innovation. I saw people talking loudly about client projects in public, sharing displays in packed areas, and even leaving private information on unoccupied devices clearly visible.

For the companies, depending on this laid-back attitude at work creates major concerns.

Hazards to Business: Security and Data Protection

Lack of safe communication and data protection is one of the biggest hazards to companies hiring digital nomads.

Remote work requires a robust digital infrastructure to ensure the protection of intellectual property (IP), proprietary information, and private data. Sadly, these criteria are often absent in many well-known digital nomad locations, including Bali.

• Most digital nomads find public Wi-Fi in hotels, cafés, or coworking spaces indispensable. These rarely secured networks leave communications and data transfers vulnerable to hacking.

A shared, unprotected network could be a valuable resource for hackers seeking to access private data.

• Based on my studies, I found people operating from devices with few security precautions. Some freely let friends have access to laptops or neglected to lock their screens after leaving.
• Data leaks become far more likely without enough encryption or VPNs.
• Casual Work Environments: Although the picture of working beside a pool could be interesting, it is not fit for upholding security or professionalism. Monitoring adherence to data security standards becomes challenging without a regulated office environment.

Many digital nomads use free, consumer-grade communication technologies lacking end-to-end encryption. Companies handing sensitive data to such systems run the danger of leaks and illegal access.

Intellectual property is subject to risk

Intellectual property, ranging from trade secrets to creative works and proprietary software, serves as the foundation of any company’s competitive advantage. Companies choosing digital nomads have to consider issues like:

• How do remote sites handle sensitive material?
• Are there sufficient policies in place to stop illegal IP exploitation or sharing?

The laid-back work atmosphere in Bali sometimes erases the line separating personal and professional life. Group situations, in which several freelancers collaborate, might cause unintentional information exchange.

A graphic designer talking about a project in a shared space, for example, could unintentionally reveal client information to rivals.

Why Bali?

Bali’s appeal to digital nomads stems from its ability to balance cost, infrastructure, and culture. The island provides a network of like-minded workers, wellness resorts, and lots of coworking spaces.

Popular centres like Canggu and Ubud, with modern conveniences, networking events, and rapid internet—at least by local standards—catered especially to remote workers.
But the very qualities that appeal to Bali also add to its hazards.

Digital nomads live impermanent lives: hence, there is little responsibility or control. People come and go; hence, firms have little choice for reaction should something go wrong.

Observations: Party or Work?

Many digital nomads I encountered in Bali noted that the island’s social and recreational offerings typically take precedence over their work. Events in networking often mix into parties, and the emphasis moves from output to leisure.

Although this is not the case for every digital nomad, it begs issues regarding their dependability and dedication as remote employees.

Is It Safe to Hire Digital Nomads in Bali?

While the risks are real, businesses can take steps to mitigate them. Here are some recommendations:

1. Vet Candidates Thoroughly: Conduct background checks and request references to ensure the reliability of potential hires.
2. Mandate Secure Practices: Require freelancers to use VPNs, encrypted communication tools, and secure devices.
3. Sign Confidentiality Agreements: Make confidentiality and data protection clauses a standard part of contracts.
4. Monitor Compliance: Use tools to track project progress and ensure adherence to security protocols.
5. Set Clear Boundaries: Define expectations for communication, work hours, and the handling of sensitive information.

Conclusion:

Unquestionably appealing as a digital nomad center, Bali presents certain difficulties. Companies must carefully consider the associated hazards when hiring remote specialists.

My vacation exposed the flaws as well as the beauty of this way of life.

Businesses must give security, professionalism, and responsibility a priority as digital nomads keep on growing.

Ultimately, Bali offers a perspective on the future of employment, encompassing both opportunities and challenges, rather than just being a paradise.

The benefits for those ready to meet its challenges can be rather remarkable.

However, for companies, conducting due diligence is the key to successfully navigating this new frontier.

Introduction

The Cold War was more than a geopolitical standoff—it was a chessboard of intrigue, espionage, and deception played out in the shadows of history.

Beneath the polished diplomacy and public propaganda, a hidden war unfolded, where spies swapped secrets, counterintelligence redefined betrayal, and nations danced on the razor’s edge of nuclear annihilation.

This era birthed legends of intelligence and treachery, from covert operations like Operation Paperclip to the infamous Cambridge Five.

It was a time when a simple penny could hold state secrets and double agents infiltrated the highest echelons of power.

How did two global superpowers weaponize intelligence to wage a war without bombs?

And how did the lives of ordinary individuals, from unsuspecting civilians to defecting spies, shape the clandestine battle for supremacy?

Let’s uncover the covert operations, betrayals, and audacious strategies that defined the shadowy heart of the Cold War.

The Beginning

At the start of World War II, the United States was well behind in intelligence matters.

Although espionage had existed since the Civil War, there was no central coordinating agency.

There were around a dozen federal agencies that competed rather than cooperated.

England, like the Soviet bloc, did not have this difficulty.

Since Dzerzhinsky established the Cheka in 1917, the USSR’s spy service has continued to expand under many names (GPU, OGPU, NKVD, NKGB, MGB, and, since 1954, the KGB).

Its primary responsibilities were tracking down dissidents, real or imaginary, to prevent any effort at subversion and to supply victims of Stalin’s purges, but it did not ignore foreign action.

A primary goal was to penetrate British intelligence and develop a network of double agents at its centre.

As Roosevelt’s personal envoy, American General William J. Donovan travelled to England in 1940 to gain insight into MI-6 operations.

They talked about the primary roles of the British intelligence service as well as the Ultra-Sector Enigma project. To establish a consolidated institution whose director would answer directly to the president, the general returned to the United States.

Donovan directed the establishment of the Office of the Coordinator of Information (IOC) in 1941. In 1942, following the United States’ entry into the war and with the participation of military personnel, it changed its name to the Office of Strategic Affairs, or OSS, as it was more commonly known in English.

According to Donovan, the organisation of an espionage agency needed to be more than just a military or governmental entity.

Thus, he employed experts in every industry as long-term workers or partners, including:

• historians
• economists
• scientists
• bankers
• university rectors
• sports
• actors
• filmmakers

When the OSS peaked in 1944, it employed 13,000 people, 4,500 of them were women.

When the war ended in September 1945, however, the government abolished it.

After Donovan pushed for it to become a civilian organisation that would function during times of peace, President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947, establishing the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The National Security Council convened for the first time in Washington in December of that year, and they decided to deploy the new organisation to carry out secret operations throughout Europe.

Considering the new global circumstances, the United States was aware that it would require an organisation to manage activities that would upset the public if they were made public.

Of course, defending against hostile forces was a top priority.

Leading the race to save the usable remnants of vanquished Germany, however, was an even greater priority.

Operation “Paperclip”

Reinhard Gehlen, the Nazi commander of counterintelligence on the Eastern Front, agreed to give the United States access to all of his soldiers and assets when CIA officer Frank Wiesner started a series of talks with him near the conclusion of the war.

This served as the model for Operation Paperclip, which aimed to enlist as many Germans as possible.

The Nazi army concluded in 1943 that removing researchers from the battlefield and assigning them to laboratories would be more beneficial.

The phrase “German scientists” was obviously merely a euphemism.

From the most well-known, Wernher von Braun, to Kurt H. Debus, a former member of the SS who would go on to become the director of the Cape Canaveral Launch Centre, many of them were Nazis.

While other professionals attended, rocket specialists were most sought after because they were crucial to the space race and rocket construction.

The Soviet Union had similar plans.

The Race Against the Russians

But the Russians were already working on Operation “Osoavia” in 1946, which was intended to serve the same function as the “Paperclip” but used fewer conversational techniques.

They sent Russia 92 trains overnight to work on missile research and production, which had previously been planned for almost 6,000 scientists and their families.

Helmut Grottrup, von Braun’s aide, was one of them. He decided to follow the Soviet route to shine his own light and leave his old boss’ shadow.

He also had advantages, such as luxurious accommodations and a car with a driver, which were very different from the typical comforts enjoyed by most of his coworkers.

No one needed an explanation from the USSR.

The US transfer of researchers was done discreetly because it is unlikely that the American people would accept that their government was willing to forget its foes’ past in exchange for their skill.

The proximity of some of their targets was so near that even the Department of Justice’s Office of Special Investigations agents, whose job it was to track down fugitive Nazi criminals, disregarded it for years.

As “special service officers of the war department,” some scientists travelled directly from Germany to American military installations with their families.

Others entered through Mexico, where the consulate in Ciudad Juárez awarded them U.S. residence.

Operation “Alsos”

Even more covert than a paperclip, Operation “Alsos” had a similar objective.

Some of the European scientists involved in the Manhattan Project, which produced the first atomic weapon, were worried that Germany had succeeded in creating its own bomb.

“Alsos” attempted to ascertain the extent of the Nazis’ research, but he encountered a problem: the American effort was so covert that intelligence services were unable to obtain the information they needed to assess German advancements.

Establishing an espionage division under the direction of the Manhattan Project’s engineers was the answer.

The Cambridge Five

In addition to these activities, the primary objective of espionage during those years was the recruitment of double agents in enemy territory, ideally in the highest levels of military or political authority.

Six hundred former Nazis in the Soviet zone of occupied Germany—known as the Gehlen Organization—started spying for the United States when Frank Wiesner and Reinhard Gehlen met. However, the West was unaware at the time of the extent to which the Russians had taken the lead in this area and advanced into the heart of England.

Who would have thought that one of Britain’s top colleges would produce traitors willing to surrender to the USSR?

In the 1920s and 1930s, Oxford and Cambridge were major hubs for communist recruiting.

Nevertheless, some of the new party members transitioned from militancy to espionage elsewhere.

Along with other members of the intellectual society Los Apostles, including Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt, and John Cairncross (though the latter’s involvement was never entirely verified), Kim Philby had been spying for the Russians for years when the CIA was established in 1947.

The Five persisted in their employment for many years, holding progressively more significant roles and having access to more classified material.

Philby, an MI-6 member, held the position of director of the Anti-Soviet Department and was a strong candidate to head the Secret Service.

Burgess and Maclean defected to the USSR in 1951 after Philby alerted them to their suspicions. He would follow their suit in 1963, not long after he was forced to quit and became a suspect himself.

Blunt was the only one still in England, having made a deal with the British government to provide information in return for immunity.

A coin

On June 22, 1953, fate’s whims left a young Brooklyn newspaper deliveryman holding a penny.

Since it appeared to weigh less than the others, he removed it to give it a closer look, dropped it on the ground, and the coin broke in two.

A small snapshot of a string of typed numbers was inside. The FBI eventually obtained the coin and its contents and, despite their inability to decode it, determined that the numbers were some sort of code.

After four years of no improvement, Russian Lieutenant Colonel Reino Häyhänen asked for political asylum at the American Embassy in Paris in 1957 and acknowledged that he had been a Soviet spy operating in the United States for the preceding five years.

The case of Abel

His defection revealed a wealth of information on Soviet infiltration techniques, including years of English language study, instruction in document photography, message encoding and decoding, and the creation of a fictitious identity based on a real surname that allowed the spy to pass as an immigrant son.

In addition, the FBI was ultimately able to decrypt the coin’s message and identify and apprehend its commanding agent—whom Häyhänen only knew as “Mark,” thanks to the keys he provided.

It concerned a professional photographer who’s flat contained many birth certificates belonging to various people.

His “real” identity (his true name was Vílyam Fisher) was one of the few things he disclosed during the interrogation: Rudolf Ivanovich Abel, a Soviet national.

Depending on what and how much we want to learn, history always has something to teach us.