Whitepaper

OVERVIEW

Scam Aware’s main focus is to help mitigate the risk presented through malicious phone calls, emails, and text messages that attempt to either steal personal or financial information. Additionally we have added a crypto currency or blockchain module. As the blockchsin becomes more popular many will fall victim to scams. Many individuals have fallen victims to these scams with no solution in sight after many years of increasing scam activity. Scam Aware hopes to design an application or framework to both educate and defend against scams before they happen, allowing for the removal of the scam and continued defense against new scams.

GOALS

1. Identify major current scams, where individuals are most affected, and what scams are most effective. 

2. Create useful educational content showing users how to spot scams before they happen and what steps to take if they believe someone may be trying to scam them. 

3. Design a new framework or application to incorporate educational material and protect against scam attacks using a blacklisting system. 

4. Provide continuous educational material that can be used by non-profit organizations to implement monthly training for their users. 

5. Discuss blockchain basics

6. Identify different wallets used to interact with the blockchain

7. Provide examples of current scams going around and how to better protect yourself and assets

SPECIFICATIONS

The Scam Aware framework will focus on educational material in conjunction with tools that in theory could be used in an application form, and extension form. The framework could be deployed on all devices ranging from mobile devices such as Apple, Android, and Microsoft. Scam Aware could also be able to function as a browser or email extension in a similar way that anti-phishing software operated. The framework should be versatile enough to function as an application on its own or a lightweight extension with the core goal of stopping spam, and scammers before they have a chance to do damage.

MILESTONES

Team Brainstorm

Identify possible solutions and delegate roles amongst the team to pool all available resources to the best possible areas. Focus on drafting up ideas and creating a game plan to collect data and begin the first stages of design.

Data Collection

The team will focus on collecting as much data as possible on areas relating to scams and spam. Multiple focus groups will be used to help the spread of data and to ensure that all possible users are being listened to too. At this point, the team will also collect ideas for the project for possible implementation into the design. 

1. Non-profit retirement homes

2. Other students

3. Friends and family

Educational Material and Alpha Design

Create educational material designed to make the user aware of different scamming methods that are present online and how to avoid having your data exposed to these scammers. At this point, the team will also begin the early stages of the chosen application design. 

1. Focus on what the scams are and where they come from. 

2. Create useful examples of these scammers in action to help show users telltale signs of scam activity. 

3. Educate users to practice denying all when it comes to contacts that they may not be familiar with online. 

4. Provide educational material for providing continuing education to users and providing updates of new malicious threats.