Scam awareness: classic poems rewired by AI

By infusing classic poetry with the theme of online scams, it can be an innovative and engaging way to enhance awareness about cybersecurity.

Specialists at Scams.info have utilised AI technology to craft adaptations of traditional poems that highlight the issue of scams. In this creative venture, they have collaborated with James Roy, Technical Director at Brainworks Neurotherapy, to investigate the role that rhyme plays in facilitating learning.

Ode to Fraud Awareness (Inspired by ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ by John Keats)

Aim of the poem: educating on robust password creation, two-factor authentication, and scammer tactics.

“Oh, vigilant firewall, our trusted shield,

Guarding our secrets in the digital field.

Amid threats that lurk, and hackers sly,

You shield our data, but here's a tip to apply.

With strong passwords, your defence fortify,

Change them often, and don't be shy.

Two-factor authentication, your armour near,

To keep intruders and fraudsters clear.

Update your software, don't delay,

Patches and fixes to keep scams at bay.

Beware of phishing, emails so sly,

Double-check links before you comply.

Educate and share, spread the word,

Fraud awareness, let it be heard.

With these tips and tricks, we adhere,

To protect our digital realm, and hold it dear.”

According to James Roy, Technical Director at Brainworks Neurotherapy: “Rhyming serves as a cognitive tool with a remarkable impact on memory, engaging the brain's intricate processes.”

I Surfed Cautious as a Cloud (inspired by ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’ by William Wordsworth)

Aim of the poem: this verse advocates caution in the digital realm, underscoring the importance of identifying and avoiding phishing dangers, and encourages informed practices for safe internet use.

“I surfed cautious as a cloud,

Amid the web, with cyber dangers shroud.

When all at once, a phishing email I found,

With fraudsters' tricks, their schemes unbound.

Beside the email, lies and deceit,

I spotted red flags, in my inbox's heat.

They tried to lure me, with tempting gain,

But I knew better, I felt no pain.

For I had learned the ways to stay secure,

In the digital world, where dangers occur.

With vigilance sharp and wisdom's grace,

I won't be caught in a fraudster's embrace.

So, surf wisely through the virtual crowd,

Aware of scams that speak too loud.

With fraud-awareness as my guide,

I'll navigate the web with stride."

James Roy states: “When we employ rhymes, our brain processes information by structuring it into manageable 'segments' or 'chunks.' This not only streamlines information storage but also enhances retrieval from long-term memory when needed.”

The Scam Untraveled (inspired by ‘A Road Not Taken’ by Robert Frost)

Aim of the poem: this poem champions prudent choices in the online world, stressing the essential decision to either succumb to deceptive scams or proceed with caution, thus ensuring the protection of one's personal information and privacy.

“Two paths diverged in the digital haze,

A choice to make in the fraud-filled maze.

To click or not, with caution I tread,

Aware of the scams that silently spread.

It made all the difference, this cyber road,

My data and privacy, against fraud, I strode.”

James emphasises: “rhyming acts as a mental scaffold that aids in organising and making data accessible in our brain's memory storage.

“The repetitive aspect of rhymes is another pivotal factor significantly benefiting memory. Repetition plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, reinforcing neural connections.”

The Fraudulent Odyssey: Navigating the Digital Realm (Inspired by ‘The Odyssey’ by Homer)

Aim of the poem: this poem honours the skill of a watchful guardian in the realm of technology, who adeptly avoids crafty plots, phishing attacks, and hidden threats to defend their domain and secure precious information.

“Tell me, O Hacker, of that cunning scheme,

Which caused havoc in the digital dream.

From phishing snares to Trojan Horse's guise,

The hero of security, ever-wise.

Through the perilous land of cyber threats he'd roam,

To safeguard his kingdom and shield his data home.”

According to the insight from James: “Melodies formed through rhyming often feature rhythmic patterns naturally promoting repetition, thereby strengthening memory traces in the brain. This strengthens the connection between rhymed words and the information they represent, making recall easier when required.”

As noted by James: “rhymes employ a combination of structural cues, including rhythm, stress, and breaks. These cues establish a 'mnemonic framework,' a learning technique supporting information retention and retrieval in human memory.”

The Firewall (Inspired by ‘The Tyger’ by William Blake)

Objective of the poem: this poem delves into the mysterious and powerful character of a 'Cyber Tyger,' prompting inquiries about the robustness of security measures and the capacity of alert individuals to counteract its fraudulent activities in the virtual landscape.

“Cyber Tyger, blazing bright,

In the servers of the night;

What firewall strong or what defence,

Could thwart your fraudulence?

In what phishing link or deceitful scheme,

What vigilant user could intervene?”

James outlines how “rhyming stands as a potent memory-enhancing technique that harnesses the brain's inherent organisational and repetition mechanisms. It optimises information storage and retrieval by breaking down data into 'chunks,' reinforcing memory traces through repetition, and constructing mnemonic structures. Understanding the neurological impact of rhyming provides valuable insights into how it bolsters memory and cognitive development."