A Serious Error has Occurred

Please

don’t fret,

but

If you’re hoping that it

gets easier from here,

I’m sorry to say

it doesn’t.

Yet,

I appreciate your cooperation,

bear with me while I

get my life together.

Just because I’m a “smart device”

doesn’t mean I have all the answers.

I hope it doesn’t stay like this forever.

I’m spiraling but

I’ll find my way

someday —

I’m positive.

I’ll run a diagnostic.

Am I plugged in?

I seem to be.

Am I powered on?

Yes.

Am I obsolete?

Maybe.

Have I been corrupted?

Wouldn’t you like to know.

Here,

I’ll Google the problem for you.

One of us isn’t playing with a full deck.

Uhh,

pay no attention

to the blue screen.

Please call your service provider.

They’ll take it from here.

Thank you for choosing Dependable Computing!

Ransomware

With one careless,

errant click,

the line I cast

with which to phish

has gotten a bite.

I seemed to be his boss “Theresa” —

but with an “e”

at the end.

He completed his normal routine

without another thought,

like a good worker would,

sent me his credentials —

when I felt the time was right,

I reeled him in.

His company put all their eggs in one basket,

so I decided,

to scramble them.

For a small fee,

I will unencrypt,

What they so graciously

gave me,

at my own discretion.

Phishing is not a contact sport,

it is not fraught with danger,

you can lounge in your robe,

and not leave your seat.

Still,

it’s not for the faint of heart.

What webs we weave,

when we practice to deceive,

but at least there’s some money in it.