A tech entrepreneur has revealed how his grandad being targeted by callous scammers inspired him to create a new cybersecurity service.
Ian Gardner, a retired army veteran from Coatbridge, fell victim to a ransomware attack which not only robbed him of thousands of pounds – but also his independence – before he died aged 78 in 2017.
Ian used his computer to store precious memoirs of his time in the military, to store decades of treasured photographs and to connect with family members on Skype.
He had also saved thousands of words he had written about his life on the device, from his time serving with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in Malaya during the 1960s, to working as an engineer at Glasgow Central Station.
But the heartless scammers infiltrated his PC and wiped his files, leaving him anxious and disconnected in his final years.
Grandson Jordan Reid, 32, was left “heartbroken” by the incident and decided to set up Senguard, a cybersecurity subscription service designed to protect the over-50s.
Jordan said: “The attack wasn’t simply about losing data — my grandad lost his connection to so many things. It was heartbreaking. “Before that, he’d been such a confident, capable man, but the scammers really put a dent in that.
“When I found out, I kept thinking, ‘How many other families are dealing with the same thing?
“His computer was a huge part of his life until scammers wiped everything.”
Ian’s family don’t know exactly how much money he paid to the scammers as he tried to regain access to his accounts.
Jordan added: “He didn’t tell anyone until his dying days, but we knew something had changed. It’s so common for scammers to target this age group, but they get embarrassed and they don’t want to be seen as victims.”
Jordan co-founded Senguard with cyber security expert Grant McAdam.
The firm provides scam surveillance, account security, and privacy protection in a way that’s simple and accessible. It also features voice-guided navigation for users with visual impairments and clear, jargon-free instructions.
Jordan continued: “This technology is my way of ensuring no one else has to go through what my grandpa did. Every time we help someone avoid becoming a victim, I think of him. His experience is at the heart of everything we do.
“It’s not about scaring people – it’s about making the internet a safer place for older generations by restoring their confidence, protecting their independence, and giving families peace of mind by providing simple tools to stay safe online.”
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