I can’t legally admit that I was ever hacked. But sometimes people close to me get it. When I can’t respond in time, bad things happen. True, with great sysadmin powers come great responsibility. But in another truth, the rivers of data that connect us together are leakier than sieves.
Life was different before. I had a super secure password, and since it wasn’t even a real word, nobody could guess it. Until I found out that it had been disclosed in a massive security breach. Not about to say who was responsible, but their targeting in this role was undeniable.
Lots of us can remember a time when stores still existed that only took cash. That cash stays in a big machine. This is generally a steel box or a wooden drawer under protection of lock and gear that ensure only authenticated individuals can gain ingress. This is safety. With a steel wall between me and what I want, the temptation lessens. Someday, our leaders might take these things with equal gravitas. But that’s a story for another age.
The best thing do is to lock down everything under your control. As long as we have thieves, we have theft. A lock of any sort is just another delaying tactic. And unlocked bikes wind up stolen. So if you came to this blog hoping for some advice on how to keep your data safe, I have a few suggestions for you.
How to do better:
- activate 2-factor authentication on every account you have. Best Buy, Github and Reddit have this option; most banks prefer authentication via text. turn that on too, if you can.
- If you’re savvy enough to detect the bullshit on a text, phone, or email scam, report it immediately. all corporate entities have IT departments that can block these things. slowing a malevolent entity down isn’t as good as killing it, but you might save some old biddies down the line.
- do what you can not to pump data through the various big players who suck up your attention as best they can. most of the FAANG companies exist to monetize your boredom. do what you can to use alternatives.
These brief clues are the best I can give you in terms of defending yourself in this age of Internet disaster. At the end of the day the softest part in our armor is our flesh. It’s things like sympathy that let people get into trouble, and there’s no way that we can all be fast enough to save everyone.
And other fun news, this was the first article that I dictated partly using my AirPods and iPhone. I don’t think it went terribly well, but it definitely gave me an opportunity to punch out a little bit more “writing” than I otherwise could have. And that to me is precious.
In the meantime I hope that everybody is able to stay safe warm and well in this time of sickness and drag. The winter is approaching and without the help of the new year. If there’s anything I can help you with, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You’re all amazing