Hacking

I have to add my voice to this subject because it's got to a point where it can't be ignored.

I don't think anyone, even the hackers, will ever know if covid-19 is the precise cause of what seems to be an increased number of hackings, but it sure is amusing to read about the strength of systems and the surprise. Seriously, technology is smart and along with the right person you can go far.

There's also that infinite surprise of what technology and what digital information of yours is stored. I suppose we can call it 'personal data'. You really trust none of your digital information, especially if it's been online or is online, is not stored forever, regardless if you have deleted it or been told it's been deleted?

I am not a tech wiz, but the aforementioned belief is stupidity. Not only is your digital information, especially online (as opposed to offline like notepad), always there, but giants like Google and Facebook have more information than you know. And if you buy into the bullcrap of it being encrypted or only necessary information for statistics is kept or it's made anonymous, for example, this is also stupidity.

You deny it? Then look at the fact Facebook was taken to court, or rather, Mark Zuckerberg. Facebook's notorious for its questionable (if I'm being polite), but actually lax security and privacy, likely in the name of 'being connected'. Also, why would Zuckerberg need to care in personal terms, he has enough money to last his entire life and people have already created their accounts. The moment to ruin his everyday life has passed.

As for Google, the majority of people use it. Yes, one can use another search engine, but many people don't. Google not only pretty much has no competitors, but now its influence and power are trying to be shaken, at the very least. Look at the Australian and New Zealand media tussle with Google.

I digress. Back to hacking. It not only reveals system weaknesses, but the consequences of the hackings stop important integral parts working. Technological 'warfare' may be an actual concept, and it's best to try to at least be level with the hackers so you don't have to catch up. I am not saying it is 'warfare', I am simply raising it as a concept. And I am most definitely the first person to use the terminology.

In the same vein as Bill Gates saying in 2015 the next big dilemma would be something like an infection and the world had to get a move on and look what happened, maybe money should be found to invest in technology to protect against attacks. One reason hackings and terrorists succeed is they are at least one step ahead of their targets.

As technology is not plainly in your face, it's not always obviously an issue. It is a means: for example, you use technology to do your job (computer and internet), eat (fridge), travel (train/car/plane), but it is not like you have a motherboard or a nest of wires to make a device work sitting on your bedside table and/or desk. Very much like teaching or your personal health or the arts as I have discussed in 'Arts during covid-19', https://holandt.blogspot.com/2021/02/arts-during-covid-19.html .

I am not siding with hackers, but it actually is wise to make sure you have the best defences possible in place if one or more hackings occur. Potential problems and long-term planning doesn't seem to be important in some cases. I would probably be described by some as an overplanner and thinking too much about 'ifs', but I don't give a fuck what other people think and for the most part, it's worked for me, save contributing factors that are more powerful (example: the potential employer or landlord for that job or rental you really, really want). And it doesn't take out the fun.

Happy hacking and happy protecting. :)

- A.M.