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.

My two beautiful rocks

I love you both so much. You are so precious to me.

How and when (and where) we met was so serendipitous and in such a short space of time, but you are two of the most important people in my life. It doesn't matter we're not related by blood. That means fuck all to me.

You have always, always been there. Always. You've been with and 'seen' me at both ends and you never left me. You never stopped listening. When others decided to not listen and leave me, you never did. You held my hand and walked with me. You still listen to me. You still walk with me. You never judged me. You never distrusted me. You never not believed me. You may not have always agreed with me, but you accepted me. You still do. I feel as if you take me exactly for who I am and that is so rare to find in people.

I feel so incredibly lucky to have such rarities in my life who not only do I love, but who reciprocate.

I would like more but when you express your love without me asking for it, it's so organic and special and at times, unexpected and surprising. And sometimes it means so, so much, especially when I need it. Just knowing how much you love me can make a huge difference to me.

I want you both in my life until the day I die. I want you to be with me at the big moments in my life like my wedding. You will be standing next to me if I get married. I want you to be amongst the first to see my child or children after and if they are born. I would consider you to be his/her/their legal guardians. You will know if I get divorced. You will know when I change jobs. You will know when I move. You know about the important things in my life and will know about them. You also know about the small things in my life. Life is made up of the big and small shit.

You have given me so much more than other people I've had in my life since I was born and/or who knew me intimately. You have never, ever hurt me. I can't imagine there ever being a time where you are not a part of my life.

In fact, sometimes you are my definition of happiness and you make me feel that from my head down to the tips of my toes.

I have needed you so much, I think I have needed you less, but I'm still trying to improve. The overneed comes and goes in waves, but I'm trying and need to keep it even, like a see-saw.

You both know you're really important to me and that I love you deeply, but 'stating' it on my blog where people can read it is making it 'public' and you totally deserve it.

I love you infinitely SP and SA,

- A.M.

Ready to roll. Not.

Have you ever been in a situation where you are ready to go and then something happens and it kills your vibe?

I had that recently and apart from the irritation and frustration, it was the second time.

I was ready to work on my blog and post, when my keyboard went batshit crazy. Yes, it happened after I cleaned it. But I've cleaned it many times.

It wasn't usable and then it would settle slightly and then it would start up again. Re-starting the laptop did not help, just leaving it to sit for a while did not help. I couldn't find any articles, on the laptop, nor phone, that helped me, and I tried the key combinations to no avail.

Both times I solved the issue just by hitting two or more buttons simultaneously.

I think I can be fairly impatient when I need to be patient. But I can also be incredibly patient. For these times, it was 2-3 hours or more until I kind of gave up. The majority of free time after work and before bed.

It was also interesting when it happened, because it was like 'ok, I'm ready, let's go!' and I couldn't. I don't know if it's a sign, but it was definitely interesting. Anyway, I suppose if it happens again, I will just resort to angrily tap two or more keys simultaneously until my keyboard starts working as it should.

The difference with this time around was the mousepad also played up, noticeably more than the first time. And the ENTER key also went haywire. I know it wasn't a hardware problem, but it was just 'God, I just wanted my keyboard to work' mentality. Also when you re-start a computer and your keyboard doesn't work properly and you type in your password. I think I probably re-started it out of frustration but also it seemed as if the keyboard had temporarily settled down. Never again will I do that because then not only does your keyboard not work, but then you have to type in a password.

- A.M.