c/cybersecurity-tips

Unpopular opinion: Checking my email headers for mismatches caught a clever phishing try.

Seeing the real sender address didn't match the display name tipped me off right away.

Stranded in Chicago, I saw public USB ports in a new light

During a long delay at O'Hare, my phone battery was CRITICAL. I almost used a free charging station but remembered a tip about data theft. Instead, I bought a cheap power bank from a kiosk. That small choice probably saved my personal info from being copied.

My device almost got hacked through hotel Wi-Fi.

Enable firewall and use VPNs on unfamiliar networks.

My pal's joke about reusing passwords turned into a real mess last weekend

Honestly, people act like password reuse is no big deal until it bites them. Ngl, watching him try to explain it to his boss was both funny and a solid lesson.

My security update installed so slow I baked a cake.

Patience is key, but updates shouldn't test it this much.

TIL my constant security hardware swaps are just feeding the e-waste monster.

It's frustrating how chasing the latest secure gear means tossing out perfectly good stuff that piles up.

Caught someone peeking at my phone in a train station

I mean, it's why I started using a screen guard everywhere I go.

That time in Bangkok when a hotel Wi-Fi login page tried to steal my password.

Now I never enter my password on any public Wi-Fi without checking the network name first.

Saw a flyer in my town for a 'free virus scan' that looked totally fake

I was walking downtown and saw a flyer stuck to a lamp post. It said 'Free computer virus scan, call this number!' The number was handwritten and the paper looked old. I thought it was a joke at first, but then I remembered my grandma almost fell for something like this last year. She called a similar number and they tried to get her credit card info. It's crazy how these scams are right in our neighborhood. Always check if offers like this are from real companies. Maybe tell your family to be careful too.

Shoutout to turning off Bluetooth when not in use, even if it's a hassle.

Most people leave it on for convenience, but I learned it cuts down on attack chances. It's a small step that really helps.

I learned the hard way about email security. Now, two-factor authentication is a must.

Update: I locked myself out of my own smart home for a week

I decided to change all my passwords and add two-factor auth to everything, which sounded smart at the time. But then I forgot which email I used for the reset codes, and my phone number was old, so no texts came through. My smart lights wouldn't turn on, and I couldn't even get into my own thermostat settings during a heatwave. Had to call a friend who works in IT, and he facepalmed when he heard I didn't write anything down. Now I keep a paper list of backup codes in a safe spot, because tech can be too clever for its own good sometimes.

My dad printed his online passwords and taped them to the fridge.

He called it a backup security system.

You're setting yourself up for fraud with those simple food app passwords

I see way too many folks using passwords like 'password123' for their grocery delivery accounts. If that app has a data leak, scammers can quickly drain your wallet or steal your info (it happens more than you think). How do you handle making unique passwords without writing them all down?

My friend's idea of two-factor authentication is telling me his password over the phone.

He called to ask if I could log into his email because he forgot his password, then proceeded to read it out loud to me.