Tuesday Sweep: 30 May 2017
Welcome to your weekly reminder to back up your data, update software and otherwise pay attention to your digital environment. (Oh, and to come to the CRASH Space meeting…)
Jump in Here
- Welcome. If you haven’t been following along, it’s okay. You’re not behind, you’re just where you are.
- I highly recommend the coach tool at the Crash Override Network has a great step by step break down for many of the same introductory steps we did here.
- Feeling more ambitious? Review the list of OneThing articles and pick one to catch up on.
Sweep
The basics.
- Updated software recently? Pick a new device to check on today.
- Backups still up and running? When was the last time you made a clean disk image? Here’s a new great article on how to design a backup system.
- Reduce your attack surface: Delete a low quality app from your phone or delete an account that you don’t need that doesn’t make you happy. Digital cruft builds up. Delete it.
- Anywhere you could add two factor authentication? While you’re at it, move the password to your password manager… and delete it from everywhere else.
- Double check privacy settings on your phone, social media accounts. Especially Twitter if you haven’t since their T&C changed.
Weekly Round Up
Where do you scan for news?
- I’ve been zoning out on “Nature Abstraction” by Matteo Zamagni that was March’s Time’s Square Midnight Moment arts program. C’mon Crashers, submit your own…
- Do you have a password manager? Get one. 1Password has added a travel mode that will remove some accounts from your password file while you travel. This complete disappearing of the data might prove to be important if “i forget” or “no” stops standing up in court. April 2017 Wirecutter pick LastPass posted these travel tips a few years ago that still stands, I’d be surprised if they don’t have a similar feature coming soon.
- You know WannaCry was a big deal because SciShow made a video about it. It’s the 5:39 second TL;DR of all the articles I’ve posted in weeks past.
- People impersonated by the anti-net-neutrality spambots voice their rage that the FCC doesn’t seem to care that once again our democratic process has been undermined by script kiddies. Maybe that’s because FCC chair Pai’s GOP buddies in congress want their own bots to be allowed to run free to leave you unlimited voicemails, too. According to the Boston Globe Article
The FCC is accepting comments until June 2, so there’s an opportunity for consumers to be heard on what they want to hear. Whether you believe these messages are an unconscionable intrusion on your privacy, or an unobtrusive way for businesses to get the word out, let the FCC know how you feel. Submitting comments is easy: Go to www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/express, enter 02-278 in the field for “Proceeding(s),” and type your comments at the bottom of the page.
- Wow. I’m impressed. Inmates Secretly Build and Network Computers while in Prison
- HTTPS reduces censorship finds the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society via @evacide. Install HTTPS everywhere and encourage your favorite site to switch!
- If you want to Pre-Game the CRASH Space meeting, check out Civic Hack Night @ LACI, run by Vyki Englert who gave a talk here at the space, which you can watch online.
Reflect
Feeling dumb or stupid about how not-l33t you are? Angsting over some silly thing you “know better than to do.” Stop. That isn’t useful. Regret is only of use if it prompts an actual change in behavior. Maybe it’s not YOU that sucks. Could be it’s the technology and you could come up with a fix that would help lots of people. Look forward and make a plan.
Engage
We are a community. You are a welcome part of it.
