Tuesday Sweep: 16 October 2018

Your weekly reminder to back up your data, update software and otherwise pay attention to your digital environment. (Oh, and to head to the CRASH Space meeting…)

• On the blog
• On the repo
• See all the zones

Zone 3: Permissions. Who gets to see what data when is this weeks theme again.  I got pretty intense about that last month. Today’s been a pretty busy day for me so I’m going to move right along to putting links in the Learn section. Have a great week!

Jump in Here

• Welcome. If you haven’t been following along, it’s okay. You’re not behind, you’re just where you are.
• Need a instant pick me up? Jump straight to our Easy Wins.
• There are more recommendations under Start Here.
• Feeling more ambitious? Just wait for the Learn section!

Sweep

Weekly Basics

• Check that backup systems are actually running. (more)
• Update main computer(s), phone(s) and tablet(s). (more)
• Wipe down your main devices, physically! (more)
• Clean out and reset wallet/purse/laptop bag/vehicle. (more)
• Spend some time adding passwords to your password manager and updating flagged passwords. (more)
• What neglected inbox will you check today? (more)

This Week’s Focus:

Zone 03:  Permissions, who gets to see what and when.  It’s okay to have boundaries.

• Spend 10 minutes moving unencrypted data (for example, email) older than ~3 months old to offline archive. (more)
• Keep using privacy minded browsers and search engines, Spend 5 minutes clearing cookies and history as needed. (more)
• Check dockets. Call your reps. (more)
• Don’t let apps see your contact book, or spend time moving sensitive contacts into something else. (more)
• (more)
• Review your standards, move closer to them. (more)
• Spend 10 minutes check your location sharing settings and clear out other location leaking data (more)
• Spend 10 minutes changing the default setting on a service you use, social media, navigation, search engines etc. (more)
• When in doubt, remember to use the website, not the App. (more)

Learn

News and Updates

Where do you scan for news, include a politics update!

• Privacy and security matters for science, too!
  • How DNA Databases Violate Everyone’s Privacy
  • Privacy for Tigers
• WhatsApp cofounder: “I sold my users’ privacy”
• The tricky part about using your phone number for 2FA is that it can be a privacy breach.
• Why change is hard even when we know better.
• If Supermicro boards were so bug-ridden, why would hackers ever need implants?
• DoNotPay expands to include small claims lawsuits
• Vigilante. Server. Administrator. and Vigilante. Engineer. 
• Microsoft promises to defend—not attack—Linux with its 60,000 patents

Engage

We are a community. You are a welcome part of it.

• Did you learn something cool in your sweep? Make something? Share it!
• Speak up
• Give
• Like going to conferences? Maybe one is coming up!
• Show up at CRASH Space.

Relax

Some times stinky is good. Aromatherapy has some basis in reality. These LA companies make things that smell really really awesome.

• Dermatologica
• LATHER

If splurging on fancy toiletries isn’t in the cards for you this week, even just spending some time sniffing the fruits and veggies in the grocery store can get some fun scents up your nose.  Go ahead. People do all sorts of weird things to produce to see if it’s ripe. The staff won’t even notice you.  Find your happy smell.