TLDR; Security is essential, but it is only as effective as it is easy to do. 

This semester, I am taking a cybersecurity class; it is more of an introduction to the concepts than an in-depth course. So I took it upon myself to do as many things as I could to make my technology and online life more secure. 

People may want access to your accounts for many reasons, even though you don’t feel it would be worth their time. Your banking is online; your accounts can be used to speak for you, scam your friends and family, or impersonate you for numerous reasons.

So let’s try to be more secure.

At the beginning of this experiment, I decided to put a positive spin on paranoia, treating it like a hobby I was learning about instead of assuming people were after me. 

It helped my blood pressure and allowed me to see things more clearly. 

I covered all the cameras on my laptop and phone. I turned off all my microphones and voice assistants. 

Removed my Pin-Codes and replaced them with alpha-numeric passwords. I got a password manager. 

I got an Anti-Virus. I went open source on all the programs I could.

I turned off all my Bluetooth and removed my biometrics from all my devices. I turned off all my location services. I got a Hardware key. 

What was worth it?

Well, getting a password manager. I also like the Hardware Keys.

These two things can be done on any platform; I run personal Linux servers; these will work on that; I use a Macbook Air, and they also operate on that. 

This is just what I use. The important thing is understanding what you are using and that you like what you are using for security.  

The worst security is the security you don’t use. 

Password Managers are just a more secure way to store your passwords. Password Managers require you to make a longer password to store all your passwords. Many browsers allow you to do this, and iPhones do as well. 

A password manager benefits you because now it takes at least two different passwords to access all your accounts.

First your device password, then the Password Manger’s Password.

I use Bitwarden; It fits my use case. It allows easy, secure password generation. It has self-hosting options and cloud options for easy device adding. 

It even has a two-factor authentication code generator; I wish I had known before putting it all on Google’s authenticator app. Now I have to change many accounts.

Bitwarden even lets you choose how much effort you want a computer to need to open your password manager. If you have an older device, it may be slower to open your password manager.  

It just calls out to me personally.

Hardware keys are great; they make it so you have to have the key to your account on you. The key confirms that you are using that web browser at that moment. 

A Hardware Key looks like a USB Flash drive, often with a button on it. 

It works as a secure two-factor authenticator to carry on a keychain. 

I currently use a Trustkey. Why? It is what I could afford. After all, you may want two of them if you lose it. Then at least, you would not be locked out of your accounts. 

What does this all boil down to? Have good quality passwords somewhere secure. Have a reliable Two-Factor code or key.

Be secure on the internet.