THIS is the final issue of Wacky Tech for 2018.
The year was one heck of a tech blast. We saw mobile phones one-up each other as they released their killer flagships one after the other. We also saw computer companies out flank each other when it came to releasing the latest and greatest desktop or laptop computers they have in their stable. In the end, us, consumers won the most. The choices were as numbing as ever before. There’s a whole lot more products to choose from that will fit any budget. In theory, one can have one phone for each mobile network they wanna be on.
We’ve also talked about security in this column. I’ve shared with you how best to put together a security key for your online accounts. I’ve also talked about two-factor authentication whether in software or hardware form. You can always choose one that will best suit your needs. The point here is that there’s a second level of authentication. In more ways than one, that alone is a big stop for would-be hackers of your online accounts. Of course, it will always be best to keep your wits about you and make sure that you’re also not being social-engineered.
And then there’s social media. In our case here, primarily Facebook. If i remember it right, Facebook came off of one or two or three data breach scandals this year. And in each time, more and more people question Facebook’s integrity as a social media platform when it comes to securing our private information. There are alternatives out there but the problem is adoption. Nothing can compare to even half of how Facebook’s level of pervasiveness. And this, again, brings me back full circle to our concerns of online security. In this day and age, our online behavior can easily cross the border into our real world behavior. Whatever goes up on social media can easily make or break you or me in the real world.
As we close 2018, I will, again, reiterate that call to a more responsible use of any of your online platforms.
There’s no need to always post everything online. And if we are to post and share something online, let’s all be mindful of what we put up online. It may not be obvious to us right away but we exert a level of influence on any number of people around us. Anyone can just as easily believe what we say online or share online.
Always be mindful of your digital footprints. The places you visit online will almost always have a piece of information about you - the operating system you’re using, the kind of laptop you’re using, your browser version, and in some cases, your location. If possible, secure yourself with a VPN. Anonymize your online activity especially when you’re on a public Wi-Fi network.
After all the data breaches that became news this year, the biggest shoutout has been towards online security and data security. Computing and internet technologies are fairly young. Breakthroughs and inventions are happening on a regular basis especially when it comes to making our online space more secure than ever. I think it wouldn’t hurt if you keep tabs on what’s happening in this sector of the tech world. Knowledge is power, as they say. So, the more things we know about how to secure ourselves online, the better.
Let’s all say goodbye to 2018 and all its flaws. Take into heart everything that we can learn from this year and forge on ahead to 2019.
Merry Christmas, everyone! And may 2019 be ever more hashtag-blessed for you and your family!