Tuesday Sweep: 15 May 2018

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

It’s been a super super long week for me, but I’m trying to model that it’s better to do a little bit when you can that to get hung up on being the perfect netizen all the time. Every file is made from bits. Toggle yours as you can.

• On the repo
• See all the zones

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.
• Update main computer(s), phone(s) and tablet(s).
• Clean out and reset wallet/purse/laptop bag/vehicle.
• Put any straggling passwords/secure info into password manager, Spend some time updating flagged passwords.
• What neglected inbox will you check today?

This Week’s Focus:

Permissions. What has permission to do what, with what data. Check settings this week!

Start up items

• Switch to a privacy supportive search engine
• Install privacy plugins
• Develop a process for stripping EXIF data

Maintain

• Check & clear histories
• Delete software and accounts not in use
• Check what your devices are saying about you:
  • Phone settings
  • Computer browsers
  • IoT devices
• Do some contact list clean up
• Transfer email to offline archive

Learn

News and Updates

Where do you scan for news?

• Phone call of the week: Stop digital backdoors if only because the people in law enforcement and working for companies have weaknesses, too.
• Critical flaws in how email clients handle PGP? Your monthly? Weekly? reminder that email was designed to be a postcard not a letter. Some analysis.
• Interested in helping reform the DMCA by trying to build Apps for TV… Announcing the NeTV2 crowdfunding campaign by Bunnie Huang – via his blog and BoingBoing
• Sending inaudible commands to voice assistants… yikes, makes those silent? spam voicemails I get all the creepier!

Engage

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

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

Relax

Anthony Powell captures that even Penguins want privacy via Laughing Squid