“Nothing Is Free” on the Internet
Submitted by the Men’s Breakfast
On the internet “nothing is free!” warned Lawrence Beagan as he once again undertook double duty at first running the kitchen and then later providing attendees with a discussion and question/answer session on everything you needed to know about the internet and Internet Technology (IT).
In September past, Lawrence had presented facts on Radon Gas on the peninsula based on his own experiences but in addition to this, he is also a great cook, a kitchen designer, a fine woodworker and he also worked professionally as an IT consultant.
Every ‘free’ download and click you make on your computer, tablet, or smart phone is data and data is money… to someone. He first reminded us of the incredible acceleration in the growth of technology and commuting power. Moore’s Law, for example, “is an observation that the number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubles every two years”. He related his own observation of an early computer from the 1970s (IBM 360) had 8 MB of memory (your phone has gigabytes) and cost $12 million… makes a smart phone sound very cheap!
During his presentation, Lawrence discussed what the internet is (originally a military web); how connections are made; the need and use of passwords; how data is stored; e-mail and messaging security; how we have reached “1984” and the Ministry of Truth; and facts about malware and viruses. The security of any connection is important as the capture of your login and password information is the most significant problem on the internet. If your connection shows a red triangle, “run like hell” said Lawrence. You should see a closed lock icon and if you click on it, you will see the details of the security of your connection. The use of biometrics, e.g., fingerprints, face-recognition, etc., is the most secure.
Passwords should be strong, unique (to each login), and involve two-step authentication – 123456 is none of these! We all get frustrated with complicated passwords and tend to simplify or repeat the same ones. Lawrence recommended the use of Password Manager software which makes every password unique.
Data storage must be secure. Hard drives and solid state drives (auxiliary drives) provide secure devices but thumb drives are the least secure. Overall the most secure option is cloud storage, offered by trusted operating systems including Google, Microsoft and Apple. Cloud storage is accessible to you on any device, in any location; offers high security; constant back-up facility; and provides value-added functionality.
E-mail messages and messaging services should be fully encrypted. Avoid opening links in messages from unknown senders and ‘anonymous’ accounts and always check the domain and attachment… do not click unless you are certain. When sending to a long list of users, please use the ‘bcc’ send which makes each address unavailable.
Lawrence finished his talk by explaining differences among malware, viruses, and ‘man-in-the-middle’ attackers. The first ever malware was “Melissa” prior to the turn of the century which would mine your address book and send itself to everyone in the list. Much more damaging is today’s malware/corporate attacks such as that sent by hackers which freezes your data from your own access. Man-in-the-middle attacks involve a third party that intercepts and manipulates communication between two parties. SIM swaps is an account takeover fraud that deceives your phone company into swapping a SIM card from one device to another.
Lawrence finished his presentation with one question “do you really need a computer?!”
Correction: John Currie’s presentation write up in the 2024 Number Six Bruce Peninsula Press incorrectly stated that the original chart of the waters at the top of the peninsula was prepared by William Fitzwilliam Owen (should have been spelt “Fitz William”) in 1815, naming Tobermory as “ Little Cabotia” and not “Collins Harbour “ as reported. Also, it was reported that John had piloted the Parks boat to launch and land a 4 ft drone on the boat’s deck, however it was the “Deep Obsession”, owned by Divers Den.
Our next breakfast, on June 8, 2024, will feature a presentation on the rich history of service by war veterans of the Bruce-Saugeen Peninsula. Many men and women from the peninsula have offered their lives in the Canadian Armed Forces during both world wars, the Korean War and in Afghanistan over the past century. Members of the Tobermory Legion, Branch 290, including Veterans’ Committee Chair Shirley Johnstone, Rob Davis and air force veteran Barney Hopkins will be attending to remember this rich history.
On July 13th, Elizabeth Thorn, Chair off the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association, will speak about their latest projects.
If you are planning to attend, it would be helpful if you let us know, by contacting Martin at hogarth@ auracom.com
