Shoptalk

Only very rarely do I indulge in shoptalk. Today is one of those days, however. So if you fall asleep easily or have an aversion to terms like “program compiler” or “Internet browser” then maybe it’s best you sign off now. Everybody else? You may want to refresh your memory from a post I did last year on password security – here. Then read on if you care about data tracking and security of your personal information.  If you’re anything like me, you’ll be glad you did.

 

The Turing Award Winners

 

Recognize either of these guys?

And no, “Bill and Melinda Gates” is not a correct answer.

 

Quick, answer this question: What browser are you using right now? Chances are, if you’re on an iPhone, it’s probably something like Safari. On a laptop, it might be Chrome or Edge. And if you’re like me, you use Firefox. I know for a fact that very few of you use DuckDuckGo, but you may want to reconsider that after reading the article, here. Because your personal information is at stake. It’s being bought and sold all the time by the likes of Google and Facebook. And their trackers know where you’ve been before. More worrisome, they know where you’re likely to go next. And if that doesn’t bother you, maybe it should. For instance, users of Tinder can now expect to be subject to involuntary background checks as outlined in the article, here. You don’t have to be a big fan of #MeToo to see how this might play out – for better or worse.  And not just for dating apps either.

 

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Thanks for letting me indulge in a bit of shoptalk today.

Tune in tomorrow for a discussion of you car’s extended warranty.