Why Your Online Behaviour Is Not Entirely Yours! — [Security Drift 000]
Hi, this is the very first issue of the Security Drifts Series where I would make you — the reader — to “drift” towards more secure habits, either online or in real life. I can’t predict wether you’ll enjoy the content from this publication or not (if you are making a living as a scammer you definitely won’t…) but if you do, please keep it for yourself!
First off, why drift?
Very simple, in the Online Browsing slang there is such a concept called Contextual Drift. A Contextual Drift, in online browsing, is related to changes in user behavior, preferences, or context as they navigate through different websites or engage with online content.
For the sake of example let’s consider some Google stats processes that have been learning about my habits of browsing through YouTube videos and clicking on a video most oftenly located on the right-hand side of the screen. These number-crunching processes also learned that I prefer News in the morning, Instrumental Rock in the afternoon, and Ambient Music in the evening. Thus, my contextual behaviour will be reinforced over time by recommendations of the given categories, mostly located on the right-side half of the window. Furthermore, most of the sponsored and payed ads will be located in the same area of the screen as well, except for the first row in which the ad seems to be always in the top-left corner.
The contextual behaviour in the realm of online activities, for a certain person, mainly represents that person’s most likely actions when online, at every single moment. It’s kinda scary, if you think about it, that our online service providers know much better what we as users are most likely to do at a certain time of the day (or night) when online…
Now, imagine this analytics’ engine surprise when for a week in a row I don’t click on any of the recommended videos but instead go directly to my saved lists and select one playlist. I don’t access anything else, just listening to my preferred playlist, in a loop, every single day.
The engine is hartless and soulless (which is probably good, from a deeply phylosophical standpoint), so it won’t try to explain my behaviour at all; it will just detect a huge difference from my previous habits and probably will pass my data through a Contextual Drift encoder/analyser (or whatever they’are calling it) so that my old behaviour can blend a bit smoother with this newly observed “drift”, thus updating its recommender system.
You won’t believe until you try it. YouTube will actually start including in the feeds for you to listen that same playlist, but shuffled a bit with slightly new pieces and most likely those new videos will be part of same stream/topic, or music genre as your saved playlist. Cool, yeah?!
I explained to you what an Online Contextual Drift is (hopefully clear enough), but I still haven’t clarified why I decided to start this Security Drift Series, so here is why.
Starting with the unfortunate year of 2020 when everyone on the planet (mostly) has been affected by the global pandemic, our lives have become increasingly intertwined with the digital realm. Remote work, online schooling, virtual meetings, and a surge in e-commerce transactions have become the new norm. With this rapid shift, the significance of online security has never been more paramount.
Now, let’s delve into the essence of Security Drift. In the vast landscape of the internet, our online behaviors and habits are continually monitored, analyzed, and exploited by algorithms designed to understand and predict our preferences. Just as you’ve experienced contextual drift in your online interactions, the same principle applies to security.
Within the vast realm of the internet, algorithms tirelessly observe, dissect, and sometimes even leverage our online behaviors and habits. Crafted with the mission to decipher and anticipate our preferences, these digital orchestrators play a pivotal role in shaping our online experiences.
Imagine this scenario: your online activities consistently follow a predictable pattern, logging in from the same device, using the same passwords, and engaging with the same types of content. While this might seem convenient, it also makes you a potential target for cyber threats. Cybercriminals, much like those algorithms, thrive on predictability.
You and me, we are not as unpredictable as we think we are. Moreover, everyone keeps saying that we are consuming online content compulsively.
This is true, only partially so.
It is very important to realize that we are consuming it Predictably Compulsive.
Security Drift, in essence, encourages you to break away from the predictability mold. Just as you surprised the analytics engine with your sudden shift in music preferences, the goal here is to keep potential cyber threats on their toes. By adopting diverse security measures, you not only safeguard your online presence but also make it challenging for malicious actors to exploit patterns.
Now, you might wonder why embark on this Security Drift journey.
The unfortunate events of 2020 revealed vulnerabilities not just in our physical health but also in our digital well-being. Cybersecurity threats escalated alongside the pandemic, targeting individuals, businesses, and even critical infrastructure. It became evident that a collective effort is required to navigate this evolving digital landscape securely.
In this Security Drift Series, we will explore tangible steps, practical tips, and insightful strategies to empower you in enhancing your online security. From robust password practices to staying abreast of the latest cyber threats, each installment aims to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the digital world safely.
With Security Drift series I truly want you to give yourself a chance to become a harder target for those looking to take advantage of you, your data, your money, and your entire life perhaps.
Your active engagement, insightful comments, and the generous sharing of this series go beyond enriching our community; they actively contribute to fostering a more secure digital environment for everyone. Thank you for being a part of this collective effort.
So, fasten your seatbelt for an exciting journey into the realm of Security Drift. Each shift you make not only enhances your personal security but also fortifies the resilience of our broader online community. Stay tuned and keep those virtual sails set, as we navigate this digital sea together. Your continued presence and participation are key, and I can’t wait to share more valuable insights with you in the upcoming posts. Until then, thank you for reading, and let’s eagerly anticipate the next chapter in our Security Drift series!
Upcoming Feature
In the forthcoming week, we will delve into the critical topic of discerning the legitimacy of emails that raise suspicion — whether they represent phishing attempts or genuine requests for financial transactions.
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