Last week’s worldwide cyberattack by ransomware dubbed “WannaCry” (and I’m sure some people did) left me feeling vulnerable once again. The malware didn’t affect me personally, but still, sometimes it feels like bad stuff is creeping in closer and closer, digitally speaking. Something, somewhere is always out to hack its way into our plugged-in lives. But I don’t want to give up my computer and smartphone or any other techie device I happen to use. I don’t want to “unplug” because I’m too dependent on having online access. And you know what? That’s what the hackers count on.
The question then becomes, what can the average person do to protect his or her online presence? Well, knowledge is power, so a good place to start is to visit your local library, check out some titles on computer security and internet security measures (these are library subject headings you can use to begin your search), and get informed. To help you navigate your way through the bits and bytes of information available on these topics, here is a brief reading list. You’ll find it to be a mix of cyber history, practical advice and forewarning. You may not agree with Nicholas G. Carr’s assessment of technology in “Utopia is Creepy” which the publisher describes as “a freewheeling, sharp-shooting indictment of our tech-besotted culture,” but it definitely is food for thought.
• “The Art of Invisibility: The World’s Most Famous Hacker Teaches You How to be Safe in the Age of Big Brother and Big Data,” by Kevin D. Mitnick.
• “Boundaries in an Overconnected World: Setting Limits to Preserve Your Focus, Privacy, Relationships, and Sanity,” by Anne Katherine.
