oh, hi

Why I'm starting this and who it's for

Over the years I've thought about starting a blog or newsletter. I've always been passionate about technology, and like most people with a passion, I want to talk about the cool stuff I'm learning or working on.

At first, I figured I'd focus on sharing security tips. But I realized something: talking to other security folks about security is rewarding in its own way, sure, but what I really enjoy is helping non-technical friends and family. I love breaking down practical security concepts in a way that actually clicks. My goal isn't to turn you into the most security-focused person ever. We all have tradeoffs and friction points we'd rather not deal with just to feel a little more secure.

I don't have to outrun the bear, I just have to outrun you.

Working in security, I'm reminded of this quote often. You might see an obviously fake phishing email and think, Who's falling for this? The answer: plenty of people. And that's just one example of the metaphorical bear chasing a group of folks who all got the same email. If you're lucky, you're just running a little faster than the rest. But eventually, everyone slows down. You drop your guard, or a shiny new feature comes along and distracts you just long enough.

Technology is always changing. With that change comes the chance to learn and rethink what you're actually comfortable with when it comes to your personal security. You might even discover features you didn't know existed. At the end of the day, I'll share ideas and suggestions, and you get to decide what's worth doing based on what you care about.

Over the years, friends and family have come to me with questions like:

• "Is this email real?"
• "Should I be worried about this app?"
• "How do I keep my kid safe online?"

And the thing is, they're not dumb questions. They're smart ones. The problem is most security advice out there is either way too vague or written for people who already work in tech.

This blog is my attempt to fix that (at least a little).

I want to help regular people feel more in control of their digital lives. You don't need a computer science degree to be safer online. You just need to know a few key habits, tools, and red flags. That's what I'll be sharing here:

• Real stories (anonomized to protect the innocent of course)
• Practical tips you can actually use
• Occasional side quests into the tech I'm trying or thinking about

Feel free to reach out to me with any questions or suggestions! I hope this is a two way conversation :)