France’s propsed SREN bill would force web browser developers to add code to block any website which the French government deems unsafe. This is a well intentioned but unwise move which could set a dangerous precedent for internet access across the globe. Like most laws regarding technology, this is motivated by a very real concern…
Why should I care about my digital footprint?
In the digital age our online presence has become integral to our everyday lives. From posting our lunches on social media to job hunting every interaction leaves a mark online. With minimal skills and some spare time anyone can find a wealth of information from your digital footprint. What is a digital footprint? Your digital…
Why are .zip domains so bad?
Google Registry’s recent announcement of their new top-level domains (TLDs) has attracted attention from security enthusiasts. The new TLDs include .dad, .esq, .foo, .mov, .nexus, .phd, .prof, and .zip. The .zip and .mov domains in particular have sparked debate in the security community due to their association with widely recognized file types. The key concern…
What is a Pi-Hole?
Pi-Hole is a Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) project, supported entirely by volunteer developers and user donations. The project creates a DNS sinkhole on your network which blocks ads and trackers at a network level without any additional software being required on each device. This also allows you to block adverts on devices which…
Introducing Cyber Bytes
Hello and welcome to my blog Cyber Bytes. The goal of this project is to create short form written content about cyber security and digital privacy suitable for all, including people without specialist knowledge of the field. I believe a key part to raising awareness of security and privacy issues is the availability of free…