Stop Hacklore (modern urban legends about digital safety)
15 days ago
- #digital-myths
- #cybersecurity
- #secure-by-design
- A group of CISOs and security leaders address persistent myths about digital risks to everyday users and small businesses.
- Outdated security advice includes avoiding public WiFi, never scanning QR codes, and regularly changing passwords, which are now considered misleading.
- Modern protections like encryption and OS warnings make public WiFi and QR codes safer than commonly believed.
- Recommendations for the public include keeping devices updated, enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), and using strong passphrases with a password manager.
- Organizations should design resilient systems that don't fail catastrophically due to human error and encourage reporting suspicious activities.
- Software manufacturers are urged to build secure-by-design products, protect network traffic with encryption, and support independent security researchers.
- The letter calls for an end to 'hacklore' and promotes practical, proportionate cybersecurity advice based on current realities.