The year we were most dependent on technology and the online world - 2020 story
Over the past decade, the information technology (IT) industry has grown at an unprecedented rate. Following the launch of the iPhone in 2007, it became clear that the future belongs to portable devices, and that technology is for everyone, not just for entertainment or work. This transformation started long before, but was most visible with the advent of smartphones.
We don't sit in front of computers much anymore, but they are almost everywhere, in our fridges, light bulbs, desks, toilet seats and of course on our arms, and in our pockets with our smartphones.
As a result of the coronavirus epidemic, we have become much more reliant on online services and tech gadgets than before.
Everything that could was moved into cyberspace, and for good reason: keeping your distance was a key part of fighting the virus.
As a result, exposure to online attacks and incidents has also increased, with phishing attacks on the rise, but there has been more this year:
Zoom-gate, Twitter hack, Facebook, Spotify data leak, SolarWind
Major companies and the US government have also been the victims of various attacks. While the Twitter hack was a social engineering attack, the Facebook and Spotify data leaks show that big tech companies are not paying enough attention to data protection. And in the case of Zoom gate, it was security itself that was the problem, not privacy...
It's time to recognise that the online space is just as dangerous, and in many cases more dangerous, than 'reality'. It's not the fabulous, wonderful place where everything is free and it's all great.
Nothing is free
There is a price for everything, and the services that are "free" are very nicely detailed in the terms of use about what we contribute when we use them.
Data protection has become key
Thanks to digital education, many young schoolchildren have started to use online platforms, which poses a host of risks.
The camera and microphone have become an essential part of our everyday lives.
Windows 7 support has been discontinued
With the outbreak of the coronavirus, Windows 7 is no longer supported and no security patches are coming. This means that anyone who hasn't updated is potentially at risk, and many people couldn't or wouldn't.
Windows 7 is a great operating system, one of Microsoft's best products in my opinion, and it's no wonder so many people use it. One problem: it's 11 years old.
There was an attempt by the Free Software Foundation to make Windows 7 open source, if left alone, but of course Microsoft didn't do that.
Almost half of devices running Android are running a version older than 9.0 Pie 2018
There are a lot of vulnerabilities in older operating systems - if they are not maintained by the vendors. And in many cases they are not, especially in cheaper phones, which have the unfortunate phenomenon of not even receiving security updates, let alone a new major version.
Lesson learned: upgrade if you can, upgrade if you can't, put on a custom ROM, and if you can't, consider buying a new phone if you store important data and don't just use it for YouTube.
The situation is escalating
2021 could be another year like this, of course we don't yet know what the future will bring. Technological advances are taking us to new levels, blurring the line between real life and online space. In such a world, which is far more dangerous than before, it is particularly important to be vigilant and aware.
In the last minutes of 2020, I bid you farewell for the year. A happy, Xiaomi and prosperous New Year to all! ????
