There is a lot of online talk about cybersecurity. Everyone is talking about VPNs and proxies, as well as password managers, along with the ubiquitous antivirus software.
It is prudent for any web user (all of us) to research some internet safety tips.
However, you might have noticed a trend in the news over the past few years. Politicians have continually had their private communications exposed with email leaks and the like. Hillary Clinton is far from the only one to get caught up in this.
It may have cost her the presidential election. South Africa’s “Gupta leaks” scandal – a cache of emails from the highest politicians and businessmen in and out of the country – has already brought down Britain’s Bell Pottinger PR firm.
Of course, despite all his noise during his campaign, Donald Trump’s White House has had its own fair share of compromising leaks. The most important so far was the email proving that Donald Trump Jr. met with Russian lawyers to try obtain sensitive information about Clinton. Less important, but still embarrassing, was the absurd story of the British prankster who fooled top White House officials.
All of which has led many to wonder, if high powered politicians aren’t safe, can we really be?
No, but…
The answer to the question is, in a sense, a straightforward no. If high profile hackers want your data, they’ll probably find a way to get it, no matter which VPN you use. If the government are investigating you on a serious matter, they’ll almost certainly gain access to your accounts no matter how good your passwords are.
But there is, of course, a major difference between the average person and a politician. A politician’s actions can have huge consequences. Hackers can take advantage of them with some compromising information, and will do all it takes to get access to any private activity. Also, the government is unlikely to go to extremes to break into your accounts unless they suspect you of terrorist activity or the like.
Safety measures deter hackers
In other words, unless they have a significant reason to think that your information could give them major leverage, hackers are not going to go the distance. They’d much rather hack easy targets, whose information is probably as valuable as yours.
So too with the government. They’re not going to launch a full scale hack into your computer because they suspect you of downloading torrents.
By using a VPN, and following safety protocols online, you’re taking huge steps to protect yourself. It’s as if you’ve built a massive wall around your house, electrified it, and set laser beams across your garden. And the rest of the houses on your street don’t even lock their doors. It’s still possible to get into your house – no safety measures are ever foolproof – but no one will try unless they think you’re keeping a massive cache of diamonds.
