A Review by John Cosstick
I came across this book while researching about digital security on the internet. As soon as I began reading it, I knew I’d be rating it five stars! The reason behind such a stellar rating is the book discusses digital security from different perspectives.
It focuses on each point of view, so that every reader gets something out of it. For instance, it mentions details that would be useful for a home user. Many home users use a local area network (LAN) that connects them to other family members, as well. That is why it is imperative that they read this book:
If that isn’t you, then the discussion meant for parents might catch your eye. If that isn’t your cup of tea either, then you will still benefit greatly as a consumer! Whether you only use digital technology at work, home, or in both places, you will want to know what Graham Day has to say.
This book is essential for freelancers who operate their independent businesses via LAN from home. Their continued cybersecurity depends on it!
One of the many reasons why Graham’s Kindle eBook matters today has to do with how technological advancements have changed the workplace. Gone are the days when if you wanted to earn a dependable income, you had to clock in a specific amount of hours at work.
Today, more than 55 million workers in the United States alone have turned to freelancing. The number might shock you – after all, it means about 40% of the workforce are freelancers. However, that isn’t the end of it by any means!
This shift has caused ripples across the globe and continues to change the society. You can observe the transformation and its impact here from this infographic on Statica.com called Who’s freelancing in America.
You will find more infographics at Statista
Unsurprisingly, technological experts and world leaders do not remain unfamiliar with the changing trends. Take a look at The New Economy Forum: The Future of Work here.
Conducted under the direction of Christine Lagarde, The Managing Director of IMF, the forum was also attended by Sara Horowitz, the ex-CEO of the Freelancer’s Union.
What this goes to show is that we need to become a part of the rapidly changing professional landscape. Day’s book will be of immense help to freelancers who are looking to do just that!
For most, freelancers, cybersecurity is an in-house affair. Since they do business on the internet on a daily basis, it is an operational risk that they must take. They stand risking their systems getting hacked for fun, ransom, or even so the hacker can leave a malware virus.
The resulting loss of income due to data they have lost or malfunctioning computers is a certainty. That is why they need Day’s book. It could change everything!
Day starts the book by dedicating a chapter to knowledge about the internet. Don’t skip it because even pro internet users can glean useful information from it.
Going from there, the second chapter defined the different threats, such as cyberbullying, grooming, and sextortion, an internet user might be exposing themselves to while on the web.
Even as a parent or a family member, this information can be useful because the threats don’t just limit themselves to businesses! Cyberbullying can tear families apart, which is what the author is trying to show us. The author also brings to light possible motives behind such crimes.
However, Day understands that to his readers, the whys of cybercrime don’t matter as much as the how-to’s do! As the motives of the criminals become clearer to us, the author unveils the various ways through which they are enacted.
Most systems are vulnerable to social engineering, sexting, phishing, scareware etc. The list seems to go on and on, each type is discussed in the book. Along with the features of each crime, Day also includes how readers can protect themselves from them .
The subsequent chapters contain in-depth knowledge for home office users of Mac OS and Windows. The author has factored in the multiple screens, such as smartphones and laptops, which we all use so commonly.
According to Day, the switching of screens makes it easier for innocent family members to become victims of cyberbullying and trolling. Different tools that can keep that from happening are discussed, as well.
The next batch of chapters focus on digital consumers and the many ways they endanger themselves economically. Online shopping, pin cards, ATMs, chip cards are some examples. While they make our lives easier, they also raise the likelihood of our being victimized.
Since we access them via internet from virtually anywhere there is internet access, the dangers keep increasing too! Moreover, the Internet of Things has integrated itself to devices even as simplistic as baby monitors. It has made the average household even less secure!
The eleventh chapter deals with security issues of the social networks. If you spend some time perusing it, you will leave with a better understanding of how they operate and the dangers lurking there! Day discusses major social websites in the chapter.
In the next chapter, the author focuses on parental security for increased family awareness. Readers who are also parents will learn more about the hazards their kids could be exposed to while on the internet.
The last two chapters deal with resilience and risk assessment, respectively. We learn that it is better to assess the risk to our data beforehand and have backups than to regret later after losing it!
We also learn ways of bouncing back from our bad experiences. The book also includes a Cyber Security Risk Assessment chart.
Reading Security in the Digital World has helped me become a smarter internet user. I hope it makes the web a safer place for you and your family too!
