Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
banner
firewalldragons.bsky.social
Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
@firewalldragons.bsky.social
Podcast host, author, blogger, educator, advocate for computer #security & #privacy, software engineer (retired).

fdsd.me/blog
fdsd.me/book
fdsd.me/podcast
Pinned
Just FYI... I have a whole other podcast just for my patrons. It features bonus Q&A with my guests, more technical topics and special behind-the-scenes info. There are over 200 episodes so far!

There are lots of other patron perks, too...
www.patreon.com/FirewallsDon...
Get more from Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons on Patreon
creating Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons Podcast & More
www.patreon.com
Reposted by Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
This was a ton of fun. Hope you all tune in!
January 30, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Tune in Monday when I'll be debating the efficacy and wisdom of some oft-repeated security tips with cybersecurity guru @boblord.bsky.social - something he calls #Hacklore.

Subscribe here:
firewallsdontstopdragons.com/podcast/
Podcast - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
I have a weekly podcast called Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons. The show is a mix of cybersecurity news and interviews of prominent people in the industry. But like the book, the shows are targeted squar...
firewallsdontstopdragons.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:29 PM
Reposted by Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
Today, we’re launching Encrypt It Already, a new website pushing tech companies to deliver stronger privacy protections to their users by enabling and expanding the use of end-to-end encryption across their products or services. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Introducing Encrypt It Already
Today, we’re launching Encrypt It Already, our push to get companies to offer stronger privacy protections to our data and communications by implementing end-to-end encryption. If that name sounds a
www.eff.org
January 29, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Happy #DataPrivacyWeek !!

Every year, I update my Data Privacy Checklist. It's chock full of ideas and helpful links.

firewallsdontstopdragons.com/data-privacy...
Data Privacy Checklist - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
Your privacy is under attack. Unless and until we speak up and fight back, nothing will change. Here's what you can do: my Data Privacy Day checklist.
firewallsdontstopdragons.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:26 PM
Reposted by Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
In "Privacy's Defender," @eff.org Director Cindy Cohn chronicles her career protecting our right to digital privacy through 3 key legal battles, weaving her story with the history of Crypto Wars, FBI gag orders, and the post-9/11 surveillance state.

Out March 10th: mitpress.mit.edu/978026205124...
January 26, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Today I learned about the term Torment Nexus after sharing this article...

www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Welcome to post-Darwinism: AI fires silver bullet for creating new life
In a breakthrough experiment, molecular biologists and tech entrepreneurs have teamed up to write the genetic code of a virus that destroys killer bacteria
www.thetimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Reposted by Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
Thank you to @firewalldragons.bsky.social for covering the AI age verification bill being considered in the Florida Legislature!

Please call your state legislators and tell them you oppose these age verification bills!

#Florida #Privacy #Cybersecurity #AgeVerification
Today I'll explain how zero-knowledge proofs work. Also: Microsoft gives up BitLocker keys; FL mulls age verification; UK may ban VPNs; bad browser addons; ads-based data leakage; cops fail to redact Flock data; FTC limits GM car data; more!

podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2026/01/26/z...
Zero-Knowledge Proofs - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons Podcast
There exist many interesting technical tools which can greatly improve our privacy while still allowing us to use very personal data. In the next...
podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com
January 26, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Today I'll explain how zero-knowledge proofs work. Also: Microsoft gives up BitLocker keys; FL mulls age verification; UK may ban VPNs; bad browser addons; ads-based data leakage; cops fail to redact Flock data; FTC limits GM car data; more!

podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2026/01/26/z...
Zero-Knowledge Proofs - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons Podcast
There exist many interesting technical tools which can greatly improve our privacy while still allowing us to use very personal data. In the next...
podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com
January 26, 2026 at 3:35 PM
I just updated an article I wrote some time back about preparing for a power outage. This is mostly for communications, but there are links to other helpful guides, as well.

firewallsdontstopdragons.com/how-to-prepa...
How to Prepare for a Power Outage - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
Hurricanes and winter storms often bring prolonged power outages. But you usually have a few days to prepare. This is how I prepare for loss of power.
firewallsdontstopdragons.com
January 23, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Data #privacy rights are great, if have them. But if exercising those rights is too difficult, do you really have them? Car privacy is bad - and Privacy4Cars' massive report shows that even those with privacy rights can't easily use them.

podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2026/01/19/h...
Honoring Auto Privacy Rights - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons Podcast
Having data privacy laws are great. But if those laws can’t be practically enforced or your rights easily asserted, they’re not very useful. Modern...
podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com
January 19, 2026 at 2:55 PM
I honestly have no clue how common these tracking techniques are in the corporate world today... but you should at least know that these things are *possible*. There are some solid tips in here. Ironically, this is NSFW (language).

www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBsS...
How Employers Spy on You Completely Undetected
YouTube video by Proton
www.youtube.com
January 17, 2026 at 6:52 PM
What I want to know is: what was the exact vetting process for this box and who is allowed to stock and service it.
January 16, 2026 at 9:22 PM
On Monday, we'll dive back into vehicle #privacy with Merry Marwig and Andrea Amico from Privacy4Cars, including a massive study they recently released on honoring data rights.

Subscribe here:
firewallsdontstopdragons.com/podcast/
Podcast - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
I have a weekly podcast called Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons. The show is a mix of cybersecurity news and interviews of prominent people in the industry. But like the book, the shows are targeted squar...
firewallsdontstopdragons.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:24 PM
This is an excellent overview of the risks of agentic AI, which we are adding to our operating systems without regard for safety.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ANE...
39C3 - AI Agent, AI Spy
YouTube video by media.ccc.de
www.youtube.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:14 AM
Reposted by Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
Only one month left to submit your fantastic presentation to our Call for Papers #CFP
It closes on Feb 15. If you're near Durham, you can join our friends at DCG919 for a helpful session this Saturday. www.meetup.com/defco...
sessionize.com/cacka...
Putting Together the Presentation Puzzle: How to Answer a CFP, Sat, Jan 17, 2026, 3:00 PM | Meetup
Find Meetup events so you can do more of what matters to you. Or create your own group and meet people near you who share your interests.
www.meetup.com
January 15, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
New: Police have released info about millions of surveillance targets nationwide from thousands of different police departments because of a public records redaction error in Flock data. Reveals active police investigations, border patrol & ICE targets, lots more:

www.404media.co/police-unmas...
Police Unmask Millions of Surveillance Targets Because of Flock Redaction Error
Flock is going after a website called HaveIBeenFlocked.com that has collated public records files released by police.
www.404media.co
January 13, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
Cybercriminals stole the sensitive information of 17.5 million Instagram accounts, including usernames, physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and more.

This data is available for sale on the dark web and can be abused by cybercriminals.
January 9, 2026 at 4:34 PM
There are more private AI chat bot options - I'll give you a few today. Also: TX age law blocked by court; Flock cameras exposed; PornHub data leaked; TX dues over TV ACR; Wegman's using facial recognition; DROP tool debut; ChatGPT Health; more!

podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2026/01/12/p...
Private AI Chat - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons Podcast
AI has many problems, but also has promise. Today I’m going to focus on one particular problem that has some viable solutions: privacy. Chat...
podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:53 PM
We have Global Privacy Control, which is a universal data opt out signal. That's great (when it's honored).

But I need a universal signal to opt out of business marketing. I do no accept paid content. I do not need a business loan. I do not want SEO advice. LEAVE ME ALONE!!
January 10, 2026 at 7:44 PM
The Dragon Challenge Coins are BACK!! 🐉🪙🔥

If you missed getting one of the bad boys last April, now is your chance! I'm running a new patron promotion for the month of January.

firewallsdontstopdragons.com/jan-2026-pat...
Jan 2026 Patron Promotion! - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
The dragon challenge coins are back! It’s been too long since I’ve given away some of my highly-collectible, security-enhancing dragon challenge coins! The promotion will run through the end of Januar...
firewallsdontstopdragons.com
January 5, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Today we'll talk to the co-founder of @session-app.bsky.social, Kee Jeffreys, about decentralized messaging and permissionless account creation. Session is adding much-requested features like Perfect Forward Secrecy and post-quantum crypto.

podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2026/01/05/d...
Decentralized Messaging - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons Podcast
There are a ton of messaging apps on the market – and there are actually quite a few that are very secure and private....
podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Let me just go on the record saying that progressive disclosure (only revealing controls if you hover over them) is a freaking horrible UX. Stop it.
January 2, 2026 at 10:11 PM
We're back, baby! On Monday I'll have a long and interesting chat with the head of @session-app.bsky.social, Kee Jeffreys. Session has some interesting technical differences from apps like Signal and some new features. We'll get into that and much more!

firewallsdontstopdragons.com/podcast/
Podcast - Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
I have a weekly podcast called Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons. The show is a mix of cybersecurity news and interviews of prominent people in the industry. But like the book, the shows are targeted squar...
firewallsdontstopdragons.com
January 2, 2026 at 6:50 PM
2026 will be a pivotal year. Our #privacy rights are unraveling. Our infrastructure is vulnerable. We must engage. Now. Protect your data and devices. Then help others do the same. Hold leaders accountable for privacy and cyber resilience. Together, we can make this happen.
January 1, 2026 at 6:36 AM
Reposted by Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons
🆘 𝗪𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽! 🆘

Here are some of the books that were hall of fame candidates for our recent 2025 voting.

Have you read or written a book you’d like reviewed by our committee of seasoned cyber pros?

Drop the title in the comments or email [email protected].
December 31, 2025 at 3:06 PM