Tarah Wheeler
@tarah.org
CSO of TPO.group ♦️Senior Fellow for Global Cyber Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations♦️ EFF Board of Directors♦️she/her ♦️ bestselling author but only that one time
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
📢 Announcing hacklore.org 📢
It’s time to retire outdated cyber advice! More than 80 cybersecurity veterans have signed an open letter urging a shift from folklore to guidance that actually helps people avoid the most common attacks. 🔐
Blog: medium.com/@boblord/let...
Site: www.hacklore.org
It’s time to retire outdated cyber advice! More than 80 cybersecurity veterans have signed an open letter urging a shift from folklore to guidance that actually helps people avoid the most common attacks. 🔐
Blog: medium.com/@boblord/let...
Site: www.hacklore.org
Stop Hacklore!
hacklore.org
November 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM
📢 Announcing hacklore.org 📢
It’s time to retire outdated cyber advice! More than 80 cybersecurity veterans have signed an open letter urging a shift from folklore to guidance that actually helps people avoid the most common attacks. 🔐
Blog: medium.com/@boblord/let...
Site: www.hacklore.org
It’s time to retire outdated cyber advice! More than 80 cybersecurity veterans have signed an open letter urging a shift from folklore to guidance that actually helps people avoid the most common attacks. 🔐
Blog: medium.com/@boblord/let...
Site: www.hacklore.org
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
i can get malware on my computer by giving it to my 12yo cousin for a day
and at a fraction of the cost of letting copilot do it
and at a fraction of the cost of letting copilot do it
November 19, 2025 at 3:16 AM
i can get malware on my computer by giving it to my 12yo cousin for a day
and at a fraction of the cost of letting copilot do it
and at a fraction of the cost of letting copilot do it
I do this ish for a living, I am an AI developer and researcher, and *I* don’t fully understand the security implications. What hope do regular users have?
www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...
www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...
Microsoft warns that Windows 11's agentic AI could install malware on your PC: "Only enable this feature if you understand the security implications"
Microsoft is pushing ahead with its plan to add agentic capabilities to Windows 11 but has issued an important security warning for anyone who is interested in trying it out.
www.windowscentral.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I do this ish for a living, I am an AI developer and researcher, and *I* don’t fully understand the security implications. What hope do regular users have?
www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...
www.windowscentral.com/microsoft/wi...
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
SIREN and CAIR-CA v. San Jose
The San Jose Police Department has blanketed the city’s roadways with nearly five hundred Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs). The police department uses this unblinking surveillance network to
www.eff.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:43 PM
🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
We're suing the city of San Jose for its pervasive ALPR surveillance program. With nearly 500 ALPRs, the SJPD allows its officers to search millions of records, all without a warrant. These unconstitutional searches must be stopped. Read the complaint: www.eff.org/cases/siren...
I reviewed "Geopolitics at the Internet’s Core" by Fiona Alexander, Laura DeNardis, Ph.D., @nanettelevinson.bsky.social, & Francesca Musiani. It's not a tech spec for Internet Protocol—it's actually a cenotaph for a bygone era of consensus and freedom.
www.tarah.org/2025/11/17/a...
www.tarah.org/2025/11/17/a...
A Cenotaph for Internet Freedom: Reviewing “Geopolitics at the Internet’s Core” – Tarah Wheeler
www.tarah.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:32 PM
I reviewed "Geopolitics at the Internet’s Core" by Fiona Alexander, Laura DeNardis, Ph.D., @nanettelevinson.bsky.social, & Francesca Musiani. It's not a tech spec for Internet Protocol—it's actually a cenotaph for a bygone era of consensus and freedom.
www.tarah.org/2025/11/17/a...
www.tarah.org/2025/11/17/a...
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
For the second time in two years, Cato has sued the DOJ and FBI for records on their use—and abuse—of FISA Section 702 surveillance. The public deserves to know whether this program protects Americans or targets them.
Cato Sues FBI Over FISA Records, Again
Two things are certain. The first is that the FISA Section 702 program is set to expire in late April 2026. The second is that the kind of public interest FOIA litigation Cato is engaged in on this case...
www.cato.org
November 2, 2025 at 4:36 PM
For the second time in two years, Cato has sued the DOJ and FBI for records on their use—and abuse—of FISA Section 702 surveillance. The public deserves to know whether this program protects Americans or targets them.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Wonderful (but scary) talk by @tarah.org at #bsideschicago25
November 1, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Wonderful (but scary) talk by @tarah.org at #bsideschicago25
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Folks, I have a friend's internal hard drive here that is likely still good, but will not mount. There are family photos on it. What are good solutions for this, especially in the Seattle area? I'd like to hand-deliver if possible.
October 20, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Folks, I have a friend's internal hard drive here that is likely still good, but will not mount. There are family photos on it. What are good solutions for this, especially in the Seattle area? I'd like to hand-deliver if possible.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Seattle No Kings from the monorail
October 18, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Seattle No Kings from the monorail
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
I saw a tragically AI-generated version of this poster, so I have recreated a 100% human-made version for all your protest sign needs.
October 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I saw a tragically AI-generated version of this poster, so I have recreated a 100% human-made version for all your protest sign needs.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
You know how billionaires end up with severe cognitive deficits as a result of becoming surrounded by yes men who constantly tell them their every idea is genius? What if we made a bot that just does that to everyone. I think that would be a good idea.
October 17, 2025 at 5:00 AM
You know how billionaires end up with severe cognitive deficits as a result of becoming surrounded by yes men who constantly tell them their every idea is genius? What if we made a bot that just does that to everyone. I think that would be a good idea.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Last week 72 outstanding public servants from across Africa begun the fifth AIG Public Leaders Programme, delivered with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and led by Professors Emily Jones and Ciaran Martin. 👇
https://ow.ly/ww7g50Xb74u
https://ow.ly/ww7g50Xb74u
72 public servants begin the fifth AIG Public Leaders Programme
The six-month programme equips high-potential African public servants with the skills and values needed to foster excellence, effectiveness and integrity in their institutions through a blend of online and in-person learning.
ow.ly
October 17, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Last week 72 outstanding public servants from across Africa begun the fifth AIG Public Leaders Programme, delivered with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and led by Professors Emily Jones and Ciaran Martin. 👇
https://ow.ly/ww7g50Xb74u
https://ow.ly/ww7g50Xb74u
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
If your protest privacy/security advice does not start with a discussion of threat models, it is probably not good advice.
October 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
If your protest privacy/security advice does not start with a discussion of threat models, it is probably not good advice.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
October 17, 2025 at 8:35 PM
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences:
Rayhunter data is very welcome from protests. Please do consider collecting and submitting.
If you are going to a No Kings protest this weekend, be sure to review our Surveillance Self Defense guide for attending a protest and bring Rayhunter along for the ride! ssd.eff.org/module/atte.... eff.org/rayhunter.
Meet Rayhunter: A New Open Source Tool from EFF to Detect Cellular
Rayhunter is a new open source tool we’ve created that runs off an affordable mobile hotspot that we hope empowers everyone, regardless of technical skill, to help search out cell-site simulators
www.eff.org
October 18, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Rayhunter data is very welcome from protests. Please do consider collecting and submitting.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Fight the urge to go dunk on trollish USG accounts; it's like mud wrestling with a pig, you both get dirty and the pig likes it. Instead, focus on picking Bluesky fights like Alf intended: by willfully misunderstanding skeets from people who actually agree with you entirely
October 17, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Fight the urge to go dunk on trollish USG accounts; it's like mud wrestling with a pig, you both get dirty and the pig likes it. Instead, focus on picking Bluesky fights like Alf intended: by willfully misunderstanding skeets from people who actually agree with you entirely
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has pardoned the prominent British-Egyptian coder, blogger, and activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, who has been imprisoned for six years, state media and his family say. www.bbc.com/news/articl...
Alaa Abdel Fattah: Egypt's president pardons prominent activist
The British-Egyptian activist is one of six people whose sentences President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi commuted, according to state media.
www.bbc.com
September 22, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Egypt's President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has pardoned the prominent British-Egyptian coder, blogger, and activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, who has been imprisoned for six years, state media and his family say. www.bbc.com/news/articl...
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
pumpkin spice raktajino
September 21, 2025 at 4:40 PM
pumpkin spice raktajino
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Anyhoo I've got a feeling @ciaranm.bsky.social's gonna be on the radio a lot sighing over the next few years.
September 14, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Anyhoo I've got a feeling @ciaranm.bsky.social's gonna be on the radio a lot sighing over the next few years.
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
You ever seen the theatrical version of Demolition Man, not the one they play on AMC.
August 28, 2025 at 6:45 PM
You ever seen the theatrical version of Demolition Man, not the one they play on AMC.
Y’all tonight I met @scalzi.com on the streets of Seattle around 9pm walking over to do USENIX security shit & I ABSOLUTELY FANGIRLED bc I’m in the middle of Kaiju Preservation Society and it bangs
Anyway that is why someone randomly screamed HOLY SHIT THIS IS SO COOL on 8th & Stewart tonight.
Anyway that is why someone randomly screamed HOLY SHIT THIS IS SO COOL on 8th & Stewart tonight.
August 15, 2025 at 6:16 AM
Y’all tonight I met @scalzi.com on the streets of Seattle around 9pm walking over to do USENIX security shit & I ABSOLUTELY FANGIRLED bc I’m in the middle of Kaiju Preservation Society and it bangs
Anyway that is why someone randomly screamed HOLY SHIT THIS IS SO COOL on 8th & Stewart tonight.
Anyway that is why someone randomly screamed HOLY SHIT THIS IS SO COOL on 8th & Stewart tonight.
New by me: @brysonbort.bsky.social, @malwarejake.bsky.social, Nathan Case, and I wrote up a short paper on protecting your organization from Iranian threat actors in cyberspace. Some simple bullets to focus in your attention on most probable vectors.
www.tarah.org/2025/08/13/p...
www.tarah.org/2025/08/13/p...
Proactive Defense: Iranian Cyber Threats and How to Push Back – Tarah Wheeler
www.tarah.org
August 13, 2025 at 8:22 PM
New by me: @brysonbort.bsky.social, @malwarejake.bsky.social, Nathan Case, and I wrote up a short paper on protecting your organization from Iranian threat actors in cyberspace. Some simple bullets to focus in your attention on most probable vectors.
www.tarah.org/2025/08/13/p...
www.tarah.org/2025/08/13/p...
Reposted by Tarah Wheeler
Jen Easterly was a non-partisan military vet securing some of the nations' most critical infrastructure and enabling critical cybersecurity programs. It's not a shock she's facing this after the same disgusting treatment of Chris Krebs, but it's absurd and unacceptable.
Army Secretary Orders West Point to Pull Appointment of Former Biden Official
The military academy’s appointment of Jen Easterly, who had been director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, was canceled after complaints from the far-right agitator Laura Loomer.
www.nytimes.com
August 11, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Jen Easterly was a non-partisan military vet securing some of the nations' most critical infrastructure and enabling critical cybersecurity programs. It's not a shock she's facing this after the same disgusting treatment of Chris Krebs, but it's absurd and unacceptable.