Author: Jason

Exciting News! A Dedicated Home for All Things Cybersecurity

Hey everyone,

I have some exciting news to share regarding the future of cybersecurity content on this blog. As many of you know, I’m passionate about all things tech, and cybersecurity has become an increasingly significant and engaging area for me.

Over time, the amount of cybersecurity-related content I’ve been sharing – from weekly project updates and interesting articles to video and podcast recommendations – has grown considerably. To give this crucial and fascinating field the dedicated focus it deserves, I’ve decided to launch a brand new blog solely dedicated to cybersecurity!

Introducing ctrlaltsec.com!

That’s right, all future cybersecurity content, including my weekly roundups, in-depth project discussions, reviews, and curated resources, will now be found at ctrlaltsec.com.

Why the Move?

This move will allow me to:

  • Dive deeper: Dedicate more time and space to explore specific cybersecurity topics in greater detail.
  • Stay focused: Create a more streamlined experience for readers who are primarily interested in cybersecurity.
  • Build a dedicated community: Foster a space where cybersecurity enthusiasts can easily find and engage with relevant content.

What This Means for You:

If you’ve been enjoying the cybersecurity content here, I encourage you to head over to ctrlaltsec.com and subscribe! You won’t want to miss out on the latest insights, resources, and updates.

What Happens to This Blog?

This blog will continue to exist and will likely focus on other tech-related topics and personal updates. So, if you’re interested in a broader range of my content, please stick around!

Thank You!

Thank you for your continued support and for being a part of this journey. I’m incredibly excited about this new chapter for my cybersecurity content and hope to see you all over at ctrlaltsec.com!

See you on the other side!

Head over to ctrlaltsec.com now!

A Must-Read for Parents of Gen Z and Gen Alpha: “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt

As a parent, it’s natural to be concerned about the impact of social media on our children. In recent years, we’ve seen an alarming rise in anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among young people. That’s why I was excited to dive into “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt, a thought-provoking book that sheds light on this critical issue.

I really enjoyed reading this book, which offers a comprehensive analysis of how social media is affecting our children’s lives and the world at large. As someone who values play-based childhoods and more independence for kids, I found myself nodding in agreement with Haidt’s arguments throughout the book. Although, I’m not always the best at executing these principles in my own children.

One of the most compelling aspects of “The Anxious Generation” is its accessibility. Written in an approachable tone, Haidt breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand language, making it a must-read for parents and caregivers alike. The author’s passion for this topic shines through on every page, inspiring readers to take action.

What I appreciated most about the book was how Haidt tackles tough topics like social media addiction, pornography, and the impact of technology on relationships. He offers practical advice for parents, educators, employers, and policymakers on how to mitigate these effects and promote healthier habits among young people.

As a parent of Gen Z or Alpha children, I highly recommend “The Anxious Generation” as an essential read. It’s not just a book – it’s a call to action. By speaking up and supporting the four foundational reforms outlined in the book, we can create a better future for our children. Haidt encourages readers to connect with others who share their values, creating a powerful movement that will inspire positive change.

If you’re looking for a thought-provoking read that will make you think about your role as a parent and how you can support your child’s well-being in the digital age, “The Anxious Generation” is an excellent choice. Sign up at www.afterbabel.com to access Haidt’s Substack posts on related topics and join the conversation.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

I highly recommend this book to anyone concerned about the impact of social media on our children’s lives. It’s a must-read for parents, educators, policymakers, and anyone who wants to make a difference in creating a healthier digital landscape for future generations.

Social Media and Minors

Some great content and interesting conversation around social media and minors (teens, etc.). I wanted to share this as I think it pertains to privacy.

What is Mastodon?

What is Mastodon in 180 Seconds

I’m loving mastodon and I’m huge fan. With everyone comparing it to Twitter it makes describing it more challenging. You have to forget the idea of Twitter to really understand it. This video does a great job of quickly describing it.

ChatGPT Learning Possibilities

…and ways people can take advantage of this new artificial intelligence.

I’ve been hearing a lot about ChatGPT and I wanted to explore more of what it can do. I wanted to see how easy it was to use myself. I created a user account and typed in my prompt:

write an information article about software bill of materials in easy to understand terms

I published what I got as a post on this website. This strikes me as interesting initially in two ways. First, I can type in questions and have this AI produce short and easy to understand articles for me to learn more about whatever topic I want, probably cybersecurity for the moment.

Secondly, I could also have it write lots of content for this blog or any other along with google adwords or anything else. All I’m doing is posting content, and I don’t even have to write it anymore. ChatGPT comes up with the content about a subject I want it to write about and people visit the site to read the content. I mean it’s not horrible content after all. Nothing really wrong with it.

This could flood the internet with many useless sites that are written by the same AI. Yes, I’m well aware that the internet is already flooded with lots of useless content, but not all of it is generating revenue for the owners. Just an idea. This is pretty neat, but getting a little scary quickly too!

Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)

A software bill of materials (SBOM) is a comprehensive list of all the individual components that make up a piece of software. This list includes both the source code and any external libraries or other dependencies that are necessary for the software to function properly.

Having an SBOM is important for several reasons. First, it allows developers and other stakeholders to easily see exactly what is included in a piece of software, making it easier to identify any potential security vulnerabilities or other issues. It also makes it easier to track down and fix bugs, as well as to keep the software up to date with the latest versions of its components.

Additionally, an SBOM can help organizations comply with various regulations and industry standards that require them to disclose the components that make up their software. This is especially important in industries such as healthcare and finance, where the use of certain components may be restricted or prohibited due to security concerns.

Creating an SBOM can be a time-consuming process, as it requires developers to carefully review and document all of the individual components that make up their software. However, there are tools and frameworks available to help automate this process, making it easier to create and maintain an SBOM.

Overall, a software bill of materials is a valuable tool for any organization that develops or uses software. It allows developers to easily see and manage the components that make up their software, and helps organizations comply with regulations and industry standards.

*This article was written using ChatGPT.

Vegan Food Review: Field Roast Breakfast Sandwich

Field Roast Classic Style Sausage, Egg & Cheese Plant-based Breakfast Sandwich

Would I buy it again? No.

The good: In my opinion Field Roast has the best breakfast sausage I’ve tried. It has great texture and taste and most of all is the correct size (large) to fit nicely in a bagel or English muffin. They did a fantastic job on this. The “egg”; Just Folded Egg is your only option. It is simply the best vegan egg on the market. It has no challengers as far as I am concerned.

The bad: It’s the cheese. That is where this falls apart. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been vegan for 2 years, I know good plan-based cheese is hard to find, but this stuff just has a bad flavor that ruins the rest of the sandwich. I think they would be better leaving it off. The English muffin bun did get hard in the microwave, that could have been user error, but in my experience it happens to most of these breakfast sandwiches when microwaved. So no points off for that.

Summary: I would not buy this again, but I would buy all the components separately save the cheese. Field Roast makes a delicious breakfast sausage and Just Folded Egg does not disappoint. Buy your favorite plant-based cheese (if at all) and make your own.