My Experience
Since my start in 2008, I've covered a wide variety of topics from space missions to fax service reviews. At PCMag, much of my work has been focused on security and privacy services, as well as a video game or two. I also write the occasional security columns, focused on making information security practical for normal people. I helped organize the Ziff Davis Creators Guild union and currently serve as its Unit Chair.
My Areas of Expertise
Technology, security, and privacy
Security and privacy software, including VPNs
Hardware multi-factor authentication keys
Open-source software and hardware
Election security and disinformation
Interpreting infosec research for a wider audience
Amateur Myst historian
The Technology I Use
Current technology trends encourage wasteful disposability, so I try to use devices for as long as possible. I have a 2020 MacBook Pro for work and a 2017 Lenovo X270 running Ubuntu 22.04 for personal use. There's an original $99 PineBook in my closet. I use a ZSA Moonlander split keyboard with an Apple Magic Trackpad between the left and right halves, like a true sicko. When I'm off the Mac, I use a beige Microsoft optical USB mouse that's probably old enough to drive.
My daily phone is a Pixel 3a, and in my desk I have a Nokia phone, three iPhones, and an Apple Newton MessagePad 2100. I also have a Nexus 5x and a Nexus 13, both of which are running Ubuntu Touch.Â
Out on the web, I've tried to adopt as many ad-free, community-supported platforms as possible. I'm active on Mastodon, share my photos on Pixelfed, chart my reading habits on BookWyrm, and track my growing personal library on Inventaire.
A career covering infosec has made an impact on me. I use ProtonMail for my personal email and Signal for texting. Firefox is my browser of choice, and Privacy Badger has a permanent home there. I recently switched to the BitWarden password manager and am painfully transitioning to Authy for TOTP codes. I also use a YubiKey Series 5 security key wherever it's supported. I have far too many Google Homes for someone as paranoid as I am.
My watch is a solar-powered Citizen that has never had its battery replaced in over a decade of use. My latest eBook reader is a Kobo LibraH20 and I make frequent use of my public libraries' services via OverDrive. I built my website with Hugo. For my low-tech life, I have two banjos and brew kombucha.
