PSA Newsletter 24: Privacy, Security, Automation!
A Secure Messenger Recommendation, USB Condoms, and A Simple iOS Shortcut
Privacy
Signal Messenger has long been the gold standard for cross-platform encrypted messaging apps. While WhatsApp and iMessage on Apple devices may also be End-to-End Encrypted, Signal is considered a better choice by privacy and security advocates for several reasons. Best of all, it's free. If you use WhatsApp or another app for sending sensitive messages, please consider switching to Signal. [1]
Security
Juice Jacking is an attack in which an unsuspecting target plugs their device into an unknown USB port to charge, and in doing so unknowingly infects their mobile device with malware. Thankfully, this kind of hack is relatively easy to prevent. NEVER plug your phone or tablet into a public USB port. Instead, bring a power bank with you, or use a USB Data Blocker (sometimes known as a USB Condom). This device plugs into the end of your USB cable and disconnects the data pins, leaving only the power connection. [2]
Automation
Using a simple combination of actions, you can create a preflight message for your daily drive home including weather, travel time, automatically opening directions, etc. Make the first action the location you want to drive to (homeLocation) and create the rest as illustrated in the link. Optionally, you can autosend a prewritten message to someone with your travel time when you leave. [3]
