The Security Blanket: A Small Guide to Stay Warm Online

By Arnold Shamuyarira | Published on February 13, 2025

Walking by the Beach: An Analogy for Online Security

I was walking by the beach the other day, and these thoughts occurred: this feels like scrolling online right now. Waves of fake links are splashing all over the place, and all I can do is tip-toe away from them and focus on better features to sightsee. The site that I see generating millions of views and likes is now being taken advantage of by bots and/or humans willing to steal from me if I press their link.

Stepping on a sharp stone is like stumbling on one of these malicious accounts. Removing and throwing it away is like reporting the account and blocking it. The more I walked, the more I realized: well, it’s not all bad. I can just cover myself with a blanket since these cold shoulders are accumulating the more I view these comment sections. Why argue with strangers online when I can just walk away?

Fool Me Once: The Risks of Ignoring Online Warnings

Fool me once is walking onto a slippery slope on top of rocky boulders by the beach shore and trying to have fun while ignoring these high tides coming in. It’s like saying, “Yeah, this is fun. What could go wrong?” Besides, it’s a “free” public beach. That’s equivalent to entering my real email and password (don’t do that) for a “free” service because, well, it’s “free.”

More foolishness is telling myself I can swim deeper in this cold weather with the temperature being more negative than these bots' comments. Fool me thrice will be clicking this suspicious link, swimming in that restricted area with a clear sign saying DO NOT SWIM HERE! You get the analogy, right?

Creating Your Security Blanket Online

Below is the link to my article with further details to guide you on creating your security blanket online and the next steps to take when that blanket becomes insufficient. Sometimes cyclones make it impossible to go to the beach, so staying at home is like staying on the primary site that you initially started scrolling on. Don’t click that redirect link. Don’t go there.

Read the full guide here.

Conclusion: Stay Warm and Secure

Navigating the online world can feel like walking on a beach full of sharp stones and high tides. But with the right precautions, you can stay warm and secure. Avoid suspicious links, protect your accounts, and always think twice before sharing personal information online.

For more cybersecurity tips, visit TechSec Labs. Stay warm, and until next time, cheers!