Firewalls Don't Stop Dragons

Stop by the podcast today for a little #privacy advocate chat ... a panel discussion with @npub1dm2…7754 (Jonah Aragon) and The New Oil (Nate Bartram). We talk about how we evaluate privacy products, who we want to reach, why privacy matters, and more!
@npub12w6…2axu
https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2026/03/30/privacy-guides-panel/

2026-03-27 16:48:14 UTC

Tune in Monday for a fun panel discussion on being a #privacy advocate! I'll be speaking with Nate from @npub12w6…2axu and Jonah from @npub1dm2…7754
Subscribe here:
https://firewallsdontstopdragons.com/podcast/

2026-03-07 16:23:07 UTC

@npub1dm2…7754 does amazing work... but they've really outdone themselves with their new #Privacy Activist Toolbox. This is for *everyone*, not just activists - a treasure trove of well-organized advice and wisdom. Check it out and SHARE!!
https://www.privacyguides.org/en/activism/

2025-12-08 14:58:19 UTC

Today I chat with Skyper & TMZ from @npub1am3…j6qn magazine as they celebrate 40 years of phone phreaking, stack smashing and seminal filez like the Hacker Manifesto!
@npub1a0s…dmkd @npub1wjl…q99n
https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2025/12/08/40-years-of-phrack/

2025-10-28 16:38:41 UTC

Very informative video from @npub1dm2…7754 and @npub1tvd…53xk on data brokers and clawing back your data where you can.
https://neat.tube/w/tMmNH9zj4dLv6titzr5F9j

2025-10-16 19:17:05 UTC

FYI... good tips honestly for anyone who wants to avoid mass surveillance and understand how your mobile device can subject you to the same. You don't have to be a protestor for this to be important.
https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/01/23/activists-guide-securing-your-smartphone/

2025-10-08 14:12:09 UTC

Need more of this.
"Privacy washing isn't just ethically questionable — it's a business risk as consumers get savvier at spotting it. The opportunity lies in being one of the companies that actually delivers on privacy promises."
@npub1v26…52tq
https://discernibleinc.com/blog/how-to-market-privacy-without-privacy-washing

2025-10-01 01:51:02 UTC

Happy #NationalPodcastDay everyone! (I didn't know this was a thing till day.) I've been doing my podcast for 8.5 years now... 448 episodes and counting! If you haven't checked it out, give it a listen! If you like it, spread the word!!
https://firewallsdontstopdragons.com/podcast/

2025-09-20 15:52:17 UTC

@npub1dm2…7754 is doing amazing work. Their site has detailed and rigorously vetted recommendations for privacy tools, plus excellent articles and videos. Give them a look. Bookmark their site. Follow them on socials. And if you can, support their work.
https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/become-a-member-to-support-independent-media-discount-for-our-og-supporters/30968

2025-08-25 15:39:13 UTC

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Actual link to the book I was referring to...
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doctorow/enshittification-the-drm-free-audiobook

2025-08-25 15:36:06 UTC

Can't wait to get my hands on this! @npub1fdr…lvhs
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/doctorow/attack-surface-audiobook-for-the-third-little-brother-book/posts/4439050

2025-08-04 23:30:22 UTC

So relieved to actually SEE and FEEL the books I ordered for Friday's book signing at @npub1dqd…8xy4 ... See my other recent posts for full info, but you can buy a signed copy in the Vendor area Fri @ noon. AAAAND I'm giving away a very rare and super cool indie badge... #badgelife
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/973/095/514/577/516/original/e7749451693b870d.jpeg

2025-08-04 19:30:06 UTC

Today, Cory Doctorow will explain how countries could be leveraging intellectual property laws to respond to trade tariffs. We'll also discuss the state of #Enshittification and how #AI is threatening the power of tech workers.
@npub1fdr…lvhs
@npub1m24…d9a3
https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2025/08/04/tariffs-vs-ip-law/

2025-08-03 00:38:44 UTC

As I get ready to fly out to @npub1dqd…8xy4 and @npub1r5v…l2tv I decided to create a single blog post with links to some of my top #infosecurity / #hacker podcast interviews. Enjoy! (and share!!)
https://firewallsdontstopdragons.com/hacker-history/

2025-08-01 18:16:35 UTC

On Monday I'll be chatting with none other than Cory Doctorow, making this his 6th appearance on the show - and becoming my most-interviewed guest of all time! We'll talk about DRM and tariffs and (of course) #enshittification.
@npub1fdr…lvhs
Subscribe here:
https://firewallsdontstopdragons.com/podcast/

2025-07-22 23:56:54 UTC

I have the official date & time for my book signing at @npub1dqd…8xy4! Find and bookmark it on HackerTracker!
Fri @ 12pm (Vendors area, Table 2)
https://fdsd.me/book
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/899/590/016/291/905/original/d7b67c4d9ca5c88c.jpg

2025-06-22 16:12:52 UTC

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One of my all-time favorite songs from one of my all-time favorite bands. Here's another fav on this theme...
""Forward!" he cried from the rear
And the front rank died
The general sat, and the lines on the map
Moved from side to side"
- Pink Floyd, "Us and Them"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BB7fIA56ec

2025-06-10 18:23:54 UTC

If you're not following or subscribing to @npub1dm2…7754 you need to. It's not only a fantastic resource for #privacy tools and best practices, they're also cranking out timely, thoughtful and actionable articles.
https://www.privacyguides.org/

2025-05-11 16:01:12 UTC

This is a great talk, particularly if you're a coder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtmc-gTSPeA

2025-05-07 16:04:08 UTC

Great write-up from @npub1dm2…7754 on EasyOptOuts. I've been using them for about a year and have nothing but good things to say. Removing your data is not easy - these guys get a lot done for $20/year. (I interviewed them last fall, too.)
https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/02/03/easyoptouts-review/

2025-04-08 17:39:28 UTC

The current travel #security and #privacy situation is untenable. While we do need more legal protections, I want reliable, usable technical ones, too. I want something like "Travel Lockdown Mode" so I can feel safe traveling with my devices.
https://www.wired.com/2017/02/guide-getting-past-customs-digital-privacy-intact/

2025-03-11 15:55:05 UTC

Excellent article with practical, actionable advice. #Privacy and #Security are "we" things, not just "me" things. It's a collective good and something we must all strive for, not just for our own benefit, but for the greater welfare of society.
@npub1dm2…7754
https://www.privacyguides.org/articles/2025/03/10/the-privacy-of-others/

2025-03-08 17:14:45 UTC

This is bad.
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/undocumented-backdoor-found-in-bluetooth-chip-used-by-a-billion-devices/

2025-02-21 15:57:05 UTC

This is a travesty, though it was the best option Apple had in this case (better than complying). I hope the reaction to this by folks in the UK is swift and loud.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/02/21/apple-yanks-encrypted-storage-uk-instead-allowing-backdoor-access/

2024-12-12 15:30:46 UTC

OMG... stop shoving your apps down my throat. I get it... you can harvest a lot more personal data and bypass my ad blockers... which is precisely why I don't want to install your crappy app. I'll stick with the web interface using a browser with privacy protections, thanks.

2024-12-03 17:30:28 UTC

Okay... so how many different red flags do you see here?
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/113/590/077/090/234/456/original/82a193e3a8152fa2.png

2024-11-25 14:41:30 UTC

#PrivacyMatters - not just to each of us individually but to all of us collectively. Knowledge is power and #surveillance leads to dangerous asymmetries.
Today, we'll take a fresh look at #privacy with @npub1zcj…2yep author of "Privacy is Power".
https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/11/25/privacy-is-power-2/

2024-10-14 14:12:21 UTC

There have been many #hacker groups since the dawn of the computer age, but few as impactful as @npub1hfk…8h5q. Today I'll get the inside scoop on some key events in hacker history and how L0pht changed the world from one of its OG's, @npub1c4l…2a2f
https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/10/14/l0pht-heavy-industries/

2024-09-27 21:13:38 UTC

Tune in Monday where I'll be speaking with the researchers behind the TunnelVision #VPN leak report: Dani Cronce and Lizzie Moratti from Leviathan Security. We'll also talk about why VPNs aren't a silver bullet for #privacy.
Subscribe here:
https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/113/211/578/938/948/272/original/dc1d5cb1d1e5e37c.jpg

2024-09-27 02:17:26 UTC

🚨🚨 Calling all podcast listeners!! 🚨🚨
Help me celebrate a MAJOR milestone:
My 400TH EPISODE!! 💯 💯 💯 💯
How? By introducing my podcast to as many new people as possible!
Create a post sharing a link to one of your favorite episodes. Tag me & use hashtag #FDSD400

2024-09-19 21:41:27 UTC

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Those two videos were fantastic. If you haven't seen them, make time.
https://cyberscoop.com/grace-hopper-lecture-nsa-1982/

2024-09-18 20:01:52 UTC

This is WRONG. And it should be illegal.
https://www.404media.co/linkedin-is-training-ai-on-user-data-before-updating-its-terms-of-service/
Check your LinkedIn settings folks:
Settings >
Data Privacy >
How LinkedIn uses your data >
Data for Generative AI improvement >
OFF!!!! (yes, mine was "on" by default)
(NOTE: If your country DOES have privacy laws, you probably won't see this.)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/113/160/335/999/534/439/original/de4a45725567af8f.png

2024-09-16 13:25:48 UTC

Quantum computing has the potential to break modern #encryption. How real is this threat and how soon will it be viable? @npub1tk7…0m5c's Brandon Sundh explains how this fascinating tech works and what companies like his are doing now to protect your #privacy.
https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/09/16/post-quantum-crypto/

2024-09-12 15:42:15 UTC

I'm all for the #RightToRepair. But I think we also need a #RightToReflash. If I buy a piece of electronics, I should be able to load whatever software I want on it. We don't own the things we buy anymore, and that's wrong. We're being held hostage by device makers.

2024-09-02 14:01:19 UTC

@npub19kd…t56d just released a slew of new products. But why do these products use tech (Bitcoin & AI) which have well known #privacy issues? Would Proton buy Firefox to save it? How did Proton just protect their mission forever? Today I ask Andy Yen, CEO of Proton, these questions and more.
https://podcast.firewallsdontstopdragons.com/2024/09/02/crazy-proton-summer/

2024-06-06 15:42:59 UTC

REMINDER: I created a nice set of free, downloadable PDF coupons for securing your devices and data. You can use them to offer (or request) help with basic security and privacy tips. It's also a good checklist for yourself.
Spread the word! The more of us who do these mostly simple and free things, the better off we'll all be!
https://firewallsdontstopdragons.com/give-the-gift-of-security-and-privacy/