George 
My EDC Kit
April 10, 2022
I am really excited to write this blog page today. I am a massive proponent of Every Day Carry or EDC!
In my eyes, I see EDC as a needed part of anyone’s daily routine. In this post, my hope is to help others know the value of EDC and what to carry.
While I know that there are entire threads of sub-Reddit, Youtube Creators, and web pages entirely dedicated to EDC! I would like to bring my blogs audience to this party of my day.
Websites like everyday carry (dot) com and kit (d0t)com give their users insight into what other users are carrying. I’d like to think that everyone has a different opinion of why and what to take. I don’t believe that there is a wrong answer to this question why EDC! From the 1st responder to the Doomsday Prepper. We all have our unique take on EDC.
EDC can be fun; so many people who strongly believe in EDC, as do I!
With my recent deep dive into all things Security, I have a new lesson and insight into my EDC kit. While is common knowledge that when a mobile device is plugged into a computer, that computer has some (if not complete) access to the device. In other words, when a phone is plugged into a desktop, and if the user gives permission, the computer has access to, Text Messages, Phone Calls History, and files such as your photos and your recordings. While in most cases, you would want this. But stop for a minute and think? What happens when you are not home, at your place of employment, friend’s house, or you need to charge at a place you don’t know well?
Let us talk about our place of employment? Employers today must protect their data and their client data from exploitation. Data breaches are a common threat and today’s corporations’ are the most common targets. Today office space now has tools to protect their intellectual data, from Active Scanning to Data Loss Prevention, all sorts of new and emerging tech to stay ahead of today’s data breach.
What about you in this new world of breaches. What happens when you plug your phone into your office computer? For starters, any phone can be a threat to the data today’s cybersecurity professional is trying to protect. It is not unreasonable to understand why the owner of that actual computer would like to scan your phone or device for threats! After all, you did plug into someone else’s computer. Please remember that your work computer, despite your data, really belongs to the employer and not you.
This scanning of your phone or device doesn’t stop with employers; the same tools are available for anyone to use. Do you want your friends with access to your photos and data?
I am sure people are saying at this point, I don’t care who has access to my photos. I have nothing to hide?
Well, the answer is you should care. Even if you are 100% certain, you have nothing to hide. You should care! Think about the photos you might have on your phone. Do you have any risky pictures of someone? Are they going to want those leaked out on the internet to see? The Meme, you saved could they be offensive to someone in the future and cost me a job. This list of reasons why is endless.
So we all need to protect our phones. No more plugging in to computers! Great, now I am safe, well you might think that. Well no.
Today’s threats!
Rouge USB and rouge USB cables, can you really trust the cable or the charging port in your daily travels? The answer is no, bad actors want your data, cybercriminals want to hold your data for ransom, and people want to spy on your photos. These are just a few of the bad apples. Its only a matter of time before that charge port at the store will scan your phone to sell you ads!
In today’s ever-growing threat world, carry your own cables and power, don’t trust the wires. I will in later blogs go more in-depth into the threats out there.
To Be Continued
My current EDC Kit
- Always, ALWAYS carry a Knife.
- Have a pen or Pencel
- Have a notepad,
- Small flashlight
- Malicious Cable Detector from HAK5
- USB-C cable
- Lighting Cable
- MicroUSB Cable
- Battery Pack
Protect yourself and your data!
April 10, 2022
I am really excited to write this blog page. I am a massive proponent of Every Day Carry or EDC!
In my eyes, I see EDC as a needed part of anyone’s daily routine. In this post, my hope is to help others know the value of EDC and what to carry.
While I know that there are entire threads of sub-Reddit, Youtube Creators, and web pages entirely dedicated to EDC! I would like to bring my blogs audience to this party of my day.
Websites like everyday carry (dot) com and kit (d0t)com give their users insight into what other users are carrying. I’d like to think that everyone has a different opinion of why and what to take. I don’t believe that there is a wrong answer to this question why EDC! From the 1st responder to the Doomsday Prepper. We all have our unique take on EDC.
EDC can be fun; so many people who strongly believe in EDC, as do I!
With my recent deep dive into all things Security, I have a new lesson and insight into my EDC kit. While is common knowledge that when a mobile device is plugged into a computer, that computer has some (if not complete) access to the device. In other words, when a phone is plugged into a desktop, and if the user gives permission, the computer has access to, Text Messages, Phone Calls History, and files such as your photos and your recordings. While in most cases, you would want this. But stop for a minute and think? What happens when you are not home, at your place of employment, friend’s house, or you need to charge at a place you don’t know well?
Let us talk about our place of employment? Employers today must protect their data and their client data from exploitation. Data breaches are a common threat and today’s corporations’ are the most common targets. Today office space now has tools to protect their intellectual data, from Active Scanning to Data Loss Prevention, all sorts of new and emerging tech to stay ahead of today’s data breach.
What about you in this new world of breaches. What happens when you plug your phone into your office computer? For starters, any phone can be a threat to the data today’s cybersecurity professional is trying to protect. It is not unreasonable to understand why the owner of that actual computer would like to scan your phone or device for threats! After all, you did plug into someone else’s computer. Please remember that your work computer, despite your data, really belongs to the employer and not you.
This scanning of your phone or device doesn’t stop with employers; the same tools are available for anyone to use. Do you want your friends with access to your photos and data?
I am sure people are saying at this point, I don’t care who has access to my photos. I have nothing to hide?
Well, the answer is you should care. Even if you are 100% certain, you have nothing to hide. You should care! Think about the photos you might have on your phone. Do you have any risky pictures of someone? Are they going to want those leaked out on the internet to see? The Meme, you saved could they be offensive to someone in the future and cost me a job. This list of reasons why is endless.
So we all need to protect our phones. No more plugging into computers! Great, now I am safe, well you might think that. Well no.
Today’s threats!
Rouge USB and rouge USB cables, can you really trust the cable or the charging port in your daily travels? The answer is no, bad actors want your data, cybercriminals want to hold your data for ransom, and people want to spy on your photos. These are just a few of the bad apples.
This is my take on EDC or Everyday Carry. In the series, I explore the need for everyday carry and the items I make sure to have with me every day. Please join me in part 4 of the series! It’s only a matter of time before that charge port at the store will scan your phone to sell you ads!
In today’s ever-growing threat world, carry your own cables and power, don’t trust the wires. I will in later blogs go more in-depth into the threats out there.
My EDC Kit
- Always, ALWAYS carry a Knife.
- Have a pen or Pencel
- Have a notepad,
- Small flashlight
- Malicious Cable Detector from HAK5
- USB-C cable
- Lighting Cable
- MicroUSB Cable
- Battery Pack
Protect yourself and your data!
