We are reaching a saturation point of sorts in computer technology again. Don’t worry; it’s cyclical. What it means is that we are on the verge of a sudden jump that, in popular vernacular, is termed “a paradigm shift.” The underlying technology as we know it now is about to collapse under too many conflicting threats and there is no way to escape without digging into it deep enough to become a computer geek. Otherwise you just grab the best protection you know about, cross your fingers and mentally prepare for the worst.
I don’t have room in a regular post to address the full catalog of stuff in the technology news just for this week.
For example, I don’t use any mainstream browser because all of them have compromised too thoroughly with marketers, which leaves the door wide open to crackers. On my Linux system, I replace Firefox (Iceweasel) with Pale Moon and I install extensions like NoScript and uBlock. When I need a browser that acts like Google Chrome, I use Slimjet. Both are tricky on Debian 8 but I simply install the most generic version (matching either 32-bit or 64-bit as applicable) in my user Home directory because it’s easier to upgrade. Slimjet still requires the root password each time, but only once to activate the “sandbox” that protects the system.
Most of the time I use Links2 (they have a version for Windows) because it’s the most crippled browser available that still shows graphics and manages to render most common websites for reading. If I know I don’t want even the graphics, I use either Elinks or Lynx.
Yep, those are all pretty geeky options. The Net is dangerously close to unusable, even as the world becomes more dependent on it. I’m placing my bets on some brand of Linux remaining more viable than the other options for awhile. I’m not choosing that for you, but giving you proper notice about how to pray. You must obey your own conscience before the Lord.
Addenda: This looks like a very interesting project for Windows geeks: TT Livescan from an outfit calling itself “Temple of Transgression.” I note that the site doesn’t do cookies or JScript, so that alone makes it seem trustworthy.
