Hey Friends,

This week I published the results and recommendations from the last survey about passwords. The main take away is that the biggest risk most of you face is from reusing passwords on multiple sites. I therefore seriously advise that everyone should consider switching to a Password Manager, with Bitwarden being the one I recommend. Read the article for more details.

Thanks to everyone who completed this week's survey about web browsers. The uptake has been slower this week, so I am going to leave it running a little longer. The more responses I get the more accurate the advice I can provide for you.

So far we have focused on the 'Protect' strategy of my Digital Balance philosophy, exploring better ways to use passwords and web browsers. Remember, the philosophy suggests three strategies 'Compartmentalise', 'Protect', and Refine' which can be implemented to achieve the right balance by:

refining our digital interactions so they continue to support the goals and activities we want to pursue but minimise our exposure to risk and unhealthy relationships with technology

As we go forward, rather than sticking to one strategy I would like to mix it up. This week I have, therefore, been considering some ideas for 'Refining' our digital habits. Specifically, using friction points to help us use technology better.

To that end, I listened to an interesting interview with Adam Alter this week, in which he discussed the idea of friction points. Adam suggests sometimes friction points can make tasks more difficult and that reducing the friction can make a positive impact in our lives. For example, remembering complex passwords is difficult (friction), however using a Password Manager can reduce the friction, resulting in more secure digital interactions. Equally, the absence of friction can also be problematic. For example, if you have your phone with you 100% of the time, with all notifications on, you may end up being constantly distracted or waste too much time (no friction) on social media. Here, adding a little friction can make a positive impact in our lives.

I think the concept of friction points is interesting, and one I am going to explore more over the coming weeks.

That's all for now, but, if you have time, check out some of the links below. If not, have a think about whether you could benefit from adding or removing some friction to your digital habits.

Stay balanced and be blessed

Chris

PS: Going forward, this weekly newsletter will be sent out every Monday. So watch out for my 'Monday Musings'.

PPS: I have been thinking about better ways to provide specific answers to readers questions. At the moment I respond individually to your email questions, however, I think other people may sometimes benefit from hearing the answer. I have, therefore, been mulling over the idea of starting a future Q&A podcast whereby you can email in your questions, and I will try to answer them, so everyone can hear. Let me know if this is something you would be interested in listening to in the future.

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Things I've found interesting this week

\\ One Video: The YouTube interview with Adam Alter I mentioned above. Fast forward to 33 minutes for the interesting conversation about introducing or reducing friction points when we want to adopt better habits.

\\ Two Book: A link to Adam Alter's book: Irresistible The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked. I am currently read Adam's book and it has certainly raised some areas I would like to explore regarding our use technology.

\\ Three Article: More UK Universities have now confirmed they have been hit by the Blackbaud breach. So far only Strathclyde in Scotland are confirmed, however it is possible more will soon confirm. Fortunately, you now know the drill. If you suspect an account has breached change your password, and perhaps use this as an opportunity to get started with a Password Manager.

Favourite Quote

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. It's far safer to pick secure passwords and write them down, than it is to remember simple and easy to guess passwords

My articles this week

How to create and manage strong passwords - results from the survey and recommendations.

Previous emails

If you have missed my previous emails, catch up here