I trust computers to do whatever they are capable of when asked. They don’t know the difference between good or evil. They don’t subscribe to cause and effect. They don’t debate the ramifications of what you just asked them to do unless instructed to do so They are about as competent as a power tool in the wrong hands. They can cut you just as easily.
I trust the music people record so I can listen through my headphones. That technology doesn’t allow the person to hide their true identity and it’s just entertainment anyway.
The tech industry tries very hard to authenticate interactions on the Internet, but there are people who pretend to be someone they are not to take advantage of others. We bank, communicate, and purchase things online. Many of us work 100% online. It’s not just a toy anymore. The scams just get worse and worse.
This doesn’t mean the tech people in your life don’t trust you. It means they find you truly important to them and don’t want your relationship damaged by someone impersonating you.
The point I am trying to make is there are some messed up people in the world using computers.
A few weeks ago, I had someone online outright ask me for my full name so “God would know who they were praying for” while simultaneously trying to sell me Bitcoin and evaluating me as a substitute father for her son. I’m happily married by the way. Apparently the whole “That means he’s a keeper” mentality is alive and well, unfortunately. This was even after I warned I had a “no grifter” policy and had sent someone to the authorities in the past. Apparently we were too lazy to search for the meaning of that word.
This week, someone approached me with the face of a past acquaintance and proceeded in every way to evade verification of their identity, yet expected trust for this behavior. There are details which will be left out to protect identity, but I’ve come up with at least 6 red flags to this conversation that made me uneasy. I had to end the conversation after perhaps just a “little” counterintelligence.
I’m concerned this friend was doxed. They had her personality down, probably from watching videos. People should be zapping bogus profiles when they popup. It’s a total game of wack-a-mole to keep this stuff maintained, but we all need to do it in this AI world we live in before we all end up with digital doppelgangers.
Computers do not have an effect on depravity and until we all understand the concept of digital signatures, we’re in for a cold Internet experience. We aren’t speaking anymore and the account was reported, but I am really concerned I may have pissed off someone I really enjoyed the company of. I wish this was much easier. Easy is the fastest path to insecurity in my experience, though.
Anyway, I’m considering organizing an old-school Keysigning Party. If anyone is interested, please don’t hesitate to email me. Nothing is set in stone, but I am tired of these bots.
https://www.cryptnet.net/fdp/crypto/keysigning_party/en/keysigning_party.html
