So last Tuesday I was scrolling through my feed when I stumbled on this interview clip with Kevin Shipp – ex-CIA, dude knows his security stuff cold. Figured I’d try his personal security tips myself since honestly, my own habits were kinda trash. Grabbed my notebook and just dove in.
Starting Point: My Messy Digital Life
First step was password cleanup. My “system” before? Basically one decent password reused everywhere with slight variations like adding “123!” for some sites. Pathetic. Following Kevin’s advice:
- Installed Bitwarden (free version) right then.
- Spent 3 solid hours updating every single account – bank, email, social media, even that random pizza app. Generated those crazy long 20-character passwords Bitwarden makes.
- Changed my master password to a diceware phrase I scribbled on actual paper: “correct-horse-battery-staple42?!” (don’t judge, it works).
My fingers cramped up typing all that. Totally worth it though – no more password panic attacks.
The SIM Swap Fear
Next thing Kevin mentioned scared the hell outta me: SIM swapping. Had no clue how easy it was for someone to hijack my number. Called my carrier:
- Demanded a “port-out PIN” lock on my account – they tried to argue it wasn’t necessary. Got loud with a manager until they caved.
- Disabled SMS for anything critical. Switched banks, Google, everything to app-based authenticators.
- Found my old Google Voice number buried in settings. Made that my recovery number instead of my actual phone.
Felt like pulling teeth getting Verizon to cooperate. Annoying but damn, it’s done.
Locking Down Physical Stuff
Kevin keeps hammering about physical security too. Checked my place:
- Dusty fireproof safe in the closet? Finally used it. Shoved in passports, birth cert, that paper with the master password phrase.
- Realized my main computer literally faced the window. Dragged the whole desk across the room so my screen faces a wall now. Neighbors won’t see me angrily typing Slack messages anymore.
- Webcam covers went on every device – laptop, tablet, even the monitor with the little built-in one. Cheap peel-off stickers from a dollar store pack.
Simple fixes, stupid I hadn’t done it sooner.
Biggest Takeaway? Stop Being Lazy
Took two full evenings to implement this stuff properly. Exhausting? Yeah. But walking around today feels different – like I actually closed the barn door before the horse bolted. Kevin’s not preaching rocket science, just basic discipline most of us ignore. Password hygiene is brushing your digital teeth. Covering your webcam is locking your damn front door. Stop putting it off.
Zero regrets. Even told my mom to do it too – she thinks I’ve gone full paranoid spy now. Maybe I have. Whatever works.