Buzz On The Block

So, you’ve caught the bug that’s spreading like wildfire.  You want to invest in cryptocurrencies.  You aren’t phased by the extreme swings of asset values or the lack of consumer protection.  If you’re ready to take the gamble on digital money there is one more risk to consider before taking the plunge.  Crypto assets are particularly attractive to hackers because they can steal them anonymously.  For a clever cybercriminal, they present opportunities where the rewards can outweigh the risks.  So, what should you do to safeguard your money? Don’t leave your assets on a cryptocurrency exchange When you first buy cryptocurrencies, you will need a place to store them.  Many take the easy route and keep their coins on the exchange they...

Are you using a blockchain based app or thinking of using one?  If you are, you should know a little about what’s under the hood - especially if you’re investing in it.  As the title suggests, consensus mechanisms are the backbone of blockchain technology.  There are many types of consensus mechanisms – more on that later.   The best way to describe consensus mechanisms is that it’s a process that allows participants of a network to collectively agree on what happened at a particular timeframe.  In short, consensus mechanisms make blockchains work because they allow people to agree on a history of transactions.  They also allow network participants to transact in good faith without ever establishing trust with each other.  This is a necessity...

The midterm elections are a month away.  Yet our voting machines are outdated and our election processes remain vulnerable.  We are woefully unprepared to deal with the cyberattacks that the intelligence community has been sounding the alarm on for some time. The money Congress threw at the problem, $380 million to be exact, was too little and came in too late.  The Secure Elections Act, a bill that aimed to protect against cyberattacks, collapsed in August before it could be voted on.  It didn't gain enough support despite being led by both a Republican and a Democrat - a rarity in today’s toxic hyper partisan climate. So where do things stand now?  Pretty much where they were before the 2016 presidential election.  At this...

At the heart of blockchain technologies is the ability to make transactions in a trustless environment.  People no longer need to trust each other in order to transact directly with each other.  The advent of blockchain technologies ushered in a new era where trust is automated.  Complete strangers can now transact securely with one another, verify and confirm purchases as well as review transaction histories - all without a central authority pulling the strings in the background. Undoubtably, the level of transparency brought forth by blockchains is remarkable.  But are you aware that it's also risky?  You see, the fact that transactions are traceable on a blockchain is a double-edged sword.  On one end, it gives you the confidence to trust a...

Did you find the right crypto wallet for your digital assets?  If you’re still searching, you’re not alone.  Discovering the right wallet is a common preoccupation of crypto enthusiasts.  The concern is understandable.  Cryptocurrencies put us in a position we’re not used to.  Suddenly, the security of our money is dependent on us and not on the government, banks or the credit card companies we do business with.  This shift in responsibility can feel heavy.  The weight is increased by the ever-expanding number of wallet options that need to be researched in order to make the right selection.  If you’re just starting out, simply deciphering between different types of wallets can seem daunting.  That’s why I created this post.  If you’re looking...

These days we are asked to share bits of our personal information in order to do business with companies, communicate with government agencies and access applications.  As a result, details identifying us are scattered across the organizations we interact with.  When this data is collected and combined, a profile can be created that may be used against us to commit fraud, manipulate us etc...  What exacerbates the problem is the fact that we don’t have access to our personal data.  We don’t have visibility into the ways it’s aggregated, we don’t know when it’s exchanged or even how it’s used.  This leaves us vulnerable. Not everyone is concerned about this vulnerability.  In fact, the pendulum of concern swings on both ends of...

The effects of colonialism: poverty, corruption and war still plague Africa today.  However, change is in the air, it’s spreading quickly and technology is driving it.  No, I’m not saying that technology will solve all of Africa’s problems.  However, it can and it has played a significant role in raising the economies of many African nations.  This in turn, resulted in raising the quality of life of its citizens.  Can the blockchain help Africa climb the development ladder even further?  Yes it can. You only have to look at the role cell phones played in Africa to see that technology is a key driver of advancement.  In a little over a decade the use of cell phones rose from nearly non-existent to...