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content/blog/023-wallace-and-gromit-passwords.md

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+---
+title: Passwords Most Fowl
+date: 2024-12-26
+tags:
+  - Security
+description: >
+  If you're like me, some of yesterday (Christmas 2024) was spent watching the
+  new Wallace and Gromit. I wonder if like me it also got you thinking about
+  password managers.
+---
+
+**Warning:** Contains Spoilers!
+
+If you caught the latest episode, "Vengeance Most Fowl," you know, they were
+once again up against the sneaky Feathers McGraw, who pulls off a pretty clever
+hack involving a "smart gnome." The twist? The gnome’s password was super easy
+to guess! While it's all in good fun, it’s a great reminder of why we should all
+be using password managers.
+
+In the episode, Feathers McGraw’s ability to crack the gnome's password
+highlights a real issue we face today: weak passwords. Let's be honest, are you
+still using simple passwords like birthdays or pets' names? Or maybe your pets
+name with a 1 and an exclamation mark? It’s way too easy for hackers to figure
+those out, and that puts our personal info at risk.
+
+Now, imagine if Wallace had a password manager. If he'd used it properly,
+he would've had strong, unique passwords for all his inventions and accounts.
+He could have even shared the passwords with his trusty companion.
+
+That would've made it nearly impossible for Feathers McGraw - or anyone else for
+that matter - to break into the gnomes. Or at least, not by guessing the
+passwords.
+
+I'd also like to draw attention to everything getting "smart" in our
+increasingly connected world, it seems like everything is getting a smart
+upgrade - from our fridges to our light bulbs, and even garden gnomes!
+
+While the convenience of smart devices can be appealing, there are some serious
+risks that come with connecting everything to the internet. In "Vengeance Most
+Fowl," the hacked smart gnome serves as a perfect example of how these devices
+can become vulnerabilities. When we connect everyday items to the internet, we
+open the door for hackers to exploit them, potentially gaining access to our
+personal information or even taking control of our homes.
+
+Whilst the gnomes in Wallace and Gromit were obviously over the top and comical,
+it's become the norm for everything from cameras to lawn mowers to be connected.
+
+Imagine a world where your smart gnome could be used to spy on you or trigger a
+series of unfortunate events, just like in the episode. The more devices we
+connect, the more points of entry there are for cybercriminals. Many of these
+smart devices come with default passwords or lack robust security features,
+making them easy targets. It's crucial to remember that while technology can
+make our lives easier, it also requires us to be vigilant about our security
+practices. By being mindful of what we connect to the internet and ensuring that
+we use strong passwords and security measures, we can enjoy the benefits of
+smart technology without falling victim to the dangers it can bring.