Sta Hungry Stay Foolish

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

A blog by Leon Oudejans

If you’re not paying for the product, then YOU are the product

Last Friday, a free antivirus tool was accused of selling sensitive data of about 5 million of its Dutch users (eg, Telegraaf, Wiki). The Dutch indeed love free stuff and thus make an easy target. In a distant past, I’ve used this Windows tool as well. Such tools are, however, quite irrelevant in macOS.

Back then, I assumed this Czech company was Dutch. For that reason, I’ve never trusted Kaspersky Lab, a Russian cybersecurity company. Wiki: “Since 2015, Kaspersky was alleged to have close ties to the Russian government by various western media outlets, and finally the US government itself.”

In 1973, the American sculptor and video artist Richard Serra (b.1938) stated: “if something is free, you’re the product”. Back then, this comment related to the free viewing of television (eg, Tech HQ). Today, it would relate to free viewing of social media and the sale of user data (eg, Cambridge Analytica).

I use free and paid tools. I know very well that I’m the product when using free tools. In my view, it’s a conscious choice based on a risk-reward balance. I did adjust my risk assessment following several scandals. Migrating from a “cheap” Windows PC to an “expensive” Mac was a deliberate one.

To a limited extent, I’m still contemplating whether I should migrate to a paid email client (eg, Apple Mail). Each day, I’m receiving c.150 emails from several news media. There are hardly any personal emails. Hence, my risk seems low, while the efficiency (ie, reward) of my “free” email client is high.

On June 25, I prepared this diagram without knowing how to use it. Today, it feels appropriate sharing it, even despite its draft status.

My diagram show the complexity of our priorities for the apparent simplicity of our choices.

As a trained auditor, I’m aware of the input and output criteria.

My diagram is still in draft, however, because I’m still considering the completeness and correctness (eg, colour marking) of my criteria.

Hence, I understand that others will only look at cost and time (eg, to install).

Hence, you get what you pay for.

“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.”

A quote by Warren Buffett (b.1930), an “American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist”.

You Get What You Pay For (2011) by Jason Charles Miller
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-artist, Wiki-album+song

Note: all markings (bolditalicunderlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise.

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