6 words on Security: A Challenge
Posted by James Costello on March 26, 2009 · 17 Comments 
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by James Costello
Ernest Hemingway wrote a story in six words when he was challenged to do so:
“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
Six powerful words that tell a much deeper story than a simple number count would imply.
Over the past few months National Public Radio has run a series of stories about Smith Magazines Not Quite What I Was Planning: Six-Word Memoirs By Famous and Obscure Writers and Six Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak. The first piece ran in January and is available at this link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18768430. The second ran just before Valentines Day and is available here: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100510986. What was also interesting was that NPR also issued a challenge to their audience to write their own six word stories which is available here: http://www.npr.org/blogs/bryantpark/2008/01/whats_your_sixword_memoir.html.
These two stories and the challenge offered by Smith inspired me to create a few six word stories about security:
Windows Antivirus should always be running.
Don’t forget to update your computer.
Likes to click every e-mail link!
Dan, don’t break the Internet, again.
Once infected, don’t trust your computer.
Computer infected, don’t trust husband’s surfing.
Damn it, Dan, quit breaking DNS.
So, dear reader, now that I have written a few, I’d like to challenge you. Write your own six word stories for security.
Requirements:
Six words exactly
Tells a story about security.
Original works.
Suggestions:
Make the stories personal
Let it flow
Please either post them here or send them to sixwords@genesyswave.com. I am going to compile the ones that I receive as a presentation and possibly go the same way as Smith Magazine and create a book out of them. I will attribute all works to their original author’s, if you want to be anonymous please let me know.
So, get out there and get to writing – really short stories.
James is the Project Manager for an Internet hosting company and the owner of GenesysWave. James has worked in information technology since 1996 and has specialized in security since 2001. James has moderated discussions on security at the RSA conference and the Midwest Consolidated Security Forum. James focuses on generating security awareness and utilizes pop culture references to explain more complex concepts. James has a BA from the University of Saint Mary, holds a CompTIA Security + certification with Subject Matter Expert distinction, a Cisco CCSP certification and recently passed the CISSP exam. James is married to his college sweetheart and is the proud father of a beautiful 6 year old.
Yes, I’m safe. I have Norton’s.
Microsoft would never let that happen.
You want it when? No, Seriously.
Pay attention; they are after you.
No one would ever target me.
Once you’ve detected them, they’re gone.
Your Grandma’s computer is indeed 0wned.
Security to Windows, Oil to Water.
I really liked my sysadmin job.
Nothing on my computer is exciting.
Security is Risk Management! Got it
Good security is like an airbag.
My Mac is immune to viruses.
Computers will take over the world.
Server shutting down for service updates.
Windows is now rebooting please wait.
Windows is all about the blue-screens.
Launch commands have now been entered.
Computer is being used by another user.
Insert floppy disk to format drive.
All Your Base Belonging To Us!
This computer will self destruct now.
Disk read error occurred in windows
Disk Error or Non-system Disk reboot.
Press any key to reboot system.
Stack over flow, call tech support.
I got root and jacked you!
Root is a four letter word.
phone rings, another virus, what’s new ?
Risk is relative, “they” don’t understand
Too busy in politics, what security?
Risk Management is way to go
Easy to secure, with increased awareness
Where is my data? Really? There?
Manage your risk – profit from security.