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SebFender

73 karma · joined January 21, 2024

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SebFender··on Okta Bcrypt incident lessons for designing better APIs
Many of my usernames at my company are based on my email and it's pretty long - by the time you add the domain it's a good 47 characters...
SebFender··on Okta Bcrypt incident lessons for designing better APIs
I've seen this multiple times - even better I don't know how many ways we found a simple workaround or bypass of the complete process in so many apps... In essence this has nothing to do with the API itself but the way in which is another ballgame altogether. Great post though.
SebFender··on Why the WHO has recommended switching to a healthier salt alternative
Whatever research - stick to whole foods as much as possible and salt using standard table products. Stay reasonable and regularly check your health. One thing noticed with many "substitutes" is the addition of other products not necessarily better or potentially challenging for your health (potassium -> possible liver challenges)

Stay active and challenge your body regularly.

SebFender··on Ask HN: Who wants to be fired? (February 2025)
100% right - I've been training for +20 years and have indirectly coached a bunch of people around me hoping they would get motivated... My son also joined me 7-8 years ago he's now 20 and feels great working out regularly.

If it helps anyone - training regularly not only builds muscles it destresses you and keeps your mind in check. What used to be stressful is now much easier to manage as I'm able to pass these challenges during a training session.

Kudos to anyone starting out - it's never too late to feel better. Cheers.

SebFender··on Ask HN: Who wants to be fired? (February 2025)
This isn’t directly related, but close enough. I used to be bullish on tech, thinking it would secure and streamline business flows.

But now after decades in risk management, I’ve seen firsthand that tech alone doesn’t solve much - the real challenges are people, process, and execution.

Even with the best tools, most (~70%) of digital transformations fail, often due to poor adoption, bad processes, or simple human error.

And after all these efforts... we’re finding more vulnerabilities than ever, maybe showing that security isn’t just about better tech — it’s about people making the right decisions.

The older I get, the more I focus on these challenges, because without solving them, even the best tech/software/code is just another liability.

SebFender··on CDC: Unpublished manuscripts mentioning certain topics must be pulled or revised
While the intention behind “woke” research may have been to promote inclusivity and address historical injustices, its execution sometimes led to unintended consequences.

By prioritizing ideological alignment over rigorous methodology, some studies may have compromised objectivity, breadth, or practical applicability. The goal of creating space for marginalized voices was important, but in some cases, this approach limited open discourse, dismissed alternative perspectives, or failed to produce the most balanced conclusions.

That said, the push for inclusivity did bring valuable insights and necessary corrections to many fields. However, for research to serve everyone effectively, it must remain grounded in evidence, open debate, and methodological rigor—ensuring that progress is both fair and sustainable.

SebFender··on Exposed DeepSeek database leaking sensitive information, including chat history
Never forget honeypots.
SebFender··on 'Never seen anything like this' – NIH meetings and travel halted abruptly
I've seen many requests based on questionable subjects during current times. It's important to address aligned concerns with major challenges...
SebFender··on Nvidia, ASML plunge as DeepSeek triggers tech stock selloff
Well said.
SebFender··on Nvidia, ASML plunge as DeepSeek triggers tech stock selloff
Taking out the popcorn early today.
SebFender··on 'Never seen anything like this' – NIH meetings and travel halted abruptly
Unpopular opinion - grants have gone wild in the past decade and these need to be realigned. Now the way is done is variable and may not be ideal - but the work is necessary.
SebFender··on OpenAI just put the final nail in the coffin of the open World Wide Web
Yes.
SebFender··on Framework Fatigue: The Real Reason Developers Get Angry About New Tech
I get going for things that may help - but from a risk perspective my team has seen many of these get misused and create significant risks especially when it comes to the security of the app flow. Add context blindness to the mix and we've never seen so many vulnerabilities in years if not decades.

And what's really important - when you talk about the induced risks many teams have no clue about them...

SebFender··on Snyk security researcher deploys malicious NPM packages targeting cursor.com
Behind hundreds of builds Snyk has been a challenging integration that ultimately creates very low value. I recommend using a decent team that goes in for flow weaknesses as these are most responsible for significant findings...
SebFender··on Norway on track to be first to go all-electric
That's debatable - Quebec generates close to 50% of Canada's Hydro power and has been part of world leaders in the field. The province has been pretty competent in the past decades - of course with challenges - but the rest of Canada would be lost without Hydro-Quebec being behind most projects and investments (expertise, management, financing...)
SebFender··on The relationship recession is going global
I've been raised in an environment where we talked with neighbours and so on - Now 50 after moving a few times - I feel many times people look at me weird when I say things like "Hi, Hey what's this dog breed", "Did you just move in?" or "If you need anything I'm in the house over there"... I'm not looking to build a relationship with everyone, but basic social skills are in some kind of drought.
SebFender··on Alcohol-free booze is becoming big business
No but I do hope it does - That's my call for the future - alcohol is a destroyer and needs to be held as such - just like smoking and drugs.
SebFender··on Alcohol-free booze is becoming big business
In certain circles maybe - but in generally relationships with major problems, cancers and so on are really under the radar.
SebFender··on Alcohol-free booze is becoming big business
Alcohol is the unknown killer, not talked enough in health and part of so many complications, I'm happy to see this now a bigger business. I'm not really seeing these products over here but hope it gets more traction. To anyone touched by this, great news can only come from it.
SebFender··on Apple squandered the Holy Grail
Can't talk for all regions of Apple Maps, but here in Canada I still get many errors when using it - especially when using bikes, buses and so on. It remains impossible to confidently use compared to Google Maps. When it comes to Apple AI stuff - too much work was put on Apple Vision and this was a tragically bad strategic decision from Executives at Apple. I wouldn't be surprised it will be presented in the future as one of the greatest miss from Tim and his gang.
SebFender··on I'm quitting the Washington Post
I'm quitting pieces on why people are quitting.
SebFender··on Conscious unbossing
Outside of the article style and comments - middle management is basically a sink hole that if you don't get out fast - you get stuck.
SebFender··on How does ChatGPT work: An in-depth look for Programmers
Can someone explain the focus on weather & Paris - then answering the weather for New-York? Mistake or process?
SebFender··on Apple Vision Pro May Now Be Out of Production
I myself and surrounded by early adopters - none have moved to this - it's cumbersome and uninteresting in general. Let's hope for a "glasses form factor" in the future.
SebFender··on Apple Photos phones home on iOS 18 and macOS 15
So you don't want a browser?
SebFender··on Apple Photos phones home on iOS 18 and macOS 15
Don't be too worried about what they collect per se they all do and you mostly won't know. Let's worry about how they manage and use it. When it comes to Apple specifically - homomorphic encryption is "common" and well done - it how do they use this encrypted data is the key...
SebFender··on Little Snitch: Network Monitor and Application Firewall for macOS
Little Snitch + DNS filter = greatness.
SebFender··on Little Snitch: Network Monitor and Application Firewall for macOS
DNS filter is then your friend.
SebFender··on VW Group Collects Vehicle Movement Data
All do. Nothing new - so what's your solution?
SebFender··on Show HN: I built a website that explains any difficult concept in seconds
I've been using AI for 2 years for this. Why use this website?
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