Max Eddy

My Experience

Since my start in 2008, I've covered a wide variety of topics from space missions to fax service reviews. At PCMag, much of my work has been focused on security and privacy services, as well as a video game or two. I also write the occasional security columns, focused on making information security practical for normal people. I helped organize the Ziff Davis Creators Guild union and currently serve as its Unit Chair.

My Areas of Expertise

• Technology, security, and privacy

• Security and privacy software, including VPNs

• Hardware multi-factor authentication keys

• Open-source software and hardware

• Election security and disinformation

• Interpreting infosec research for a wider audience

• Amateur Myst historian

The Technology I Use

Current technology trends encourage wasteful disposability, so I try to use devices for as long as possible. I have a 2020 MacBook Pro for work and a 2017 Lenovo X270 running Ubuntu 22.04 for personal use. There's an original $99 PineBook in my closet. I use a ZSA Moonlander split keyboard with an Apple Magic Trackpad between the left and right halves, like a true sicko. When I'm off the Mac, I use a beige Microsoft optical USB mouse that's probably old enough to drive.

My daily phone is a Pixel 3a, and in my desk I have a Nokia phone, three iPhones, and an Apple Newton MessagePad 2100. I also have a Nexus 5x and a Nexus 13, both of which are running Ubuntu Touch. 

Out on the web, I've tried to adopt as many ad-free, community-supported platforms as possible. I'm active on Mastodon, share my photos on Pixelfed, chart my reading habits on BookWyrm, and track my growing personal library on Inventaire.

A career covering infosec has made an impact on me. I use ProtonMail for my personal email and Signal for texting. Firefox is my browser of choice, and Privacy Badger has a permanent home there. I recently switched to the BitWarden password manager and am painfully transitioning to Authy for TOTP codes. I also use a YubiKey Series 5 security key wherever it's supported. I have far too many Google Homes for someone as paranoid as I am.

My watch is a solar-powered Citizen that has never had its battery replaced in over a decade of use. My latest eBook reader is a Kobo LibraH20 and I make frequent use of my public libraries' services via OverDrive. I built my website with Hugo. For my low-tech life, I have two banjos and brew kombucha.