Technology often arrives wrapped in promises – faster, smarter, simpler. But many of the beliefs we carry about it aren’t truths at all. They’re myths about how technology actually works and what it can really do. Here are a few of the myths we keep falling for, and some ideas on how you can see past them.
Myth: Automation always saves time
Automation is sold as a shortcut to efficiency, and sometimes it is. This myth grew alongside productivity software and workplace tech that promised to eliminate busywork. What rarely gets mentioned is the time spent learning tools, fixing edge cases, and managing the systems meant to save us time. We believe this myth because we’re exhausted and deeply motivated to accept anything that promises relief.
Move beyond the myth: Pick one automated tool you rely on and track how much time it actually saves you over a week. If it’s not a net win, consider simplifying or even doing the task manually again.
Myth: Newer tech is always better
The tech industry thrives on upgrades, roadmaps, and constant iteration. The belief that newer equals better was born from genuine innovation but became a marketing shortcut. We believe it because progress feels linear, and because nobody wants to feel left behind. Older tools, however, often worked just fine and sometimes better for specific needs.
Move beyond the myth: Revisit an older tool or workflow you abandoned and ask why you stopped using it. You might find that the older option fits your actual needs more cleanly than its shiny replacement.
Myth: Everyone else understands technology better than you
This myth grows quietly, fueled by jargon, rapid change, and a culture that celebrates expertise while hiding confusion. It survives because people rarely admit when they’re lost, creating the illusion that everyone else has it figured out. We believe it because tech often presents itself as something you either get or don’t, with little room for learning in between.
Move beyond the myth: The next time you’re confused by a piece of technology, say it out loud to someone you trust. Chances are high they’re just as confused, and naming it breaks the spell of imagined competence.
Myth: Data tells the whole truth
Data-driven decision-making sounds like clarity in a messy world. This myth was born from real successes in analytics and measurement, then stretched beyond its limits. We believe it because numbers feel solid and arguments backed by charts feel safer than intuition. What gets overlooked is that data reflects what we choose to measure, not everything that matters.
Move beyond the myth: When you encounter a statistic that feels definitive, ask what wasn’t measured or couldn’t be quantified. That question often reveals the story hiding behind the numbers.
Technology will keep evolving, but the stories we tell about it matter just as much as the tools themselves. Questioning these myths won’t slow progress. It simply helps you use technology with clearer eyes and better judgment.
Cybercriminals are sidestepping two-factor authentication. Here’s how you can stay ahead.
Every day, cybercriminals try to access bank accounts, take over email inboxes, and harvest personal information using passwords purchased in bulk from underground marketplaces. Using two Factor Authentication (2FA), also known as multi-factor authentication, is a way to help block these break-ins by requiring a second form of verification. As you might expect, attackers are adapting and learning how to work around it.
Here’s a look at how criminals are getting past 2FA and how adding more security layers can help you.
How thieves are circumventing 2FA
In response to widespread use of 2FA, underground forums began sharing phishing kits, SIM-swapping playbooks, and malware designed specifically to intercept verification codes and session tokens. What started as basic credential harvesting evolved into coordinated, real-time attacks built to outmaneuver 2FA rather than defeat it outright.
Most methods of sidestepping 2FA involve exploiting human behavior rather than breaking encryption. Attackers capitalize on urgency, confusion, distraction, and trust, to manipulate you into approving login requests or sharing verification codes that were meant to keep intruders out. Because these attacks target weaknesses that exist beyond the password itself, meaningful protection must extend beyond relying on 2FA alone.
Strengthening Online Protection Beyond 2FA
Here are some tips to help protect your accounts from theft.
Use authenticator apps or hardware security keys instead of SMS-based codes. Text messages can be intercepted or redirected through SIM-swapping schemes, while authenticator apps generate time-based codes on your device and hardware keys require physical interaction, making remote compromise far more difficult.
Enable biometric authentication where available. Fingerprints or facial recognition add a personal, physical layer to the login process, limiting the usefulness of stolen credentials and reinforcing account access with something uniquely tied to you.
Monitor account activity and enable login alerts. Real-time notifications about new devices or unusual sign-ins allow you to respond quickly, reset credentials, and prevent further unauthorized access before damage escalates.
Practice phishing awareness by checking URLs, avoiding suspicious links, verifying requests. Many attacks hinge on deception, so slowing down to confirm website addresses and independently validate urgent messages can stop credential theft in its tracks.
Use strong, unique passwords with a password manager. Password managers generate complex combinations and prevent reuse across accounts, reducing the impact of data breaches and credential stuffing attacks.
Keep devices updated to reduce malware risk. Software updates patch known vulnerabilities that attackers actively exploit to steal session tokens, capture keystrokes, or install surveillance tools.
Consider identity monitoring services for high-value accounts. These services can alert you when personal information appears in breach databases or underground marketplaces, giving you time to change things before your data is sold to someone who will attempt to attack your accounts.
Encourage adopting a layered security mindset. Combining multiple safeguards creates overlapping protection, making it significantly harder for attackers to bypass your defenses.
Two-factor authentication remains a powerful online defense, but true digital resilience comes from layering protections. As cyber threats evolve, your security strategy must do so as well.
