Software security in 2026 - Practical tips for the mildly paranoid

Here's some solid reading for the weekend. I present you with an extremely long, detailed, thorough guide on modern Internet security, including precaution and caveats, browser security, primary and secondary browser choice, adblocking extensions, mail security, day-to-day mail practices like plain-text mail and punycode handling, mail urgency and legitimacy, how to inspect links, how to treat attachments, general strategy around downloads - software installers, documents and media, how to find right software in Windows and Linux, multi-engine malware scan, official sites and software stores, verified and unverified programs, testing software in isolation with separate host, network, virtualization and snapshots, sandboxing with Sandboxie, SELinux, AppArmor, and firejail, modern permission-based Linux distribution formats like Flatpak and snap, running Windows software in Linux using WINE, file format and media inspection, alternative and non-default programs, practical mitigation and hardening, use of EMET, Exploit Protection and Linux mechanisms, automatic updates policy, kernel livepatching, system imaging, smartphone security, use of Advanced Protection in Android, use of Lockdown Mode in iOS, how to find safe apps, cloud security, networking and smart gadgets, virtual private networks, password management, and more. This sweet article runs to about 80-90 printed pages, so there. Enjoy.