6 lessons we learned from Mr. Robot

1. Do not litter with personal data on the web

In the series, hackers actively use other people's personal data, carelessly left by users on the Web. In the hands of the characters, such information becomes dangerous compromising evidence or a hacking tool.

Some social media profiles say enough about the owners for an attacker to easily guess their passwords or answers to security questions. After all, people often associate combinations or clues to remember with interests and important dates in their lives.

Photos with luxury items and geotags on display can seduce criminals, give out your home address and details of your movement.

If the user does not disseminate information publicly, but shares it only in private messages, it can still get to outsiders in the event of a hacked account.

For these reasons, it is better not to post data at all, the disclosure of which could harm you.

2. Learn the basics of information security

Even if you do not publish anything superfluous about yourself, your information can be obtained by cunning or with the help of technical means.

The variety of tools and techniques for data theft and other hacker attacks makes the viewer think about the vulnerability of their accounts. While you cannot completely protect yourself, you can significantly reduce the chances of being hacked with simple rules and special tools. For example, use VPN and password managers, don't open suspicious emails.

In addition to cyberattacks, characters do not disdain social engineering. The protagonist Elliot Alderson, posing on the phone as a bank employee, learns from his gullible target everything that is needed to access her accounts. Such scammers are a dime a dozen in real life. Therefore, never trust strangers, no matter who they pretend to be.

Forewarned is forearmed. Become familiar with common fraudulent and network attack patterns and security measures from time to time. This information is easy to find on the Internet.

3. Try to think critically

The plot is based on an intricate conflict involving megacorporations, hacker groups and special services. Part of the confrontation takes place on the Web, where each participant seeks to impose his ideas on the masses. Advertising campaigns talk about freedom of choice and a bright future. And videos of anarchists accuse the system of lying. But the average person doesn't seem to have to trust either side.

The series reflects our reality, only it is much more difficult to understand it. Numerous companies and political forces, sparing no money, promote their interests in the media. The best way out in such conditions is to treat everything with a healthy dose of skepticism: compare different points of view, check facts, analyze and draw balanced conclusions. In other words, think critically.

4. Don't be left alone with depression

Elliot's psychological state is a vicious circle: emotional trauma has locked the hero in himself, but loneliness only aggravates his mental wounds. Sometimes he realizes it. But it still acts by inertia and shields itself from people. As a result, Elliot hurts himself and loses his sense of reality.

The story of the protagonist reminds us of the price of loneliness. When we are going through difficult times, it is especially high. Therefore, do not keep the experience to yourself and do not fight depression alone. Seek support from those who value you. Conversely, support loved ones when they need it.

5. Keep your sanity clean

When Elliot's nerves fail, he seeks salvation in drugs. It seems to him quite successful. Thoughts about problems fade into the background, relief comes. But these short moments of euphoria have inevitable consequences. Hallucinations and memory lapses are already familiar to the protagonist, and drugs only exacerbate them.

Elliot's metamorphoses are another reason to think about the fact that alcohol and drugs do not solve problems. It is better not to run away from difficulties, but to overcome them with a healthy body and a sober head.

6. Be aware of the consequences in the real world when operating online

"Mr. Robot" focuses on how strongly the virtual world is intertwined with the real one. Hacker attacks and control over information on the Web affect the fate of individuals, the work of corporations, the life of cities and entire states. This effect only intensifies as technology spreads.

Already, one careless step on the Internet can have far-reaching consequences for any of us. And it's not just about hacking and stealing information. It is enough to write a comment or repost to get quite real problems with the law.