In one of my previous post, I shared my robust security setup, which includes a VPN, secure email, network-wide ad blocking, a hardened browser, and self-hosted software. But, as I recently learned, even with the best security measures in place, it’s essential to diversify your digital services to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket.

The ProtonMail Experience:

I’ve been a fan of ProtonMail for its commitment to security and user privacy. In fact, I was so impressed with their service that I was considering upgrading to Proton Unlimited, which would allow me to consolidate all my digital services under one umbrella. I thought, “Why not? It’s convenient, and I trust ProtonMail to keep my data safe.”

But then, disaster struck. When I tried to switch to their mobile billing system, I encountered some issues that left me temporarily locked out of my account (additional emails & custom domain). This experience made me realize that relying too heavily on one service can be a recipe for disaster.

Imagine if I had all my digital eggs in the ProtonMail basket: email, password management, cloud storage, and more. If their service went down or I lost access to my account, I’d be in a world of trouble. That’s why I’m glad I didn’t take the plunge and upgrade to Proton Unlimited.

The Importance of Diversification:

Think of it like investing in the stock market. You wouldn’t put all your money into one stock, would you? (Okay, maybe you would, but that’s a whole different story.) The point is, diversifying your digital services reduces risk and increases flexibility.

Here are some benefits of diversifying your digital services:

  • Reduced risk : If one service experiences an outage or security breach, you’re not left without access to your essential tools and data.
  • Increased flexibility : With multiple providers, you can choose the best tool for each task, rather than being locked into a single ecosystem.
  • Improved security : By not storing all your data in one place, you’re reducing the risk of a single breach compromising all your sensitive information.

My Setup:

To avoid putting all my eggs in one basket, I’ve chosen to use a range of services, including:

  • Password management : Bitwarden
  • Email : ProtonMail (yes, II still love them, but I’m not putting all my eggs in their basket)
  • VPN : NordVPN
  • Cloud storage : A combination of Google Drive and pCloud
  • Browser : Brave, Mozilla with recommended add-ons
  • Self-hosted software : Nextcloud, Vikunja, Home Assistant etc.

Conclusion:

While ProtonMail is still a great service, my recent experience has taught me the importance of diversifying my digital services. By spreading my digital eggs across multiple baskets, I’m reducing risk, increasing flexibility, and improving security. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket – it’s just not worth the risk!

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