Use a personal firewall. Configure it to prevent other computers

In the unfolding journey of human history, we have long sought to build and protect the walls that guard our homes, our cities, and our very lives. Kevin Mitnick, a modern-day sage of the digital age, once advised, “Use a personal firewall. Configure it to prevent other computers, networks and sites from connecting to you, and specify which programs are allowed to connect to the net automatically.” At first glance, his words may seem a technical instruction, rooted in the complexities of cybersecurity, but beneath this modern wisdom lies a timeless lesson about the importance of safeguarding what is most precious to us: our privacy, our boundaries, and the sanctity of our personal space.

In the ancient world, fortifications—be they walls, gates, or watchtowers—were not simply physical constructs. They were symbols of protection against external forces that sought to invade, plunder, or corrupt. The great walls of Babylon, the walls of Jericho, and the fortresses of Rome all served the same purpose: to create a boundary between what was sacred and what was foreign. These walls were not built to exclude life, but to preserve the safety and integrity of the community within. The firewall, in Mitnick’s modern analogy, is simply a digital extension of this ancient wisdom—a barrier designed to protect one’s personal domain from unwanted influence and intrusion.

Consider the story of the Minoans, an ancient civilization on the island of Crete, whose architectural marvels, including the famous palaces of Knossos, were fortified not only against external invaders but also to control the flow of people and goods. They understood that to thrive, one must protect their resources and ideas from those who would use them for nefarious purposes. Just as the Minoans built their palaces with intricate doors, entrances, and secret passages, so too must we, in the modern world, take responsibility for our own digital sanctuaries. By configuring a personal firewall, we are asserting our right to protect our space, ensuring that only trusted allies have access to the private world we have cultivated online.

The firewall, much like the ancient gates of a city, is not a tool to shut out the world entirely but a means of allowing only what we choose into our lives. In ancient Rome, the city was protected by high walls and watchful guards, but also by a series of systems designed to allow the right people, goods, and information to enter while keeping unwanted threats at bay. In this same way, a personal firewall grants us the ability to decide which connections are welcome and which are to be kept at arm's length. Mitnick’s wisdom reminds us that in an age of digital connectivity, we are no longer simply at the mercy of physical borders. The networks we interact with—whether social media, business platforms, or even our personal devices—are equally deserving of protection.

There is a parable of the great King Solomon, who, despite his wisdom, faced numerous challenges in protecting his kingdom from the unseen forces that threatened it. He built fortifications, but he also sought to protect his heart and his wisdom by setting boundaries around his relationships and interactions. He recognized that not all who approached him were there to offer wisdom or counsel, and that the peace of his reign depended on his ability to discern who should be allowed in and who should remain at a distance. Similarly, Mitnick’s advice teaches us that in the digital realm, just as in the physical, there is a need to guard our spaces, ensuring that only those with good intentions are allowed to access our personal lives.

The lesson of Mitnick’s words is not just one of technological savvy but of the deeper wisdom of knowing when to draw boundaries and when to allow connections. In the digital age, we must recognize that the world is filled with both benevolent and malicious forces, and it is our responsibility to protect ourselves from those who would harm us. This lesson, as old as civilization itself, teaches us that boundaries—whether physical, emotional, or digital—are essential for our well-being. Just as the walls of ancient cities preserved the safety of their inhabitants, so too must we guard the gates of our personal lives.

In practical terms, this means taking responsibility for our digital spaces. Just as we would lock the doors to our homes, we must set up firewalls on our computers and devices, ensuring that we control who has access to our personal information and activities. We must not allow ourselves to be overexposed to external influences, whether they be malicious actors, unwanted advertisements, or even the subtle manipulation of data by large corporations. As we engage with the digital world, we must remember that protection is an active process—one that requires us to be vigilant and intentional in how we manage our digital identities.

Thus, the ancient wisdom of building fortifications for safety carries forward into the modern world through Mitnick’s advice. As we move through the digital age, let us remember the lessons of the past: the importance of boundaries, the necessity of safeguarding what is precious, and the wisdom that lies in knowing when to let others in and when to keep them out. Just as the walls of ancient cities were built with both strength and strategy, so too must we build our digital walls with the same care, ensuring that our personal sanctuaries remain secure and that our peace is not disturbed by forces beyond our control.