My Journey into Security
Hi, I'm Nafij Rahaman. I started coding in 2023 and quickly realized that security isn't an afterthought — it's the foundation. Building SecureVault taught me more about encryption, authentication, and data protection than any course could. Here are the lessons I want to share.
The 10 Rules I Live By
1. Use a Password Manager (Obviously)
This is rule #1 for a reason. Your brain can't handle 100+ unique passwords. Let a tool like SecureVault do it for you with AES-256 encryption.
2. Enable 2FA on Everything
Every account that offers 2FA should have it enabled. Start with email — it's the master key to all your other accounts.
3. Never Reuse Passwords
When Service A gets breached, attackers try those credentials on Service B, C, D, and E. Unique passwords mean a breach at one site stays contained.
4. Be Skeptical of Links
Phishing is the #1 attack vector. Always check the URL before entering credentials. If an email asks you to "verify your account urgently" — it's probably fake.
5. Keep Software Updated
Unpatched software is an open door. Enable automatic updates for your OS, browser, and apps.
6. Use HTTPS Everywhere
Never enter passwords on HTTP (non-encrypted) sites. Look for the padlock icon. Browser extensions like HTTPS Everywhere help.
7. Be Careful with Browser Extensions
Extensions have deep access to your browsing data. Only install from trusted sources, check permissions, and remove ones you don't use. Read my full guide →
8. Backup Your Data
Use the 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, on 2 different types of media, with 1 stored offsite (cloud). SecureVault offers Google Drive backup integration.
9. Monitor for Breaches
Check haveibeenpwned.com regularly, or use SecureVault's security dashboard to monitor your accounts automatically.
10. Educate Others
Security is only as strong as the weakest link. Help your family, friends, and colleagues understand these basics.
What I Learned Building SecureVault
- Zero-knowledge is non-negotiable: If the server can read your data, it's not truly secure.
- PBKDF2 iterations matter: We use 100,000+ iterations to make brute-force attacks impractical.
- Rate limiting saves lives: Without it, login pages become brute-force playgrounds.
- Open source builds trust: Users should be able to verify security claims by reading the code.
Stay safe out there. — Nafij Rahaman