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AXEL’s Guide to Remote Work

In March 2020, nearly every office worker was filled with anxiety about the prospect of remote work. With no warning and little preparation, a significant portion of the world’s workforce was forced to do their jobs from home, many with no experience of at-home work whatsoever. It was a stressful and unique time, learning new skills and software from home, all while the looming threat of COVID-19 was ever-present in peoples’ lives. This radical, immediate shift to at-home work was unlike anything workers had ever faced before.

But then something funny happened: We got used to it. Not only did employees begin to tolerate remote work, but they enjoyed it more than traditional work at the office. In fact, nearly 50% of workers stated that they’d take a pay cut to continue working remotely [1]. 25% stated that they would quit their jobs if they couldn’t work remotely anymore, and 70% say they find virtual meetings less stressful than in-person meetings.

Now, with remote work popularized and here to stay, here are some ways to maximize your efficiency, create a healthy work-life balance, and overcome some of the unique challenges of at-home work.

Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Although remote work offers incredible flexibility for employees, that flexibility comes with a price. 45% of remote workers say they work longer hours than they did before, and the picture is even bleaker for younger workers [2]. With the rise of remote work, employees are working longer hours and more weekends, putting a healthy work-life balance at risk. With bedrooms becoming the new office, it can be concerningly easy for worklife and homelife to blur. Thankfully, there are a few strategies that can help workers separate their job and their home life.

First, one of the most useful strategies to utilize is scheduling. Most employees have a specific time to clock in and clock out. Even when you’re working from home, sticking to those specific times helps separate work and home. Additionally, it’s helpful to schedule breaks in advance as well, to provide structure to the workday. Creating a schedule and sticking to it is one of the best ways to prioritize a healthy work-life balance. 

Additionally, it’s helpful to create specific places for work as well. Set aside a desk, office, or even just a chair for work, and only use it during work hours. This way, your home can be split into two, with distinct workspaces and homespaces. This way, once you’re at your work desk, you’ll be able to focus solely on work, rather than allowing your work life and home life to intersect. Although these strategies sound simple, they help workers separate their work and personal lives immensely. Just following these two strategies can help maintain (or even increase) worker efficiency, while also promoting healthy distinctions between work and home.

Embrace Change

When workers were sent home in March 2020, they were forced to learn new programs on the fly. From Zoom meetings to Slack channels, workers involuntarily embraced modern workplace technology. Many workers had never even participated in a Zoom meeting before the pandemic, but now they’re practically the norm. Additionally, programs like Slack, Skype, and Microsoft Teams surged in popularity, even among offices that were previously low-tech. Ultimately, although the pandemic forced employers and workers to try new programs, it allowed nearly every workplace to embrace modern workplace technology. Now, nearly every worker is technologically savvy enough to get work done from home. The rapid modernization of many offices was certainly one of the hidden blessings of the pandemic.

In addition to embracing new software and programs, remote work has allowed employees to embrace new places as well. On the more common side, many workers enjoy leaving their homes for part of the workday. After all, some people may work best next to the office-like bustle of a coffee shop, or the eerie silence of a local library. Remote work allows workers to try out different working environments to determine which location works best for them. Additionally, some workers have even become “digital nomads,” employees who travel often, but are still full-time remote workers. Because remote work allows unprecedented flexibility in where work gets done, it’s no wonder why many employees prefer working out of the office.

Utilize New Tech

Even before the pandemic hit, new workplace collaboration software made our jobs so much easier. Now, dozens of useful programs are readily available to businesses, making the transition to remote work even more simple. Useful programs include: 

  • Slack, a business communication software that features chat rooms organized by department, team chats, and direct messaging.
  • Todoist, a workplace organizing software that schedules and shares tasks, meetings, and projects.
  • GitHub, a hosting service for software development that allows users to comment and collaborate on each other’s coding projects.
  • Clio, a practice management software for law firms that collects and finalizes documents remotely.

Don’t be afraid to try out new technology! There are dozens of useful programs available, no matter what industry you work in. Whether it be work automation or business communication, workplace software is a wonderful tool that can help your business. Embracing new technology can be scary, but the benefits certainly outweigh the stress. After all, we were all anxious about Zoom meetings in 2020, but now, they’re second-nature, and help us get work done effectively. The best workers and businesses are unafraid of trying out new technology, so keep an eye out for new programs that can help you get work done more efficiently.

Communication is Key

During in-office work, it’s easy to stay in the loop. With remote work, staying informed and updated on your team’s latest projects can be a bit trickier. That’s why it’s extremely important to communicate often with coworkers and managers alike. Make group chats with your team, so no one is left behind, and follow up often to ensure everyone is on the same page. Without in-person meetings, everyone has to know their responsibilities. Embracing consistent, clear communication helps ensure that tasks don’t slip through the cracks.

Additionally, communication doesn’t only have to be about work. One of the biggest drawbacks of remote work is the loss of office camaraderie. This loss is particularly felt by young employees, many of whom are starting their career without ever meeting their coworkers in real life [3]. One way to mitigate this effect is to encourage casual conversation among employees. Whether it be as simple as a “water cooler” Slack channel or occasional Zoom hangouts with coworkers, fostering connections between employees not only helps workers avoid burnout, but also helps cultivate a distinct company culture.

Overcome Challenges Together

One of the most difficult aspects of remote work is time management, particularly when your coworkers are in different time zones. Unplanned meetings are often too difficult to pull off successfully in a remote work environment. That’s why it’s extremely important to plan projects, tasks, and meetings well in advance, so every employee knows what’s coming up, and when to be available. Of course, sometimes things come up and require immediate action, but giving your best effort to plan in advance not only helps you stay organized; it helps your entire office stay coordinated and running smoothly.

Finally, one of the biggest challenges with remote work is technology. With no on-site IT department, workers are often on their own when they encounter a tech problem. That’s why businesses ought to have clear guidelines regarding technology. Some helpful tech tips include:

  • Only using secure Wi-Fi networks.
  • Immediately downloading software updates.
  • Using a secure file-sharing service (like AXEL Go!)
  • Creating an incident response plan in the event of a data breach.

Tech problems will always be present, whether you’re working at the office or at home. That’s why offices need to communicate with employees regarding technology and cybersecurity. Creating and enforcing technology guidelines can help both employees and the business stay safe from cyberthreats.

About AXEL

As remote work becomes the norm, cybersecurity ought to be a priority for all businesses. At AXEL we believe that your information deserves the best protection. That’s why we created AXEL Go. AXEL Go uses military-grade encryption, blockchain technology and decentralized servers to ensure it’s the best file transfer software on the market. Whether you need cloud video storage or cloud file management, AXEL Go is the secure file hosting solution. If you’re ready to try the best file sharing app for PC and mobile devices, try two free weeks of AXEL Go here.

[1] Collins, Terry. “Work Remote after COVID? Nearly 50% of US Workers Would Take a Pay Cut for It, Survey Says.” USA Today. Gannett Satellite Information Network, November 11, 2021. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2021/11/11/workplace-survey-remote-pay-cut-covid/6367601001/

[2] Maurer, Roy. “Remote Employees Are Working Longer than Before.” SHRM. SHRM, July 6, 2021. https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-news/pages/remote-employees-are-working-longer-than-before.aspx

[3] Petersen, Anne Helen, and Charlie Warzel. “Remote Work Is Failing Young Employees.” The New York Times. The New York Times, November 22, 2021. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/22/opinion/remote-work-gen-z.html

National Technology Day: How Tech has Changed the Way We Live

What was life like twenty years ago? What technology did we use? How did we get work done in 2002? While twenty years may seem like a relatively short period of time, our everyday lives have drastically changed over the past two decades. We went from flip phones to iPhones, from CDs to music and video streaming, from printed-out MapQuest papers to instant GPS directions. In the past twenty years, modern technology has changed nearly every aspect of our lives. 

Because of the incredible technological advances we’ve seen in the past twenty years, AXEL founded National Technology Day, a holiday celebrated every year on January 6th. On National Technology Day, we encourage everyone to reflect on the advances made in business, culture, and entertainment. From maximizing efficiency at the office to sharing your own media online, technology has changed the way we live and will continue to change our lives in the future. While it’s unclear what the world will look like in twenty years, we do know one thing: Technology will continue to innovate.

With that said, here are a few ways how recent technological advances have radically impacted our everyday lives:

How Tech Changed Public Health

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest technological triumphs in public health in the past twenty years has been the widespread use of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. Most COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines, and with billions of doses administered in one year, these high-tech vaccines have saved countless lives. But how are mRNA vaccines different from traditional vaccines? With an mRNA vaccine, a weakened pathogen isn’t injected into your body like with traditional vaccines. An mRNA vaccine delivers “coded” mRNA to your immune cells, and using that code, your immune cells can produce proteins that are found on the specific pathogen [1].

The development of mRNA vaccines was made possible by technological advances in the pharmaceutical industry. Although they are relatively new today, mRNA vaccines have been studied and theorized for decades. Finally, modern technology caught up with researchers, and a new soldier in the war on infectious diseases was created.

While vaccines have certainly had a massive impact on the world, they aren’t the only way that technology has changed public health. An obvious example is the rise of fitness and health trackers. Today, about one in five Americans use a fitness tracker and corresponding app [2]. With these trackers, users can track their steps taken, calories burned, steps climbed, blood pressure, sleep quality, and dozens of other metrics. While research on their effectiveness has been mixed, fitness trackers give people fun, convenient ways to check on their health [3].

How Tech Changed Education

If the pandemic taught us one thing, it’s that technology allows us to be connected, even when we can’t be physically present together. This was particularly apparent when schools across the world were closed and classes were taught online. Although there are certainly valid criticisms of e-learning, the fact that instruction was able to continue in the midst of a pandemic highlights just how much technology allowed education to evolve. Now, almost every lecture or assignment can be completed online, ensuring that education can continue even after future pandemics or natural disasters.

While e-learning is certainly new, the advancement of technology has always correlated with expanded access to education [4]. Think about it: 500 years ago, the only educational materials were books, and books were only available to the extremely well-off. However, the technological innovation of the printing press made books far more available for middle and lower-class people. Now, thanks to the Internet, there are millions of educational websites and videos available to all. Today, a student can learn calculus or biology from reliable sources on their own time, for free. While some may criticize technology for “dumbing down” our youth, it’s a simple fact: Technological progress leads to greater access to education.

How Tech Changed Business

Even before the pandemic, technology was radically changing the modern office. One of the biggest changes in the past twenty years has been the way employees share information with each other. Although email existed twenty years ago, it was certainly in its infancy, and when files needed to be shared, physical documents were printed off and delivered. Now, most documents are shared electronically, without the need for paper and ink, helping to save businesses time and money. Outside of file-sharing, even the way workers communicate with each other has greatly changed. Today, software applications like Slack make it easy for employees to communicate without anyone being left out of the loop. Technological advances have made office communication digital and instantaneous, making the necessary transition to remote work during the pandemic relatively simple.

Outside of office communication, technology has allowed businesses to increase efficiency in nearly every department. From resumé software to digital marketing, technology has greatly changed the way businesses operate. Unfortunately, this also means that the businesses that haven’t embraced technology are at risk of going under. After all, if your business doesn’t have a digital presence, such as social media or a simple website, it may as well not exist. 

Technology has fundamentally changed the way work gets done in the United States, and it’s not done changing either. In twenty years, Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of the “Metaverse” may become our everyday office. One thing is known: If it can save money, businesses will continue to test and use innovative modern technology.

How Tech Changed Cybersecurity

Twenty years ago, “cybersecurity” was little more than simply having a password. Unfortunately, as technology has progressed, so have cybercriminals. Today, features like encryption, multi-factor authorization, and artificial intelligence are the norm when it comes to cybersecurity. 

It’s no coincidence that the technological advancement of computers and their related technologies is correlated with the number of cybercriminal attacks [5].

In 2002, cybercriminals mostly utilized phishing attacks to make their money. Cybercriminals used fake emails and pop-ups to trick users into divulging their names, addresses, credit card information, or even Social Security numbers. Thankfully, most of these phishing attacks were easy to identify [5]. However, cybercriminals quickly learned even more efficient methods of making money. Today, ransomware is the main tool that cybercriminal organizations use to wreak havoc around the world. Much more efficient than individual phishing emails, ransomware can shut down an entire business, forcing executives to pay millions in order to get their data back. Put simply, as technology has advanced, so too have cybercriminals. It’s an unfortunate fact, but all hope is not lost.

While cybercriminals are taking advantage of modern technology for a quick buck, more savory organizations are also working to prioritize security. Even AXEL is utilizing modern cybersecurity technology in innovative ways to protect users. One of AXEL’s patents, US11159306B2, describes a token identification system that allows users to perform transactions privately, while making the transaction verification public. This technology prioritizes the digital privacy of users, secures the specific aspects of the transaction, and offers public verification. Patents like this are being presented, approved, and utilized every day, creating a more private, secure Internet. So while cybercriminals may be quick to exploit technological flaws, an army of individuals and businesses are ready to fight for digital security.

About AXEL

Technology will continue to advance, and our lives will become more digitized than ever before. That’s why data security and user privacy remain as important as ever. At AXEL we believe that privacy is a human right, and that your information deserves the best protection. That’s why we created AXEL Go. AXEL Go uses military-grade encryption, blockchain technology and decentralized servers to ensure it’s the best file transfer software on the market. Whether you need cloud video storage or cloud file management, AXEL Go is the secure file hosting solution. If you’re ready to try the best file sharing app for PC and mobile devices, try two free weeks of AXEL Go here.

[1] Dolgin, Elie. “The Tangled History of mRNA Vaccines.” Nature News. Nature Publishing Group, September 14, 2021. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02483-w

[2] “19% Of Americans Use Wearable Fitness Trackers and MHealth Apps.” Mercom Capital Group, October 13, 2021. https://mercomcapital.com/90-americans-wearable-mhealth-apps/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20new%20survey,or%20tablet%20app%20(32%25)

[3] Marks, Adam. “Do Exercise Trackers Make You Healthier?” Ace.edu, February 16, 2021. https://www.ace.edu/blog/post/2021/02/16/do-exercise-trackers-make-you-healthier

[4] “How Has Technology Changed Education?” Purdue University Online.. https://online.purdue.edu/blog/education/how-has-technology-changed-education

[5] Acharjee, Sauvik. “The Evolution of Cybercrime: An Easy Guide (2021).” Jigsaw Academy, February 13, 2021. https://www.jigsawacademy.com/blogs/cyber-security/evolution-of-cybercrime/

Everywhere is the New Office: The Rise of Digital Nomads

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition to at-home work was swift. Never before had so many workers been forced to work from a new location, with new software to learn, in such a short period of time. But after a few months of at-home work, a weird thing happened: Workers began to adore remote work compared to the traditional office. Although it took getting used to, now, 77% of workers prefer working remotely versus working in an office [1]. But now, with the pandemic under (some) control, workers are still figuring out ways to continue working from anywhere. This desire has led to an increase of “digital nomads” across the country, and the world.

Digital nomads are location-independent workers who travel often, while still getting work done due to consistent Internet availability. While digital nomads are nothing new, the popularity of the practice exploded during the pandemic. In fact, in 2020, the number of digital nomads in the United States reached 10.9 million, up 50% from 2019 [2]. With more businesses offering indefinite remote work, the practice will likely spread further as well. Because of its ever-growing popularity, it’s fair to ask: Is this the future of work? 

Why do Digital Nomads Love Their Jobs?

First and foremost, digital nomads (and at-home workers in general) like their work method because it allows a better work-life balance [3]. This includes taking more breaks, feeling less pressure and no more commutes. All of these perks are quite beneficial for remote workers, including digital nomads. It allows workers to continue earning an income, while also saying goodbye to some of the more stressful facets of traditional office jobs. For many of these digital nomads, remote work is a no-brainer. After all, if offices allow for remote work, why not enjoy these perks? The problem, however, is that not all offices want remote work to become permanent.

Numerous prominent business leaders have voiced their opposition to permanent remote work. Netflix co-CEO Reed Hastings stated that he sees “no positives” regarding remote work, and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said that remote work was “an aberration we’re going to correct as soon as possible [4].” So while remote work offers a multitude of benefits to digital nomads, it isn’t guaranteed their lifestyle will last forever. While some business leaders, such as Mark Zuckerberg [4], have sung the praises of remote work, the practice is far from universally admired.

However, it won’t be easy to rope digital nomads back into the office. After all, remote workers have the leverage right now. In 2020, efficiency actually increased, even though workers had to navigate the newfound difficulties of remote work [5]. With this information in mind, workers know that they are valuable, efficient employees. More importantly, business leaders know they are valuable and efficient as well. So while anti-remote work CEOs may want a return to the traditional office, making it a requirement risks losing employees to businesses more open to remote work.

The Digital Nomad Economy

Even some businesses have begun to market themselves to digital nomads. For example, Airbnb has shifted its focus from short-term vacation rentals to longer-term “workcations.” In fact, the number of long-term Airbnb stays nearly doubled in 2020 compared to 2019 [2]. And with more businesses becoming open to permanent remote work, this sector of the economy will continue to grow, adding even more benefits to remote work.

Put simply, remote work offers significantly more freedom for workers compared to office work. And for digital nomads, it’s about more than just freedom of location. Working remotely allows employees to get their tasks done on their time. With no supervisors looking over your shoulder or gossipy coworkers to worry about, employees can focus more on their work. With this increase of personal freedom for workers, it’s no wonder why efficiency jumped in 2020.

The Drawbacks of Remote Work

However, with this freedom comes responsibility as well. Without a boss or coworkers to surround you during work hours, temptations can arise. After all, what’s stopping workers from taking a two-hour break in the middle of the day? Additionally, remote work can actually cause worse work-life balance as well, as the lines between home-life and work-life can be blurred. Finally, security could be compromised by remote work as well. In fact, that’s partially why Apple CEO Tim Cook has been so enthusiastic about a return to offices [6].

Remote work offers a myriad of benefits for workers, with just a few drawbacks. Thankfully, there are ways to mitigate those drawbacks, particularly regarding security. Even better, most of these techniques are simple for remote workers, no matter where they are. First, ensuring that your software is up-to-date is the best (and easiest) way to protect yourself and your business. Bad actors typically attack through older versions of software, so keeping it up-to-date will minimize the risk of you becoming a target. Next, avoiding public wi-fi networks is another key tip. Public networks are prone to malware and can infect your computer, harming you and your business.

Protect Yourself with AXEL

Finally, using a secure file-sharing system is key to protecting your most vital files from data breaches and ransomware attacks. That’s where AXEL Go comes in. Offering industry-leading encryption and decentralized blockchain technology, AXEL Go is the best way to protect yourself and your business from unauthorized cybercriminals. In a world where remote work is becoming the norm, secure file-sharing is a necessity for any business. If you’re ready to try the best protection, get two free weeks of AXEL Go here. 

[1] Ballard, Jamie. “Most Remote Employees Don’t Want to Return to the Workplace after the Pandemic.” YouGov. January 19, 2021.  https://today.yougov.com/topics/economy/articles-reports/2021/01/19/remote-employees-work-from-home-poll.

[2] Lufkin, Bryan. “Is the Great Digital-nomad Workforce Actually Coming?” BBC Worklife. June 15, 2021. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210615-is-the-great-digital-nomad-workforce-actually-coming.

[3] Courtney, Emily. “The Benefits of Working From Home Beyond the Pandemic: FlexJobs.” FlexJobs Job Search Tips and Blog. September 03, 2021. https://www.flexjobs.com/blog/post/benefits-of-remote-work/.

[4] Kelly, Jack. “How CEOs And Workers Feel About Working Remotely Or Returning To The Office.” Forbes. March 19, 2021. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2021/03/19/how-ceos-and-workers-feel-about-working-remotely-or-returning-to-the-office/.

[5] Curran, Enda. “Work From Home to Lift Productivity by 5% in Post-Pandemic U.S.” Bloomberg.com. April 22, 2021. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-22/yes-working-from-home-makes-you-more-productive-study-finds.

[6] Ryan, Kevin J. “Why Apple Employees Are Objecting to the Company’s Remote Work Rules.” Inc.com. July 20, 2021. https://www.inc.com/kevin-j-ryan/apple-employees-letter-return-to-office.html.

A Story of Data Custody in the Modern Age: Part III

Lucas finds AXEL

In Part II of Lucas’ story, he found many companies were still collecting vast amounts of customer information even with new privacy regulations. But, that didn’t mean he was ready to shun technology. It was a modern conundrum shared by every technophile who values their privacy.

“I’m an IT professional who loves the latest and greatest technology. I can’t close myself off from the world and go hide out in a treehouse in the woods. That shouldn’t be my only option just because I don’t want these huge companies spying on me or making detailed models of my behavior. So, I started to scour the web looking for programs and services that weren’t going to auction off my information to the highest bidder. I stumbled upon AXEL from a Google search about cloud storage, and loved what I saw.”

Lucas and AXEL Go

Specifically, Lucas found our private, secure file storage and sharing application, AXEL Go.

“AXEL Go is basically my new best friend. I get instant access to all of my files and can share them with anyone. I use it at home on my PC and on my iPhone when I’m out. The first thing that impressed me was the company kept promoting this concept called ‘data custody.’ I’d never heard of the term before, but after reading into it a bit, it really hit home. It just means they’re all about giving control of data back to the people.”

AXEL is a champion of data custody and considers personal information private property. We never mine any content stored on AXEL Go and do not sell personal information to third parties, ever.

“That in itself sets them apart from most cloud companies. But they not only respect your data, they protect it too. Their security features are way more advanced than other cloud options.”

AXEL Go utilizes three secure technologies as the backbone of AXEL Go; blockchain, the InterPlanetary File System (IPFS), and password encryption. This unique combination makes AXEL Go an industry leader in security, ensuring your content stays safe at rest and in motion.

“It’s the best of both worlds. I don’t have to worry about the company itself selling my info, but I also am less concerned about hackers breaching their system. Their servers are decentralized, and I always use encrypted passwords on my files. So hackers can’t attack a single vulnerable server to get my content, and even if they do somehow get to my files, they won’t be able to access them. I looked it up, and the encryption algorithm they use for passwords takes billions of years to brute force crack. It’s reassuring. Now, if AXEL could make a social media platform…”

A happy ending

Thank you, Lucas, for your kind words and support for AXEL products. If you’re like Lucas and want a cloud sharing solution that provides security and privacy, download AXEL Go today. It’s free to signup, and our Basic accounts include all of AXEL Go’s unique features, 2GB of storage space, and enough fuel tokens to facilitate thousands of shares. AXEL envisions a better future for the internet, where everyone’s data gets the respect it deserves. Together, we will achieve this goal.

A Story of Data Custody in the Modern Age: Part II

Lucas does more research

When we last left our favorite 25-year old IT specialist, Lucas, he wasn’t feeling too hopeful. He had learned about the status quo of corporate data collection and felt powerless to stop it. But, he didn’t give up. He decided to educate himself more thoroughly on how the big players in Silicon Valley viewed their users’ privacy. He was especially interested in their responses to recent privacy legislation such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDRP).

“I had read dozens of articles about the subject but never got any information straight from the big tech firms themselves. I thought that maybe with the adoption of the CCPA and GDRP, they might have changed their tunes. So, I did something drastic. Something I’m not sure anyone else in the world did. I read through their updated privacy policies.”

Now that’s dedication to the cause! What did Lucas find after slogging through multiple privacy policies?

“It was certainly an improvement. At least now, they had to tell you what info they collect and broadly how they use it. But, they are still hoarding your personal information. You have to opt-out of most of it, and how many people do you see doing that? I had to put on a pot of coffee to get through these privacy policies. And I hate coffee! Most people I know just clicked “Accept” on the popup and kept going about their regular routines.”

Lucas found that even with the new regulatory frameworks in place, companies still frequently had access to information such as your stored files, contact networks, GPS locations, other websites visited, and third-party advertising data.

“They’re still watching you. They’re still developing their models of you to sell to advertisers or manipulate behavior.”

So, what now?

It was apparent to Lucas that waiting on the well-known tech companies to hop aboard the privacy train wouldn’t cut it. But what options did he have?

“Unfortunately, there aren’t any mainstream alternatives to the big players when it comes to social media. If I want to stay in touch with friends and family without resorting to an old-fashioned phone call, it’s tough. I recommend going into your account and digging into the privacy settings. Opt-out of what you can and just know that you’re analyzed continuously. With other applications, luckily, you fare much better.”

This is where Lucas and AXEL finally cross paths!

“I love to store and share files in the cloud. It’s so convenient to have all my important content wherever I need it. But I wasn’t impressed with the popular cloud storage services out there due to privacy concerns. And that includes their security features too. Because even if your privacy policy is decent, if you’re storing all my documents on an insecure server, it doesn’t really matter. So I looked into what else was out there that might better fit my needs. That’s when AXEL popped up.”

A perfect match

In part three of this blog series about Lucas’ journey, we’ll delve into what attracted him to our company and AXEL Go. Check back soon for an exciting conclusion about how AXEL strives to make the internet a better place for everyone.

A Story of Data Custody in the Modern Age: Part I

Meet Lucas

Lucas is a 25-year old tech support specialist for a medium-sized company in Richmond, Virginia. He’s worked there for the last three years and has risen from a junior employee to his current salaried position. Throughout his time at the company, he’s learned a great deal about computing technology and general cybersecurity best practices. He now reads popular cybersecurity blogs to stay up-to-date and knowledgeable about his field.

“To be honest, in college, I never really kept up on cybersecurity trends. I guess I was too busy keeping tabs on who was attending what party. But after I graduated and got my first real job, I started paying more attention.”

While doing this, however, he has discovered some concerning trends.

“That’s when I noticed two things: 1) Hacks and breaches occur WAY more often than I thought; and 2) Companies are tracking, buying, and selling a LOT of personal data.

When you start following these cybersecurity blogs, there are articles almost every day about massive data breaches or hacks fetching million-dollar ransoms. Then, when you get into the details, you see 10 million, 40 million, 200 million personal records breached. It’s crazy!”

Upon further inspection, Lucas found the sheer number of records breached to be less troublesome than other aspects.

“But that’s only the beginning of the rabbit hole. You start to unpack these breaches and find that the company that left hundreds of millions of personal records vulnerable didn’t have hundreds of millions of users. So, where did those records come from?  Well, they bought them from other giant companies that are doing the same thing they’re doing; mining their users for advertising information. It gets really gross. You finally realize that the individual has no clue about who has their data or how it’s being used and sold.”

“And, it’s kind of a sad progression. You go from feeling shocked, to upset, to powerless in a short period of time. It’s difficult to know where to start in the fight against these kinds of data collection policies. You eventually settle into a hopeless feeling of acceptance. The companies responsible make too much money for anything to change.”

The end of the story?

Luckily, this story does not have to end on such a sour note. There are other tech companies out there, fighting for data privacy and protection. You just have to know where to look!

In an upcoming article, we’ll follow Lucas on his journey as he searches for alternative ways to utilize modern technology. Will Lucas have his hope rekindled? Is there a plausible future that treats individuals like people and not statistics? Check back soon to see how the next chapter plays out.