QNA lock temporarily

Due to some security issues from an individual user, I've had to take some steps to secure some information temporarily. 

For a short while previous Patreons will be unavailable while I sort it out. It won't take more than a few days.

• The payment schedule will be changing. the bottom tier will be phased out
• Payments may be changed to up front as I do some more due diligence.
• Members may be removed

This is not something to be worried about for any user on this platform. These are cautionary steps I am taking to ensure that it doesn't become your problem. An important aspect of information security is disclosure. This is for your information. If there is anything specific to anyone here, I will reach out to you individually. Other than the steps I provide below for basic OPSEC best practices, no action needs to be taken on your end.

In the meantime, I will strongly reiterate some basic OPSEC or operational security for users here. This is for your protection, as I maintain good security on my end, I cannot save you from your own decisions:

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1. Usernames. Do not associate your username for Patreon to your other social media profiles or IRL name. Using the same name for multiple platforms expose you to full risk from the lease secure. You putting your full name on a reddit post with the same account name you use here makes it so I cannot secure your privacy.

2. Personal Identifying Information. If you have concerns over your own personal security, change names and locations of your field reports (AKA poisoning the well) In the event you have a personal breach (see #1) then no one can tell which information is real and which is fake. Additionally, using a pseudonym that another person has on other platforms will help as they already have a wealth of poisoned information about themselves which creates distance for you.

3. No illegal declarations. I don't know Patreon's policy on getting me to give them information based on warrants etc. It can also change over time. Do not put me in a position where I have to address legal requests for information. If you do something illegal, do not tell me. I have discretion, but your 10$ monthly payment isn't worth me sacrificing everyone's Patreon experience. Don't be a Tate

4. Do not trust other Patreon users. While we do share notes between each other on topics, be very untrusting of other users, especially if they reach out to share personal information. Honeypots are the easiest way to get your information and people fall for them all the time

5. Phishing. If you ever get emails from the platform about me on Patreon, unless it's the standard 'QNA is up' it did not come from me. I don't use the private messaging on this platform and do not trust it's private. neither should you. If it's private enough you want to tell me in private, then it's too private for me to address at all

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It's been a while, and I may start giving security briefs again on the regular. And remember, when it comes to breaches, it's not a matter of 'if' but a matter of 'when' so you are the best safeguard for your own information.