🙏 The Pains Of Self Hosting

One of my favorite self-hosted project management tools (Vikunja) just shifted from a self-hosted Git repository to Github (ew Microsoft!!! 🤮). They detail a lot of the issues they were facing, mainly a horde of internet zombie bots from AI companies and cybercriminals.

https://vikunja.io/changelog/moving-to-github/

We run dozens of internal self-hosted tool at Above (literally no third parties unless we can't run something ourselves) and ironically there's been a bit of struggle with Vikunja for our internal project management.

No, we're not overrun or brigaded by bots (thankfully none of our systems are public) but that sometimes sticking to your principles can make your progress slow. Its like playing on hard mode difficulty.

The developer of Vikunja (Kolante) does a really good job discussing the nuance of why you'd want to use a third party service instead of self-hosting everything.

I'm going to do everything in my power to stick to our principles and only host software on our own servers. This requires a ton of maintenance and upkeep - but its worth it. What do you think?

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🫶 @takebackourtech
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■■■■■ Japan 🇯🇵 passes law to hack-back. This comes amid cyber attacks by state sponsored and other attacks non state actors.

Some other countries with similar laws:

USA: Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S. Code § 1030) – prohibits unauthorized access and retaliation.

Switzerland: Swiss Criminal Code Article 143bis – criminalizes unauthorized data access.

Israel: Computer Law 1995, Section 5 – bans hacking unless explicitly authorized (e.g., military, Mossad).

China: Cybersecurity Law of the PRC (Article 27) – restricts individuals from harming network systems.

Russia: Criminal Code Article 273 – forbids creation and use of malware unless by sanctioned state entities.

Iran: Computer Crimes Law 2009, Article 1 – prohibits unauthorized access and network intrusion.

Japan enacts new Active Cyberdefense Law allowing for offensive cyber operations.

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/05/c92993cc70e6-new-japan-law-allows-preemptive-defense-of-infrastructure-cyberattack.html

https://therecord.media/japan-enacts-new-law-allowing-offensive-cyber-operations

Earlier in 2022; they had intended to do so: https://therecord.media/japan-to-amend-laws-to-allow-for-offensive-cyber-operations-against-foreign-hackers

🙏 10 Rules For Cell Phone Use Published By The Vienna Medical Association

Its EMR awareness month! Are you using your tech safely?

Austria is one of a handful of countries on earth that recognize Electro-Hypersensitivity (EHS) as a real condition meaning they have a way to diagnose and even treat it.

Here are 10 rules for cell phone use they recommend (translated from German):

1. In principle, make as few and as short calls as possible!
2. Children and adolescents under the age of 16 should preferably not make a phone call!
3. Never keep the mobile phone close to your head during the call setup!
4. Do not use the phone in vehicles (car, bus, train – the radiation is higher)!
5. When sending SMS, the mobile phone generally as far as possible keep away from the body!
6. When talking on the phone, always a few meters away from others - they will be irradiated!
7. Never put mobile phones in your pocket – the radiation can Impair fertility in men!
8. Always turn off mobile phones at night and never store them near your head!
9. No playing games via mobile!
10. Headsets are also questionable – the cable conducts the radiation! Also wireless LAN or UMTS lead to a high radiation exposure!

Original document

Want more solutions? Sign up for my EMR webinar - happening tomorrow!

https://abovephone.com/webinar

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🫶 @takebackourtech
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