Victoria Fine Articles on Upworthy

Feeling a little meh about protecting your online life from hackers? Think you don't have much to hide? Turns out a weak password can accidentally make you a mercenary for malicious organizations and actions in real life. That means by not taking care with your online identity, you could be accidentally shutting down websites with strong independent voices, influencing political events, or silencing opposing voices in media around the world.First, watch this video about exactly how it works, then check out the map below to see where attacks are happening right this second.

This crazy, overwhelming graphic is the path of hackers attacking servers of sites around the world in real time.

Want to prevent yourself from being an unwitting soldier in this weird underground war? Use strong passwords or start using a password recipe (yep, that's the advice we use here at Upworthy from our own Luigi Montanez) and browse more securely by using HTTPS Everywhere, for starters.

Victoria Fine

A Million People Watched A Person Die On The Internet. Here’s What We Can Learn From It.

There's A World War Happening Online Right Now. And You Might Be A Mercenary In It.

If You've Ever Wanted To Hug The Internet For Being So Swell, Here's Where It Is

Why Does Being Right-Handed Totally Violate The Basic Laws Of Physics?

This woman was tired of explaining why she loved physics. So she drew a story that is worth a thousand words.(Oh, and the right-hand science mystery comes at 2:30.)

Environmental Benefits Aside, This Looks More Pleasant Than Honking And Yelling Out The Window

This is one of those straightforward GIFs that both makes you sad about your life choices and gives you hope for the future. Use that feeling wisely — carpool or take public transportation. (Your swear jar and the earth will thank you.)

Think Gen Y's lazy? I'mma print this chart, origami it into a mustache, and stick it on your face.

He Used To Live Off The Land. So What Made Him Pick Up A Chain Saw And Go At It?

That buzz saw you hear is actually the sound of a beautiful act of preservation. Every time I hear one now, I think of what I could be doing for my future kids.

Astronaut shares the profound 'big lie' he realized after seeing the Earth from space

Psychologist shares 15-second trick to make kids of any age less rude and more cooperative

A story about two pairs of boots illustrates how rich people get richer in ways poor people can't

Surprising 16-year-long ADHD study reveals opposite of what researchers expected

She got a nasty note on her car for parking in a disabled spot. Her response is a vital read.

Sweden makes stunning decision to trademark its name to avoid confusion