"From a security perspective, if you're connected, you're screwed"

Modern digital life is inseparable from constant connectivity, whether it’s through smartphones, desktop computers, or embedded devices. Each network connection, while enabling communication, commerce, and entertainment, simultaneously opens a pathway for potential threats. Security, once enforced primarily by physical barriers and local control, now faces sophisticated adversaries operating on a global scale. The essence of Daniel J. Bernstein’s statement lies in the unavoidable vulnerability introduced by merely being connected.

Every device plugged into a network, no matter how well protected, presents an attack surface. Internet protocols themselves, designed for openness and interoperability, inherently expose systems to packets and messages from potentially malicious actors. Firewalls and security patches can mitigate, but never fully eliminate, the risks. Zero-day vulnerabilities, software flaws unknown to vendors, highlight how even the most up-to-date systems can be breached. Skilled attackers, ranging from lone hackers to well-funded state actors, continuously scan the world for exploitable weaknesses.

Modern software is massive and complex. Each line of code increases the probability of a bug, which might become an entry point for intruders. Even the most dedicated software engineers and security professionals cannot guarantee flawless security. Attackers often need to find only a single vulnerability, while defenders must secure an ever-growing attack surface.

Beyond technical flaws, human error is an unavoidable aspect of security: users choose weak passwords, click on phishing links, and configure systems incorrectly. Social engineering exploits the weakest link, human psychology, over technical barriers.

There’s a growing awareness that perfect security is unattainable. The best hope is managed risk: segmentation, layers of defense, rapid detection, and incident response. But as long as connectivity remains, so do opportunities for attackers. The digital arms race continues, but the fundamental reality persists: every connection is another possible avenue of attack, making total, absolute safety an illusion.