Interviews: Ask Reuben Paul What Hackers Can Learn From an 8-Year-Old

Reuben A. Paul, aka RAPstar, has something of a head-start when it comes to learning about computer security: his father, Mano Paul, has been a security researcher (and instructor) for many years. So Reuben grew up around computers, seeing firsthand that they're neither mysterious nor impregnable. Reuben, though, has a curious mind and his own computer security interests, and a knack for telling others about them; last month, he became the youngest-ever speaker at DerbyCon, and explained some of what he's picked up so far on what kids can learn about security, as well as what the security field can learn from kids. (One hard to dispute nugget: "Kids are the best social engineers, followed by puppies.") Ask of Reuben whatever you'd like, below (please, one question per post), and we'll get answers to selected questions when we catch up with him at next week's Houston Security Conference. (This year's conference is sold out, but there's always 2015.)

Comments

Security?

[MisterSquid]

Is security what you find most interesting in computing, or is there another area that interests you more? If security is what interests you most, what is it about security in particular you like?

I ask because it seems natural (as someone who was your age in the 1970s) that young people would either be interested in development programming (as I was) or games (which I sort of was).

(My apologies if you answered this in your talk, which I'm only just getting around to watching.)

What do you do with clueless grownups?

[MisterSquid]

Have you ever one-upped an adult who condescended to you or greatly underestimated your technical understanding? What happened?

Bullying?

[MisterSquid]

Have you ever been bullied by people your age and, if so, how did you deal with it? (If you don't mind, please share what the matter was.)

US Government surveillance

[MisterSquid]

What are your thoughts about the US government's efforts (apocryphal and confirmed) to surveil nearly all Internet systems and traffic and how such efforts affect security?

Kids will be kids

[MisterSquid]

The whole domain of computer security is very serious and, well, I'm also wondering what kinds of things do you like to do that's just kid stuff that's not directly related to computing? You know, like riding a bicycle, going on hikes, playing tag (not trying to patronize as these are things I did when I was 8).

(This is the last question I will post in this thread. Thanks for considering.)

Re:One Thing About Kids

[jbeaupre]

Amen.

Walked into the living room one day to see my 3 year old running a program on the windows log in screen! I've since looked it up, and it's possible. So much for my preconceptions.