Yael Grauer

@yaelwrites

Pulitzer-winning investigative tech reporter. Cybersecurity educator. 🙋🏻‍♀️ #opentowork 📣 💌 yael@yaelwrites.com 💥 #alwaysantifascist ☕️ Support my work:

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Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· 16d

I was ducking under a tree yesterday trying to figure out how to get to this coffee shop when I was startled by the loudest noise, and that’s how I got these amazing Gila woodpecker closeups!

Gila woodpecker with its beak, open in a tree

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· 17d

This is the energy I’m bringing into the rest of 2026.

It’s a necklace of a 20-sided die landing on 20

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· 18d

I was trying to find an interview with one of my favorite cartoonists that I did a few decades ago, but I couldn't find it. I did find a review of my extremely mediocre zine in an old issue of Hate, though!

One other fanzine I'd like to mention is Live Beat, the contents
of which are pretty standard fare (band interviews, ‘zine reviews, etc.), only what makes this one interesting is that it’s put out by this seething, hyper-ambitious 15-year-old named Yael Grauer. An upcoming issue is supposed to
have an interview with me, and I'm real curious to see how THAT turns out. $7.00 to [redacted]. Now for some letters:

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· 20d

We have a time and place for my DEF CON Crypto & Privacy Village talk! It'll be at Creator Stage 4 on Friday at 1PM!

Trust the Basics, But Know Their Limits:
Where Standard Cybersecurity Advice Falls Short

Fri, Aug 7 1:00 PM-1:30 PM

LCC - L1 - Exhibit Hall West 3 - 1104 (Creator Stage 4)

Those cybersecurity tips you've heard over and over again are still our best defense against attackers, but following them doesn't actually
protect you from everything.

In 2026, we know that freezing your credit won't protect you from most scams, and that even the strongest password manager can’t save a compromised device. So what actually works, and where does it fall short?

The advice is good. The gaps are real. Come learn both.

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· 27d

I’ll be at @defcon.bsky.social this year, speaking at the Crypto & Privacy Village about where standard cybersecurity advice falls short. It’s the best we’ve got, but there are limits, and we’ll get into it! Details to follow.

Dear author,
The Crypto & Privacy Village (CPV 2026)
Program Committee is delighted
to inform you that your submission #64 has been accepted to appear in the conference this year.
We have accepted the following talk:
* Title: Trust the Basics, But Know Their Limits: Where Standard
Cybersecurity Advice Falls Short
*Author: Yael Grauer (Crypto & Privacy
Village)

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Jul 3

this could be three spideys but you playing

it's a syn syn/ack ack handshake diagram

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Jul 1

Every year, @huertanix.bsky.social and I do a "Worst of Cybersecurity Reporting" talk at @cactuscon.com. We first roasted 2019 articles and keep getting invited back. We work on this talk all year long, discussing candidates in a shared doc, and we'd love your help.

Welcome back to our annual grill!
source: umami live (it has zuck grilling)
I'm sitting here smoking these meats and the Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce that is going on the ribs, um

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Jun 28

Next month, my BADBOOL snack will be savory. But for now...

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Jun 27

Close to mine!

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Jun 25

Heading home after a whirlwind trip to SF. @evacide.bsky.social and I are working on a project. The results were… different than we expected. More soon.

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Jun 21

this is what the html version looked like

it's really the same as the google doc but with some color coding

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Jun 19

Thrilled to announce that Dake Kang, Aniruddha Ghosal and I won a SOPA - The Society of Publishers in Asia award for Excellence In Technology Reporting, Global for our Made in America, Watched Worldwide package.

The SOPA 2026 Awards Excellence in Technology Reporting (Global) Award for Excellence. It has an image of https://apnews.com/article/chinese-surveillance-silicon-valley-uyghurs-tech-xinjiang-8e000601dadb6aea230f18170ed54e88

the SOPA 2026 Awards Award for Excellence, Excellence in Technology Reporting (Global), the Associated Press, Made in America, Watched Worldwide.

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Jun 16

It's me, trying to convince my pet insurance that my dog's name is on the claim they say doesn't have her name.

Description: Please confirm and provide the pet's name to ensure all details match for claim processing.

It says Bailey and it's circled and I drew arrows.

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Jun 15

My book pile has gotten completely out of control! This doesn’t even include the Percival Everett books…

Rebel with a Clause by Ellen Jovin
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
The Yahoo Boys by Carlos Barragan
My Son, the Priest by Kristen Gilger
Nuclear War by Annie Jacobsen
You Must Take Part in the Revolution by Melissa Chan
Means of Control by Byron Tau

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Jun 4

I’m at SecretCon and tomorrow at 1:30pm in the Forge track I will be sharing at least two, maybe three, embarrassing stories from stage…

SecretCon booklet that says hypnotize plus a blue owl speaker badge

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· May 31

This update was powered by chocolate dipped peanut butter crunch energy balls and a caramel frappe with whip, paid for by your donations. 💕

chocolate dipped PB crunch energy balls and a caramel frappe with whip

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· May 24

As part of my life goal of seeing every Shakespeare play (44% done so far!), I went to Stagebrush Theatre to see Measure for Measure last night. This analysis was helpful as I grappled with how we should view this play in modern times. www.folger.edu/explore/shak...

stage photo--we sat in the front row bc I am short, hence this weird angle

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· May 12

Oh no! Is this a deal breaker? @meredithmeredith.bsky.social would probably say it shouldn’t be.

I think I’m going to apply for one of your open roles.

Couldn’t send message because this person is no longer using Signal

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· May 9

I think I am finally caught up with the flurry of texts and emails. I love you all. 💕

coffee with a white foam heart in a bright yellow mug on a bright yellow plate

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· May 4

I am honored to share the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Best International Reporting with Dake Kang, Byron Tau, Aniruddha Ghosal and Garance Burke for our reporting revealing how Silicon Valley largely designed and built China's surveillance state and enabled human rights abuses.

The 2026 Pulitzer Prize Announcement
International Reporting
Winner: Dake Kang, Garance Burke, Byron Tau, Aniruddha Ghosal of the Associated Press and Yael Grauer, contributor.

US government allowed and even helped US firms sell tech used for surveillance in China, AP finds.

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Apr 30

Advertise your account with a Simpsons image.

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Apr 28

life is good

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Apr 12

I'm not a robot, but I sometimes wish I was.

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Apr 10

I also want to get GitHub achievements I don't already have (I have Starstruck four times but want new shiny badges) so if anybody wants to help me game the system... github.com/drknzz/GitHu...

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Apr 9

When I was frustrated with my job search back in 2019, I worked with a badass DM to create a Dungeons & Dragons character sheet for myself.

DUNGEONS & Dragons
Rogue Inquisitive 10
Investigator
Variant Human Chaotic Good 64,000 XP
Strength: 8 Dexterity: 14 Constitution: 10 Intelligence: 19 Wisdom: 12 Charisma: 15 Passive Wisdom (Perception) 19

Personality traits: Inquisitive and creative mind. Always wants to know how things work. Enjoys solving puzzles. Knows a story relevant to almost every situation

Ideals: Seeks the challenge of self-improvement. Holds freedom and truth above all

Bonds: Truth. Knowledge. Freedom.

Flaws: Distracted by the promise of information. Wears her heart on her sleeve. Sometimes too clever for her own good.

Linguist: studied languages and codes. +1 to INT. +3 languages. Can create written ciphers.

Observant: Quick to notice details of her environment. Can read lips. +5 to passive perception and passive investigation.

Keen mind: +1 to INT. Uncanny knack for learning and keeping track of precise details. Always knows which way is north. Knows the hours left before the next sunset or sunrise. Can accurately recall anything she has seen or heard in the last month.

Diplomat +1 to CHA: Proficiency in the persuasion skill. Spends one minute talking to someone out of combat to charm them: her persuasion rolled against their insight.

Ear for deceit: On insight checks to determine if a creature is lying, treat a roll of 7 or lower on the d20 as an 8.

Cunning Action / Uncanny Dodge
Evasion / Thieves' Cant / Eye for detail
Insightful Fighting / Sneak Attack /
Steady Eye

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Mar 28

I think this is clear.

bag. You'll also have to buy the bag and test it, by--for example--having someone call your phone while it is in the bag to see if it rings. Your phone's microphone, accelerometer and gyroscope still work, so the phone is collecting some data. Also, your phone could still get

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Mar 15

Went to see Trampled by Turtles yesterday!

Trampled by turtles playing, so may instruments!

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Mar 14

This is more of a #TauDay photo but happy #PiDay anyway! 🥧

Two delicious mini pies: banana peanut butter and peach crumble.

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Nov 24

Avoiding public WiFi, QR codes, or public USB chargers doesn’t prevent you from being hacked. Happy to sign onto this open letter alongside 80+ cybersecurity veterans urging a shift from folklore to guidance that actually helps people avoid the most common attacks. www.hacklore.org

Yael Grauer@yaelwrites· Jun 21

Happy Summer Solstice, friends!