Be Remarkably Unremarkable
An old coworker once told me a story that perfectly illustrates how easily we leak information without even realizing it. It was a powerful lesson in Operational Security (OpSec)—the art of protecting yourself by limiting what you reveal about yourself.
They were grabbing drinks with friends after work, and the conversation was lively and loud. Suddenly, a stranger walked up to my coworker, called them by name, and started talking about their job and mutual friends who also worked there. Confused, my coworker racked their brain, but they couldn’t place him.
Finally, they glanced down and saw their company name badge still clipped to their pocket—the only one in the group still wearing theirs. In a town where everyone knew someone who worked at that business, the stranger had just enough information from that one simple detail to start a conversation that felt familiar.
The lesson? OpSec isn’t just about protecting yourself online; it’s about being mindful of the information you unnecessarily leak in the physical world. We spend so much time freezing our credit, locking down our social media, and scrubbing our data from the internet that we often overlook the simplest things that can give away critical information about us.
This is exactly what we’re going to explore. You don’t need to become a recluse. Instead, you can learn simple, practical habits to protect your privacy and personal security in your daily life by being remarkably unremarkable.
The Evolution of OpSec: Online and Off
Think about how our online habits have evolved. In the early days of Facebook, we posted everything: our full names, all current and former employers, the schools we attended, and even our exact vacation plans.
It often started innocently enough—a former classmate reaching out to "catch up"—but it didn't take long for the real risks to become clear. News reports surfaced about homes being burglarized while the families were away on vacation. How did the criminals know they were gone? Because they had published all the details for the public to see. That’s when we realized we probably shouldn't share so much information online.
The same is true in our real lives. We often give away far too much information about ourselves, making us stand out to the wrong people. This is why the tip "be remarkably unremarkable" is so powerful. It’s a habit we learned years ago while working internationally, and it's a simple, effective mindset for protecting yourself in the real world.
The Rolling Billboard
Think about your car. In the United States, it’s not unusual to see someone’s entire life story displayed on the back of their vehicle. Stickers, emblems, and personalized plates turn a simple car into a "rolling billboard" advertising personal information to anyone who happens to be driving behind them.
This isn't an exaggeration. A quick look at the back of a car at a stoplight can reveal an entire family’s makeup—from the stick figures showing the number of kids and pets to a personalized license plate that makes the driver easier to remember. We display our political and religious beliefs, our hobbies (especially expensive ones like hunting or fishing), and even where we work or go to school.
This common practice is a massive OpSec failure. As the image below shows, a few simple stickers can tell a potential threat:
- Where your kids go to school or play sports.
- That you have expensive equipment at home.
- The fact that you're gone most weekends for a hobby.
- Even your name and your spouse's name.
Our recommendation is simple: avoid all of it. Remove the stick figures, the dealer stickers, and the school decals. You want a vehicle that just blends in—one that would be described as being similar to thousands of other cars.
This mindset extends to how you drive. By being a courteous and predictable driver who maintains the flow of traffic, you don't give anyone a reason to take special notice of you or your license plate. Avoid aggressive driving and loud music. In short, don't give anybody a reason to remember you.
"Oh Yeah, You Blend"
In the movie My Cousin Vinny, Mona Lisa Vito delivers the line, "Oh yeah, you blend," to her boyfriend after he tries to argue that his new cowboy boots make him fit in with the locals. The humor comes from the fact that a New Yorker wearing brand-new boots in rural Alabama stands out like a sore thumb.
The same principle applies to operational security. Visually standing out in public can quickly make you a target for bad actors, who can often mark their victims simply by what they wear.
- A flashy watch or expensive jewelry can signal to a thief that you have valuable possessions.
- A crisp suit in a casual environment can make you a target for a social engineering attack, as a criminal might assume you're a business person with valuable information.
- A tourist wearing a loud college sports shirt is easy to spot—and potentially easier to scam.
Just as you want your car to be remarkably unremarkable, your clothing should be too. Opt for demure attire that blends in with the local population. Pay special attention to your footwear, as shoes can often be a telltale sign of a tourist. By dressing similarly to those around you, you go a long way toward maintaining a low profile.
This mindset also applies to your accessories and electronics. Thieves are especially adept at grabbing smartphones while passing by on some form of transportation, so keep your device out of sight when not in use. When traveling, consider using a "throwaway" phone—something inexpensive that you wouldn't mind losing. On it, keep only the minimal amount of apps and information to contain the loss if the device is stolen.
Finally, the concept of blending in extends to your behavior and conversation. A good rule of thumb is to treat every public outing like a holiday meal and avoid talking about politics or religion. These two topics can quickly rile people up and draw unwanted attention. Always be polite, courteous, and follow local customs. By being unremarkable in how you look and act, you avoid giving anyone a reason to take special notice of you.
Enduring to be Unremarkable
The physical world is full of unintentional information leaks, from the stickers on your car to the clothes you wear. But a good defense doesn't require living in fear—it requires living with awareness and intentionality. By adopting a mindset of being remarkably unremarkable, you can manage the most common threats without becoming a recluse.
This is a simple, everyday endeavor that pays off in personal safety. We'll share more ways to master operational security in future posts.
Remember, we may not have anything to hide, but everything to protect.
