Balancing Security and Convenience: A Lesson from My Beginner Python Class

A few days ago, during my beginner Python class, something interesting happened. We usually share files and communicate through WhatsApp. One of my students told me he couldn’t open the class files. I asked why. His answer surprised me: he doesn’t trust WhatsApp enough to install it on his computer.

That moment made me pause and think. How do you balance security with practicality? I shared a few options with him:

• Install the app but be mindful of what you share online.
• Use WhatsApp Web in your browser.
• If that still feels risky, try WhatsApp Web through Tor.
• Or set up a virtual machine and run it there.
• Or even buy a cheap Raspberry Pi or an old PC, install Linux, and access WhatsApp Web from that device.

And if none of these make you feel safe, maybe the real answer is to disconnect from the internet entirely. (That last one I said half-jokingly, but it carries a truth.)

The point I wanted to make was this: security is not absolute. Each of us has to decide at which level we feel comfortable and stop there. Sometimes media headlines amplify fear, especially for people with less technical background. But in reality, it’s about finding the right balance between safety and usability.

In the end, I zipped all the files and shared them via Google Drive. And honestly, I love this student—he’s sharp, curious, and reminds me of my early days in programming, when resources were harder to access but the eagerness to learn was limitless.