Every time you log on, you leave a trail. But is the internet really the anonymous, high-tech playground we imagine? Join us at Three Wise Monkeys as we pull back the curtain on our digital lives.
From the psychology of the human error that unmasks mastermind cybercriminals, to the evolving ethics of smarter, next-gen NPCs, we’re exploring the thin line between our physical selves and our online identities. Discover why anonymity is a myth, how our real-world habits follow us into virtual spaces, and how the digital worlds of the future are being built in our own image.
Nothing Stays Hidden Forever: When Hackers Slip Up
Kate Grayson-Crane (Incident Response Consultant)
We often imagine cyber criminals as invisible, flawless masterminds. In reality, many are caught because of small, human mistakes: reused usernames, familiar habits, or moments of overconfidence. Drawing on real-world investigator experience, this talk explores how hackers accidentally reveal who they are, and what these failures tell us about identity, anonymity, and the myths we believe about life online.
When we are Gods
Dr Richard Bartle (Visiting Professor, University of Essex)
Imagine a computer game populated with thousands of non-player characters (NPCs). Now imagine that it’s some time in the distant future, and we’re able to make these NPCs as smart as we are or smarter. Should we do it? Why? Why not? Supposing we do do it, how should we treat those intelligent NPCs? Can we make them suffer? Can we make them live forever? Can we turn off their game world?
How Your Messages Travel: The Hidden Journey Behind Everything You Do Online
Mohammadamin Jarrahi (Postgraduate researcher, University of Essex)
Every photo you send, every video you watch, and every online interaction depends on data being transmitted quickly and reliably. This talk reveals how modern communication systems make this possible and how these invisible processes shape how we connect, interact, and present ourselves online.