Let's get one thing out of the way.  Don't leave just yet because you may be thinking the next question. 

"Hey wait a second! This is a blog about Cyber Security and Automation!  What's this topic doing here?"

I will be the first to admit, that yes it does seem off topic.  However, please rest assured that if it didn't relate in some way this post wouldn't be here.  If you really want you can skip to the bottom of the post where I detail how blocking people on LinkedIn relates to both security and automation.

When and Why to block someone on LinkedIn.

Before you block anyone on LinkedIn you need to give yourself permission to do so. 

I know this sounds super weird but it really is an important step.  To give yourself permission you ask your self this:

"Is it O.K. for me to block someone on LinkedIn?"

You may be surprised by your answer.  One would think it is a "yes" or "no" answer, but like any relationship there are challenges and complications and underlying issues that a simple block may grow into a much bigger conundrum.

LinkedIn is unique in the social media space, it was conceived as a "professional" platform.  As the platform ages however it absorbs the bad habits of other platforms.  I would point my finger solidly towards Facebook at this point.  I am no fan of the tool (Facebook) and actively try to stay away from it altogether.  I will not consume this post with my disdain for Facebook.  However, for me personally it does illustrate a interesting dilemma.  I have no problem blocking people I know and don't know on LinkedIn.  On Facebook though, it is exceedingly more difficult (personally).  I'm not totally sure why this is.  To compensate for this personal failing I just opt to not use Facebook therefore not having to deal with the fallout of blocking outspoken relatives, or being forced to see trivial platitudes from bleeding hearts.  It is avoidance tactic and I am completely fine with it.

When you have determined that you are in fact O.K. blocking someone on LinkedIn, you need to establish why you would do such a thing.

Have they offended you?  Have they been overly aggressive?  Are they sharing things that are inappropriate?

There are so many reasons why blocking someone on LinkedIn is not only a good choice but a necessary one.  I'm sure there are a plethora of internet top ten lists of "why you should block someone on LinkedIn," but the truth is that the reasons for blocking someone need to be individual.  The reason I block someone may not be the same reason you would.  I can't, and shouldn't give you a blanket list of reasons to block someone on LinkedIn.

What I can do thought is give you my personal reasons why I block people.  I will share my justifications and who knows maybe one of my reasons makes sense to you and I encourage you to adopt any number of them.

1. Racism

Every once and a while someone posts something that is a commentary on someone's skin colour, or their culture, or something along those lines.  Their post is inflammatory and disgusting and I don't want to see it.  Blocked!

2. Irrelevant "Funny Videos"

We have all seen these, the random irrelevant "funny" videos that show up and have thousands of "likes."  Why is this on a professional social media tool?  How does a random video of a dog falling down (that's the only video I could think of) edify my professional network? Blocked!

3. Blatant Heart Grabbing

Even more obnoxious then the "funny" videos are the heart felt random act of kindness videos.  You know the ones where someone is caught doing something super kind for a complete stranger.  The problem with these videos is that they are so painfully staged.  I think random acts of kindness are good and we should be doing them, but I think some of it's power is taken away when we prop up a camera to catch us doing our nice deeds.  Blocked!

4. Sexual Comments

If I have selected a post to read and I go to the comments and someone has decided to not post a thoughtful comment on the well articulated article but to post some crude sexual comment to or about the author.  Blocked! 

5. #HashtagOveruse

I show a bit of grace on this, and I typically make a game time judgement call but when you are reading a post and their are honest goodness like 20 hasthags.  It's super annoying because I can't tell if you are just oblivious to how to use the Internet or this is some weird way to get more exposure. Blocked!

6. Sexualized Content

Why do women need to share pictures of themselves in bikinis? or Men share pictures of their ripped abs?  If you are a health professional I can kind of understand.  Their have been a number of posts where someone's sexualized content has absolutely nothing to do with their profession.  It's clearly a ploy to get people to click.  This also leads to a stack of people that post sexualized comments.  I am legitmately surprised by some of the crude things people say on LinkedIn.  Blocked!

7. Posting Your Salary

I don't care how much money you make.  Blocked!

8. Posting $ Earned from Bug Bounties

These posts are braggy.  Humility is an important value and these posts are not that.  Honestly, I don't even believe these posts.  I legitimately think their are all photo shops.  Keep your earnings private please.  Blocked!

9. Aggressive Political Polarization

Their is a time and a place for political commenting and sometimes it can exist in a professional environment.  However it often boils over into a nasty words.  I waffle on this one, it depends who is posting it.  More times then not, especially if I don't know them they get Blocked!

10. IRL Person, who I don't want to be associated with

This one is RAW!  "You know that person in real life Andrew!! How could you block them!?"  Well if they have demonstrated poor professionalism in the workplace, are aggressive, disrespectful, rude, why would I want to be associated with them?  Blocked!

11.  Certification Sales People

Those random people who don't know you and don't care to know you but ask if you would sell their random crappy little cert. Blocked!

12. Polls that don't connect to their profession

These would be polls that exist only to draw attention and clicks.  Have you picked up that I really hate click-bate on LinkedIn.  "How long have you used a computer!!! WOW you're old!! LOL"  Blocked!  

13. Braggy HTB Posts

This one happens only once and a while and only if it is excessive.  I totally understand the rush of finishing an HTB machine.  Totally get it!  I also totally understand wanting to share with your community. 

"Hey I finished this really hard machine!"  But when all that is being posted is the one screenshot of the machine name and nothing else it doesn't edify the community.  What I would much rather see is a thoughtful write up on that HTB machine.  Why was it hard?  What did you learn?  I have only blocked a few people who do this and it was based solely that their posts were a bit braggy and that was all I was being given from them.

LinkedIn Blocking and Security/Automation

So how does this apply to the primary themes of this blog?  Let's start with automation.

Automation:

In my humble opinion automation and optimization go hand-in-hand.  Pruning your potential network means that you will be shown less content that doesn't apply to you.  This is good!  Your user experience will be more enjoyable and you don't have to experience those frustrating moments where you find yourself saying "What is this doing on here!"

Pruning also allows you to potentially sift through the masses to connect with people that have similar passions and beliefs.  I mean realistically if you have blocked a bunch of people for obnoxious behaviour the people who are left over have potentially blocked those same people.  Who knows!

Security:

I don't have proof of this, but I legitimately think that many of those big click bait offenders are not even real people but bots.  Further more those posts that have the people who are barely dressed, I honestly think that some of these are bots as well.

My opinion aside, anytime you can reduce the attack vector you are going to mitigate some degree of risk.  If you are blocking bots and phishers then there is less probability that you will click on them.

So if someone ever asks you why you blocked them, just tell them "Sorry I didn't like your racist, over sexualized braggy politically polarizing sales pitches."  Or maybe not, that actually sounds like a quick way to be blocked yourself ;)

Thanks for reading!