Ever wonder what you would do without technology...

Privacy is a real issue in the digital world. Well what if technology disappeared would privacy come back?

JJ Abrams does a decent job showing the results of technology disappearing. Yes its not 100% realistic but if it was NBC would not be able to show it.

However from watching this episode, it gives you an idea of what would happen to that rich guy at Google.

Check out the pilot episode available on NBC.

Ever wonder what you would do without technology...

Privacy is a real issue in the digital world. Well what if technology disapeared would privacy come back?

JJ Abrams does a decent job showing the results of technology disappearing. Yes its not 100% realistic but if it was NBC would not be able to show it.

However from watching this episode, it gives you an idea of what would happen to that rich guy at Google.

Check out the pilot episode available on NBC.

Linked In

Its amazing what a simple google search will produce. Try searching for the following: linkedin directory people

In the result set you will quickly find this page which lists all the profiles that are set to appear in search results.
http://www.linkedin.com/directory/people/a.html

Try changing the letter in front of the .html to match your last name. For Susan Fischer its s.html.

You will then see further divisions of last name groups. Eventually you will find a list containing your profile.

If you see your profile in the list, make sure you are logged out of LinkedIn and click on it and see what everyone sees.

If there is information here you don't want just anyone to see then you may need to alter your LinkedIn preferences.

LinkedIn recently had a password breach but its not the only company to have this happen. However being high profile it gets the press. This is a good opportunity to ask those companies that run sites you login to on a regular basis what they are doing to secure your information. If they don't have a plan or cannot tell you what they are doing then maybe you should stop logging in and delete your account. Also post a comment here on who they were so we can keep each other's info safe.

Check out this article I found on Infoworld: Privacy may be a joke to companies, its no laughing matter to the rest of us

Password Rules

Given the latest scare with LinkedIn Password breaches. I thought it would be a good time to review password rules.

1) Don't use the same password on multiple websites.

2) Never give passwords out.

3) Follow standard rules for passwords like including special characters and don't use actual words.

4) Take advantage of sign in via facebook, twitter, etc as that way the password is only in one spot. As long as facebook, twitter, etc keeps it secure you are good to go. Odds are you are safer with your password in one database rather than many databases that could get hacked.

Some sites have gone overboard with rules. Here is an example of overkill I found while reading a mashables article:

http://portal.cs.oag.state.tx.us/OAGStaticContent/portal/login/help/listPasswordRules.htm

The most important things to learn is to only supply the bare minimum information on sites so when there is a breach they only have a little information on you.

Is Siri a security/privacy hole?

I thought I would share this article. After reading I look forward to your thoughts.

I wonder if the Skyvi app for Android has the same issue.

http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/05/ibm-bans-siri/

Google Privacy Policy Day

Today is the day the new privacy policy takes affect.  This means you need to be even more cautious with what you share online.  Search, Mail, websites, contacts, social networking and social media are all weak links.  Here are some golden rules:

1) Don't post personal information online (eg. Name, credit card, address, current location?, date of birth, sin number/social security number, etc)

A lot of people use foursquare and twitter to tell people where they currently are.  Are you aware that Google Searches twitter and the results from your twitter posts can come back in search results (depending on privacy settings).  That means someone could search google and find out where you are or where you are going.  Scary stuff.

2) When you are doing searches make sure you sign out of Google first.  As an added safety measure delete your cookie before and after you click a link result that way they are will not be able to track cross site links.
Alternatively you could create a dummy google account used just for search.

If you have other suggestions please feel free to comment here.

Burlington shares its wisdom on Safe Internet.

Considering that Burlington has more smart phones, more computers and more hot spots, it only makes sense that they would post an article on tips for internet safety.

Please check out the article and especially the Helpful Tips for Online Security

If you have any tips, tricks, articles or resources you would like to share please email Susan Fischer at susan@clinchportal.com

Online Privacy Surveillance lawful access bill C30 Petition

Pass this on to everyone you know so Ottawa will not steal your private info whenever they want
without cause.

http://petition.liberal.ca/online-privacy-surveillance-lawful-access-bill-c30-liberal-amendment/

Buyer awareness

When you buy something with your credit card you are being tracked.  They know your name and have a unique id to track you with.  This can be great in some ways offering special promotions to certain shoppers.  However the important thing is security.  There was a lot of ado about Google and its privacy policy and storing data on our searches.  A lot of ado about Apple and tracking your device location but those are obvious places you are being tracked.

When a store tracks your purchases, how sure are you that the data they collect is stored safely.  Did they ask your permission to collect it.  Probably not.  Websites will tell you how they will collect it, how they will share it.  Stores do not provide you with the same privacy policy.  This is a gap in our privacy both in Canada and the United States.  Let's see stores forced to provide privacy policies to their customers.  This would be a big step on ensuring your private info is not shared or if it is you are aware of who is receiving it.

In the meantime check out this article on Target.  It tells on how
how Target figured out a teen girl was pregnant before her father did/

If you have any tips, tricks or resources you would like to share with the privacy guild, please post a comment or send an email to Susan Fischer at susan@clinchportal.com

Privacy and Safety Online

Privacy is a big concern to some but other seem to not care at all, that is until they feel the affects.

@Vikileaks30 is a good example of information that is readily available about or private lives.  The posted information that cannot be easily removed as search engines index it.  People copy it to other social networks.  In the case of Vikileaks it was in response to a new Bill allowing greater access to information on people without just cause.

This blog will try to guide you on ways you can keep more of your information private online.  We will do this by providing tips and links to other resources.  The first step is to find the leaks, then you can fill them.

As a first step I challenge you to google search your name and the names of your family.  A quick search will help you find some places where your address, phone number and other private info can be located.

If you have any tips, tricks or resources that would help us keep our information private, please email them to Susan Fischer at susan@clinchportal.com

LinkedIn

Its amazing what a simple google search will produce. Try searching for the following: linkedin directory people

In the result set you will quickly find this page which lists all the profiles that are set to appear in search results.
http://www.linkedin.com/directory/people/a.html

Try changing the letter in front of the .html to match your last name. For Susan Fischer its s.html.
You will then see further divisions of last name groups. Eventually you will find a list containing your profile.
If you see your profile in the list, make sure you are logged out of LinkedIn and click on it and see what everyone sees.

If there is information here you don't want just anyone to see then you may need to alter your lLinkedIn preferences.

LinkedIn recently had a password breach but its not the only company to have this happen. However being high profile it gets the press. This is a good opportunity to ask those companies that run sites you login to on a regular basis what they are doing to secure your information. If they don't have a plan or cannot tell you what they are doing then maybe you should stop logging in and delete your account. Also post a comment here on who they were so we can keep each other's info safe.

Check out this article I found on Infoworld: Privacy may be a joke to companies, its no laughing matter to the rest of us