privacy and kids
You Lost Some Privacy, Do You Really Care???
Happy Thursday,
This morning, when I arrived at work, opened my browser, I noticed something very strange… my Google search bar filtered the letter ‘S’ and popped up four items that were “security” related as my suggested search. Not a big deal right? To me, it is a huge issue. I use a feature built into the browser that is supposed to wipe out all cache from my internet browser upon shutdown. Now, because I take my privacy seriously, it is time for a short rant on how we as humans are losing our rights to privacy, and how nobody really seems to care anymore.
Privacy 101: In our legal system there are four categories of privacy invasion:
- Intrusion of solitude: physical or electronic intrusion into one’s private quarters.
- Public disclosure of private facts: the dissemination of truthful private information which a reasonable person would find objectionable
- False light: the publication of facts which place a person in a false light, even though the facts themselves may not be defamatory.
- Appropriation: the unauthorized use of a person’s name or likeness to obtain some benefits.
“From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Privacy_laws_of_the_United_States”
How do these affect us on a daily basis? Well, intrusion of solitude happens every time we get on the internet from our home. This comes in the form of electronic tracking devices called internet cookies.
“Cookies cannot be programmed, cannot carry viruses, and cannot install malware on the host computer. However, they can be used by spyware to track user’s browsing activities—a major privacy concern that prompted European and US law makers to take action. Cookies can also be stolen by hackers to gain access to a victim’s web account.”
“From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_cookies”
You see from this quote why I erase my data when I shut down my browser. One cookie in particular that I feel should be banned is the “tracking cookie” as it tells advertisers and whomever else programmed it, what internet pages I have visited. Folks, for your privacy, you have the option to disable cookies. Some websites require them as a way to ensure the session is correct, this is seen from financial institutions, shopping cart systems, etc… You can create exceptions for the sites you use regularly, but again, choose the setting that will delete all browsing cache when you exit the web browser.
How else is our privacy being stripped?
Have you noticed an increase of camera systems around your town? I know in Dallas, Texas, many new cameras have gone up at street lights. Now, I am not talking about speed cameras and/or red light cameras, I am talking about regular CCTV cameras. On one roadway in particular, Sam Rayburn Toll way, there is an area between the “Independence” and “Coit” exits where there are about 10 cameras facing in every possible direction (except up). What are these cameras being used for? Have the citizens been told they were under surveillance? I haven’t seen a sign stating they are using surveillance cameras, and by searching www.ntta.org for the words, “surveillance,” “camera,” and “video,” I receive no notification of the use of cameras on that road. Also, have you ever read the terms of service regarding your toll tag? Did you know that a court can request your toll tag hits, and NTTA will provide them? They can track you by your tag locations… Just food for thought!
How about the use of cameras in “Downtown” areas of the various cities around the DFW metropolis? The city of Dallas states that in 2007 the city received a grant to purchase and install cameras for surveillance in the Central Business District, but there is not mention of what the “central business district” encompasses, so, as any good writer does, I contact the city planner’s office, and asked them. They claimed that the “central business district is an undefined area that surrounds the west end, deep ellum, arts district, and the new construction areas on RL Thorton freeway. “ Wow, that is a big district, considering the northern district for Dallas patrol is comprised of a 2.5 square mile radius. Now, at least the city of Dallas notified their citizens (technically) that there was going to be surveillance equipment installed, whereas other cities, such as Plano and Frisco have not notified their citizens, yet have these cameras installed.
Folks, we are losing our right to privacy everyday when we don’t receive the right to vote for the “added security” measures. As a security expert, I am all for the equipment, as I do feel it leads to safer streets for the general public. As a person working on becoming a true privacy expert, I feel it is necessary to allow the citizens of a jurisdiction to choose to give up some of their privacy. Remember, privacy is your responsibility, and it is up to you to choose to give up your right to privacy in order to be more secure.
As always:
Protect your information, protect yourself; Coffee is brewing people, it is time to wake up!!!
A Clever Person Solves a Problem, A Wise Person Avoids It
This how to guide is split into two different categories: Online and Offline
Each of us is responsible for our own security and our own privacy. Do not have blind faith that someone, some company, or some website will do it for you. Let us begin!
Online:
Do not click on links found in emails that say they are from one of your financial institutions
- These are often fake links out to steal your login credentials or personal information
Your bank will call you regarding suspicious activity, not send you an email!
Use strong passwords for all of your online dealings
- My suggestion- minimum of 10 characters, upper and lower case, at least one number AND one special character.
You did not win an online lottery, so just delete that email!
Run antivirus/anti-spyware software on your computer
- Make sure you set it up to scan daily, and that it automatically downloads updates
- Don’t go with some cheap virus software that you saw online. Use a reputable company like McAfee, Symantec, Norton, etc. They cost more, but they have a great reputation for removing viruses and spyware.
- Do not post your personal details on your Facebook page
- Don’t put your phone number or address on your details page
- Do not trust the friend request coming from someone you think you know on Facebook
- Review their page, make sure that friend isn’t already a “friend” of yours under a new name, if you can’t really tell, create a group that cannot see any of your personal information and add them to that group until you can verify they are the real deal.
- Lock down your account so people who aren’t your friends cannot see anything more than your profile picture
- Beware of messages containing links from your “friends,” as they be to spam websites or virus download sites. Your friend’s accounts may have been broken into because they use weak passwords.
- If you must use the “check in” feature, be sure to limit who can see that information. Also note, your friends’ friends can see where they have checked in at, and who they are with. You never know who knows you aren’t home.
Put a password on your computers, mobile phones, and tablets/laptops
- Again, use strong passwords that follow the recommendations
Educate your children on the use of the internet
- If you have teens, monitor their Facebook account
- Teach them about privacy:
- Don’t talk about being gone on vacation until after they return
- Don’t put personal information on their profile
- Not to share their social security number, DOB, or even have their age or real name out there
Offline:
Use cross cut shredders when disposing of credit card offers
Do not leave documents that have your address and name inside your car
Invest in a safe that can be mounted to the floor/wall and actually mount it to the floor/wall
Keep any form of financial documents inside your new safe, including:
- Checkbook
- Tax Returns
- Returned Checks
- SSN Card
- County Tax records
Invest in an external hard drive to store important documents on:
- A large (Gigabyte) thumb drive can work well for this
Use a scanner to create electronic copies of your important documents, and store this information on your external hard drive or thumb drive, and after you are done storing them, put the drive in your safe.
If you have a lot of documents that you have to keep hard copies of (the actual paper copies), use a fireproof filing cabinet that has a cross bar locking feature on it.
If you are in a neighborhood that allows it, replace your mailbox with one that locks.
If you and your family are going to be away for awhile:
- Put a hold on your mail with the postal service
- Ask your neighbor to put your trash cans out for you
- Let your neighbor know that you are going to be out, and that nobody is to be inside your home
- Give them a couple of phone numbers to reach you
Remember, soggy trash bags are the best bags to put unwanted paper mail into
I hope you find this how to guide helpful. Some of these items may seem like common sense to you, but ask yourself: “Do I follow these steps?” I know I am guilty when it comes to not following all of these.
Today is the official wrap up to privacy week. I hope you have enjoyed reading my posts, and I hope you continue to come back, as tomorrow, I start the discussion on life safety. If you have any questions on any topic I have written about, or if you would like more information on a topic I haven’t written about yet, please contact me. You can send me a comment; or you can follow me on Twitter, @thesmrt.
Protect your information, protect yourself; Coffee is brewing people, it is time to wake up!!!
