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The FBI is requesting back-door access to social media sites, as well as web email providers, and VoIP companies like Skype. Is it legal? Could it also open the door to hackers? Click to read the entire article and find out why the FBI wants an “easy” way to wiretap some online communications. Read More
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Ask the Expert: Is the Government Really Trying to Get Access to Websites for Surveillance Purposes?
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emailAsk the Expert: What Personal Information is Google Giving to the Government?
Posted on Monday, February 4th, 2013 by Kent Lawson
In the latest installment of Ask the Expert, CEO Kent Lawson explains how different modes of information transmission are treated differently by the law. For example, the government needs a court order to look at your email, but not at your phone records or texts.
Click to read more and find out just what sensitive personal information Google may be handing over to the government about you. Best to assume you are being listened to or watched when doing anything online, indeed.
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Ask the Expert: Where do Obama and Romney Stand on Internet Policy and Online Privacy?
Posted on Monday, November 5th, 2012 by Kent Lawson
Q: “With all the political noise out there this campaign season, I haven’t heard where both presidential candidates stand regarding Internet policy and online privacy. Since I believe this is such an important topic, can you fill us in?”
A: You would think that with as much money and hot air that is being put out there by both candidates that they would spend a bit of time detailing their Internet and online privacy policies. There is a significant difference between them.
No matter which way you intend to vote tomorrow, it’s important that you understand these differences, since they could have a significant impact on you and our country as a whole. Read More
Ask the Expert: WPA and WPA2 WiFi Networks Are Always Safe, Right?
Posted on Monday, October 1st, 2012 by Kent Lawson
Q: “My home wifi network uses the WPA (WiFi Protected Access) security protocol, which I’ve always been told is virtually hack-proof. I’m wondering how hard it would be for a dedicated hacker to break into my network. Could a hacker actually do that?”
A: Almost all home wifi networks these days use WPA or WPA2 for their security protocols, which have long been considered to be the best wifi security available.
However, Dan Goodin recently published an article in Ars Technica that detailed how, with the right tools, he was able to crack his neighbor’s WPA protected wifi network. It’s pretty sobering stuff.
But before we get into that, let’s go through a quick primer. Read More
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1 COMMENT |
Ask the Expert: Does Facebook Make Money Off Of What Happens On My Smartphone?
Posted on Monday, September 3rd, 2012 by Kent Lawson
Ask the Expert: Does Facebook Make Money Off Of What Happens On My Smartphone?
Facebook seems like it is counting on the fact that you can’t tell the difference between “sponsored stories” and “sponsored” newsfeed posts, and that you won’t remember if you liked a product or company or not.
Right now, Facebook makes over $3 billion a year on advertising, but they’re always looking for ways to make more. How much do they need? Apparently, more than that. Read on for more details.
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Ask the Expert: Are There Alternatives to Gmail That Respect My Privacy?
Posted on Monday, August 6th, 2012 by Kent Lawson
Q: “I was dismayed to find out about Google’s new privacy policies that allow them to collect information when I use their products, such as Gmail. I like Gmail a lot and don’t really want to give it up, but I’m wondering if there are any alternatives that don’t invade my privacy. Do you have any suggestions?”
A: You bring up a good point. Many people use Gmail because it’s a good email program, but few people know how much information Google collects about them.
As I mentioned in a blog post a few months ago, the amount of information Google collects and stores on each user is quite staggering.
Google tracks and stores every email you send, as well as every Google search term, the content in every Google chat, every conversation on Google Voice, and every appointment you enter into their calendar, among other things. Even if you’re not logged into Google, they can still track information on you for up to six months.
As part of privacy changes they made a few months ago, if you use any Google products, you cannot opt out of this data collection.
The reason they do this is (no surprise) because of the money they can charge advertisers who want this information. They are betting that you won’t give up their products.
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Ask the Expert: Can a Botnet Really Turn My Computer Into a Zombie?
Posted on Monday, June 11th, 2012 by Kent Lawson
Q: “I recently read about something called bots and botnets, and that these things can turn my computer into a zombie. What does that mean? Can you explain what botnets are and what they do?”
A: Botnets are a new and scary online phenomenon. In layman’s terms, a botnet is a network of infected computers that are controlled virtually by a botmaster.
With the rapid growth in bot infections, it’s vitally important that everyone get up to speed about this threat.
Night of the Living BotNets
Botmasters can take over computers in a variety of ways, but usually they do it by sending infected emails to unsuspecting users. When the user opens a file attached to the email, their machine becomes infected.
After a computer becomes infected, the botmaster adds it to his or her botnet, which is the network of infected computers. Infected computers are sometimes called “zombie” computers.
Ask the Expert: Twitter Opts In to Allowing You to Opt Out
Posted on Monday, June 4th, 2012 by Kent Lawson
Q: “I recently heard that Twitter was implementing the Do Not Track feature for its users. This sounds good, but I don’t really know much about it. Can you tell me more about Do Not Track?”
Twitter should be applauded for putting our privacy before their profits.
While the Do Not Track feature is not the only thing we should be using to protect our online privacy, it’s important that a social media company like Twitter supports robust privacy tools. The Do Not Track feature is one of those tools.
First, let’s take a look at the Do Not Track feature and its pros and cons. Read More
Ask the Expert: Does Secure Browsing Really Keep Me Safe On Twitter and LinkedIn?
Posted on Monday, April 2nd, 2012 by Kent Lawson
Q: I have an active Twitter feed and occasionally use LinkedIn for work purposes, but I am unfamiliar with how those sites secure my privacy. I read that both sites have introduced “secure browsing” but what exactly does that mean, and how is it keeping me safer?
A: A secure website has “https” in its URL and has a small lock symbol next to it. It’s used by most banks and online retailers to provide secure transactions. Read More
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Ask the Expert: What You Should Know About Google’s New Privacy Policies
Posted on Monday, March 5th, 2012 by Kent Lawson
Google’s new privacy policy changes have many privacy advocates up in arms. It begs the question: does our personal information belong to us or the corporations that collect it? Instead of being forced to adhere to these data collection rules in order to use a popular product, shouldn’t we insist that companies give us the option to allow or deny them permission to track and store our personal information? What happens if hackers get ahold of this information?
Read on for more information about Google’s new privacy policies. Read More
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