FACEBOOK TWITTER
SHARE

receive privacy industry news

Email:

questions + feedback

Have a question or a privacy issue that you'd like us to investigate ? Send an to our editors with your comments.

Internet security


Consumer Reports: Most People Worried About Online Privacy, Personal Data, Employer Bias, Privacy Policies

Posted on Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 by

Like most of us concerned with online privacy, a new Consumer Reports survey echoes the sentiments of the day.

A whopping 71% of consumers have serious concerns about their online privacy and about the collection and use of their personal data. Among smartphone users, the big worry — among 65% of consumers — is that apps could access their contacts, photos, and location data without their permission. And 53% are concerned that data from their online activities and purchases could be used to deny employment or loans.

These findings came from a recent telephone survey among 1,017 random adults that described several common privacy concerns. Read More

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

  • TweetTWEET
  • PrintPrint
  • emailemail
    • SHARE

Why Internet Crime Actually Does Pay

Posted on Monday, April 9th, 2012 by

Recently, Roger Grimes at InfoWorld published a fascinating article about how lucrative and safe it is for cybercriminals to commit identity theft on the Internet.

If you’re an ordinary criminal who likes to rob banks, you’re taking a big risk for a relatively minor reward.

The FBI reported that in 2010, U.S. bank robbers committed 5,628 bank jobs which netted $43 million. So the average bank robbery took in a little more than $7500. And 22% of the time, the criminals were caught and the money was returned.

  Read More

Tags: , ,

  • TweetTWEET
  • PrintPrint
  • emailemail
    • SHARE

Ask the Expert: Why Pay for a Personal VPN When HotSpot Shield is Free?

Posted on Monday, February 6th, 2012 by

A reader recently asked me why he should pay for a personal VPN when there are “free” options elsewhere. You certainly get what you pay for, and the short answer is that PRIVATE WiFi has no advertising. We don’t sell, rent, or lease user information. Our singular focus is on providing a quality VPN experience for normal, everyday people. In addition, because we are in the service business and not advertising, we offer extensive customer service.

Read the entire response for more information on why PRIVATE WiFi beats any and all personal VPN competitors. Read More

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • TweetTWEET
  • PrintPrint
  • emailemail
    • SHARE

Watch Out for Wifi Hacking on the Fly

Posted on Friday, October 14th, 2011 by

Wifi hacking has taken flight!  Dubbed SkyNET, after the artificial intelligence villain in theTerminator, the new airborne robo Wifi hacking drone could take wardriving to new criminal heights. Find out what you can do to protect yourself from fly-by Wifi hackers.

  Read More

Tags: , , , , , ,

  • TweetTWEET
  • PrintPrint
  • emailemail
    • SHARE

ComScore Sued for Massive Online Privacy Violations, Called ‘Intrusive Surveillance Tool’

Posted on Wednesday, September 7th, 2011 by

The online tracking and analytics firm comScore is being sued for allegedly collecting Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, passwords, and other data from unsuspecting consumers. As part of a class-action lawsuit, comScore’s software is labeled an “intrusive surveillance tool” that allowed the company to monitor every keystroke and every action taken by Internet users. To collect data, according to this ComputerWorld article, comScore’s software “modifies a computer’s firewall settings, redirects Internet traffic, and can be upgraded and controlled remotely.” Read More

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • TweetTWEET
  • PrintPrint
  • emailemail
    • SHARE

Evil Twins: The Dark Side of Using Wifi Hotspots

Posted on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 by

If you think Evil Twins sound like something out of a B Sci Fi movie, think again. They’re more likely to be lurking near your laptop at a public WiFi hotspot. Find out how to avoid becoming a victim. Read More

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

2 COMMENTS
  • TweetTWEET
  • PrintPrint
  • emailemail
    • SHARE

Online Reputation: What the Search Giants Know About You, Part 2

Posted on Monday, June 27th, 2011 by

In the second part of his article, CEO Kent Lawson concludes his look into managing online reputations and what you can do if some of the information you read about yourself is false or defamatory. Read More

Tags: , , , , , , ,

  • TweetTWEET
  • PrintPrint
  • emailemail
    • SHARE

‘Scam Jam’ Educates Seniors on Identity Theft Risks, Common Fraud Tactics

Posted on Thursday, May 26th, 2011

Seniors in Richmond, Kentucky, recently attended a free “Scam Jam” seminar to learn how to prevent falling victim to insurance fraud or identity theft. The speakers told the audience that the elderly are one of the largest targets of insurance swindlers, and an average identity-theft victim can expect to see over $6,000 illegally charged in their name. Some common investment fraud schemes occur via Internet and social networking scams, and as this article in The Richmond Register explains, “identities are stolen for a variety of reasons, but can allow the con artists to open credit card accounts, take out loans, apply for utility and cell phone services, open bank accounts, seek employment, and obtain medical care.”

Read More

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • TweetTWEET
  • PrintPrint
  • emailemail
    • SHARE

Privacy Myth or Privacy Truth? Librarians Promote ‘Privacy Week’ Events to Discuss Online Freedoms

Posted on Thursday, April 28th, 2011 by

Check out several myths about online privacy in a digital era courtesy of the American Library Association, an organization that hopes to get people up to speed on their rights in our Information Age. The ALA says our search behaviors can leave an identifying trail, so learn how you can get involved in the privacy conversation today. Read More

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

  • TweetTWEET
  • PrintPrint
  • emailemail
    • SHARE

White House Kicks Off Plans for Cyber IDs; Experts Question the Future of Online Anonymity

Posted on Tuesday, April 26th, 2011 by

The White House has officially announced its plans to have the U.S. Commerce Department create an “identity ecosystem” that lets consumers use a unique personal ID to prove their identity when they’re carrying out sensitive transactions, like banking, but stay anonymous when they are not. However, some question whether a group whose purpose is to oversee how Americans buy, sell, and trade goods is the best choice for assigning these Internet IDs. This announcement came shortly after Senators John Kerry and John McCain introduced legislation that would establish a consumer privacy bill of rights (the Commercial Privacy Bill of Rights Act of 2011). Read More

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

  • TweetTWEET
  • PrintPrint
  • emailemail
    • SHARE