Privacy

The Millennium Bug Has A Cousin

December 26, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Oh dear, just when we thought that the cyber things can get any worse than this. It turns out that there is one more Millennium Bug set for the 2038. In other words, somewhere during the January of this year our cyber world will meet its end, this way or another. Why? For the same reasons the millennium bug threatened us.

We will try to avoid the rocket science in this story as much as possible. This so-called the year 2038 problem targets specifically the 32-bit systems. For what is worth, the 64-bit crew can relax. At least for a while. On the other hand, what are we supposed to do in the meantime? How many years we have left?

Some 23 years, more or less. Right? Plenty of time to come up with a solution. Yet, what is going to happen to the cyber world as we know it today? Two decades are more than enough time to reinvent all what we know and use beyond recognition and the most optimistic expectations. What does it mean?

Maybe, in the year 2038 there will be nothing to damage for this bug, in the first place. Remind us what happened with the millennium bug in the year 2000? We are still alive and typing, as well. Right? Maybe, we are worrying too much. There are some other more dangerous things, which deserve our attention. More than this one.

The Omnipresence Game

December 22, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Do not act surprised, because we all know that you have not been entirely honest to yourself. It has been only a matter of time before someone will come up with an idea to put real people in the video games. This is exactly what has happened with the Omnipresence game. So, what is it all about?

Well, for the start you need real people on both sides. One group to control and the other one to be controlled.  Voluntarily. That is the most important condition to participate. So, in simpler words, you accept to become someone’s avatar of flesh and blood in the cyber world. What is next?

You either control someone’s actions or choices, or you submit your will to your cyber lord. It is absolutely crazy, and it is extremely popular. What is happening to us? Why do we want to play the Sims with the real people? Is it funny or an inevitable necessity of our brave new digital age? There is no easy answer.

So, what is going to happen with this game? Who is going to win? Or, are we all going to lose eventually? We have no intention to ask what is the next thing in the gaming world. Somehow we have this feeling it is not going to be an easy thing to digest, after all. Our virtual life has become a real game.

U Can’t Touch This

December 18, 2014 — Leave a comment

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In case, you ever wish to block Mark Zuckerberg on Facebook, here is something you may find helpful. It is not going to work, that is for sure. Why? Does it really matter? It is this guy’s social network and he can do whatever he likes with it. Including the very special VIP status. Or, cannot he?

There is something we should be more worried about than this “innocent” VIP game. If you recall, we had a couple of self-initiated bug bounty attempts on Facebook, which went an impressive extra mile. For what exactly? To knock directly on Mark’s virtual door and show him a flaw first-hand.

The trouble is that these busy little bees, who have identified serious security flaws on Facebook, were not rewarded accordingly. As a matter of fact, the extremely skillful people, who were able to hack Mark himself on Facebook, ended with peanuts instead of a decent prize and recognition for the efforts.

Maybe, we have unintentionally promoted an additional challenge. How about blocking Mark for a change? Is there someone who can really do that? It is about time for Mark to recognize and appreciate the contributions of the bug bounty hunters on Facebook. There is no other way, is it? Any ideas?

The Silent Killers

December 17, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Here is something that will catch you completely by surprise. We live in the mobile world. Or, let us be a little bit more precise, in the wireless world. We like to be wireless and limitless at any given moment. Unfortunately, this freedom comes at a huge price to pay. Have you ever wondered what is happening with all those waves?

If the WiFi waves and signals can go through the walls of our houses, why should our own bodies be an exception in this case? We are talking about the small quantities of harmful emissions. However, what is happening after ten or twenty years of the constant exposure? You are not the only to use the WiFi.

You are going to feel even worse after hearing about the results of the following experiment. Two rooms. Two plants. One in the “rich” WiFi environment. The other one free from wireless desires. Which one did better? You do not have to be a rocket scientist to know the answer, do you?

So, what should we do with our WiFi killers, who are killing us softly? Should we go back and hide in the caves, for a change? What is the point of living after knowing, something so depressing such as this? Well, that is up to you to find out. Our job is done here. Time to switch off our WiFi. At least for a night.

Simple, Simpler, Safe

December 14, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Sometimes you just cannot see the forest for the trees, can you? We are so worried about our endangered privacy on the Internet, and yet we do not do much about it to protect us. At the same time, we are looking for the miraculous solutions, which are expensive and complex by default. So, what is wrong with this picture?

Well, there are so many nice apps, which are more or less efficient, when it comes to the protection of your privacy. They are ready and waiting to be discovered and used, as well. You do not need a list of recommended apps. You do not need to read endless reviews. Just do it. Just install and try them for yourself.

On the other hand, our reckless behavior is the worst enemy our online privacy can possibly have. Right? Do we have to mention user names and passwords, which are totally identical. Or, passwords which include only one word with no numbers or capital letters, such as the password itself?

Let us do something for a change. Something simple and thoughtful at the same time. How hard could it be? We have the most powerful weapons against the espionage and data theft our world has ever seen – our brain and time. Yet, we tend to use and waste them for so many other useless things.

Taiwan Rules

December 10, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Our hats off to Taiwan. Why? Well, they have conducted a thorough check of the smartphones, which circulate in its market. As a result, we have a list of 12 models, which do not comply with the privacy protection requirements. Maybe, it is more advisable for us to be a little bit more precise about this one.

One of the latest privacy related controversies included the so-called Chinese Apple or Xiaomi. According to some security experts, Xiaomi smartphones have a firmware option to send all user data secretly and with no authorization back to China. What a nightmare for the Taiwan authorities, isn’t it?

Apple, Samsung, HTC and Xiaomi are the major smartphone brands in Taiwan. So far, Sasmung, HTC and even the Xiaomi itself have expressed the unconditional willingness to cooperate closely with the strict Taiwan privacy regulations. The funny thing, though, is that Apple keeps silent about this one.

No need to ask you about the moral of this story. Right? Can you imagine the USA or China of imposing similar privacy related requirements. Oh, what a lovely sight that would have been. We can only dream about it, or we can put some additional pressure on our governments follow Taiwan’s indicative example.

90 Minutes Fot The RapidHIT

December 8, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Here is something worth mentioning. There is a new device on the market, which allows you to get DNK analysis results in less than 90 minutes. Why is this so important? Well, so far we have to wait for 2 days up to 2 weeks to get the results for the DNK samples we submitted. This is a revolutionary stuff.

The great thing about it is that you can carry your DNK laboratory with you. It looks like a small printer you can have it next you when needed the most. You take a sample, put it in a machine, and you wait for 90 minutes. Your samples will be analyzed on a national level and compared for matches.

In Arizona, the police was able to track and eventually arrest a killer based on the quick and reliable results of this portable device. The amount of data, which are processed during the analysis, is simply amazing. Such as the price of a couple of hundreds of thousands of dollars you have to pay to get it.

For what is worth, we are witnessing some useful practical application of the available technologies. This is supposed to be the primary role of the brave new cyber world. To protect us and keep us safe, rather than to spy on us and steal our privacy data. Looking forward to seeing some more like this.

Simple Rules For Cyber Fools

December 4, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Which one came first? The UK law makers’ decision to urge the social networks to drastically simplify their rules, or Facebook announcement of the Privacy Policy for Dummies? Either way this a win-win situation for us. Yet, it is worth to spend some extra time thinking about what is exactly happening here.

Facebook is not going to create new privacy policy. It is just going to rewrite its policies in a simpler way. This is something very similar to the UK’s intention to make you think twice before you press Yes at the end of a certain policy document. These situations we take for granted. That is true.

We do not like to think, we like to use. We literally consume the social networks without second thoughts, or some serious consideration. Later, we like to complain. Maybe, it is better to do these things this way. Fair and simple. You do not have to be a law expert to understand properly the privacy policies.

On the other hand, we will not have an excuse, if something eventually goes wrong. There is a reasonable fear, though, that all of these policies are nicely written, but we are too lazy to read them thoroughly. Let us see what is going to happen eventually with this simplicity reform. Is that enough?

You Have An Additional Right To Be Forgotten

December 3, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Great news for all of you privacy addicts. Yahoo and Bing have decided to process your right to forget requests. Unfortunately, we are still and only in Europe. That means the European Internet users have an additional option to protect their privacy. So far, only Google has accepted to play the oblivion game.

From now on, you can address Yahoo and Microsoft’s Bing with the same privacy related concerns. It is worth mentioning that the whole thing does not work simply and flawlessly. One may say, it is so cool, I can address all major search engines and my troubles will be over. As always, there is a catch.

The website Forget.me, which specializes in these specific issues and requests, has noticed something that limits our efforts. If your cyber oblivion request has something to do with the social networks, then you can kiss the closed door, which is very likely. It seems that this is more complex than it looks.

The right to forget is very close to your right to regret. We are so far away from the truly functional and fair solution. You cannot stop or delete the entire Internet, just because you feel hurt. On the other hand, our dearest search engines should do us a favor every once in a while. Isn’t that right?

Facebook Privacy For Dummies

December 3, 2014 — Leave a comment

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2015 is going to be an important year for both parties, us and the Facebook itself. It turns out that Facebook wants to wish you a happy new privacy year among the first in the world of social networks. So, what is the catch with this one? Above all, what is new about Facebook privacy policy in 2015?

Here is the biggest surprise of them all. Nothing is changing, but Facebook will do us a favor. The legal terminology and the entire structure of Facebook Privacy Policy will be simplified beyond recognition. At least, this what they are trying to convince us about. How is this supposed to change our lives?

Well, for what is worth, maybe we will finally learn how to use some features or privacy adjustments. Perhaps, we will be able to understand Facebook’s Privacy Policy. On the other hand, we have to ask ourselves, why Facebook has become so generous and privacy friendly all of a sudden?

Here is a word of advice. Read the new policy about the privacy policy, but keep an eye on what is going on with the Facebook’s advertising business. Maybe, our privacy is to suffer from a terrific blow for the advertising purposes, and Facebook wants to minimize the potential danger and damage. Maybe.