Privacy

Twitter Spy

December 1, 2014 — Leave a comment

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At least, they are honest about it. The busy little birds in Twitter have informed us about their decision to check out every now and then what is going on our devices. For what is worth, they will collect data about the apps we use on our smartphones, but not about what is inside them. Do you believe them?

All of these, for the advertising purposes. Is this disappointing or simply inevitable? Does it change a thing to be aware about it? Allegedly, we are given a fair choice to disable this option. Do you buy it? Honestly? Maybe, we should check what other IT guys are doing in this field. Can it change something?

Not machines, but the ads will rule our world. And, unfortunately, there is nothing we can do about it, for real. Yet, there is a comfort from the least expected source, such as the NSA. With nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about. As simple as that. Forget about privacy that is the simplest thing you can do.

Or, forget about your apps. There is no win-win situation in this case. There are only ads-ads situations. There is only the ads’ way, or the highway. We sure hope we will not end up living in caves. On the second thought, maybe the caves live is not such a bad idea. You want to live a healthy life. Here is your chance.

Twitter Digits

November 27, 2014 — Leave a comment

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How to solve the annoying and time consuming problem with the numerous passwords for every user is definitely the next big thing. How to solve this one, get some additional profit and win the hearts of users? Well, Google has been seriously considering the two-step verification with a smartphone and SMS.

Twitter has a solution of its own, it is eager to share with us. The new service Digits is an open platform, which is not reserved exclusively for the Twitter users. How does it work? Well, for what is worth, you will need to register and once you get an SMS code, you will log by using your mobile phone number only.

It sounds lovely and simple. Yet, we are a little bit worried. If not secured properly, we have actually opened an additional door for the hackers to jump in. Now, our smartphone is a potential target. Instead of protecting what we have of privacy related data, we need to offer more in exchange.

If this one can solve all the troubles with the passwords and improve our so-called user’s experience, then go on with it our hats off to this. Somehow, it is too good to be true. Or, maybe we have lost our faith in simple and effective solutions. So, where can we download this app? Let us give it a try, shall we?

Golden Rules And Cyber Fools

November 26, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Privacy and social networks simply do not go hand in hand. Does it really have to be this way? Well, it depends on you. At this dark hour for our privacy, it would be nice to remind ourselves of a timeless classic in this field. According to the NSA golden rule, if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about.

As simple and as complicated as that. On the other side, here is one more goldie just for you. There is no such a thing as privacy on social networks. The man, who invented the Facebook, said that. If you want to keep something a secret absolutely and permanently, you have no other choice than to keep silent.

So, what are we supposed to do? Use the social networks to suit you the best. However, do not forget that everything and anything on these networks come at a certain price. It is up to you, whether or not a certain social network will become a social spider’s web for you. Maybe you are a spider itself.

Yet, you just do not know it. Either way, it is the social networks’ way or the highway. We have a choice, to use them or find some other way of communicating and making new friends. Is this a true choice, in the first place? Or, you can create a new social network of your own. Maybe you can change the world.

VR Crime

November 26, 2014 — Leave a comment

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No matter how hard you try, you simply cannot predict the entire scope of potential VR (Virtual Reality) applications. The time has come to fight the real crime with the Virtual Reality. How? Well, we can now identify potential sex predators more easily and much more accurately. Here is how it works?

The VR is all about the simulation. We simulate and then we evaluate. To potential sex predators cannot help themselves, when it comes to the potentially harmful impulses for the other people. When they commit a crime, it is pretty much too late to talk about the proper prevention, isn’t it?

You need a reliable, accurate and above harmless system of identification. The last thing you need is a potential Hanibal Canibal, whom you have to get close to the potential victims in order to evaluate his reactions. The VR world takes the care of it. You can simulate as much as you like in a safe environment.

We have all we need. Now, all what we need to do is to find the test subjects. The tricky part is to come up with the appropriate criteria. Unfortunately, no one told us how to conduct the selection process of the potential sex predators. For this one the VR cannot help you. You need real people to do it properly.

EASA Easy

November 20, 2014 — Leave a comment

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The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has turned an important new page. From now on, your shiny gadgets can be used during the entire flight period with no rigorous limitations, we all know very well. So, what exactly youncan or cannot do with your devices, once you set a foot in an airplane?

Well, you can use a smartphone or tablet freely during a flight. This also includes all available 3G or 4G networks. On the other hand, you still cannot use the Internet on your laptop. This is something that will be strongly appreciated by all passengers. Yet, we have some security questions we need to ask.

Have you heard something about hacking the airplanes, recently? Not so long ago the flight agenda of the Japanese PM circulated for a while on the Internet. The airline company’s IT infrastructure was hacked. Now, do you dare to think what could have happened, if the airport or airplane itself was to be hacked instead?

With this most recent change of regulations, we will allow hackers to freely surf while in a plane. Maybe, this was not such a good idea. We sure hope this was not a result of some profit related idea. Like, we are having some bad times in the airline business, let us do something about it. We really hope that was not the case.

China-Cyber-Town

November 19, 2014 — Leave a comment

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The trouble for the Chinese government in controlling the Internet is that there are so many users in China. The Chinese busy little cyber bees come in such unimaginable numbers and communicate with such a speed that is literally impossible to control it effectively. This makes us ask the following question?

What if, when even the legendary Great Firewall of China is not enough? Well, you hire an entire cyber army to keep an eye on your national Internet. Yet, according to some very serious rumors Chinese government wants more control. So, what they are going to do about it? You should be prepared for this one.

We should never underestimate the true power of China. In the matter of hours, the Chinese government can shut down the entire national cyber network and launch the new one made entirely in China. The completely independent national Internet is not a secret, but no one thinks it is possible to introduce it on such a large scale.

We shall wait and see how it can be possible to control almost one billion online users. We sure hope that some other countries will not get funny ideas from this most probable scenario in China. The Internet was supposed to be all about freedom. Right? Can you control the World Wide Web?

Dial F For Murder

November 17, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Can you believe that there is such a thing as a Facebook murder? This is not a game. Pay close attention. We are not talking about a situation when someone kills his own profile or remove a person from a friend’s list. Oh no, real murders with a link in the virtual world are our primary concern here.

For the UK police Facebook is a serious and respectable partner in crime against the crime itself. For what is worth, top crime experts are making the profiles of the most dangerous potential murders on Facebook. You do not have to be a police expert to figure out yourself that all comes down to the proper prevention.

On the other side, we do not want you to get a wrong impression that Facebook is to blame for some of these unwanted things. The people with bad intentions will always find a way to materialize their malicious desires. In this sense, the criminals are no different than the ordinary users on Facebook.

There is an important moral of this story. Do not leave an open door for the trouble on Facebook. The last thing we need is to turn ourselves into an easy prey for the Facebook predators. Who knows, you may stumble across a cyber troll, or even worse a truly dangerous man with an innocent profile.

Web Camera – Real Trouble

November 12, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Do you put something over your web camera? Do not be shy. You are among your friends. According to the findings of the Kaspersky Lab one in five persons does it on a regular basis. On the other hand, in China, one in two people does not forget to disable his or her web camera in such a way. Why?

Well, it is quite simple. No one likes to be watched. We all appreciate our privacy. Especially when we sit in front our computers in the comfort of our homes. Some of us do not like to wear too much clothes in such situations. Some of us have tons of notes next to their computers. Is this enough for you?

However, you should be fully aware that there is no absolute protection in this matter. Although, your web camera may be neutralized, its microphone still works and records with no troubles. In addition, your pictures or videos you make with a web camera can be intercepted, as well.

Here is a simpler solution. Buy yourself a laptop or tablet with no web camera. How about the guys, who are disabling their smartphone cameras? Our privacy related fears and paranoia makes us to apply primitive and inefficient safety measures. Someone is watching you while you read this post.

Pavlock With An Electric Stroke

November 11, 2014 — Leave a comment

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There is no such a thing as the crazy startup. With only one condition. As long as it delivers the truly efficient results everything and anything is allowed. In order to read this post you are strongly advised to Google a little bit, including some Wiki research about the Russian scientist Pavlov and his experiments.

This is how we have ended up with the new startup called the Pavlock. This is a new type of a smart bracelet. Its way of motivating you is through electroshocks. Yes, you heard it nice and clear. Either you will comply with your schedule and goals or you will suffer pain. Oh dear, what is next?

In addition, what are the possible implications? We do not even dare to think about it. What if someone comes up with an idea about the smart collars? Do we really have to apply these drastic measures in order to achieve our goals? Yet, if it is going to work for you to live a healthy life, let it be.

Smart bracelets with electroshocks for smart people. What is wrong with this picture? If you are a smart and reasonable person, why do you need electroshocks to remind you about what you need or must not do, in the very first place? Smart devices and dumb people. Or, smart people and dumb devices.

Take My Life, But Don’t Take My Identity

October 30, 2014 — Leave a comment

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The findings of one of the most recent study about the worst fears among the Americans were at least to say shocking. It turns out that we are more afraid of an identity theft, than the massive shooting in our own neighborhood. In plain English, we are more afraid of loosing our identity, than loosing our own life.

How could this be? Is this a normal order of things? Well, if you have suddenly appeared from a time machine, this can be a huge surprise for you. We live in the cyber world, aren’t we? On the other hand, there is this question you simply cannot avoid asking when confronted with these findings.

What is a brief moment of death, compared to the endless life of misery caused by the loss of your identity, and its misuse? When you hear that so many people would rather give up their freedom, than spend a single day without a precious smartphone, then this is not such a big surprise at all.

The moral of this story just could not be more obvious, could it? We should not ask more of these questions we already know the answers to. No need to challenge the power of the cyber world. In a what if situation we are always to lose. Unless, we find a way to reach some kind of a harmony. A cyber harmony.