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Saturday, May 14, 2011

Privacy? What's that? Can I have some?

With the latest privacy debacle involving Google and Apple phones sending out the location of WI-FI hotspots near users, it makes us notice that the line between privacy is now completely blurred. Have we the consumer allowed our privacy to be taken or has it been stolen from us by greedy companies? The answer to that is a two-edged sword.

We the consumer are constantly looking for the newest, shiniest, most trendiest toy, whether it be software or hardware, and this has allowed vendors to take privileges in a way that they might not have taken if we weren't so hungry for it.

I agree that companies should be made much more transparent on the way they operate, but in the long run does the average user actually care? Both these companies said that they had no plans on the using the data besides for location services at this time. At this time? What does that mean? When will they be using it and what for?

These companies realize that we the consumer have short term memories, especially when we see what cool things their new toys can do. We have to look long term here and make them accountable for what they're doing, otherwise we'll continue to give our privacy away zombies looking for the next big thing.

Just because they're not using the data right now in an inappropriate way, this also depends on your definition of inappropriate, we should as the consumer know when our information is being siphoned from our pockets. Having the ability to opt-in to programs like this would be a way to at least notify the consumer of their intentions.

I hope we see some major changes in this process in the near future.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Defense In Depth: The Onion Approach


Here's a link to my latest article. Hope you like it.

http://enterpriseitsecuritymag.com/defense-in-depth-the-onion-approach/

Phones Required To Receive Emergency Alerts From President

The President and other local emergency crews will now have the ability to broadcast alerts to your cell phone if you're within a certain area in NYC. These alerts are designed for emergency response to disasters or potential terrorist activity in the area. This was in direct response to the Osama Bin Laden killing, and possible revenge attacks to New York.

Part of me doesn't like having the government being able spam citizens with text messages, but another part of me saw the damage of 9/11 personally. I can see where this would be useful, but I'm still concerned that the government, if given an inch, will take a mile.

I'm also concerned about what this mobile phone "chip" is and what it will be able to track. If anyone has any information on this please let me know.


http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/05/10/national-emergency-alert-system-set-to-launch-in-nyc/

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Enterpriseitsecuritymag.com just launched

I would like to announce that the May issue of Enterprise IT Security is finally out and ready to download!
You will be able to read a lot of interesting articles written by professionals.

We also encourage you to take part in the contest prepared in cooperation with Nordic Information Security Group AB.

Visit the website at http://enterpriseitsecuritymag.com

For more information concerning the contest please contact:
kinga.polynczuk@software.com.pl
lukasz.koska@software.com.pl

Enjoy reading!