Category Archives: privacy/secrecy/security

Proposal: Making Web Browsing Safer

Overview There are a lot of really great ways to communicate securely over the ‘Net. The trouble is, they’re virtually all user-unfriendly. Today I’d like to start a discussion on making browsing safer and friendlier for everyone. I call it … Continue reading

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Queue the Conspiracy Theorists!

According to a University of Rochester report, plastic chemicals “feminize boys.” If I ask how long before a rumor of a global conspiracy against Western boys is mentioned, does that count as a mention? Seriously though, if I could at … Continue reading

Posted in customer-relations, flamebait, health, identity, politics/government, privacy/secrecy/security | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Gnutella and Marine 1

In case you missed it, a contractor’s laptop allowed secret plans of the new presidential helicopter to fall into foreign hands.

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And the GPL is not viral how?

Here’s a discussion between Richard Stallman and Bruno Haible forcing Haible’s code to change to a GPL license. It’s like reading something out of a geek version of The Godfather. I’m a fan of truly free licenses such as the … Continue reading

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Opt-Out of Google Tracking Cookies

Steps to opt-out: visit Google’s Privacy Ads page Click on the Opt Out button Now your browser has a cookie that won’t be connected to your Google account for tracking ads.

Posted in best-practices, privacy/secrecy/security | 1 Comment

Bush: Enemies Still Out There So Screw Due Process!

President Bush really, really wants the House of Representatives to make his administration’s illegal dealings with telecommunication companies okay. According to CNN, he’s even pulling a Cheney, bringing out the “they’re still out there” trump card. Of course our country … Continue reading

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Cross-Site Request Forgery

Okay, here’s some advice with a slightly technical explanation of why you should put it into practice. Planet Websecurity is reporting on the real-world example of a Cross-Site Request Forgery.  In case you don’t wanna read it: in a nutshell … Continue reading

Posted in PSA, privacy/secrecy/security | 2 Comments

Schneier on "Security vs. Privacy"

Bruce Schneier has written a good post about the ideological issue of pitting privacy against security.  I’m a fan of Bruce’s work, and this is no exception.  It’s well thought-out, and offers a good analysis of the sad state of … Continue reading

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License for Secure Programmers?

Bill de hÓra makes an interesting point regarding Reg Braithwaite’s doctors (and engineers) versus software developers.  I think our industry needs some form of accrediting in order to do some forms of development (think medical records or banking).  While I … Continue reading

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MLB DRM Switcheroo

Cory Doctorow has an excellent write-up of MLB’s switching SNAFU. SNAFU (for those who don’t know) stands for “Situation Normal, All Fucked Up.” This is exactly the issue with Digital Rights Management: it puts the AFU in SNAFU. The scenario … Continue reading

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