 Saturday, 28. June 2003
Andrew Odlyzko: The unsolvable privacy problem
and its implications for security technologies
Abstract: Privacy presents many puzzles. In particular, why is it
eroding, given the high value people assign to their privacy? This
extended abstract argues that there are strong incentives for decreasing
privacy, rooted in the economic benefits of price discrimination.
As a result, the privacy problem is unsolvable. The conflict between
incentives to price discriminate and the public dislike of this practice
will influence what security technologies are likely to succeed.
http://www.dtc.umn.edu/~odlyzko/doc/privacy.unsolvable.txt
23:05 |
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Monday, 27. January 2003
comp.risks: Man allegedly stalks ex-girlfriend with help of GPS
George Mannes <George.Mannes@thestreet.com>
Fri, 3 Jan 2003 11:57:23 -0500
The story starts here on The Smoking Gun (GPS angle appears at bottom of second page of typed complaint): http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/pseidler1.html
As far as I can guess (not confirmed) this is the product allegedly used: http://www.landairsea.com/Land%20Air%20Sea%20Smart%20Track%20Brochure.pdf
Now anyone, for better or worse, can be James Bond.
[A 42-year-old Wisconsin man is accused of stalking an ex-girlfriend by placing a GPS tracking device under the hood of her car. The device George refers to is called SmartTrack. PGN]
14:14 |
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Tuesday, 10. December 2002
Millionenstrafe für heimliche Filmer
Dieses Signal ist deutlich: Eine Gruppe von Porno-Händlern, die heimlich Aufnahmen von nackten Sportlern gemacht haben, wurde zu einer Geldstrafe von 506 Millionen Dollar verurteilt. [intern.de]
09:19 |
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Tower Records site exposes data
A security hole on Tower Records' Web site exposed data on millions of U.S. and U.K. customers until it was closed late Wednesday. [Help Net Security]
09:07 |
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Customers' Orders Exposed on Victoria's Secret Site
[Hideaway.Net]
09:07 |
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Tuesday, 03. December 2002
Israeli Police Commander faces discipline over wiretap handling
The Israeli Justice Ministry has recommended a disciplinary hearing for Police Commander Moshe Mizrahi, over allegations he misused wiretaps for political gain.
The matter involves Mizrahi's handling of court-approved wiretaps he had placed on MK Avigdor Lieberman when the police was investigating suspicions that Russian immigrant Michael Chernoy was involved in "Russian Mafia" activities. Ofer Nimrodi, owner of Ma'ariv has accused Mizrahi of illegally wiretapping... [zem]
21:49 |
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Friday, 29. November 2002
Die verschwiegenen Datensammler
Nachdem die staatlichen Ermittler weltweit mehr Freiheiten bei der Datensammlung verlangen, ist es um die kommerziellen Schnüffler still geworden. Dabei sind Projekte wie Alexa durchaus eine nähere Betrachtung wert. [intern.de]
09:22 |
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Record the Surveillance Cams
Have you noticed all the video cams watching your every movement? Perhaps we are becoming accustomed to always being watched. University of Toronto Associate Professor Deibert has an excellent idea of setting aside a day in which we take notice of being watched. Here's a Wired article about taking pictures of the surveillance camers. [Slashdot: Your Rights Online]
08:37 |
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Thursday, 28. November 2002
Customer's Orders Exposed on Victoria's Secret Site
[Hideaway.Net]
08:53 |
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Wednesday, 27. November 2002
nadian Lawful Access Legislation
"In Canada, existing legislation covers access to telephone records, disclosure of customer information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and other means compelling the release of information. However, the laws regulating access to these networks for Canadian law enforcement and national security groups are only under development. The Department of Justice has released their Lawful Access Consultation Document to get feedback from all the stakeholders including industry, civil liberties groups, and the legal community." [Slashdot]
11:48 |
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Monday, 25. November 2002
The spy inside your home computer
Your home computer is a pretty dumb device that usually does what it is told. But with the right help this mute machine can become disturbingly "talkative".
So-called "parasite programs" are logging what you do online and, like a nest of busy gossips, sharing the information with anyone who will pay to listen.
Not all spies are so obvious
As concern mounts over these sneaky tactics, privacy experts, cyber watchdogs and many concerned net users have started to compile lists of these programs.
Most parasite programs divide into two categories:
&149; "adware" - programs on your computer that fling pop-up ads at you, install toolbars full of adverts or hijack searches and web use; and
&149; "spyware" - more underhand, these devices surreptitiously watch what you do, steal personal information and despatch it across the web.
What they have in common, is that they quietly download onto your computer while you are online.
Sometimes they come attached to software you download from the web - the details are often included in the license agreement small print that most users click through without reading.
And sometimes they don't even need your permission to download, but just hop on your hard drive, totally unannounced, because you are browsing the wrong webpage.
[BBC News Online]
15:48 |
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DoJ moves fast to use new wiretapping powers
More information on the US DoJ's rush to use its new wiretapping powers, as granted by last week's FISA review court decision .
Justice Department officials, emboldened by last week's decision, say they are moving quickly to allow prosecutors and intelligence agents to share information routinely to avoid missteps.
"We're working very quickly, and we want to get as much help out to the field as possible," said a senior Justice Department official who spoke... [zem]
12:20 |
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Australian govt claims immunity from tracking device questions
The Australian Justice Minister and Federal Police Commissioner are attempting to claim "public interest immunity" in order to avoid answering questions about the alleged use of tracking and listening devices on boats used by illegal immigrants. Via sievx.com , which has more detail but no permalinks.
The Labor Party claims to have information about tracking and possibly listening devices, installed on boats either preparing to leave Indonesia or after they had been... [zem]
10:58 |
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disLEXia, a research project by Maximillian Dornseif
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