Linux News: Privacy

Facebook Bows to Canada's Privacy Demands
August 27, 2009

Facebook will be overhauling its privacy policy following an investigation by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, which concluded that the social networking site's policies posed significant risks. The changes will affect Facebook's entire global user base.

Scammers Back Off Favorite Tactic - Phish Ain't Bitin'
August 26, 2009

Internet criminals might be rethinking a favorite scam for stealing people's personal information. A report being released Wednesday by IBM shows a big drop in the volume of "phishing" emails, in which fraud artists send what looks like a legitimate message from a bank or some other company.

Social Security: Guarding Your Identity in Online Networks
August 26, 2009

Without a doubt, the growth of social networking has exploded in recent years and has added value to the Internet by providing yet another exciting way for citizens all over the world to connect and interact. In fact, social networks like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn and many smaller sites have become the preferred way many people communicate today as well as a growing business development tool.

A Last Call for Snarkers Anonymous?
August 21, 2009

The old saying used to be, "If you can't say anything nice, then don't say anything at all." Then the Internet came along, and the saying changed to, "If you can't say anything nice, then invent a fake user name and go to town." The Web has allowed us to get away with saying some pretty awful things to each other without having to say them to each others' faces -- or even put our own names on them.

Name-Calling Blogger Tests Limits of Online Anonymity
August 20, 2009

Someone, somewhere did not like Liskula Cohen, a model in her 30s who lives in New York. A blog was launched from Google's Blogger platform, apparently devoted to maligning her, complete with uncomplimentary photos. To be sure, such online attacks are hardly rare; indeed, Cohen's story diverges from most such incidents because she fought back -- and it appears she has been, to some degree, successful.

Successfully Navigating Cross-Border E-Discovery Disputes
August 19, 2009

Sun Microsystems CEO Scott McNealy summed up the American policy on the disclosure of corporate and personal information when he said, "You already have zero privacy -- get over it." Corporate America has widely accepted the erosion of data privacy and the fact that electronic data residing within an organization is no longer private.

Rifling Through Twitter's Underwear Drawer
July 17, 2009

Getting your personal email hacked is generally a personal problem. There might be some minor career implications if it happens while you're running for vice president of the United States, but it tends to be more embarrassing than costly. But when you use the same password for personal email that you use for accessing work-related documents, then things might start to spin a little out of control.

Twitter Hack Opens Pandora's Box of Security Issues
July 16, 2009

A hack into Twitter's back-end productivity applications earlier this month is raising some serious questions -- not only about password system security itself, but also about some consequences of network intrusion that may have been unforeseen. About a month ago, a hacker was able to access a Twitter employee's personal email account -- and once there, the intruder struck the mother lode.

Canadian Commission Concludes Facebook Is Too Snoopy
July 16, 2009

After a 13-month investigation, Canada's Privacy Commissioner announced on Thursday that Facebook's policies and practices violate the country's privacy laws. There are "serious privacy gaps" in the way Facebook operates, according to Commissioner Jennifer Stoddart. The investigation was triggered by a complaint from the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic.

Using Technology to Drop Off the Map
July 15, 2009

I teach people how to disappear. My methods are not like those of the great Houdini or Chris Angel; my operation is more like a private witness protection program that helps people fall off the grid, live under the radar, and vanish from society. What I provide is akin to a real life delete key.

Google Sets Sights on Chrome-Plated Netbook OS
July 08, 2009

Nine months after launching the Chrome browser, Google on Tuesday announced plans for a Chrome operating system. The new OS will be tailored for netbooks. Google has already lined up several OEM partners, and it plans to put the first products out by mid-2010. Speculation is that Google is targeting Microsoft, whose Windows XP already runs on many notebooks.

Wallflower or Extrovert? Facebook Lets Users Choose by Post
July 02, 2009

With 200 million members who double as very vocal quality assurance officers, Facebook knows that any tinkering with its privacy policy is going to receive a lot of attention. So its Wednesday announcement of an upcoming series of tests regarding its new privacy settings was carefully marketed as a matter of "control, simplicity and connection" by chief privacy officer Chris Kelly.

3 Tips for Brushing Up B2B Security
July 02, 2009

Companies are seeking to establish electronic relationships with as many business partners as possible to enhance competitiveness, make it easier for important third parties to engage with them, cut time and space out of transaction cycle times and drive down the cost of doing business.

Firefox 3.5 Streaks Onto the Web
June 30, 2009

Mozilla has released Firefox 3.5, the latest edition of its open source browser, one year after its release of Firefox 3. The update went through four betas, incorporating JavaScript fine-tuning and other improvements, resulting in the fastest version yet, according to Mozilla.

China Wobbles on Green Dam
June 30, 2009

The government of China says it will put off the July 1 deadline for mandatory installation of the controversial Green Dam Youth Escort Internet filtering software on new PCs, according to state-run news agency Xinhua. Originally, the country's government had said it would require vendors to include Green Dam with all computers sold in China.

Google Throws Its Voice to the Masses
June 26, 2009

Three months after unveiling its Google Voice application, Google unveiled a limited public roll-out on Thursday. The application's home site says the tool is available by invitation only. Anyone can sign up for an invitation, though they must then wait for a go-ahead from Google. Google has added several features to the application since March.