What do you give up for convenience?

The latest "feature" in Google+ allows you to ask Google when your bills are due. It sounds awesome, just ask your phone when the bill is done through Google and get an answer for when and how much you owe.

Is nothing private anymore?

You don't have to remember when the bill is due and you can just ask your phone. All of this also means that Google is scanning your e-mail for bills. We already knew Google could read what they want out of your e-mail, but when they are advertising it as a feature, it seems we've crossed the convenience/security/safety line somewhere.

E-mail Privacy - Your E-mail is not really private!

E-mail Privacy



The old saying that nothing is for free definitely applies to e-mail. Whether you have your e-mail from one of the software or web giants, or if you have e-mail from your provider or employer, many people can legally read your e-mail. The Electronic Communications and Privacy Act states that the government can read your e-mail without a warrant and this includes your cell phones.

Your Internet Service Provider (your home Internet access company) can read your e-mails and so can your employer. I'm not trying to make you paranoid, but at least you know what can or cannot be read and who legally can read it.




You can encrypt your e-mail and there are many software choices if you want to go that route, but when your e-mail is on a server somewhere, whoever has access to the files on that server can technically read your e-mail whether or not you are using encryption on your end.

The only private communication is the one you have with yourself. I know that doesn't help you if you are wanting to express yourself to someone, but at least it won't ever get you fired or sent before a judge!

Internet Tracking and Privacy

It has been my intention to create a Tech Tuesday's class about Internet Privacy ever since I read the article in Popular Mechanics about it and posted on it earlier in the past year. That will probably be my next class after the Holiday buyers guide.

Until then, there is a new product/addon from Mozilla call lightbeam that will actually track all the sites that are tracking you when you browse the Internet if you use Firefox. You can see what it looks like in the picture below.

I installed the add-on and was amazed at the number of ad tracking sites some of my favorite news sites had attached to them. Check it out for yourself; if it doesn't want you to start private browsing or at least turn off cookies while browsing, nothing will.

lightbeam from Mozilla

Who's Spying on You? Book

Popular Mechanics magazine had an article based on a the book of the same name. I have not read the book yet but I have read the article. Something that I like to stress on this site is that doing technical things with a computer or with the software on it is not hard. Once you see how it is done, it really isn't that complicated.

I know with hackers, viruses, malicious web content and the like, keeping your computer and your identity secure can seem daunting; but it isn't.

Like most things in life, you do have some control over yourself and your possessions. It turns out, that after all the scary things people can do with your data, the person what gives out the most of your private information is you. In the article they stated that the business you interact with everyday use the information you freely give them and sell that information.

Online companies, FaceBook and many other entities use the information you post online and sell it. Other times they refine the information to better market things to you.

There are some solutions.
1. Be careful what personal information you share even with legitimate companies.
2. You can use anti-tracking software like Do not track me!

Remember the old adage, that once it is on the Internet, it isn't ever coming back.

More Problems with Facebook

The social networking monster!

I know that FaceBook is popular and handy for keeping up with long lost friends and family that you didn't really talk to in the first place. What people do with their spare time is there business, but you need to make sure what you do online doesn't put you, your finances, or your families safety at risk.

Below is another story about private messages all the way back to 2009 being exposed do to a bug.

I believe if everyone posted on the Internet like what they have written will be viewed by the entire planet, there might be less of an issue here. Nonetheless, no one wants their private thoughts put out to the whole world to read.

The bug must be real because the article claims that FaceBook founder Mark Zuckerberg himself had a private message displayed on his timeline.

As always, be safe, and you can read more about it here!

Social Networking, Facebook and your Privacy

I'm a firm believer in not redoing someone else's hard work. Consumer Reports has put up a great video on Facebook about guarding your privacy.

Propspective employers, lawyers in custody hearings and divorce proceedings are using what you do and say online in hiring decisions and in court. In article after article there are more cases of people losing out on a job opportunity, or even losing benefits or disability payments because pictures posted on Facebook.

While I am not so much worried about people getting away with duping their spouses, employers or the government, there is also the worry about having your identity stolen on some social media site. Also, there is the safety of children and child abduction cases to worry about. This is a real threat and needs to be taken seriously.

So below is a great video about Facebook privacy that you should watch and take the needed steps to protect your online identity.

When in doubt, don't post something online. There is a saying that goes 'once on the Internet, forever on the Internet'; You can't get it back.