News from PrivacyView Software
PrivacyView Software's award winning creations are established to help protect users' Internet privacy and security. PrivateProxy was developed to mask a user's IP address so search engines, marketing companies, and ISPs can not track your Internet activity. PrivateProxy will mask your IP address through one of their servers so that your "Internet identity" will remain anonymous. Servers will record the IP address from PrivateProxy so you are free to surf anonymously. PrivateProxy allows the user to choose one of their numerous domain names to surf the web, and maintains your anonymity with randomly rotating IP addresses.
PrivateProxy not only acts as an anonymous proxy server, but it is also a bypass proxy. The 128-bit encryption allows the flow of data while keeping your information protected, and eliminating ISPs or network administrators from monitoring the user's surfing. Records are only kept for 5 days and are then deleted to prevent hackers and spammers from accessing the information.
PrivacyView Software also offers a detailed support section with FAQs and Privacy Resources for both products and general Internet security and computer privacy questions.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Oh Microsoft...
Main article
Microsoft is attempting to patents a new application that will allow a company to watch employees and make sure productivity is maintained. This program will make sure employees meet their deadlines and do their jobs.
This app will monitor the user and offer help if he or she needs it, even in the form of links to useful resources. Also, managers can check in to make sure the employees are working. The product uses something called "activity-centric monitoring," which can give an employee a nudge when needed, but also measures the performance levels of the employees, singling out the weaker ones so they can get some more training, be assigned a different task, or simply be sent packing. It is the equivalent of the paperclip that would pop-up to give you help when using Microsoft Office products, but with the added bonus of costing someone their job.
This does get rid of the lower performers making it a much more efficient company, but what about the employee just taking a 5 minute break to sit back and relax. Is this taken into account? Are you, as an employee, required to work non-stop from the time you get there until it is time to leave? The fine line between being unproductive and taking a break will have to be redrawn. This process, according to the article, can show who the above-average performers are, eventually leading down the management path. It can also tell who can help another employee with their task, such as replacing toner cartridges. But then, how will I be accounted for if I have to leave my task to go help someone else replace the toner because they don't know how?
I am not sure if I am convinced. I like the fact that my hard work will be rewarded since managers know exactly how I am performing, but at the same time...it seems that I am being watched at all times. It is borderline living in a police-state. More details definitely need to be worked out...as of right now it seems like Microsoft is trying to put a positive spin on something that seems to be mostly negative by showing this transparent list...this is like the NFL team that looks great on paper, but then ends up 2-14.
Microsoft is attempting to patents a new application that will allow a company to watch employees and make sure productivity is maintained. This program will make sure employees meet their deadlines and do their jobs.
This app will monitor the user and offer help if he or she needs it, even in the form of links to useful resources. Also, managers can check in to make sure the employees are working. The product uses something called "activity-centric monitoring," which can give an employee a nudge when needed, but also measures the performance levels of the employees, singling out the weaker ones so they can get some more training, be assigned a different task, or simply be sent packing. It is the equivalent of the paperclip that would pop-up to give you help when using Microsoft Office products, but with the added bonus of costing someone their job.
This does get rid of the lower performers making it a much more efficient company, but what about the employee just taking a 5 minute break to sit back and relax. Is this taken into account? Are you, as an employee, required to work non-stop from the time you get there until it is time to leave? The fine line between being unproductive and taking a break will have to be redrawn. This process, according to the article, can show who the above-average performers are, eventually leading down the management path. It can also tell who can help another employee with their task, such as replacing toner cartridges. But then, how will I be accounted for if I have to leave my task to go help someone else replace the toner because they don't know how?
I am not sure if I am convinced. I like the fact that my hard work will be rewarded since managers know exactly how I am performing, but at the same time...it seems that I am being watched at all times. It is borderline living in a police-state. More details definitely need to be worked out...as of right now it seems like Microsoft is trying to put a positive spin on something that seems to be mostly negative by showing this transparent list...this is like the NFL team that looks great on paper, but then ends up 2-14.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
The IRS may need a lesson or two about internet security...
Main article
The Government Accountability Office has recently declared that certain "security gaps" (whatever that means) may put our (taxpayer) information at risk. According to the GAO, "persistent information security weaknesses that place (it) at risk of disruption, fraud or inappropriate disclosure of sensitive information."
Well that certainly makes me feel better about filing my tax returns this year. So let's see if I get this....I am supposed to file a tax return to the IRS that includes, basically every piece of personal information humanly possible. Alright, understood. So the information I am supplying to the IRS, which tells them everything about me, is not secured and could possibly be hacked, stolen, etc etc? Well.....that makes sense (but actually the complete opposite of that). I would hope I could at least have some protection when I am at my most vulnerable. Well, looking at the bright side that tax return money is the only money I will have until next year's tax return so a thief won't get too much....(laugh with me).
The GAO reported that the IRS fixed 29 of the known weaknesses since last year. Now, the interesting piece of information is that the total number of these weaknesses is 98. 29 of 98 isn't a figure I am too comfortable with. Aside from these 98 security risks identified, IRS data centers add even more to the security weaknesses. In a three year span nearly 500 IRS laptops were stolen, and some IRS data centers had administrative log-ins that were unencrypted.
All the more reason to make sure you are protected as much as possible. You can never be too protected, especially when the government is failing to keep us safe from online criminals.
The Government Accountability Office has recently declared that certain "security gaps" (whatever that means) may put our (taxpayer) information at risk. According to the GAO, "persistent information security weaknesses that place (it) at risk of disruption, fraud or inappropriate disclosure of sensitive information."
Well that certainly makes me feel better about filing my tax returns this year. So let's see if I get this....I am supposed to file a tax return to the IRS that includes, basically every piece of personal information humanly possible. Alright, understood. So the information I am supplying to the IRS, which tells them everything about me, is not secured and could possibly be hacked, stolen, etc etc? Well.....that makes sense (but actually the complete opposite of that). I would hope I could at least have some protection when I am at my most vulnerable. Well, looking at the bright side that tax return money is the only money I will have until next year's tax return so a thief won't get too much....(laugh with me).
The GAO reported that the IRS fixed 29 of the known weaknesses since last year. Now, the interesting piece of information is that the total number of these weaknesses is 98. 29 of 98 isn't a figure I am too comfortable with. Aside from these 98 security risks identified, IRS data centers add even more to the security weaknesses. In a three year span nearly 500 IRS laptops were stolen, and some IRS data centers had administrative log-ins that were unencrypted.
All the more reason to make sure you are protected as much as possible. You can never be too protected, especially when the government is failing to keep us safe from online criminals.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
There's a storm a-brewin!!!
A recent article taken from NewsFactor.com about the trouble between consumers wanting online privacy and the companies that are not giving it.
Some executives are surprised at the recent stir caused by consumers, especially the same consumers who seemed willing to share private information via social networking sites. Many of these consumers are now filing lawsuits against these companies and are speaking out against having their web habits tracked. The biggest culprit seems to be Sears Holding Co (Sears and Kmart), which has been supposedly been violating the privacy of users on their site. To join the community you must download a software which tracks your purchases and other such activities, something which is not clearly explained when most users download the program. Sears Holding has been accused of exposing customers to the possibility of identity-theft since all users are searchable and anyone can view their history.
Consumers have openly complained recently because some sites have begun sending information to a user's friends (such as on Facebook or MySpace), but never took to the cause when ads were appearing after a user searched something (after going on Kelley's Blue Book and car ads appeared....it must have been magic!).
The big surprise to web execs is that consumers expect big companies to be in control of online privacy and security, but take little control themselves and feel that the big companies are out to harm the consumers.
I have an idea....It might be a little crazy but it should work. PROTECT YOURSELF ONLINE AND DON'T RELY ON SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is an amazing number of threats to privacy and security out there. Expecting someone else to protect you is very naive. Use a proxy, delete or hide your history, never give out personal information...and the list goes on. You can find a good FAQ section here which will give some advice about protecting yourself online.
Some executives are surprised at the recent stir caused by consumers, especially the same consumers who seemed willing to share private information via social networking sites. Many of these consumers are now filing lawsuits against these companies and are speaking out against having their web habits tracked. The biggest culprit seems to be Sears Holding Co (Sears and Kmart), which has been supposedly been violating the privacy of users on their site. To join the community you must download a software which tracks your purchases and other such activities, something which is not clearly explained when most users download the program. Sears Holding has been accused of exposing customers to the possibility of identity-theft since all users are searchable and anyone can view their history.
Consumers have openly complained recently because some sites have begun sending information to a user's friends (such as on Facebook or MySpace), but never took to the cause when ads were appearing after a user searched something (after going on Kelley's Blue Book and car ads appeared....it must have been magic!).
The big surprise to web execs is that consumers expect big companies to be in control of online privacy and security, but take little control themselves and feel that the big companies are out to harm the consumers.
I have an idea....It might be a little crazy but it should work. PROTECT YOURSELF ONLINE AND DON'T RELY ON SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is an amazing number of threats to privacy and security out there. Expecting someone else to protect you is very naive. Use a proxy, delete or hide your history, never give out personal information...and the list goes on. You can find a good FAQ section here which will give some advice about protecting yourself online.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
New Year, New Problems
Recent Internet security reports have informed the public as to what threats will be hitting the cyber world this coming year. FoxBusiness has recently released a report on behalf of CA, Inc. stating the newest privacy and Internet security threats for the coming year.
Online gamers, social networking, and major events (like Election '08 and the Olympics) better watch out and keep themselves protected, as these are said to be targets for online attacks.
The major causes for concern, according to CA and their expert advisers are:
1. Bots. "The number of computers infected by botnets will increase sharply," CA states. Bots are becoming much more of a risk in 2008 since they have to adapt to new technology every year and are becoming much harder to detect. This and the fact that they can be spread by peer-to-peer networking, mainly instant messaging, means a lot more of these bad boys will be around this year.
2. Advancements in malware. Malware has become increasingly smarter and more sophisticated. New techniques will allow malware to stay almost in plain sight without the infected computer (well the user of the computer) knowing they have a problem. Creators will be using increased levels of encryption and stenography to hide their activities.
3. Stealing gamers' information. Gamers are usually a prime target for online criminals since the computers used are usually built for high-end performance and not high-end security.
4. The increase in social networking. The dramatic increase in popularity equals more vulnerability. With the massive amount of people using social networking, cyber criminals can have a field day with the less than stellar security that these sites provide, and the sub-par security that the users themselves think they have.
5. Major events. The Presidential Elections as well as the Olympics could provide a fertile ground for cyber criminals. Web attacks or good ol' fashioned stealing of information seems to be the consensus of CA, Inc.
6. Web 2.0 attacks. The services are easy to implement but difficult to protect. Many sites using Web 2.0 are vulnerable to attack, while not showing any signs of compromise.
7. Risky Windows Vista. New computers are coming equipped with Windows Vista, meaning as people are buying new computers more versions of Vista will be targeted for attack. While Microsoft states that Vista is the most secure version of Windows ever made, CA found 20 vulnerabilities last year.
You have been warned...
Also, the article shows the trends for 2007, in case you were wondering.
Online gamers, social networking, and major events (like Election '08 and the Olympics) better watch out and keep themselves protected, as these are said to be targets for online attacks.
The major causes for concern, according to CA and their expert advisers are:
1. Bots. "The number of computers infected by botnets will increase sharply," CA states. Bots are becoming much more of a risk in 2008 since they have to adapt to new technology every year and are becoming much harder to detect. This and the fact that they can be spread by peer-to-peer networking, mainly instant messaging, means a lot more of these bad boys will be around this year.
2. Advancements in malware. Malware has become increasingly smarter and more sophisticated. New techniques will allow malware to stay almost in plain sight without the infected computer (well the user of the computer) knowing they have a problem. Creators will be using increased levels of encryption and stenography to hide their activities.
3. Stealing gamers' information. Gamers are usually a prime target for online criminals since the computers used are usually built for high-end performance and not high-end security.
4. The increase in social networking. The dramatic increase in popularity equals more vulnerability. With the massive amount of people using social networking, cyber criminals can have a field day with the less than stellar security that these sites provide, and the sub-par security that the users themselves think they have.
5. Major events. The Presidential Elections as well as the Olympics could provide a fertile ground for cyber criminals. Web attacks or good ol' fashioned stealing of information seems to be the consensus of CA, Inc.
6. Web 2.0 attacks. The services are easy to implement but difficult to protect. Many sites using Web 2.0 are vulnerable to attack, while not showing any signs of compromise.
7. Risky Windows Vista. New computers are coming equipped with Windows Vista, meaning as people are buying new computers more versions of Vista will be targeted for attack. While Microsoft states that Vista is the most secure version of Windows ever made, CA found 20 vulnerabilities last year.
You have been warned...
Also, the article shows the trends for 2007, in case you were wondering.
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