Computer encryption and "Big Brother"

[XV1100SE]

For anyone that thinks encryption protects their data or messages, read the article on Wired.

 

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/09/nsa-backdoored-and-stole-keys/

 

Granted that it is the Government (several) that intercepts Internet traffic and for those of us that are law abiding most of us don't really care....but be aware that anything you send or any site you visit can be captured "somewhere" and read by "someone".

 

No wonder they have no problem intercepting messages between terrorists. Back doors built into chips that they can use to access your files, track your movements/gps, listen to your phone calls.....no need to steam open envelopes anymore.

 

George Orwell was years ahead of his time - need to re-read his book 1984. Per Wikipedia ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Brother_(Nineteen_Eighty-Four) ) :

In the society that Orwell describes, everyone is under complete surveillance by the authorities, mainly by telescreens. The people are constantly reminded of this by the phrase "Big Brother is watching you", which is the core "truth" of the propaganda system in this state.

[bongobobny]

...4...3...2...1...

[XV1100SE]

You forgot to say "BOOM!"

 

Almost 3 hours since my post and no comments. This is NOT political, no one has come to interrogate me, VR.org was not shut down (maybe posts to this thread are being blocked by the NSA ?)

 

This isn't about American agencies monitoring all communication. ALL governments do it whether British, Russian, Chinese.... even Canadian !

 

http://rabble.ca/news/2012/02/threat-big-brother-internet-monitoring-canada

http://www.internetsociety.ca/2013/06/11/canadians-need-debate-on-monitoring-of-phone-and-internet/

http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/how-canadian-internet-users-may-be-getting-caught-in-u-s-surveillance-1.1318910

 

These are interesting articles to read.

 

I would think that most of us are okay with "them" monitoring communications since most of us are innocent and have nothing to hide. That said...remember that any pictures you post or info you put on sites like Facebook are floating around the Internet forever. Any email you send could be flagged based on content or read by other people.

[hubbsfd]

Well, I'm not being blocked

 

I agree this is a real problem and it really has nothing to do with having anything to hide. The problem is what can be done with the data collected. Things can be misconstrued and behavioral patterns created based upon the need to prove something that is untrue about you but with enough data just about anything can be misconstrued to prove any point needed. It is all fine if you trust the keeper.

[JohnT]

:goodpost:and no, I no longer "trust the keeper".

And I have nothing to hide. Well, no more than any "normal" person.

Perhaps ordinary person is more fitting. I've never been normal. Thank God.

[XV1100SE]

That is a very good point. Do you trust the keeper of the data? Could be misused say when a government change occurs...who did you support? Are you Left or Right leaning? etc.

[jakester]

My thoughts....Who knows how many-many years this has been going on. Only has it been brought to light recently. With technology growing and moving on and on, who knows when is enough. Things like cell phones and on star, allow tracking / monitoring in all areas accessible. Smart electrical meters monitor usage as well as pattern habits of when you are home or not and when you fall out of normal pattern it is noted for future use. Hey have you looked at google earth and typed in your address. Impressive satellite shot. If this is what the general public can see, how much better/higher resolution are "they" watching. Yes very disturbing, however I will continue to live my life the best I know how and just keep on going. What else can be done, unless we try to move off the "grid". Who knows how far it goes?

Bill

[JohnT]

How about Apple's new ! Phone 5? Fingerprint security. A thumb for use and a second for "in case".

Now this is being "poo pooed, but anyway you look at it it is a voluntary partial print data base free for the (data) mining.

 

More and more places are trying to require that you not only sow your proof of age for beer and smokes but have it scanned. I make a small fuss every time and some stores settle for seeing it.

 

I have got to stop putting off the fitting for my tin foil hat,,,,,,

[thecount]

Guess I have to put the tin foil liner back in the attic of the house or over my keyboard to stop the snoopers!

 

You forgot to say "BOOM!"

 

Almost 3 hours since my post and no comments. This is NOT political, no one has come to interrogate me, VR.org was not shut down (maybe posts to this thread are being blocked by the NSA ?)

 

This isn't about American agencies monitoring all communication. ALL governments do it whether British, Russian, Chinese.... even Canadian !

 

http://rabble.ca/news/2012/02/threat-big-brother-internet-monitoring-canada

http://www.internetsociety.ca/2013/06/11/canadians-need-debate-on-monitoring-of-phone-and-internet/

http://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/how-canadian-internet-users-may-be-getting-caught-in-u-s-surveillance-1.1318910

 

These are interesting articles to read.

 

I would think that most of us are okay with "them" monitoring communications since most of us are innocent and have nothing to hide. That said...remember that any pictures you post or info you put on sites like Facebook are floating around the Internet forever. Any email you send could be flagged based on content or read by other people.

[Jayceesfolly]

JohnT:

 

This is a "just in case" tool if the Guvmint starts to read your mind instead of your e-mails. After all....they can read your e-mails...whose to say that they aren't tracking what you are saying and thinking. I think these "thought protectors" can be painted to match your scoot so you are color coordinated! Mine is chrome plated to match all the chrome on my scoot......

 

 

 

:rotf:

[Globewalker]

yea well this is way bigger than our personal emails.. and having anything to hide..

 

as the article said

“The encryption technologies that the NSA has exploited to enable its secret dragnet surveillance are the same technologies that protect our most sensitive information, including medical records, financial transactions, and commercial secrets,”

 

I work for a software firm in the credit card industry and there is much focus on encrypting or better yet tokenizing the card numbers ..

But Big Brother tactics could be circumventing the effectiveness of all that and leaving us all vulnerable.

Your medical records can be abused, electronic terrorism can be made easier, if intentional back doors and weak security code has been implemented..

 

But hey ... its Friday the 13th ... what am I thinking ;-)

[Globewalker]

Google knows nearly every Wi-Fi password in the world

 

This is old news, but blog below has references to many sources making it undeniably scary.

http://blogs.computerworld.com/print/22806

Apple likely does essentially the same thing, but talks less. So for all your android and iPhone users be aware. Your wifi password with GPS coordinates, that Google already stores, could get in the wrong hands