IPretorian Blog, Internet Privacy Protector

Check out new video on Google privacy: Free ice cream from uncle Schmidt.

Awesome! And unfurtunately very true..

Google has released source code for RLZ library, user activity tracking tool for grouping promotion event signals and anonymous user cohorts. RLZ library is build into Google Chrome, and this step is to convince users, that they can not be identified by RLZ generated unique tags, as many users can have the same ones. More details in this document.

Well, we like Chrome so far.

I’ve came across interesting PC World article about some “not advertised” facts compromising user privacy, most important ones:

Your ISP Is a Copyright Cop

The recording and film industries are seeking to manipulate upcoming net neutrality legislation to allow ISPs to scan the bits passing through their networks and to block any that may violate copyrights. Folks you pay for Internet access will be record labels hired guns. Can You imagine them with such power? “If you violate our copyrights, we can terminate your Net connection, not just your blog”.

‘Private’ or ‘Incognito’ Browsing…Isn’t

Most of today’s browsers have “private” or “incognito” browsing – also called “porn mode” – in theory allowing browse web anonymously. But all the feature really does is tell your browser not to record the sites you’ve looked at, the search terms you’ve used, or the cookies deposited during that session. But it does nothing to Your activity records at Your’s ISP – we wrote about it; if the sites you visit record your IP address (and most do), that information is available to any interested party that has the legal right to request it–a group that can include divorce attorneys and law enforcement.

Google Could Rat You Out

Do You believe using Google makes You safe? Use Google Dashboard to see what information you’re sharing. If the government comes knocking with a subpoena–or even just a strongly worded letter, per the Patriot Act–Google is obligated to hand everything over. Sure, the feds can get this data from anyone, but Google’s wealth of information (as well as its lengthy data-retention policies) makes their job much easier. Wake up, Google does not care about You.

Antivirus Software Won’t Protect You

AV software is needed to eliminate known threats, but what about unknown? The increasing number of zero-day vulnerabilities–coupled with some vendors’ failure to fix security holes in their products for months or even years – means that even the most up-to-date antimalware products will not guarantee safety. Stay up to date, update Your software – it’s minimum effort and risk goes down greatly. It’s well known IE6 is used to browse web from Your computer – and vice versa(!), yet some people still use it!

Your Cell Phone Is a Homing Beacon

This won’t shake Your world, but I guess You know it: Your cell phone makes You always found. You don’t even need a GPS chip in your phone - your using cell towers allows your provider to triangulate your position within 100 meters or so. It not necessary must be a bad thing, but if You really want privacy switch Your cell off, remove battery and SIM card, and make sure there isn’t another one hidden.. Best toss it away in pieces.

Your Webcam May Be Watching You

Most laptops have webcams built in, but few people realize webcam can be activated remotely. School in Pennsylvania did it (and got sued), also Dell support technician activated Customer webcam without asking permission. Be careful what You do in front of computer that is not Yours.. or just cover it with a piece of tape. Done.

Your Boss Can (and Probably Does) Monitor Your Computer

Your employer gives You computer to work, so he is entitled to check up on You using it – under condition You’ve beed informed about it. According to the most recent surveys conducted by the American Management Association, two-thirds of all employers monitor employee Web and e-mail activity. Don’t use company gear or networks to conduct personal business – You may as well just tell them everything You do not want them to know.

The Social Web Never Forgets

If You have a fight with real person, You can yell out all nasty things, then make piece and it’s all water under a bridge – goes away. But if You do it online – all stuff You’ve wrote will stay there for years for anyone to find, on purpose or by accident. It’s easier to write stuff instead tell it to a face, but imagine how You will feel when it pop out in Your job interview, or Your Friends find out? Think twice before You post anything -it takes one clock publish, to remove it entirely – impossible.

Your Facebook Apps Are Spying on You

There is no shocker here either, if You’re using Facebook You’re giving them right to use Your data as they see fit. Check latest changes in FB privacy policy. When you install one of these apps, though, it gains access to any information you’ve designated as available to ‘Everyone’. Per Facebook’s Platform guidelines, this can include a huge amount of information, including your name, photo, birthday, location, job history, religion, political point of view, relationships, favorite books and movies, and so on.

Your Geolocation Data Is Not Private

An army of marketers is looking to build profiles based on your habits and to sell you location-based services. Telecoms carriers have Your private information and can not sell it without Your permission; but as more phones become location aware and geocentric services become more widely used, the temptation may be overwhelming. The market for location data is expected to reach nearly $13 billion by 2014, according to Juniper Research. A company that has your geographic data could sell it to stores and restaurants in your area or offer to pass sales promotions along to you on those businesses’ behalf. Do You think spam on Your email is bad? Imagine that on Your cellphone inbox.

Read full story on PCWorld. It looks scary, but is not so bad – if You are aware of it You can avoid most of it.

Google seems to be above things like respect of privacy or rules of data retention, saying that the data is needed to “learn from good guys, fight off bad guys, [and] invent the future.” Please read more  about how Google keeps Your data at Ars Technica blog.

Most people think Google is just seach engine and ads, actually Google is aiming at being one stop stop for all Your needs – please wach summary of Google initiatives at YouTube: HUNGRY BEAST – Google wants to know all about You

So, they’re so big, what can You do? Well, You can take what they give, but You do not have to give out Your privacy by doing it – stay tuned.

I used to think Google is great, doing so much for free, actually making Internet useful for us internauts. And company motto “Don’t be bad” – can we really as for more? In comparison to Microsoft asking money for almost any service, Google seems like knight on a white horse, freeing us from ties of paid software. List of Google products is really impressive.

But Google’s hunger for information has no end. Privacy protection was always thin at Google, and recently Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt dropped the “don’t be bad” routine saying “secrets are for filthy people“. So, in theory, if You are honest person You have noting to hide, right? Why do we keeping passwords on our emails, locks in our doors, alarms in homes? Let’s all sincere people give all our personal stuff to Google, they will index it and keep it safe. Sure, right after You, Mr. Schmidt. Thing is Eric does not like his personal information published; in fact  he revoked all CNET reporters acretitation for a year for publishing info about him gleaned from Google searches, including salary, neighborhood, hobbies and political donations.

Ain’t we use double standards, Google?