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From / Date: |
Question / Answer: |
| 5195. |
Sebastian
Knoxville, Tennessee
Age: 58
Jan 3, 2009
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Spy Camera Detector
Get a red led flashlight ($1.00 at a dollar store) and tape it to a tube (toilet paper rolls will work) so that you are looking at the center of the projected light when looking through the tube. A few years ago, there were instructions on how to modify a toy telescope to do the same thing. They may not be common, but it does happen. If you find a camera and are willing to go to court, you probably have money coming your way.
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| 5193. |
Brian
detroit, mi
Age: 21
Jan 3, 2009
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HTBI update
One of the great thing about HTBI that separated it from the ton of other privacy books I've read was its specificity. Unlike most privacy books I've read (that weren't worthwhile) that say do this and do that but explain none of how to do it, HTBI guided the reader through minute details being specific about small things. Updates I'd love to see would include exploration of "alternative choices" (i.e., still pursuing privacy while not going the #1 recommended route in HTBI). Afterall, everyone's circumstances are different. Some examples would include: taking reader step by step (with all the minor minutiae) of buying a new car at a dealership (i.e., as opposed to buying from a private party). Or renting a house/apartment at a managed complex. This may not be as good as renting from a private owner but it would be very helpful to know how far one could take privacy in these scenarios (e.g., would one HAVE to give up SSN at a managed complex some of the time?) so that if the reader is forced to go this route he/she has some direction/instruction/experience with what to expect and methods one can deploy. Establishing utilities could also be covered if one can not get a nominee or property owner to do this. This update would continue the strengths of HTBI (specifics and guided instruction of what some might consider minor details) while expanding the content to more information while simultaneously still advocating the best privacy choice but giving readers details of alternatives should it become necessary.
Love your book! Good luck with the update :)
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| 5192. |
George
Pomona, CA
Age: 25
Jan 3, 2009
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Re: Mura's Question on SSL & MD5
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is the encryption scheme used by browsers for you to submit info securely over the net (usually 128-bit) from Point A to B through a process called "handshaking". For instance, say you're shopping at a site, this is what makes it to where what you send (credit card number, address, etc.) cannot be read by anyone other than who you send it. To make this more secure, this is also bundled with certifications of authority (CA certs) that are registered with a trusted source (e.g., Verisign). When a site has a CA cert presented, the browser is told to verify its autheticity. The process used to do this is called an "MD5 checksum". This is a unique number kept on record with the trusted source of verification in order to filecheck it bit by bit. If everything checks out 100% OK, then a small padlock appears in the bottom of the browser and the DHCP index is changed from "h t t p" to "h t t p s". THEORETICALLY you are browsing a secure server on a site.
For a long time, it was recognized by leading security experts that MD5 was a bit weak, but no one expected it to be this weak or to pose a threat to SSL!
Here is a more detailed explanation if that was not clear enough. It's a bit advanced material, but I'm sure you can handle it you read carefully...
Submitted Link #1: http://www.pcmiservices.com/documents/ssl_explaine...
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| 5191. |
Seth
collbran, co
Age: 50
Jan 3, 2009
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Spyfinder
Regarding Spyfinder and the idea of using a flashlight. The principle behind spyfinder is the ring of LED's, which places your eye at the precise optical axis of the beam of light, thereby maximizing the return reflection from within the lens. The return reflection can be quite dim, depending on the sophistication of the lens and how much anti-reflection coating it has on its elements. Cheap video cameras are easy to detect. Professional level pinhole cameras are much more difficult to see. Thus the flashing LED's and the alignment of your eye with the optical axis. Remember the old doctor's head mirror that he used to focus a beam of light down your throat while looking through a hole? Same principle, just in reverse.
You could build one of these easily, by simply installing a bunch of LED's with focused narrow beams (or even LASER LED's) on a piece of circuit board in a ring with a hole in the middle to look through and a battery pack. The smaller the ring of LED's, the more concentrated the beam, and the brighter they are, the more effective the device will be. Of course, Spyfinder may have a patent on its product, so be careful.
As to how often, the answer is hard to determine, but it's happening more and more in the US. It's been going on in Russia for a long time. The KGB was notorious for setting up video cameras behind mirrors in the Intourist hotels in Moscow and other major cities. There's no reason to believe they aren't still doing so with more sophisticated video and audio bugs. My advice when traveling to eastern Europe is to bring a roll of duct tape and tape a bedsheet up over all mirrors before doing anything you wouldn't want seen on YouTube. Oh, and keep your yap shut.
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| 5190. |
Richard
Albuquerque, NM
Age: 41
Jan 1, 2009
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Online Privacy Tools
Some useful tools:
Submitted Link #1: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/how-to-create-a-dispo...
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| 5189. |
Osvaldo
Florida
Age: 55
Jan 1, 2009
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Digging Deeper Into the CheckFree Attack
Digging Deeper Into the CheckFree Attack
Submitted Link #1: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/securityfix/2008/...
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| 5188. |
Mura
79423
Age: 57
Jan 1, 2009
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Meaning? [RE: Question #5183 ]
RE: Question #5183, I wonder if George could explain what SSL, CA certificate and MD5 mean? I, frankly, have no clue, and wonder what it means to the ordinary user. Thanks!
Submitted Link #1: http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=2339...
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| 5187. |
Dorothy
Topeka, KS
Age: 40
Dec 31, 2008
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spyfinder
This may be a ridiculous idea (and I'm sure somebody will point that out if it is!), but... Wouldn't a regular LED flashlight in a darkened room accomplish the same thing as the Spyfinder? It seems like the point is to discover the camera lens' reflection. Since I travel frequently, now I'm curious. How common is it for hotel rooms to have hidden cameras? Is this something I should concern myself with?
Submitted Link #1: http://www.spyville.com/spy-finder.html...
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| 5186. |
Ashley
Albany, New York
Age: 29
Dec 31, 2008
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Recording calls on Skype
A program called CallGraph lets you record any Skype call. It can even run in the background and automatically record calls. But isn't that illegal?
Submitted Link #1: http://www.callgraph.in/...
...
If the person at the other end of the line does not consent, then in many states, recording a normal phone call is indeed illegal. Does this apply to Skype? I don't know.
... What I do know is that, despite pressure from a few friends, we do not use Skype.
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| 5185. |
Drake
Los Angeles, CA
Age: 34
Dec 30, 2008
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Expectation of Privacy
A person has a legal expectation of privacy in a changing room and a restroom. Other than that, If a person can see you from the sidewalk or other public vantage, they can film you.
If you have your doors closed, curtains or shades drawn, you are protected. If they are not, you're inviting an audience. This applies to places you visit too.
Submitted Link #1: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081230/ap_on_re_us/vi...
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| 5184. |
Ron
Phoenix, Arizona
Age: 48
Dec 30, 2008
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Spyfinder Video wire detection
Is spyfinder the best way to find covert spy cameras?
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| 5183. |
George
Pomona, CA
Age: 25
Dec 30, 2008
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Internet Secure No More -- Software No Substitute for Common Sense
I am a computer security enthusiast and expert. I have been researching computer hacking and phone phreaking for quite a long time. Needless to say, this is a MAJOR development that shows that the entire world's web systems are at risk. Something you most definitely should read.
Submitted Link #1: http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=2339...
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| 5182. |
Wendy
Richardson,TX
Age: 45
Dec 30, 2008
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Registering Vehicle in VA, DC; Windows Vista Security
Andy, thanks for sharing your experience. Registering your vehicle privately in VA or MD sounds nearly impossible and I'm happy you found an alternative. Has anyone been able to get around the VA or MD requirements by employing other HTBI tactics like using a temporary physical address to register the vehicle? I wonder how businesses register THEIR vehicles in VA or MD. Anyone know? This might be an alternative, if you can figure out how to do it privately. I'm thinking using William's idea about getting a warehouse location temporarily? And what about getting a temporary physical address in another part of the state?
Now, to another issue. I just replaced my old laptop to one with a Windows Vista OS. Are there any security or privacy precautions I should take to further secure my privacy while using this machine?
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| 5181. |
William
Queens, NY
Age: 35
Dec 29, 2008
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Commercial Properties - contract to house-sit
A clever idea to make a private contract with a commercial property owner to 'house-sit' while getting a ghost address.
A smaller strip mall would be ideal with your own back door.
You could do this for 30-60 days. Enough to get Utilities (in your own name), and have your drivers license sent there.
Or use your NM LLC to get Utilities at this location. (Hiring an 'employee of the day' to do the job.)
Also to use as a temporary place to live between your major move to throw off anyone trailing you.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.getyourhandsdirty.net/publicsquare/inde...
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| 5180. |
William
Queens, NY
Age: 35
Dec 29, 2008
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off the grid while owning land in town
this guy is a good example of someone who has followed your principles somewhat except allowing himself to be in the newspaper.
How he purchased the land is of interest to your viewers as well as receiving mail.
Submitted Link #1: http://metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=13257...
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| 5179. |
Andy
Silver Spring MD
Age: 62
Dec 29, 2008
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Wendy, Post 5160
One day two summers ago I tried to tag and title a vehicle in MD, using a NM LLC and a CI address. In the morning I tried at our county's main DMV office, and in the afternoon I tried at a private agency about 50 miles away. The state of Maryland was willing of course to list the LLC as the owner, but, along with two forms of personal identification, demanded a local street address for the vehicle's and the LLC's location. No matter what the circumstances, Maryland flatly refused to accept an out-of-state, let alone a foreign, address. Later that week I made inquiries by phone at the DMVs of two neighboring states. Virginia and West Virginia, like Maryland, demanded in-state street addresses. Later that year, I finally ended up working out a less-than-perfect solution in Pennsylvania, whose DMV seems to rely almost completely on private agencies. They were willing to accept a foreign address as the LLC's place of business. However, they required two forms of picture ID, one of which had to be a driver's license. They also required a signed, written verification from an appropriate officer of the LLC, authorizing me to conduct business with the state of Pennsylvanina. They would not accept my explanation that I was the owner. Someone else had to authorize me. So I submitted a letter from my "senior partner, Dr. Jose Ortiz." Finally, they wanted a copy of a utility bill to verify the LLC's address. It did not matter to them we were located in Spain. Relunctantly they accepted a record of my LLC's "monthly rental payments" to "Lanzarote Properties."
They were also unable to fit the entire LLC address in the appropriate data base field on the computer, resulting in a truncated address along the right side of the title certificate, which we received a month or so later. One final problem was that the bureaucracy which registers the vehicles is separate from the office that manages the required safety inspections. The latter office apparently does not send correspondence out of state; so, having never received via mail a window sticker after 90 days or so, I had to return to the private agency in Pennsylvania to get the sticker.
Hope all this helps.
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| 5175. |
Hugh
Ayutthaya, Thailang
Age: 53
Dec 28, 2008
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Money Management
This is for those who may think they will have a tough time with the economy. Here are
'7 Financial Tips From the Great Depression' that should help. Things are not as bad as the Great Depression, but if you start early and prepare as our parents and grand parants did, we should do all right.
Submitted Link #1: http://blog.mint.com/blog/finance-core/7-financial...
...
Hugh,
... Since my wife and I both grew up during the Great Depression, I can tell you that the article is dead on target. ... Especially: “... if you can’t afford to pay cash, you can’t afford it.”
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| 5174. |
Sebastian
Knoxville, TN
Age: 58
Dec 28, 2008
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Tapping phones, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi
The best way to defeat Bluetooth wiretapping is to simply not use it. With the proper equipment, high gain antenna, low noise amplifier, and a good receiver, Bluetooth, wi-fi, and cell phones can be received from almost a mile away; in case of cell phones, several miles away in open country. Close in, a common cell phone can be used to wiretap cell conversations by simply reprogramming the phone. Bluetooth and wi-fi are also tappable close by reprogramming common equipment.
I would not worry about this, unless you come to the attention of one of the alphabet agencies or a hacker who knows software and hardware. If it is a legal phone tap, it will be done at the central office. If you are worried about such things, make phone calls from crowded areas as the number of signals goes up, the difficulty of picking your signal out goes up, switch between phones, use tunneling, change MAC address, and encryption with wi-fi, and don’t use Bluetooth at all.
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| 5173. |
John
dgorila1@cox.net
Age: 39
Dec 27, 2008
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Re: Wendy - Auto Auction
Wendy,
Some of the auto auctions here used to be "dealer only", but have all been opened to the general public now. A buyer shouldn't need a dealer's license to purchase you a car. Why not use someone you trust to act as an "employee" of the LLC to buy the car and register it. Pay them for their time and you achieve what you are seeking. Or you could enlist the services of a used car dealer to buy the car and title it (most can get plates for cars nowadays). Or use your "LLC Employee" to buy the car from a private party and again title it.
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| 5172. |
Wendy
Richardson, TX
Age: 44
Dec 27, 2008
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Bluesnarfing Software
What I found most notable about this software's hard sell is the message from the seller at the very end of the page:
"This is a limited time offer. Get it while you can.
This product is very powerful and may soon be unavailable in your area."
This suggests that it is as illegal to use this as it is to use any other wiretapping techniques. Anyway, I assume you need to have the bluetooth phone's number to track the right one. By using something like Vumber with your cell phone and NEVER texting or calling directly from the phone to ANYONE, that makes even this software harder to use--at least for a phone. (Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.) My PDA's bluetooth is disabled and my laptop doesn't have the capability and I refuse to add it OR use wireless service.
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