by Matt Kibildis on November 29, 2010
There is no doubt that our world of information and business is heading rapidly in the direction of total digitization or storage on electronic media. Green concerns, physical storage limitations, and overall demands of efficiency have caused nearly all pertinent information to be stored on personal computers, servers, and in data centers; gone are the days of cabinets and boxes filled with filing folders and paper records, though you may be able to find relics of such antiquated objects if you search the darkest recesses of your office.
There are two realms in the world of electronic data security. Online data (Internet, cloud) data and local data (i.e. Data stored on your personal computer). In this two-part series, I will begin by addressing data that is transmitted over the Internet.
I am often flanked with questions from clients and family members regarding privacy of information on the Internet.
- “Can someone see what I’m doing?”
- “How do I know if my payment was really processed?”
- “How do I know if my information is safe?”
The truth of the matter is that there always exists the possibility that information can be lost or stolen. However, there is a solution, and it is one of probability. [click to continue…]
by Rafi Kronzon on November 24, 2010
As many are getting set to travel for the holidays, we need to put out a warning about wireless security. I know, not exactly what you want to think about with turkey on the brain, or while being patted down at the airport, but please take two minutes to read this so you don’t end up a turkey yourself.
Open wireless networks, such as the ones you connect to at a Starbucks or in an airport, or on an airplane are VERY insecure. That means that when you log in to your Amazon, Facebook, or Gmail account while on these networks, anyone with a laptop and the right program can see what you’re doing.
Without getting into the technical details, on most major web sites your important information (e.g. credit card number) is encrypted. This means the listener can’t decipher what he “hears”. They may be able to, however, read you emails or see your Facebook friends.
Now, we’re not the paranoid sort. While we’ve always known that these risks exist in open wireless networks, the release of these types of programs into the mainstream has made a lot of kids with nothing better to do aware of how easy it is to do this. So, here’s what we suggest: [click to continue…]
