Video on some of the privacy issues that people need to become informed about.
Two great quotes in the video.
We are in danger of becoming walking bar codes.
People who are willing to give up a little privacy for a little security will get neither.
This is attributed to Benjamin Franklin but his actual quote is more like the following:
They that can give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety.
–Benjamin Franklin
Background on electronic passport plans in the US and some concerns that have been raised.
It would be a very bad day if government required documents are used against citizens and the cost of fixing it later could be enormous.
The following video shows a vulnerability of a passport RFID chip being read without a person’s knowledge and being used to activate an attack.
A low tech book cover approach to the threat of passport RFID chips being read by unauthorized people. In light of the previously demonstrated vulnerability it should include a latch or the cover should be slipped on where the passport opens to ensure the passport and cover is fully closed.
A high level overview of some of the technology used in electronic passports:
This techrepublic article provides a useful summary of IE7 security features:
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-1009_11-6130844.html
Firefox 2 is also emphasizing security features:
http://news.com.com/With+Firefox+2,+Mozilla+touts+security+and+speed/2100-1032_3-6129141.html
http://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Security_in_Firefox_2
http://news.com.com/Security+Bites+Podcast+Firefox+2+beats+IE+7/2324-12640_3-6130309.html
Must be the week for Canadian patriotism.
Here is a slashdot article with links for country rankings for privacy with Canada tied with Germany for #1.
http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/02/1513239&from=rss
Feels good. More to be done. More to be done.