The latest topic being dribbled on the news that is getting a lot of hype is the TSA security techniques being used in America’s airports.  People are complaining about both the pat-downs and the full body scanners and their intrusions into their privacy or convenience.  Let’s talk about it a little bit.

The issue we are dealing with is being able to catch terrorists before they bring a bomb or some other sort of weapon onto a plane.  We like the idea of using whatever means possible to catch these guys… or do we?  For one, we don’t like to be inconvenienced.  Our time is precious and waiting in line, being scanned or checked out physically all takes time.  Then there is the invasion of our privacy.  Is it worth all of that to ensure our safety?

I suppose if we were ever in a situation where a terrorist act was going to take place and we lived to tell about it, we may think twice about complaining.  Then again, I’m not sure.

Tell me what you think.  Are you willing to allow your family to be patted down or to be subjected to a very intrusive full body scan in the interest of security?

This issue reminds me of the same problem we face in the computer world.  We are almost constantly faced with the decision to sacrifice security for convenience.  Let me share a few areas this principle shows true:

• Passwords – I find myself considering less complicated passwords now that I spend much of my computer time on my Android phone.  A simple password is SO much easier to type on a touch screen key pad, trust me.  However, if you choose a simple password, you can be opening up yourself to a world of hurt if someone hacks your “convenient” password.  Don’t be stupid and do it right, alright?
• Antivirus – There are many hoops we can jump through in order to ward off virus attacks.  Antivirus software, firewalls, safe browsing techniques and even using Linux to browse the web are all ways to avoid the virus attacks.  Think about it though, they’re all so inconvenient, aren’t they?  Life would be easier if we didn’t have to install antivirus, set up firewalls, or change our OS.  You choose but be cautious!
• Social Networking - There are so many things we can do to make sure we are safe while interacting with the world via social networking.  So many people just don’t bother and figure bad stuff will never happen to them.  Beware, because bad stuff happens all the time.

Look at it this way:

The idea of this graphic is that the closer you get to achieving either total convenience or 100% security, the further you get from the other.

What do you think?  Do you think we tend to through away our security for the sake of convenience?  Or do you think we worry about security too much?

In its  latest versions, Firefox has begun sporting a new tool called Private Browsing.  It’s really a great tool and it really has more than one use!  Basically when you are in Private Browsing mode, Firefox will not remember the following:

• browser history,
• search history,
• download history,
• web form history,
• cookies, or
• temporary internet files

You’re basically browsing the Internet anonymously.  Its really easy to do, just go to “TOOLS” and then “START PRIVATE BROWSING” (or CTRL-SHIFT-P) and you’re in.

Well, many people on the Internet seem to be highlighting one particular use for such an option and I just wanted to come out and say that there IS more than one use for it!  Basically people are saying that it is a great way to cover your tracks if you have been browsing some less than desirable websites and you don’t want other people to see your browsing habits.  That’s the nice version.

Let’s see if we can list some other uses or reasons we would want to use the Private Browsing feature in Firefox.

1. Gift buying – Christmas is coming soon and it would be nice to shop online on the family computer without ruining the suprise, right?
2. Online banking (and other financial stuff) – If you are using a computer that other people are using, keep your finances to yourself!
3. Other personal sites (email, etc.) – Similarly, Private Browsing does just that, it keeps your personal interactions like email, etc. private
4. Internet caches don’t build up – As you may know, as you browse the Internet, your browser saves files from website to aid in the reloading of the site the next time you visit the site.  Well, these files can build up and eventually bog your computer down if you’re not careful.  Private Browsing mode is another way to help here.

Can you think of some other uses for Private Browsing mode?  Let us know in the comments!

Well, I was watching the news last night and it was being reported that social networking site Facebook had made some controversial changes to their TOS (or terms of service).  Well, I logged on to Facebook today to find out that Mark Zuckerberg had posted a short message concerning the recent press.  He posted a link to the Facebook Blog post: On Facebook, People Own and Control Their Information

As it turns out, Facebook is going back to the original TOS until they can find better wording. They SAY that they need to have rights to your information so they can be allowed to forward it to other users that you are trying to send it to.  Here’s how they word it:

Our philosophy is that people own their information and control who they share it with. When a person shares information on Facebook, they first need to grant Facebook a license to use that information so that we can show it to the other people they’ve asked us to share it with. Without this license, we couldn’t help people share that information.

What are your thougts about this? Do they really need license to do this?  Also, I had another concern about a statement later on in the post:

In reality, we wouldn’t share your information in a way you wouldn’t want.

To me, this seems a little ambiguous.  Who’s to say what I want?  Do they know my wants?  I believe a lot of this will be clearer in the near future.  Facebook has committed to working this out so we should pay attention and even give our input NOW while they say they’re looking for it: Facebook Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

Again, what are your thoughts about this whole thing?