Here’s Why You Should Use Google Duo for Your Video Calls Instead of Zoom
Reasons: Easier to use More secure More features Much more secure Higher quality connections Free even for commercial use
Encryption
Encryption Software for Dissidents Could Be Collateral Damage of Budget Fight
The software is widely used in Iran to view U.S.-funded content. The U.S. Open Technology Fund, a digital rights nonprofit financed by the U.S. government, is poised to cancel a contract for encryption software that helps people living in repressive regimes access impartial news without their government’s knowledge, according to a U.S. government official with direct knowledge of the matter. Psiphon, based in Canada, makes internet circumvention software tools that […]
A U.S. Senator Demands MORE Encryption, Not Less
This is a unique twist in the ongoing saga of using encryption to protect your secrets. In recent weeks, several U.S. Senators have demanded. that all online communications either not be encrypted at all or else be encrypted with a “back door” that allows government employees (and undoubtedly others) to have the ability to read these communications. (See https://bit.ly/2ClmhWf for a list of my past articles concerning this privacy invasion.) […]
Backdoor Accounts Discovered in 29 FTTH Devices from Chinese Vendor C-Data
Here is another argument in favor of encryption without any “back doors”: In a report published this week, security researchers Pierre Kim and Alexandre Torres said they discovered seven vulnerabilities in the firmware of FTTH OLT devices manufactured by Chinese equipment vendor C-Data. Kim and Torres said they confirmed the vulnerabilities by analyzing the latest firmware running on two devices, but they believe that the same vulnerabilities impact 27 other […]
Under This New Law, Cryptocurrency Could Become Illegal
I wrote about an absurd proposed piece of legislation 5 days ago at https://bit.ly/2VwfKhN. If passed, a new bill under consideration in the U.S. Senate will destroy personal, corporate, and most other private online communications. It will be a gift to credit card thieves, identity thieves, Facebook’s advertisers, as well as to local and foreign governments alike. In short, the bill proposes requiring “back doors” in all encrypted communications created […]
CryptPad: a Privacy-Focused Collaborative Online Office Suite with Chat
If you or your family or your team at work need privacy and security, you might want to check out CryptPad. CryptPad is a privacy protecting alternative to Google Docs, Microsoft Office Online, and other online office suites. And while protecting privacy, it still allows for real-time collaboration between creative partners. Yes, you can (optionally) share your documents with others. The suite includes rich text (like a word processor), presentation, […]
Republicans Push Bill Requiring Tech Companies to Help with the Impossible Task of Accessing Encrypted Data
Maybe someone should tell the bill’s sponsors that decrypting information that has been encrypted properly is technically impossible. Of course, these senators are not noted for their technical expertise. (Yes, it is theoretically possible to capture the information at the originating location if that information is captured before or during encryption.However, any well-designed encryption product will make that very difficult.) So, in total disregard of the facts, a group of […]
DataLocker DL3 1TB Encrypted External Hard Drive
One device should be an excellent method of keeping backups of your Windows, Macintosh, or Linux computer safe from prying eyes. It obviously would also be an excellent method of sending a lot of data to someone else in a method that is safe. Want to keep your cryptocurrency wallet safe? Copy the wallet to this external encrypted hard drive, unplug the drive, then erase the wallet from the computer. […]
Zoom Relents and Agrees to Give Free Users End-to-End Encryption
In a blog post, Zoom CEO Eric S Yuan says that the company has “identified a path forward that balances the legitimate right of all users to privacy and the safety of users on our platform”. He goes on to explain that this means end-to-end encryption will be offered to everyone as an add-on. Details may be found at https://betanews.com/2020/06/18/free-zoom-end-to-end-encryption.
How to Get the Most Out of Signal and Encrypted Chat
Of all the popular text messaging, voice conversation, and 2-way video services available today, Signal is probably the one that offers the best privacy, using end-to-end encryption on all information sent and received. Assuming you are interested in such privacy concerns, you will want to read Brian Barrett’s article, How to Get the Most Out of Signal and Encrypted Chat, in the Wired web site at: https://www.wired.com/story/signal-tips-private-messaging-encryption/.
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