Privacy Blog

"Friends don’t let friends get spied on.' – Richard Stallman, President of the Free Software Foundation and longtime advocate of privacy in technology.

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Private Internet Access: an Easy-to-Install VPN for Windows, Macintosh, Android, iPad, and iPhone

With ever-growing concerns over identity and data theft while using the internet, home users have joined the legions of large and small companies who are using Virtual Private Networks to protect their online activities from hackers. You can find dozens of Virtual Private Network (VPN) products to choose from at prices ranging from free for software solutions to hundreds of dollars for dedicated hardware boxes. However, most consumers choose VPN […]

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Department of Justice Fears Automatic Encryption Makes Data Too Safe

Leslie Caldwell, an assistant attorney general at the Justice Department, said Tuesday that the department is “very concerned” by the Google’s and Apple’s decision to automatically encrypt all data on Android and iOS devices. “We understand the value of encryption and the importance of security,” she said. “But we’re very concerned they not lead to the creation of what I would call a ‘zone of lawlessness,’ where there’s evidence that […]

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The Federal Trade Commission Warns that Smart Gadgets Could be a Huge Security Risk

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a new report (at http://goo.gl/tfjlyy) that illustrates how vulnerable that makes us, urging consumers and businesses to make safe use and design of the gadgets a priority. The gadgets mentioned vary from home thermostat and lighting controls to driving monitoring devices used by insurance companies to baby monitors and wearable fitness gadgets — that can connect to the Internet and to each other. You […]

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Build a Hidden Compartment in a Fake Potted Plant to Hide Valuables

This is a cute trick. Create a secret hiding place that a burglar will never find. The easy instructions may be found at http://www.instructables.com/id/Potted-Plant-Secret-Compartment. Hiding things in plain sight is often the best way to keep them away from burglars, neighbors, or from electricians, plumbers, carpenters or others who visit your home. Having a big safe or anything similar is a great way to advertise, “Hey! There’s something valuable inside.” […]

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The Onion Router: a Raspberry Pi based Tor Wi-Fi Access Point for Easy Anonymous Internet

Do you get the feeling that you are being watched online? Would you like to have the best possible online security all the time? Would you also like to add security to your Internet-connected devices that don’t offer encrypted connections, such as Chromecast for your television or OBI for your VoIP telephone? With a TOR-based router (See Note#1 below), you also can access Hulu, Netflix, HBO, or your favorite team’s […]

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