Is there a smoke signal version of FHC?? Not sure I'm up to learning a new 'language' these days. Not sure that would help with privacy though, anyone could see my puffs, err posts. And how would we post pics??
For what it's worth, I avoided a "smart" phone up until this year. For certain reasons, I needed to have one in order to accomplish certain tasks. But none of the data mining, or tracking surprises me at all. As stated, it's been going on for decades. The irony I find in it, is that many are so very skeptical of anything that the Gov't does, but will willingly turn over every bit of information to a corporate entity, like they are some completely benign entity. I don't like the fact that it has apps on it that I don't need or want, or the fact that seemingly mundane apps need permission to Xmit and access parts of the phone that don't seem to be relevant at all. Why should X app that has nothing to do with photos need access to the camera?? I wish that there were better options, one that gives users control over the system, but I don't know that it exists without the big unplug. But ultimately, the data will be sniffed on us one way or the other.
It's been almost a year now since we froze our credit after the Equifax data breach. Man they must think I am special! It has been a minor inconvenience once or twice. We can't apply for any new credit cards (not that we need them) or we will be denied. And when I put cable TV in my mother's nursing home room, I had to put up a $100 deposit ( which I got back) because they couldn't run a credit check. But our credit scores have actually gone up, I guess because no credit checks are being done on us. The peace of mind is fabulous. We will keep our credit frozen indefinely, until we have to buy a new car or something.
Great thread WeldrDave I work in IT and you all have made some excellent points about using common sense to try and protect yourself. Our world for the most part has be engulfed in technology, its here and isn't going anywhere. It can be very very useful and it also can be very dangerous. If someone wants to get something and they know what they are doing they are going to get it, not much we can do about it except use common sense, be smart about what your putting out there on the net and the information your using off your cell phone.
I'm glad someone here works in the capacity of the tech field! I'm going by hear say "but" very well respected and knowledgeable hear say, a man with 30+ years experience.
Marvin, you raise a good point here but I can say this; The military, banks, and hospitals/doctors will never go away from things like FAX and standard phone lines. They are low voltage, "mostly secure now" and work 99% of the time. I can attest to the military part because if I needed to get something to someone "VERY important" it wasn't done via e-mail or the computer. You can put two types of encryption on it depending the form, but real sensitive stuff was never sent e-mail. If you buy a new car, you can get one with "all" the gadgets disabled. My wife car links the cars radio to her phone, "I" don't like that at all!!!. 90% of all cars now have a GPS installed, hmmmmm..... Wanna be located? Want to hear something real scary, A criminal can look at your "VIN" number on your windshield, track the unlocking code from the manufacture because that VIN is in the data bank, unlock your car and either steal the car or take what ever they want at their leisure. GM and On star was the pioneers, now criminals can do it in 45 seconds.
I heard "the thieves" have come up with a way of sensing the radio signal that your key puts off when you walk by with it in your pocket...then their lil gadget uses that to simply unlock and start your car...I like the older chip keys better in that regard...at least you need to have both the "code" and the key!
You don’t always get the option of turning some of the technology off in your car. There are cellular modems installed that are connected to cellular networks paid for by the manufacturer that report back engine operating data and monitor vehicle emmision output for that vehicle. The airbag modules typically keep the last 15 seconds of data in the event of a crash that deploys the airbags. That data includes vehicle speed, if you were wearing a seat belt, if you were braking or turning away right up until the event. Depending on the injuries in the crash the judicial system can supoena that data and use it as evidence against you or for you. A lot of cars are now using cameras for autonomous braking and lane keeping features. I haven’t been able to find out if any of the video data is captured I would imagine it could be since self driving cars are right around the corner.
That I fully understand and as you said are operational related! I guess I meant, talk/text, cell phone built in systems and so on.
even though the systems monitored for operation they still can be used against you. A few years ago there was some litigation regarding the engine warranty on the Corvette. Through data collection from operational systems GM was able to prove that the vehicles with failed engines were due to owner abuse from racing and they were able to deny any warranty repair because of the collected data. Extrapolate that data and let an insurance company use it in court to deny a claim or for criminal charges that could result from a crash.
Agreed. There’s a little more to it, but yes Marvin, I concur with your beliefs. For those who haven’t read “The Screwtape Letters” by C.S. Lewis (written in 1942!) they tell of how the Adversary will catalogue everything about us by computer. https://www.calvin.edu/~pribeiro/DCM-Lewis-2009/Lewis/THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS - Text.doc
For me it is easy to stay away from smart phones. The simple reason is that if I get one, I also have to pay for a data plan but my flip phone does not have a data plan. I save money. But then again, I use the phone very little. Most of the time it just sits here in the house unused. I get along just fine doing this.
You are right on here. I do find it interesting though how as consumers we have bought in to the idea that more technology, more personal information, more money equates to more safety/security. It seems the opposite is true. I mean, what is more secure than writing a personal message on a piece of paper and delivering said message to the recipient who then destroys the piece of paper? High tech may be new and exciting, but it seems to me that low tech always beats high tech in many scenarios.
CS Lewis was an amazing author...his stuff makes my hair raise up a lil sometimes! (not in a bad way)
Great info, Dave. Can't remove the battery from an S6 though... (well, you can, but the fone must be disassembled)