Jules NYC wrote:
If there was a time machine, I'd get in it immediately where these issues would never be a problem.

Good plan Jules

Sad thing is, you most likely would just be trading issues.

People have been prying into each other business since the dawn of time, looking for some advantage over each other.

When I was a kid, we had "party line" phones-where several families shared the same line---You picked up the phone to see if it was in use.... or to listen in on your neighbor. You learned not to say anything "sensitive".

Opening snail mail was just one way to snoop.

As technology advances, we seem to always be at least one step behind in protecting our privacy...

There are ways to become invisible. You can just drop out and live in the woods, but most of us dont  want to do that....

Looknsee Photography wrote:
I've admitted that I'm an Internet pioneer.  As a graduate computer science student in the early 1970s, we students used to play semi-harmless pranks on each other.  Because of that activity (and others that were going on at the time), we kinda created the first...
...  Computer security,
...  Network security,
...  Redundancy planning,
...  Backup & Restore planning, and
...  The electronic bulletin board (which was the predecessor to these forums).

In any case, I have always been overly protective of my privacy & on-line security.  Yes, I know I could do better, but some things I've done...

...  I don't have a cell phone.
...  I back up to four different places.
...  I don't use my real name when signing up for stuff.
...  I have a special credit card (with a low limit) for online purchases.
...  My web site's WHOIS refers to my web host, not me.
...  I don't use social networking -- it scares me,
...  I use call screening,
...  And other things.

I'm not as protected as I'd like to be, but I think I'm more protected than most.

>>>...  I don't use social networking -- it scares me,

He says on a social networking web site.

When did you last check your tinfoil hat for holes?

Lohkee wrote:
Yeah, except they are all not very good -

http://memeburn.com/2011/07/microsoft-a … sdropping/

Did you go to OP's link? None of it has to do with Skype or M$.
I'm not sure there is much that is truly beyond NSA's routine vacuuming of data, but the link will prevent or discourage much casual data theft.

matt-h2 wrote:

Did you go to OP's link? None of it has to do with Skype or M$.
I'm not sure there is much that is truly beyond NSA's routine vacuuming of data, but the link will prevent or discourage much casual data theft.

From the article - LONDON (AP) — Phone call logs, credit card records, emails, Skype chats, Facebook message, and more: The precise nature of the NSA's sweeping surveillance apparatus has yet to be confirmed.

255 West wrote:
Nothing you can do, unless you go completely off grid.

George Bush, and most delusional Americans, think we are too strong to be affected by terrorist -- we've swallowed the fear hook, line, and sinker -- or we wouldn't accept the government intrusion.

The intrusion started long before Bush or 9/11. I have personal first-hand knowledge of how some of the internet snooping started because I worked for one of the major internet equipment manufacturers in 2000 when it was in the works and the tap was developed.

Salater Photography wrote:
There's always a way.

Chuckles. There sure is (25 years IT investigator for IRS).

Jules NYC wrote:
If there was a time machine, I'd get in it immediately where these issues would never be a problem.

Like 1988?

Jules NYC wrote:
If there was a time machine, I'd get in it immediately where these issues would never be a problem.

Did such a time ever exist?

Looknsee Photography wrote:
I'm not as protected as I'd like to be, but I think I'm more protected than most.

Yes, but at the cost of giving up some modern innovations.

rp_photo wrote:
Yes, but at the cost of giving up some modern innovations.

Not to mention sanity. Products like TrueCrypt are very very good when it comes to protecting data against your average burglar (and highly recommended). Against a state actor with resources? Worthless.

There is however a bullet-proof solution. Don't use technology for illegal purposes. That way, the worst you will be facing is the death penalty for boring the feds to death.

rp_photo wrote:
Rumor has it that the NSA guys have been spending their time in a darkened room with plenty of Vaseline reviewing my Internet traffic

No wonder I've got so many "views" on certain images! 

Lohkee wrote:

Chuckles. There sure is (25 years IT investigator for IRS).

Oh my gosh, I can only imagine what you know and what you did. Love to sit down and have a few beers with you.