“…1,200 laptops a week go missing at Los Angeles International Airport, and 12,000 laptops are lost or stolen nationally at airports every week. All told, that means that 624,000 laptops go missing in airports each year. You can talk about phishing scams and email viruses until you’re blue in the face, but numbers like that put those digital computer crimes to shame.”

link: 1200 laptops lost each week at LAX

There must be a massive amount of personal confidential information compromised daily when laptops go missing. The information might not be personal to the laptop owner. If the information contains business files, the amount of public information that is lost may be monumental. It seems that the local airport is a good place for an identity thief to look for data. And, it would be a safe bet that a high per centage of these missing laptops do not have encryption. - Well, perhaps the travellers who read Chris Pirillo’s web site might have encryption.

Catherine Forsythe

Now it seems that the social security number code can be predicted:

“It is possible to use publicly available data on state and date of birth to predict someone’s Social Security number, particularly if they were born after 1988 and in smaller states, according to an article published Monday in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The ability to use statistic inference to predict the sensitive data exposes the Social Security numbers to identity fraud risks on “mass scales,” the article said.”

link: Report: Social Security numbers can be predicted

The extent of the identity theft could be staggering. If it was possible to generate social security numbers with even a fair degree of accuracy, the economic devastation would be open ended. For identity thieves, this is the ‘key to the vault’.

Catherine Forsythe

And you would not know that it is happening.

Many people can remember when malware would slow the computer and perhaps even cause the machine to crash. Those days are long gone. It simply pays for malware to keep your computer operating efficiently. By not causing computer problems, the malware has a better chance of avoiding detection. Once your computer has been compromised, it can be sold:

“…According to the price list in Finjan’s report, a batch of 1,000 infected PCs in Australia costs $100 - a whopping 10 cents each. A batch in the US runs $50, and bargain-basement bad guys can build a far-east malware network for as little as $5 per 1,000. Crooks can then install other malware, send spam, embed rogue antivirus, or use the victim PCs in any number of profit-making scams.”

link: Buy an Infected PC for 5 cents

The infected computer can be part of a spam network and/or crime network. The malware can sit and wait for key entries into targeted sites, like financial institution, colleges, retailers and so forth. Then the malware can ‘phone home’ with compromised personal information. It becomes another case of identity theft.

To protect yourself and to keep control of your computer, run your security programs regularly. Make sure that the programs have been updated with the latest security definitions. If you are not sure which security programs to use, watch Chris Pirillo’s site, as Chris makes recommendations for programs like SUPERAntiSpyware and VIPRE. Often, Chris manages to have security programs at a discount for his readers. And don’t fall for the myth that your computer is safe because you don’t visit dangerous sites. A computer is vulnerable simply by being online. And there is someone wanting to market your machine, for a few cents, and sell infected machines in volume. There are buyers.

Catherine Forsythe

However there was more. When the devastation of Hurricane Katrina happened, Steve McNair was one of the people who responded:

“…By the end of McNair’s effort, 20 tractor-trailers had been filled with supplies. More than 800 volunteers helped out, and children brought their piggy banks. Fundraising efforts brought in more than $300,000.”

link: Good Guy: McNair key in Hurricane Katrina aid

Needless to say that now Steve McNair will come under the scrutiny of the media. There will be a diligent search for any salacious detail and it will be a story that dominates on the front pages, as well as on the sports news. Perhaps the media should remember that when the victims of Hurricane Katrina were in need, Steve McNair helped.

Catherine Forsythe

Perhaps the Lakers were not happy with the team chemistry that won a professional championship for them. And, incidentally, Trevor Ariza shot over forty seven percent (47.6%) from three point territory during the playoffs.

The L.A. Lakers gave up someone who is young and still developing his game for someone who has a less than stellar reputation throughout the league. Phil Jackson was able to manage such colorful personalities such as Dennis Rodman and contend for championships. He will have to polish up his zen-charm for dealing with Ron Artest.

For the sports scribes in Los Angeles, this is an absolute wind-fall. From a Trevor Ariza who did not demand the ball, the sports writers now have someone who believe he is close to Kobe Bryant as an offensive scoring threat. Ron Artest will demand the ball. If Pau Gasol was curious as to why the ball was not going into the post more, now he has another team-mate who need the ball.

From a Trevor Ariza who was content to play off the bench, the Lakers have a Ron Artest who demands attention. It will be instant copy for the sports writers. There will not be any need to search out approaches to story lines. Ron Artest will have that covered.

The L.A. Lakers have swapped youthful potential for experience. Ron Artest, at the moment, is twenty nine. He has a birthday in November. Trevor Ariza is twenty four. If the Lakers do not win the next NBA championship, many loyal fans will look upon the non-signing of Trevor Ariza as the management decision that traded away the future.

Catherine Forsythe

“…The faux-assassin attempts to extort money by threatening bodily harm if the recipient doesn’t send a payment by e-mail.”

link: The return of ‘hit man’ spam

What is old is new again. One suspects that, if one hacking / criminal group is resurrecting this attack, others will follow. With the recent increase of spam, Chris Pirillo has reminded that there are indeed real dangers in these spam emails. Hit-man spam should be reported to the Federal Bureau of investigation. Threats of physical harm is a criminal offense.

Catherine Forsythe

Nevertheless, Jenny Sanford stands apart.

When Governor Mark Sanford appeared before the press to offer his admission of an adulterous relationship and to apologize to a long list of people, his wife was not by his side. There was not the horrendous ‘stand-by-your-man‘ scene for the national and international press. Jenny Sanford did not allow herself to be put in that situation. And for that, she has the unwavering admiration of legions of women.

Jenny Sanford issued her own press release and had her own private interview with Associated Press. And for that, there are some that criticize her for not following a well worn, humiliating script. If the roles were reversed, would a husband stand at his wife’s side as she discussed her infidelity and offered apologies? It is highly unlikely.

The press will follow this story for the salacious elements. There is the fall from power, an international affair, political manoeuvring, subterfuge, betrayal and even perhaps love. What is a highly personal matter of a public figure is played out before a national and international audience. And through this avalanche of media attention, Jenny Sanford has maintained her grace and her dignity. She has not allowed herself to be victimized a second time. And that is no small feat.

Catherine Forsythe

There are two news stories this week that illustrate the validity of Scott McNealy’s quote.

The first example is the liver transplant that Steve Jobs had. His medical procedure and the health concerns that led to the surgery were closely guarded secrets. It was only weeks after the fact of the operation that the story reached the print media. There are many in the business community who have issues with the secrecy. These people believe that Steve Jobs should have been required to disclose the details of his health.

Was Steve Jobs required to self disclose the details of his health issues? As a private citizen, is Steve Jobs entitled to his privacy? Some would argue that since Steve Jobs is associated so closely with Apple that he is obligated to disclose any and all health issues. Apple is a publicly traded company and many investors link the financial health of Apple with Steve Jobs’ well being. Many people would argue that, by the role he plays in Apple’s fortune, Steve Jobs forfeits any rights to his own medical privacy.

The point is subject to debate.

The second news story is equally as contentious. South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford admitted publicly to marital infidelity. Within hours, email exchanges between Governor Sanford and his South American liaison were in the press, on television and certainly on the internet. There were even YouTube postings of Governor Sanford moving through the airport, when he left the country.

Certainly, these email exchanges to and from Governor Sanford were intended as private communications. Making the emails public certainly drove up ratings and sold newspapers. However, there was a salacious aspect to the exposure of these correspondences. Was it really necessary? Governor Sanford had made a public admission and a public apology. Were the prurient details necessary?

The availability of Governor Sanford’s private email correspondence raises questions about privacy and security. Are all of Governor Sanford’s email available for public scrutiny? Certainly there must be matters of state that are sensitive and confidential. Has security been compromised totally? Or, is there simply no privacy whatsoever?

One would think that as a leading state official, Governor Sanford has at his disposal the finest in privacy / security technology. If a state governor’s most private correspondences are so available, what chance is there for the private citizen?

Certainly, the often told admonition is that email is like an open post-card and that email may live on some server for who-knows-how-long. Perhaps each and every one of us forgets that as we type into email some of our most personal thoughts. And who among us would not be embarrassed if some email were to be exposed for public viewing. If one of the highly protected state officials in the country cannot keep email private, then the private citizen in the technological age has far less of a chance at privacy.

It may be easy to agree with Scott McNealy initial assessment - “there is no privacy“. It is the second part - the “get over it” part - that is tougher to do. And the “getting-over-it” aspect may be one of the key variables that shape this internet / technology culture.

Catherine Forsythe

“… After telling reporters Tuesday that he does not intend to trade any of the Celtics core players this offseason, Ainge told WEEI on Wednesday that Rondo needed “to grow up” and that “his presence hurt” the team in its seven-game loss to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Ainge also said that Rondo, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, is not a “max contract player.”"

link: Ainge’s criticism of Rondo angers agent

Essentially, Danny Ainge skewered his team’s starting point guard in a very public roasting. Rajon Rondo was an essential member of the 2008 Championship Celtics team. Soon, one can expect the usual disclaimers that the comments were taken out of context, were perhaps remarks spoken in the ‘heat of the moment’ or whatever spin seems appropriate for the day.

The obvious conclusion is that there is no loyalty in professional sports. In light of such behaviour, can one blame the athletes for chasing the maximum amount of millions? It’s just business and it’s all about ‘what can you do for me today?‘. And don’t count on any integrity.

Catherine Forsythe

This incident illustrates one of the pitfalls of data security. Policy set in place becomes meaningless unless there is some adherence to the protocol:

“… “Cornell’s information security policies and guidelines do not allow unencrypted confidential personal data to be stored on any computer device that is not in a physically secured location. This employee’s actions, although unintentional, violated our policy and practices.”"

link: Valuable computer swiped from Cornell

This incident could cost the university thousands of dollars in providing credit monitoring for those who had their personal information on that computer. Perhaps lawsuits will follow. This incident and situations like this beg the question whether there are any consequences for those individuals who fail to follow stated policy and endanger the economic welfare of thousands.

Catherine Forsythe