Sneakers...Security Old School

I was watching the movie Sneakers the other night at a recommendation of a good friend of mine. For those who are unfamiliar with the movie, the plot centers around a group of misfit tech geeks. They have a business of breaking into systems (eg banks) that are believed to be unbreakable. By doing this they provide insight onto where the organization lacks security. This movie came out in 1992 so it was before smart phones, facebook, and a lot of other programs that get people worried about safety and security.

One thing that impressed me is that the team was able to discover the password to what seemed to be a very secure system by basic surveillance--they just watched him through the window. Later on in the week I noted several people unlocking their smart phones with simple connect-the-dots patterns. THis was particularly unnerving to me, because if an unmalicious person like me could recall several electronic passcodes, how much easier it would be for someone trying to steal information.

What this all boils down to is that although I don't believe we should become paranoid; I think we should take more physical precautions in our day-to-day lives. We can put up as many firewalls and encryption devices as we want, but if physical protection is disregarded all the rest is made null.

Spooktacular Spies

A couple of things have happened to me recently that made me think about our ever greater presence on the Internet. Specifically, how the Internet is coming to know us and how other people are doing the same through its use.

The Internet's dance with us:

My friend was recalling to me how in the past couple weeks the Internet has become a little to up-close-and-personal. He was saying that LinkedIn sent him an email to join and guessing at people he may know. He then told me that he has never even come close to getting a LinkedIn, but he did know most of the people. One recommended guy was another man that was in a couple of his classes that he had never talked to. Facebook has likewise been recommending many people to him, but not just those around his age group or with similar interests--his landlord for example! You used to have to follow someone home to know where they lived, but Facebook can do it without moving an inch. I don't know about you but I wish there was a little more distance between me and Facebook; this tango is getting a little too intimate.

The Internet standing at the water cooler:

I went to Smith's today and ran into my wonderful assistant and newfound friend Chris from the quest for ribbon and bendable wire. As he helped me prepare my emergency car kit, we were talking about a lot of various things. I told him some things which then led my middle name to come out and my last name as well. At a completely different time we were talking about women needing to protect themselves and guns and all of that. Thats when I realized with my full name he could find me on Facebook, at the University, and probably a lot more info. I could then potentially be in danger. Now, I think that Chris is a really cool guy and not dangerous at all, but still it is something to think about. Stranger danger. You become a stranger to no one because the Internet is whispering your secrets all over the office.

Watch Dog at Work: Set Free or Kennel?

I understand people have privacy concerns and they want to feel like their life is personal, but at work its not. I think it is perfectly normal and in fact should be conducted. I don't believe there can be "too much trust" between employee and employer. When you accept a job, you are essentially selling yourself, or at least your time. Because of that, an employee shouldn't be using their work email for personal reasons. They also shouldn't be fiddling around on the computer when they are on the clock. I believe that realtime monitoring really can increase productivity for those employees that need an extra push.

Of course, as any tool I believe it can be used for good or for bad. I mean look at a knife. It can be used to conduct a surgery and save a life, or to stab someone and end it. It is who is yielding the tool and what they are doing with it that matters. The tool is neither bad nor good it simply is. The tough thing about now isn't being watched at work, it is determining when work ends. Most jobs now are not just 9 to 5 clock in and out. You are given a corporate cell phone or computer. You are or can be on the clock virtually all the time.