Your privacy at stake….

April 30, 2012
What Congress’ latest intrusive Internet bill would mean to you.

The “Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act” (CISPA)

would usher in a new era of information sharing between companies and government agencies — with limited oversight and privacy safeguards.

Rep. Ron Paul, the Texas Republican and presidential candidate, warned on April 23 that CISPA represents the “latest assault on Internet freedom” and was “Big Brother writ large.” And 18 Democratic House members signed a letter the same day warning that CISPA “does not include necessary safeguards” and that critics have raised “real and serious privacy concerns.”

In February, Facebook VP Joel Kaplan wrote an enthusiastic letter to Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee to “commend”and support  them on CISPA Bill, which he said “removes burdensome rules for online service providers that currently can inhibit protection of the cyber ecosystem.”

However, by mid-April,, Facebook had been forced on the defensive, with Kaplan now assuring users that his employer has “no intention” of sharing users’ personal data with the Feds and that section is “unrelated to the things we liked” about CISPA in the first place. (A Demand Progress campaign says: “Internet users were able to push GoDaddy to withdraw its support of SOPA. Now it’s time to make sure Facebook knows we’re furious.”)  Read more…  http://alturl.com/c37jn

                                                         


                            PICKING YOUR POCKET!

What began as a cleverly designed electronic chip to track shipments and inventory control of merchandise to WalMart, and other BigBox stores has now criminally evolved.  This same Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) chip is being used to electronically pick your pocket without ever touching or coming in contact with you and other unsuspecting Americans as they shop, or just go about their daily business-as-usual schedule.

Criminals are using this RFID technology to scan items we carry on our own physical person, such as our driver’s license, credit cards, and passport as we merely pass by.
What you may not realize yet is that the Government has covertly embedding these RFID microchips in these bank & government issued items in an attempt to track you, your purchases, and your habits. 

According to RFID Journal (an industry trade magazine) Radio Frequency Identification is a technology that connects RFID tagged objects, and shipments to the internet, so they may be tracked.

As an example, touchless credit cards are being used more frequently by credit card companies since it makes purchases quicker. You simply float your credit card above a touchless-equipped reader and your payment is made. It’s faster that swiping your card. However, it also makes theft of your most confidential information fast and easy, and without your immediate knowledge.

Since this technology employ’s scanning information that is floating on radio waves, any electronic reader tuned-in, and within short range can capture your data. That’s simply all that these touchless pickpockets really do.  A practical demonstrations by security experts reveals how a pickpocket can connect a touchless credit-card reader to a small notebook computer or smartphone, and easily “steal” credit-card information right through a purse or pants-pocket by just walking past an unsuspecting victim. Let me repeat that………. ”A thief can steal your most sensitive information by simply passing close by.”

Armed with your stolen information, the crook can create a fake credit card, or easily use the information collected to make purchases online, and in some instances, raid your bank account. Last year identity thieves stole $18 billion from unprotected americans.
Picture a crook going to a sports game, a movie theater, or the mall on a busy day, he could steal thousands of credit-card’s without ever being detected. The threat exists with your driver’s license and passport.

       

                                                                                What is your best defense?

You could attempt to destroy the RFID chip embedded within your cards, but it’s not advisable with your government issued RFID documents, because it could come with a penalty.

Your best options are to wrap the cards in aluminum foil to block the radio signals, but it is always a hassle to keep unwrapping your cards purchase after purchase, day after day.

There are better, and much safer alternatives such as retiring your old leather wallet for one of the new stylish wallets designed to block the radio signals from RFID chips. This will prevent theft of your sensitive information while in your pocket or purse.

And, the US State Department recommends using such wallets to protect your passport information.

You can find a stylish selection, and color coordinates of economical protective "RFID" blocking wallets and card holders available at Amazon….  RFID PROTECTIVE CARD HOLDERS & WALLETS..