Online Identity in the News Week of 3/9/09
Internet Safety Act Would Make Us Less Safe Calling for a new law that would require all internet access providers to keep identity records of their users for up to 2 years. So all libraries, restaurants, and cafes with WiFi would have to maintain records of who and when the internet was accessed. The laws intention is to track and prosecute criminals who use the internet to traffic child pornography.If this data retention requirement becomes law, other such requirements will almost surely follow, and extend to even more sensitive information, including the content of communications
Protect Yourself/Be Careful of Online Offers Interesting list of recent internet scams and how they go about getting your money and good tips on how to not be a victim. Whether it be a “work from home” scam or “coaching” service it is informative to learn how these people are getting away with internet crime.
The Criminal At your Door
This is a cautionary article about people who you hire to come into your home. A lot of subcontractors who work for larger construction companies or carpet cleaning services are not required to have a background check done. So a lot of ex-criminals/sexual predators are getting hired as subcontractors and being graciously let into your home. Home Depot is now requiring mandatory background checks for all of their sub contractors and employees. Make sure to check who you are hiring to come do work in your home.
Security is Key to Online Gambling Patrons A Veri-sign survey reveals that trusting a site is the most important factor in interacting with an internet location. The best security for consumers is education and using the latest tools and technologies that are out there to help counter fraud.
Who’s Watching You on the Web…Everyone This is an international article about how the European Parliament is trying to take measures to protect internet users and give them the right to permanently delete personal data from the internet. So much of our information is online and internet companies and governments clearly have a lot more power and knowledge than individual users who are the ones most at risk for identity theft.
People Search Engines: They Know Your Dark Secrets We share so much about ourselves online and I am not just talking about bank accounts, blogs, or photos. Everytime you search for something, add something to your Amazon wishlist, or add a new station to Pandora, it is being carefully stored where anyone with the right tools can dig all this information up on you. Anyone can pay to have access to this information to find out more about you and what your interests are. While you may think that each individual bit of information may seem insignificant, the cumulative effect of seeing it assembled in a neatly packaged portfolio can be a little jarring.
The Unblinking Eye of the Boss Sees More Than You Realize Employers are taking a deeper look into how their employees are spending their time at work. Some employers are demanding a deep screening background check into more areas than just criminal and past work experience, such as social networking and gaming sites. There is also new technology that is capable of monitoring ones online behavior at work and calculating how many minutes a day an employee is spending on non work related issues. It has been calculated that 37 million people spend 50 minutes at work a week managing their fantasy football teams. Factor that number along with Myspace, Facebook, Ebay and YouTube and you can see why an employer would be concerned about slacking at work.
How Safe Are Your Kids? A lot of school districts are seeing a rise in substitute teacher applications due to the tight job market and so many people being unemployed. Substitute teaching offers a good daily pay and the ability to work close to home, unfortunately it also deals with being around minors, an issue for many pedophiles and sex offenders. Certain districts are requiring mandatory background checks for all substitute teachers, as well as their regular staff. It is important to be on top of your school district to ensure that they are also taking the appropriate measures to ensure the safety of your children.
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