"I read Luna’s book in two days because it was so interesting and informative."
— John Laing, Sterile Processing Department Supervisor, Chesapeake, Virginia
Alexi, network privacy
The easiest way to keep the nosy neighbors from viewing your network is to get rid of the wireless router and switch back to an ethernet cord connecting the cable box directly to your computer. Disconnect when not using if you wish. Disable wireless networking on your computer so your computer doesn't accidentally lock into the neighbor's wireless router.
Several years ago, I noticed a sheriff's car parked outside, and the officer appeared to be working on his laptop. I was on my way out when I saw this, but I circled the block to make sure I wasn't misinterpreting what I thought was going on. I then called my husband, who was still home, and asked him to disconnect all the computers, including the WiFi router. I then had him look outside again. Sure enough, the sheriff left very soon after the WiFi was disconnected. I had nothing to hide in terms of criminality, but it really shook me up in terms of privacy. I disconnected the WiFi permanently soon thereafter, only reconnecting it again recently, after learning how to encrypt my signal.
My new laptop also has a switch right on the front that allows me to disable wireless connectivity instantly.
web surfing encryption services not private
As J. Luna has repeatedly stressed, that web surfing privacy vpn/encryption services are not actually private, I can attest to that.
When connected to a vpn, I am recently noticing that numerous governmental agencies are trying to connect to the software I am using - they can't based on how I have things set up (as far as I can tell) - but it goes to fully confirm what J. Luna's been saying.
I feel more comfortable with the service because it's about protection from neighbors for me, not hiding my surfing results, but I feel very uneasy in general about this and I'm moving very soon anyway so I will only be online off-site then. What's super freaky about this is that I recently started corresponding with someone I met online and perhaps that's why the suddenness of this - it started almost exactly at that time.
J. Luna, should I not care about this happening and just continue as usual or does this warrant switching to another vpn service, not communicating with people I don't know well, and only surfing off-site? I don't want to overreact based upon the principle of it alone. But I'm annoyed by this.
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I will leave it to other readers to comment on your question about "to switch or not to switch." However, do keep in mind that the person you met online might be part of a sting operation. Proceed with caution.
Racy website record
"As a minor I signed up for a provocative dating website that now shows my profile - with all its personal details - on the Web when I do a search for my name."
You have quite a problem and do need a CA lawyer, but I think the good news is that because you were a minor when you "signed the contract" you can get out of it. I'm betting that the Terms of Service say that the website "owns" everything you posted, including your picture, and that they can do anything they want with it. Most of them do.
But, as a minor, you can't agree to such a contract in the first place, so it's likely null and void as a matter of law. Have your lawyer threaten them with prosecution under child protection laws for failing to verify your identity. I think there may be a federal law about this as well. I'm betting that the page goes away just about instantly.
legal assistance for online privacy problem
As a minor I signed up for a provocative dating website that now shows my profile - with all its personal details - on the Web when I do a search for my name.
At 23 now, it's a major embarrassment and career problem. I've contacted them but they deny that it's on their site, despite the fact that the page is of their domain. ReputationDefender.com did not help.
Does anyone know of any lawyer(s) that may be able to assist me in taking legal action?
Although I am located in Washington, D.C., the company is located in San Francisco. I believe I may need a lawyer in CA for this?
Referrals and/or any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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I hope someone in CA can help you with this, Anthony.
Also, you parents with teens still at home--make sure none of your children make any similar mistakes!
LLC Vehicle Title Ques.
Mr. Luna:
Just a quick ques. I previously purchased one of the LLC's you recommended. My ques. is when the vehicle title is being signed over by the seller, I know the 'Purchaser' is listed in the name of the LLC but what do I write in the box next to that designated for the 'purchasers signature'?
Also do the same rules apply when purchasing a travel trailer as opposed to a vehicle?
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Print the LLC name and sign your own name (usually unreadable ...)
Same rule applies to travel trailers, motorcyles, boats, campers, and whatever.
Community college wants SS#
I want to sign up for a class at a local community college. I called the admissions office when I saw that the application form requested my social security number and driver license number. The lady kept saying "We require a social security number." She said it serves as an ID and that they also need to verify California residency.
Do you know if they can legally require people's SS#? I'm a little concerned about making a fuss about this in their office because maybe my application will mysteriously not be approved. Should I just give them my TIN or use one of the methods you describe on p.101-102 of your book and act as if this is my true SS#? I don't know if they'll actually run the number to verify it.
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See if they will assign you another number, as some colleges do. You may have to ask to see a supervisor.
Anonymous Debit Cards & Property Transfer
To Seth: #4947. There is a much easier way to get an anonymous debit card than jumping through hoops at the bank like you described. Today more than ever before there are people who could use a little cash, especially if what they are being asked to do for it requires no risk, and could potentially be a benefit to them.
Just approach someone on the street or elsewhere who appears down on their luck so to speak and probably doesn't have much by way of family. They're everywhere. Very likely their credit is terrible. Tell them you can do them a favor if they will do one for you. Explain to them that if they will allow you to use their personal information to obtain a debit card, not only will they have nothing to lose since you can only spend what's in the account, but in fact as you regularly maintain this account, their credit rating will improve.
Take them to the post office. Give them $50 or $100 to open up a P.O. box in their name, give you the key and keep the change. Worked for me.
Changing the subject: (1) which entity is better for holding title to a piece of real estate, a NM LLC or a trust? (2) If the real estate is already owned by a Nevada C Corp with a clear title, is there any way to transfer title to either a NMLLC or a trust without incurring capital gains taxes?
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(1) It all depends upon what you hope to accomplish. (With an LLC, for example, a transfer of ownership is easy. Not so with a trust.)
To Vote or not Vote - Privacy's Impact
I know that before the presidential election there were a number of readers who asked how to remain private and still vote ... Ultimately, there is nothing private in a vote. It is public and does give a great deal information about you when you do.
I have attached a URL of someone who is being indicted on voter fraud. Ultimately, it was their business address that gave it away - according to those that I know in the law enforcement community. Given the emotional elections that we have had in the US over the last 8 years, I would suggest that anyone who votes needs understand that all of their hard work to remain private could be easily lost.
My wife and I were questioned by our oldest child as to why we do not vote. My wife explained it rather simply to him; at the end of the day - the rich will get richer, the poor will get poorer, but tomorrow the wind will still keep blowing and honestly, very little will change. She went on to say that the only change that makes a difference is that which we do to improve the life our family and friends - these changes are ever lasting ... unlike Washington, DC.
5008: Solid State Drives and Evidence Eliminator
JJ, I wanted to add a few comments about Solid State Drives (SSD) and Evidence Eliminator.
First, SSD's are very secure just by design. Privacy was not the intended purpose, it was to make them more reliable to use. Unfortunately, the design of the SSD make privacy, at least from a forensics perspective, easily achievable. The data does not sit long in a portion of the drive - basically - the data moves. This makes forensics, specifically from a legal perspective, an absolute nightmare.
So from a legal perspective the data itself cannot be used against you - however - I do agree with other readers that considering whole disk encryption is a good idea. As JJ has always said, keep the data at home, don't walk around with it.
As far as EE goes, it is not perfect ... but it is very annoying to attempt to work with, assuming that someone has properly maintained EE and is operating the software as they advise. I do perform forensics and have done test cases showing how anti-forensics software, in all cases demo'ing EE. With platter drives, data can always be recovered - the real question always is how much money does an individual, local police, state, or federal agent want to spend to attempt to find the 'silver bullet'. In most cases, if the data is not easily recovered, the forensics portion is scrapped and another avenue of the investigation is launched; usually back-tracking through people.
EE is not perfect, but it certainly can drive an investigator mad when they are trying to move quickly to justify a case.
Disney and fingerprints
My solution to private companies like Disney that demand fingerprints and ID is not to patronize them. Keep in mind that at the same time your fingerprint or name is being collected, your PHOTOGRAPH is also being collected, and the information is being linked in Disney's database. Disney uses facial recognition software in their parks. They can track you almost anywhere in the park in real-time. And they cooperate with the local police because, well, they ARE the local police, at least at Disney World in Orlando. Disney owns the town, and the PD. So, if you are a criminal, it's not at all unlikely that your photo, fingerprint and name will be compared against not only Disney's "good guy/bad guy" database (yes, they do keep such records, just like casinos do) but it may end up being run by the police computer as well.
One of the things that defeats facial recognition software are hats and large-lensed dark glasses. That's one of the reasons you are now asked to remove hats and sunglasses at most banks. Not just so the surveillance camera can record your face, but also so that the images can be processed by the FBI and compared against their databases of faces.
The issue of facial recognition software is relatively unknown, but it is used all over the place. Airports, casinos, amusement parks, and on the streets, where police surveillance cameras are linked to a database of criminals. The UK is notorious for such systems, and there are more than 3000 cameras in central London already, with tens of thousands more being planned and installed every day. It's estimated that you are photographed by a surveillance camera in London more than 150 times per day, and for police cameras, your face is being compared to their database every single time.
The police are not supposed to keep images that do not result in matches, but if you believe that, I have a bridge in Manhattan I'd like to sell you.
As to Disney, there are absolutely NO regulations whatsoever about what Disney can or cannot do with your image, fingerprint and address/ID data. None. So, I say don't give it to them in the first place.
Re: Evidence Eliminator
This product has a very poor reputation in the security community. I would stay away from it.
Keeping your data and actions hidden from someone that has physical access to your PC is very hard. Best bet is whole disk encryption coupled with using a removable disk on a USB or SD card. Most new laptops support booting from USB/SD slots so all data stays within that device and it can be easily removed or destroyed.
Any such "cleaner" programs are a risk mitigation tool, but hardly secure as there are just too many ways for data to be left hidden on a PC.
Disney Fingerprint Experience
I recently went with a group of friends to one of the Disney parks in Orlando, at the ticket window the clerk always asked "What is your home phone number?"
And everyone blurted it out, as they handed the clerk their credit card to pay.
I paid with cash and when they asked me, I mistakenly gave them a number for my favorite radio station.
At the turnstile, "Place you right index finger here" was always obeyed, I refused and then the clerk asked for some photo ID, and then wrote my name on the back of the ticket, no big deal.
A problem occurred when my friends 11 yr old daughter refused to give them her fingerprint. Since she had no photo ID they refused her entry.
With tickets already purchased and everyone except the child already inside the gate, the parents relented and allowed the child to have her fingerprint scanned.
So if you go to Disney with children,
I'd suggest you have a photo ID handy to show to the drone at the turnstile fingerprint scanner, one that appears to be from a school, local public library, or where ever.
Security Program Question
I have a program on my computer called Evidence Eliminator. According to their web site, it can defeat computer forensics software. Are you familiar with this program and, if so, how good is it at securing a computer?
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I have EE on all my laptops because an expert told me it was the best. But is it? I have no way of knowing.
question about nominees
I have a question about Nominees. Suppose I would use my own parents, or long-term friends. Would that be advisable or not?
For example, someone trying to find me could look up under these names, wouldn't they?
Same question regarding ghost address. At the moment it seems convenient to receive important paper's at my papers [parent's?] address. In fact, I have done that since I have moved many times over the years — without thinking about privacy issues.
Should I find a better ghost address or keep using this one?
Someone can locate this address easily but wouldn't know my real address unless my parents gave it to them.
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Having your own ghost address for important papers makes more sense.
... Reason: Through trickery, parents might inadvertently reveal your true address.
DIY DNA testing
On Friday's Oprah, she presented a new product (see URL, below) which is under $400, and will reveal, via a "spit test" an analysis of one's DNA. They send you the test kit, you return it, and apparently you get astounding amounts of health information back.
As a proponent of privacy, this strikes me as a potential problem; wonder if the authorities could easily get hold of this information.
Others ask to use my computer
Sometimes visiting friends ask to use my computer to check their email. I hate to stand right there watching them, but I do not want them to check any of my files. Is there any way to protect these files? (I don't want to get into encryption.)
nominee e-report
Hi Mr. Luna, when I was reading your blog a couple of weeks age, didn't you say you were going to put up a new e-report about finding nominees? I haven't been able to find it, so I was wondering about that one and about the driving e-report. Could you tell us when those might be available? Thanks.
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The nominee eReport went online October 27th and has been selling briskly--even to readers in the UK. Click on the tab ORDER AND DOWNLOAD, and then on DOWNLOADABLE REPORTS.
... I am working on several new reports at the same time but no date set yet for release. Stay tuned.
NM LLC Actually for business?
Question, I am thinking of getting a NM LLC for privacy for doing the business I do which is organizing conventions. I only hold 3 events a year one on the east coast one on the west coast and one in mid country. they are 3 day events so technically this business operates only 9 days a year. I would like to find out what is the best option to keep my ownership of the business private? I plan to pay taxes of course on it but I would prefer to no have my actual name attached to it. there is no physical address for the business except on the days of the event at the convention center it takes place at.
One friend said I should get a bearer share Corp or use your NM LLC or a NV Corp.
Any good ideas??
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As you know, I am a great fan of using NM LLCs for holding title to vehicles and real estate. I seldom recommend them for doing business, however (if privacy is the main concern).
If you are on a limited budget, I suggest you at least read my "Invisible Money" eBook, which has a suggestion about using a personal account for business. However, if you expect to make some serious money, a better plan would be to arrange a personal consultation because I think I can solve your problem.
State loses laptop with private data
RALEIGH - The state Department of Health and Human Services violated security policies by not properly protecting residents' personal information, including their Social Security numbers, on an agency laptop that was stolen last month.
The theft of the laptop, which contained personal information about 85,045 people, was the latest in a string of 10 DHHS laptop thefts this year that have put North Carolina residents at risk of identity theft.
Information on that laptop included Social Security numbers of 52,391 clients of the state Division of Aging and Adult Services.
