| #: |
From / Date: |
Question / Answer: |
| 5188. |
Mura
79423
Age: 57
Jan 1, 2009
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Meaning? [RE: Question #5183 ]
RE: Question #5183, I wonder if George could explain what SSL, CA certificate and MD5 mean? I, frankly, have no clue, and wonder what it means to the ordinary user. Thanks!
Submitted Link #1: http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=2339...
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| 5187. |
Dorothy
Topeka, KS
Age: 40
Dec 31, 2008
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spyfinder
This may be a ridiculous idea (and I'm sure somebody will point that out if it is!), but... Wouldn't a regular LED flashlight in a darkened room accomplish the same thing as the Spyfinder? It seems like the point is to discover the camera lens' reflection. Since I travel frequently, now I'm curious. How common is it for hotel rooms to have hidden cameras? Is this something I should concern myself with?
Submitted Link #1: http://www.spyville.com/spy-finder.html...
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| 5186. |
Ashley
Albany, New York
Age: 29
Dec 31, 2008
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Recording calls on Skype
A program called CallGraph lets you record any Skype call. It can even run in the background and automatically record calls. But isn't that illegal?
Submitted Link #1: http://www.callgraph.in/...
...
If the person at the other end of the line does not consent, then in many states, recording a normal phone call is indeed illegal. Does this apply to Skype? I don't know.
... What I do know is that, despite pressure from a few friends, we do not use Skype.
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| 5185. |
Drake
Los Angeles, CA
Age: 34
Dec 30, 2008
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Expectation of Privacy
A person has a legal expectation of privacy in a changing room and a restroom. Other than that, If a person can see you from the sidewalk or other public vantage, they can film you.
If you have your doors closed, curtains or shades drawn, you are protected. If they are not, you're inviting an audience. This applies to places you visit too.
Submitted Link #1: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081230/ap_on_re_us/vi...
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| 5184. |
Ron
Phoenix, Arizona
Age: 48
Dec 30, 2008
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Spyfinder Video wire detection
Is spyfinder the best way to find covert spy cameras?
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| 5183. |
George
Pomona, CA
Age: 25
Dec 30, 2008
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Internet Secure No More -- Software No Substitute for Common Sense
I am a computer security enthusiast and expert. I have been researching computer hacking and phone phreaking for quite a long time. Needless to say, this is a MAJOR development that shows that the entire world's web systems are at risk. Something you most definitely should read.
Submitted Link #1: http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=2339...
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| 5182. |
Wendy
Richardson,TX
Age: 45
Dec 30, 2008
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Registering Vehicle in VA, DC; Windows Vista Security
Andy, thanks for sharing your experience. Registering your vehicle privately in VA or MD sounds nearly impossible and I'm happy you found an alternative. Has anyone been able to get around the VA or MD requirements by employing other HTBI tactics like using a temporary physical address to register the vehicle? I wonder how businesses register THEIR vehicles in VA or MD. Anyone know? This might be an alternative, if you can figure out how to do it privately. I'm thinking using William's idea about getting a warehouse location temporarily? And what about getting a temporary physical address in another part of the state?
Now, to another issue. I just replaced my old laptop to one with a Windows Vista OS. Are there any security or privacy precautions I should take to further secure my privacy while using this machine?
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| 5181. |
William
Queens, NY
Age: 35
Dec 29, 2008
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Commercial Properties - contract to house-sit
A clever idea to make a private contract with a commercial property owner to 'house-sit' while getting a ghost address.
A smaller strip mall would be ideal with your own back door.
You could do this for 30-60 days. Enough to get Utilities (in your own name), and have your drivers license sent there.
Or use your NM LLC to get Utilities at this location. (Hiring an 'employee of the day' to do the job.)
Also to use as a temporary place to live between your major move to throw off anyone trailing you.
Submitted Link #1: http://www.getyourhandsdirty.net/publicsquare/inde...
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| 5180. |
William
Queens, NY
Age: 35
Dec 29, 2008
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off the grid while owning land in town
this guy is a good example of someone who has followed your principles somewhat except allowing himself to be in the newspaper.
How he purchased the land is of interest to your viewers as well as receiving mail.
Submitted Link #1: http://metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=13257...
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| 5179. |
Andy
Silver Spring MD
Age: 62
Dec 29, 2008
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Wendy, Post 5160
One day two summers ago I tried to tag and title a vehicle in MD, using a NM LLC and a CI address. In the morning I tried at our county's main DMV office, and in the afternoon I tried at a private agency about 50 miles away. The state of Maryland was willing of course to list the LLC as the owner, but, along with two forms of personal identification, demanded a local street address for the vehicle's and the LLC's location. No matter what the circumstances, Maryland flatly refused to accept an out-of-state, let alone a foreign, address. Later that week I made inquiries by phone at the DMVs of two neighboring states. Virginia and West Virginia, like Maryland, demanded in-state street addresses. Later that year, I finally ended up working out a less-than-perfect solution in Pennsylvania, whose DMV seems to rely almost completely on private agencies. They were willing to accept a foreign address as the LLC's place of business. However, they required two forms of picture ID, one of which had to be a driver's license. They also required a signed, written verification from an appropriate officer of the LLC, authorizing me to conduct business with the state of Pennsylvanina. They would not accept my explanation that I was the owner. Someone else had to authorize me. So I submitted a letter from my "senior partner, Dr. Jose Ortiz." Finally, they wanted a copy of a utility bill to verify the LLC's address. It did not matter to them we were located in Spain. Relunctantly they accepted a record of my LLC's "monthly rental payments" to "Lanzarote Properties."
They were also unable to fit the entire LLC address in the appropriate data base field on the computer, resulting in a truncated address along the right side of the title certificate, which we received a month or so later. One final problem was that the bureaucracy which registers the vehicles is separate from the office that manages the required safety inspections. The latter office apparently does not send correspondence out of state; so, having never received via mail a window sticker after 90 days or so, I had to return to the private agency in Pennsylvania to get the sticker.
Hope all this helps.
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| 5175. |
Hugh
Ayutthaya, Thailang
Age: 53
Dec 28, 2008
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Money Management
This is for those who may think they will have a tough time with the economy. Here are
'7 Financial Tips From the Great Depression' that should help. Things are not as bad as the Great Depression, but if you start early and prepare as our parents and grand parants did, we should do all right.
Submitted Link #1: http://blog.mint.com/blog/finance-core/7-financial...
...
Hugh,
... Since my wife and I both grew up during the Great Depression, I can tell you that the article is dead on target. ... Especially: “... if you can’t afford to pay cash, you can’t afford it.”
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| 5174. |
Sebastian
Knoxville, TN
Age: 58
Dec 28, 2008
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Tapping phones, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi
The best way to defeat Bluetooth wiretapping is to simply not use it. With the proper equipment, high gain antenna, low noise amplifier, and a good receiver, Bluetooth, wi-fi, and cell phones can be received from almost a mile away; in case of cell phones, several miles away in open country. Close in, a common cell phone can be used to wiretap cell conversations by simply reprogramming the phone. Bluetooth and wi-fi are also tappable close by reprogramming common equipment.
I would not worry about this, unless you come to the attention of one of the alphabet agencies or a hacker who knows software and hardware. If it is a legal phone tap, it will be done at the central office. If you are worried about such things, make phone calls from crowded areas as the number of signals goes up, the difficulty of picking your signal out goes up, switch between phones, use tunneling, change MAC address, and encryption with wi-fi, and don’t use Bluetooth at all.
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| 5173. |
John
dgorila1@cox.net
Age: 39
Dec 27, 2008
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Re: Wendy - Auto Auction
Wendy,
Some of the auto auctions here used to be "dealer only", but have all been opened to the general public now. A buyer shouldn't need a dealer's license to purchase you a car. Why not use someone you trust to act as an "employee" of the LLC to buy the car and register it. Pay them for their time and you achieve what you are seeking. Or you could enlist the services of a used car dealer to buy the car and title it (most can get plates for cars nowadays). Or use your "LLC Employee" to buy the car from a private party and again title it.
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| 5172. |
Wendy
Richardson, TX
Age: 44
Dec 27, 2008
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Bluesnarfing Software
What I found most notable about this software's hard sell is the message from the seller at the very end of the page:
"This is a limited time offer. Get it while you can.
This product is very powerful and may soon be unavailable in your area."
This suggests that it is as illegal to use this as it is to use any other wiretapping techniques. Anyway, I assume you need to have the bluetooth phone's number to track the right one. By using something like Vumber with your cell phone and NEVER texting or calling directly from the phone to ANYONE, that makes even this software harder to use--at least for a phone. (Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.) My PDA's bluetooth is disabled and my laptop doesn't have the capability and I refuse to add it OR use wireless service.
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| 5171. |
Wendy
Richardson, TX
Age: 44
Dec 27, 2008
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Dorothy's Response, #5169
My primary challenge with GC is that it's part of the Googlesphere and Google's stated goal is the be the largest database in the world. Besides, I believe you get what you pay for and pay for what you get. I'd rather pay for a service, that's bound to be more private in order to keep its customers, than use something free from a company that WANTS to sell information at some point. So, when I got offered a GC account, I declined.
I'll have to consider what you're saying about finding someone who can do all I'd want a dealer to do to get me a different car. I'm a pretty determined woman so it might be possible--though, at a premium. But, my privacy is worth the cost.
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| 5170. |
Dorothy
Topeka, Kansas
Age: 40
Dec 27, 2008
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wiretapping cell phones
Just for kicks, I googled wiretapping + Pellicano. This was the top sponsored link on the right hand side of my screen.... After reading the advertisement, it appears that using a Bluetooth-capable handset is incredibly dangerous to privacy from the general public now!
Submitted Link #1: http://www.cellspypro.com/?gclid=CLzG3Pj_4ZcCFQwDG...
...
This didn't sound right to me so I asked a trusted PI friend about it. His answer:
"Might be law enforcement sting because the product is illegal on its face. Notice you have to use a credit card to get the product. That opens up all kinds of avenues for their investigation. The only people that can get away with this MIGHT be bounty hunters. When you get sprung, you give up all rights and accept this kind of monitoring... so does the one who bails you out, especially if you fail to appear in court.
"If it's not a sting, it's a scam. Who do you complain to when your bank or credit card is hit for under $100.00 - maybe multiple times - for a product that is universally illegal? :)
"But act NOW! - this technology may not be available for long." - No kidding.
"http://www.cellspypro.com/Legal_Info-Refund_Policy.htm says:
"Legal Disclaimer: We do not condone the use of any of our products for monitoring individuals without their consent. Be sure to check and obey all local, state, and federal laws when using any type of surveillance equipment. Cell Spy Pro is not intended for illegal use or for causing harm. As the seller, we do not take any responsibility for damage or harm caused by misuse of this product. The user takes full responsibility to obey all effective & relevant laws in his/her country, which may prohibit usage of such a product."
"And I like this part:
"5. CONTACT INFORMATION
"You may contact us Via email at: support@cellspypro.com please include your name, address, telephone number, email address, order date and order number."
"LOL!! Run, don't walk from this one
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| 5169. |
Dorothy
Topeka, Kansas
Age: 40
Dec 27, 2008
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prepaid cells
Wendy, I should mention that I was being probably a bit more paranoid than might be technologically possible for a PI to actually accomplish at this time. I was thinking that a PI might be running a real-time trace in addition to a tap (something only law enforcement probably has the technology for at this time), and I had forgotten about Vumber entirely. My thought at the time of writing the previous post was that a one-time-use Tracfone would allow you to call someone without the caller ID number triggering a PI's attention as being a number associated with you, allowing you to carry on a conversation with your loved one without the PI recognizing that he/she might be interesting in triangulating that particular conversation back to your physical location (which I'm guessing wouldn't be possible with a Vumber anyway). At the moment, I am using a GrandCentral number for routing to various prepaid phones, and I like the setup (plus it's FREE), but GrandCentral does lack the ability to call people "on the fly" with the GC number showing in their caller ID. To call someone with the GC number showing up, I have to place the call from their website rather than from my own phone. For that purpose alone, Vumber is the winner between the two, but GC is, after all, free.... Unfortunately, GC is not available to the general public right now, since Google bought it and it is now in eternal "beta-testing" mode. From a slightly different angle, it is always a good idea to not discuss sensitive and/or location-based things on the phone! Would a notary public be able to represent your interests at a car auction, if that person also had an auction license, so as to eliminate the need for you to physically attend the auction? It becomes a situation where you are then looking for a "trifecta" of abilities in a person - the ability to transact the deal's paperwork, the ownership of an auction permit, AND the ability to pick out a suitable vehicle for you in your absence. While possible, it seems that that would be asking a lot of anybody!
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| 5168. |
Wendy
Richardson, TX
Age: 44
Dec 27, 2008
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Dorothy's Response
Dorothy, I use a GoPhone (pre-paid AT&T) in the name of and paid for by an LLC bank account that doesn't have my name on it. THEN, I have my family, friends and business associates call me via Vumber, which is like a regular phone number and I can call out through my Vumber to them so it's far harder to trace. I don't text message anyone so cell phone number never shows up on anyone's phone records. I also use VoIP in the name of another LLC, paid for by that LLC account that doesn't have my SS# associated with it. No one ever calls me on a true landline nor do I call on one because when that's looked up, it has a location associated with it. That's true of a payphone, too.
As to your idea of hiring a dealer to buy a car for me, my research confirms that's a good idea, if I can find a reputable trustworthy one in the state where my current vehicle is registered. Because my vehicle has been registered there for over two years and I can use a CMRA to register the vehicle (the same one on my driver's license) I want to keep everything in that state. I'll simple pay for a separate mailbox for the vehicle registration but at the same address to obfuscate things a bit. Again, I don't want to show up at the auction, just take delivery on the vehicle which, once titled, registered and insured in that state, I may either have shipped to me or pick up at a relative's home.
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| 5166. |
Dorothy
Topeka, Kansas
Age: 40
Dec 27, 2008
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phone-tapping, car auctions
For Wendy: Tracfones are now available for $9.99 or less. When activated online, they come with 20 minutes included. That works out to 50 cents per minute, which is VERY pricey in the regular world, but having a stock of those (activated from a public WiFi location preferably) handy for calling one's loved ones could be useful for preventing a PI from backtracking on your loved one's phone records to find YOU. The point would be that you would use the phone ONCE and then discard it or sell it or recycle it. Or just use payphones if you still have them in your region, with a calling card purchased with cash. With payphones, though, you might need to keep the calls much shorter and definitely rotate the locations each time! Virgin Mobile also sells handsets for $7.99 to $9.99, which come with $2.50 in airtime credit. At 20 cents/minute basic rate, that's 12.5 minutes per handset.
Regarding car auctions: My son once bought a nice Blazer at auction for a good price because his boss at the time had a dealership license for his business of selling mobile homes. The boss charged him gas up to the auction site and a very small fee for filling out the title work. This was not intended for the purpose of privacy at the time, but it could work if you can make the necessary connections with somebody who has a permit to bid at the auto auctions. In that area at the time, anyway, auto auctions were a private deal, and "Joe Stranger" couldn't just walk in and bid, he had to be accompanied by somebody who had permission to buy there.
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| 5165. |
Marie
Stateline, Nevada
Age: 47
Dec 27, 2008
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Report about safe driving
I remember that some time last year you wrote that you were going to write a book or a report about driving a million miles without an accident. Have you given up on that? I hope not.
...
No, but I did have it set on a back burner because most adults already consider themselves to be safe drivers even if they are not.
However, I have resurrected the report with this tentative title, HOW TO CRASHPROOF YOUR TEEN DRIVER, hoping that will be of more interest. And since a vital part of the report has to do with driving in winter conditions, I am now hoping to have it available before the end of January.
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