[TriLUG] FBI director wants ISPs to track users

[William Sutton]

We're rather off topic at this point (yes, I included myself) but...
- Yes.  I pay for legitimate copies of software and music if I'm not using 
something that is explicitly released as free.
- Yes.  I do drive the speed limit.  May be the only person who does.

> I do this so anybody that read this will know exactly what was said and 
> where it came from. It is self-explanitory so why would you need a comment? 
> I suppose you pay for all your programs,music and drive 55mph?

Now then...there was some discussion the other day about whether or not 
Google (or Uncle Chertoff or...) would hack into your computers and take 
over your webcam/microphone/etc.  You raised it again.  I think it bears 
saying and careful attention:

1.  You are paranoid.
2.  Just because you are paranoid does not necessarily mean that there is 
nothing to worry about.  However, worry needs to be carefully examined.  
In this case, you're assuming that
    a. You are a desirable target for someone to monitor.  Unless you are 
doing something nefarious or questionable, or are unbelievably attractive, 
this is not likely to be a concern.
    b. It will be easy for someone to hack in to your system and take it 
over.  This is a strong argument for a homogeneity of computer systems:  
the more differences there are, the less likely someone will come up with 
a quick and easy way to get into all of them.  This does not even begin to 
address the fact that those of us with UNIX systems (Linux included) tend 
to be more knowledgable and more observant about what is going on with out 
systems.  It also means that the code should be sufficiently reviewed to 
vet out any backdoors certain TLAs might wish to insert....not something 
you can do for a commercial, closed OS.
    c. The government (or Google, or whoever) has the time and inclination
and financing to monitor everyone and everything.  While I do not doubt
the TLAs would love to have all the surveillance data they can get, I 
do not yet thing it is practical to do so.

You want something to really worry about?  Governments are putting up CC 
tv cameras everywhere ala the UK.  They can watch you out in public--see 
where you go, who you associate with, etc.  They can track your credit 
card purchases.  Given your social security number, they can find out 
where you have been, what you have purchased, where you went to school, 
what your medical and credit histories are...pretty much anything that 
allows someone to be you or destroy you.

You want true annonymity from the government, Google, or anyone else with 
untoward plans, then you will have to find a way to completely disengage 
from modern American society.  Leave money behind (it's tracable and 
requires tax documentation).  Move to a deserted island and be self 
sustaining.

Again, privacy is a concern, but (much as none of us wants to admit it) it 
is and largely has been an illusion for a very long time.

William ($0.02) Sutton