Ain't no such thing as privacy, anymore.

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

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Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I was using my phone, laptop, and desk computer to do my banking. Because I was using all three, it raised security issues with my bank. I had a hard time logging in via my phone. I called the bank's customer support. Their rep. fixed the problem, but she said that "you have the latest iPhone, and you have the latest updates installed". HUH???? Some rep. in some far away bank knows what kind of phone I have and the updates on that phone??????? Talk about the loss of privacy. Ain't no such thing as privacy, anymore.
 

I canceled my old credit card due a goof up.
Went to Ebay to put in the new number.
Loged my name & address, look over to where card number goes!
The last 4 digits of the new card appear!

I did have to fill in all the other numbers & security code.
My credit card limit is set on the lowest amount you can charge.

It was the idea once my name/address was in the rest came up.
Wonder what else is on the web under my name?
 
If you use the internet, or a cell phone, "privacy" is a myth. The Only thing a person can do is avoid web sites, and phone calls you don't recognize, and check your bank accounts and credit card accounts regularly. Oh, and if you do any financial activity on line, be sure to log out and close your browser as soon as you are done.
 
I answered the door a couple days ago and it was someone asking me to vote for someone from the other party that I don't belong to. She said she knew I belonged to the opposite party but she came any way. What else do they know about me?
 
Don M. said:
If you use the internet, or a cell phone, "privacy" is a myth. The Only thing a person can do is avoid web sites, and phone calls you don't recognize, and check your bank accounts and credit card accounts regularly. Oh, and if you do any financial activity on line, be sure to log out and close your browser as soon as you are done.
Click to expand...
It would be a good idea to ditch all store loyalty cards too, you might earn points towards some discount or item but unlike the days when you stuck your trading stamps in a saver book, nowadays it's all recorded electronically on your profile. Your profile is then expanded when the store buys copies of other profiles. Now, copies of the much larger profile is sold and so it goes on.

Milton Friedman got it right when he said: "There's no such thing as a free lunch!"
 
That may be true however those issues are not black and white. There are a list of ways a person without wisely using new telecom and computer technologies can be considerably more exposed and thus liable to be abused versus those technically savvy and careful. At the level I play the game as someone that doesn't even carry my smartphone around much, and uses just a minor number of applications, clears computer info and histories regularly, the privacy level is manageable, acceptable versus benefits.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
Ain't no such thing as privacy, anymore.
Click to expand...
This question has long been a struggle, and todays technology makes it much harder.

In the 19th century the invention of photography lead to concerns over privacy. All of the sudden someone could take you picture, even without consent or you knowledge and publish it or distribute it any where. Now almost 200 years on we have not settled this one, and things like revenge porn are making that obvious.

“The Right to Privacy” Warren and Brandeis, Harvard Law Review, 1890 is an interesting read.

I don't know the answer to today's problems, I just try my best to practice common sense and keep up with the risks. My best protection is being uninterested and maintaining a low profile. While I do use credit cards and online banking I try to keep it to a minimum...
 
Forget hackers - people give up their privacy freely, every minute of every day. It started with Facebook and spread form there. Where people live, work, and play. The names of their friends, clubs they go to, pets, etc. When they're on holiday, what they're eating that night, and what they're watching on TV. What you're wearing, what clothes or products you just bought, what kind of car you drive. All given away.
 
David777 said:
That may be true however those issues are not black and white. There are a list of ways a person without wisely using new telecom and computer technologies can be considerably more exposed and thus liable to be abused versus those technically savvy and careful. At the level I play the game as someone that doesn't even carry my smartphone around much, and uses just a minor number of applications, clears computer info and histories regularly, the privacy level is manageable, acceptable versus benefits.
Click to expand...
It might be fun and helpful to list some of the means to make using technology a bit more secure.

Use a privacy-focused browser like "Brave"
Ditch Google and use "Startpage" or "Duckduckgo" for your Internet searches.
Use 2 factor authentication (2FA) when log ins are required
Use a VPN
Use a virtual machine, if it becomes compromised, it's easy to delete it and create a new one.
Use prepaid credit cards when making online purchases.
Use an email alias

I enjoy watching videos from "all things secured" on Utube - lost of helpful ideas.
 
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