[wplug] Klipmart.com / macromedia , invading my privacy?

[Tom Rhodes]

On Fri, 15 Dec 2006 09:13:13 -0500
Bill Moran <wmoran at potentialtech.com> wrote:

Bill.

Can we get the following disclaimer:

WARNING: I'm beyond practically paranoid, please consider that
before reading my response below.

to these emails in the future.  :)


> In response to Juan Zuluaga <jz31416 at yahoo.com>:
> > When visiting pages like
> > http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061215/ap_on_re_us/polygamist_leader
> > a Flash window opens. If I right-click on it, a little
> > box opens with the text "Macromedia Flash Player
> > Settings. Privacy. Allow klipmart.com to access your
> > camera and microphone?" and the options allow and
> > deny, deny being the default. 
> > 
> > wtf? What does this mean?  Are there companies able to
> > invade the privacy of my home? 
> 
> Are you serious?  Yes, there are.
> 1) If you have a cell phone, they can track you.
> 2) If you have OnStar or similar, they can track you.
> 3) If you use the Internet, they can monitor everything you do there.
> 4) If you have a standard phone line, it's fairly trivial to tap it.
> 5) If you use credit cards, they can easily find out your purchasing
>    habits.
> 6) If you install software that isn't Open source, you have no idea
>    what they may be monitoring.
> 
> Most of the above is illegal.  Unfortunately, #6 is not.  There's some
> stuff going on where you've got a good lawsuit if they don't mention
> that they're doing it _somewhere_, but the legal world still doesn't
> have a lot of experience with it.
> 
> Keep in mind that, in PA, it's legal to do anything to your computer
> that you consent to.  If you give me permission to install a virus on
> you're computer, I'm not breaking any laws by doing so.
> 
> That being said, did you read the EULA on the software before you
> installed it?  Very few people do.  I'm willing to bet that it
> contains language along the lines of "Macromedia reserves the right
> to gather certain statistical or other data from your computer from
> time to time regarding the usage of this software.  By installing
> it, you consent to such activity."  You didn't happen to click
> "I agree" without reading all 85 pages did you?
> 
> Read licenses.  Write your congressmen and complain that this stuff
> needs to be made understandable to the average layman and not just
> high-paid lawyers.  Don't use closed-source software!
> 
> > Using linux, how can I be sure that there is no chance
> > that such software will use my microphone or camera,
> > if I had them? 
> 
> 1) Don't use closed-source software.
> 2) If you must do #1, read and understand the license.
> 3) If you must do #1, first put it in a sandbox system, capture the
>    network traffic it generates and analyze it so you know what's
>    going on.
> 
> Really being free requires hard work and knowledge.  Lately it
> seems like a lot of people are asking this question: "how can
> I be sure ... X"
> 
> There's only 1 real answer: hard work, knowledge, and constant
> vigilance.
> 
> -- 
> Bill Moran
> Collaborative Fusion Inc.
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> 


-- 
Tom Rhodes