Qui Custodes

That's OUTRAGEOUS!

I'm not kidding either.  I don't usually use this blog to vent but this article in the Washington Post about animal protesters  recounts some absolutely outrageous behavior.  Some animal rights groups are deliberately terrorizing researchers. They are even targeting the wives and children of the scientists.  Now I don't care if you agree or disagree with what the scientists are doing. But to terrorize their wives and children?  This is abhorrent and disgusting.  What's even worse are the people supporting these domestic terrorists.  Jerry Vlasik is quoted in the article as saying "If killing them is the only way to stop them," he said in a telephone interview, "then I said killing them would certainly be justified."

WOW.

All I can say is that I'm glad I'm writing this blog.  I guess now scientists have the same worries as lawyers and counselors.  Who would have thought it?

SSN's and Identity Theft

Apparently some people still carry their Social Security Card.  I used to do that but stopped about 25 years ago.  These days, it's foolish at best to carry your card.  It's too valuable.  If you lose your wallet and your card is in it, you have a long-term big problem.  At a minimum you have to get a new SSN and notify everyone.  This can be a major pain.  It could also lead to major confusion. So, don't carry it.

Now some employers in these days of immigration hysteria may make you produce the actual card itself.  If so, use it and then put it back in safe-keeping.  Don't carry it!

BTW:  I blogged over a year ago about what to do if your identity was stolen.  You might want to review those posts if your have that problem.

More computer issues

I ran into an interesting and scary article "Lest We Remember: Cold Boot Attacks on Encrytion Keys" by J. Alex Halderman, Seth D. Schoen, Nadia Heninger, William Clarkson, William Paul, Joseph A. Calandrino, Ariel J. Feldman, Jacob Appelbaum, and Edward W. Felten.  They've found a way to break your security, not by attacking your cryptography key, but by freezing your computer.  I won't try to explain how it works, you can read the article or what my friend Lance Cottrell has to say about it in his blog, The Privacy Blog.  Lance's bottom line (and one I agree with) is simple:  turn the machine OFF, don't put it into Sleep mode.

BTW: If you are wondering why I'm blogging about this on a personal security blog, the answer is actually simple:  your private information is the key to your personal security.  Protect it at all times.

Office security

Do you think it's possible for a stranger to just walk in to a government office, complete with security guards, pass cards, sign-in sheets and cameras and steal whatever she can?  Well, they can.  In this article we can read all about Ameenah Franks and how she did just that.  She used wit, charm, and simple chutzpah to do it.  When confronted she would consciously play the race card too!

What's the moral for us?  Don't hesitate to listen to your instincts.  Ask questions and don't get put off by people trying to "play" you. 

Customs Searches

There is an interesting article in my friend Lance Cottrell's The Privacy Blog about an accused pederast's fight not to reveal the password for his laptop's hard drive.  I commend it to everyone.  But the lesson to be learned is that, if you are trying to protect your own information, you should a) encrypt, b) not use overly explicit identifying names for your files, and c) be aware that when you cross the border between the US and anywhere else, the ICE have unfettered rights to inspect and copy your electronic data.  Those of us who deal with sensitive material, should take all appropriate steps to safeguard it.  The problem is that what you can do to prevent ICE from seizing and copying your data is far from clear.  I expect the law to eventually clarify things but right now when you cross the border you are risking everything. 

It's not just lawyers is it?

So there I am, having made my post for the day, when I come on this this one about a therapist who is killed by a client with a cleaver.  No puns now.  But it just goes to show:  If your business is one where you are dealing with emotionally fragile people, like therapists and lawyers, you have absolutely got to take precautions. 

Now I don't know what precautions this therapist took, but wouldn't it have been nice if she had a panic button handly in her office?  Don't know what a panic button is?  That will be my next post. 

It can't happen here!

O yeah?  Right.  Well, here's a story about someone who brought an armed bodyguard to a deposition.  And it wasn't just any old firm.  This was Reggie Bush in his litigation about the alleged cash he was paid while he was in college.  The location was the white-shoe firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, one of the largest and most prestigious firms in the U.S. 

Can you imagine what might happen if the bodyguard has to give testimony?  Or if the client loses his cool?  It's wonderful stories like this that explain why I am running this blog.

BTW:  I haven't given a plug for my tip sheets recently so, if you are interested in them, go to www.BusinessBrawls.com, click on Resources and look for the 101 Business Protection Tips.  They are Free to a good home.

Backup, backup and backup some more

I was reading an article on CNN about what to do to protect yourself in an emergency.  It was interesting.  Most, if not all the tips were ones I've made here, but I was reminded of something:  backups are great, not just for the computer.  Put your emergency contact information into your cell phone under "I C E" and put it in your wallet.  Do the same with your list of medications.  Put ICE information in the glove box of the car or in your briefcase.  Do the same with your medical information. 

It's not just computers that can fail.  If you get badly hurt in an auto accident or attack, your protectors will need this information.

PS:  Somebody came up with an possible improvement on the "ICE" number--they suggest AA ICE to keep the listing at the head of the page. What do you think?  Maybe put it both places? 

"The Gift of Fear"

At last!  Someone besides me is saying it.  And on Oprah! yet.  Gavin de Brecker went on Oprah last week and talked about his book "The Gift of Fear".  I won't quote the article but I agree with it completely.  I've posted it on this blog and said it over and over again:  Do *not* ignore your instincts. If you are getting bad "vibes" from someone there is a reason for it.  Listen to yourself.  Now, someone else is saying it.  If you won't listen to me, listen to Oprah and Gavin de Becker.  Go to Oprah's site and look at the stories.  All of them revolve around 1 thing and 1 thing only:  If you don't listen to your instincts you are taking stupid risks.

Now, one more point:  de Becker talks about women on Oprah.  OK. But this advice goes to anyone who, at any time, in any place, gets that little warning "vibe" and hears the alarm bells go off.  I cannot say it more often:  Listen to your instincts!  Don't worry about being politically incorrect, don't worry about anything.  You can explain later.  The one thing you cannot explain is why your instincts were warning you and you refused to listen.

Hints From Heloise

I wish I could find the durn thing online.  Last week there was a letter from a former police officer that the "Hints from Heloise" column published.  It was a short letter--only 3 paragraphs--but it managed to please me and enrage me all at the same time.  First, why it pleased me:  He suggested that people put their important medical information with their Driver's license so it could be found in case of emergency.  That's a good idea.

But then he went off the rails:  he basically blows off cell phones entirely.  That's not just dumb, that's wrong.  For several years now people have been told to put their emergency contact information on the phone under "I C E" [In Case of Emergency] and anybody who ignores this new protocol is just plain wrong!  Everyone should do that. 

As an aside, I've got to wonder about his comment re:  garage door openers and glove boxes too.  After all, it is the police who insist we have license and registration in every car.  What does this guy think is on the registration for Pete's sake?