Author Archives: Laurize Mimay

Book review: Survival Guide for Citizens in a Revolution

So, based on the title, this could either be a useful book filled with valuable information, or a book filled with propaganda. I was scared to even scroll down the page, especially since the author is “Anonymous.”

However, a pleasant surprise awaited me, Anonymous: Survival Guide for Citizens in a Revolution, is filled with useful information. Much of it is the same information I follow when a hurricane is headed for my house. Stockpile non-perishable food and bottled water, get prescriptions filled in advance, buy rice.

This guide is actually intended for people who think they are ABOUT to be in a country with civil unrest, not a country that is already disrupted. The most important tid-bit of information: stay calm.

The book is broken down into different areas. First warnings signs of coming unrest. Preparations. Security.  Creating a Take-Box. General Strategies.  Additional Security Tips. How to Deal with Exceptional Situations.

This book is certainly worth a read.

Cell phones records: Are they yours?

The ACLU recently posted the 2010 cell phone data retention chart, which it received from the Justice Department under a Freedom of Information Act request. Included HERE is a clean copy of the report; but here is a summary of how long different American carriers keep your data lying around for law enforcement to access.

Location Tracking
data about which cell towers your phone uses.

• ATT: Forever
• Sprint  and Nextel  keep that information for 18-24 months
• Verizon stores it for 1 rolling year

“Detail” of your text
details include call history, date, time, senders phone number, and receiver’s phone number

• ATT:  post paid 5-7 years, and does not retain content information at all
• Verizon: 1 rolling year and text content for 3-5 days
• T-Mobile: pre-paid 2 years and does not keep content at all
• Sprint and Nextel keep details for 18 months “depending on the device”and content
• Virgin Mobile: detail for 60-90 days and content for 90 days

IP information
this is your session information and browsing history

• Verizon: IP session information for 1 years and browsing history for 90 days
• T-Mobile and Virgin Mobile:  Don’t store any
• Nextel and Sprint: store IP address and browsing history for 60 days
• ATT: IP session info is “only retained on non-public IPS for 72 hours, If public, not retained”

This may be information to consider the next time you enter a contract with a cell-phone provider. Privacy is NOT a right guaranteed under the US constitution or Bill of Rights; but you can use information to protect yourself.

Baggage touts at Changi Airport

The next time you travel by plane you may be approached to take on extra luggage. Travelers are targeted because they have fewer pieces of luggage, and then asked to take on bulky pieces as they check-in their own pieces. These items are usually electronic goods and the travelers are generally paid $5-10 per kilogram. The money is either paid after check-in or upon final delivery at ports such as Chennai, Sri Lanka and Yangon.

Changi Airport is aware of the touts and is conducting “anti-touting patrols” at all four of its’ terminals. Carrying another person’s luggage is not only illegal but people caught touting in public places can be fined between $1,000-5,000 and be jailed for up to six months.

Photoshop: Philippines Officials

We do it for fun or for malice. We use Photoshop to put our head on top of a sexy body. But the Philippines Department of Public Works and Highways Patrol was caught Photoshoping themselves into a typhoon cleanup photo. :blush:

Typhoon Nesat struck just a few days ago and instead of going to view the damage; they used Photoshop to put themselves in. Don’t they look pensive and appear to be assessing the damage? Good job guys! But you got caught! Look closely, they seem to be floating in midair… not such a good job after all.

The chastising has begun by folks Photoshoping them into other photos.

Flight safety and security for celebrities

Regardless whether you’re a celebrity or not, safety and security during flights are important. For a celebrity, however, there are considerations to remember during flight.

Critics, stalkers and angry fans can be violent when they have the chance to show how they feel with the celebrity. That is why most of VIP’s choose to have privacy in an exclusive luxurious in-flight suite. There are many Executive Services that offers this kind of privilege, you just have to be ready to pay what it takes. Celebrity or regular Joe, if you have the “dough”, why not right?

If you are wealthy enough, maybe you can charter your own jet. Some benefits of having to relax on a safe flight, is you can also talk about important matter such as business information with your partner without thinking of leaking the information to other sources.

Celebrities, Athletes, Wealthy individuals who are all VIP’s are at risk of being kidnapped, harmed, ambushed by fans and/or paparazzi… the risk doesnt deminish 30,000 feet in the air, but exclusive airplanes and flights keep them safe from these inconveniences and/or dangers more than Economy. Convenience can also be a factor as well as flexibility.

Happy Birthday Hillary Duff… paparazzo style

Hillary Duff turns 24 today. Happy birthday! What do you do when it’s your birthday and you’re a celebrity? Get a bodyguard before you head out the door; paparazzi are waiting.

But this paparazzo isn’t so bad. He not only remembered the special day, he got flowers for Hillary. Her security even let him pass to hand it her personally!

 Maybe he’ll get a special picture of her as a return favor, one day.

Evil walks Differently: Cameras know

Counter-terrorism and law enforcement have long relied on video surveillance as an essential tool. However, it has limitations. One of the biggest challenges is programming software to recognize specific people in variable conditions; such as low light, cluttered backgrounds, or when they shave beards.

Associate computer science professor Chris Bregler is studying whether  security threats can be identified by the way they walk. Using the same motion capture technology used in The Lord of the Rings information is currently being loaded into computer to compile a large database.

So how does this actually work?

• A person with explosives strapped to their chest will have an uneven gait and thus move differently than someone with no explosives.
• A person unused to carrying a  backpack has his feet strike the ground at different intervals than a person accustomed to the weight.

Of course, right now this technology is still in the laboratory. But one day we should see it hit the streets.

Silence is a War Crime?

 

I saw the above picture and felt provoked. Is silence a war crime? Does silence imply or give consent? I was instantly reminded of a quote by Sir Thomas Moore,

“Qui tacet consetiret”

Silence gives consent… This idea is echoed in many languages, Quem cala, consente (Portuguese), Wie zwijgt, stemt toe (Dutch), Quien se calla, otorga (Spanish), Qui ne dit mot, consent (French).

There are many wars and skirmishes occurring in the world today. Many are things I DO NOT agree with.  Do I do enough to protest or help the victims? Do I do anything? Does my silence allow these atrocities to continue? In such a large arena, a world arena, could one voice even make a difference?

All these questions come to mind. Personally, I do not do enough and perhaps one voice forcefully applied CAN make a difference. My silence allows the victims continued harm. I do not believe silence is a war crime, but I do believe it is morally reprehensible. Today, I felt morally dirty; I do not like that feeling and will need to rethink my actions. What about you?

Africa Travel Safety Tips

Travel in Africa can be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences you can ever have.  Yet it can be very dangerous if you are not careful.  You could be susceptible to diseases, thieves and dangers from wars.

 

More than a third of the world’s travel safety warnings originate from Africa.  You should check with the U.S. State Department for travel safety warnings before planning any trip to Africa.

Africans are honest, hardworking people.  But when you wear flashy jewelry, watches and accessories it will draw the opportunists, con artists and thieves to you.  Also you should secure your money, credit cards and passport in something besides your wallet or purse.  You should also make copies of your passport, credit cards, and airline tickets and leave these at your hotel. This will help you get replacements and will help with insurance purposes. Be careful to watch your pockets and surroundings when in areas with a lot of people, such as a bus or train station, or a bazaar.  And always, always remember that if you are robbed, do not try to be a hero. Surrender your belongings and go to the police.

For more information about the joys and perils of traveling to Africa click here: http://www.ytravelblog.com/africa-travel-safety-tips/

Cloud based Facial Recognition

The Cloud is just another term for the internet. If you didn’t know, now you do. The Carnegie Melon University’s Robotics Institute and Google have teamed up to develop a new software program, PittPatt, which uses a picture to track down the real-world location of a stranger, in minutes.

 Of course, it’s easy to see the law enforcement applications. This will make it easier to track down criminals and to identify ne’re-do-wells at large sporting events. Usually, facial recognition software is hampered by lack of human man hours to process data and lack of computer power.

PittPatt works differently though. There are millions of pictures of us available online and PittPatt accesses those snapshots and compares them to the one it has; thus quick identification is achieved.

Jury Duty Scam

Con artists and scammers have been around since man first learned to walk and talk. I assume they will be with us forever. This is just a recent variation of identity theft. Of course, I verified this as real on Snopes.

The scammer calls and claims to work for the court authority and tells you there is a warrant for your arrest because you did not answer a jury summons.

The victim RIGHTLY claims they did not receive a jury summons. The scammer asks for confidential information for “verification” purposes.

THIS IS WHERE YOU SHOULD HANG UP! However, the victim then hands over their birthdate, Social Security number and sometimes credit card number. This is everything needed to commit identity theft!

This scam has been reported in nine different states.

Social Media Sites in post-revolutionary Countries

Social Media sites such as YouTube and Facebook are helping protesters, particularly women, to reject traditional power structures.

In Egypt, a typically male-dominated society, women are using new access to social media sites to ensure their rights and freedoms. Before the revolution, women activists were arrested and quite possibly sexually assaulted.  Citizens who dared to challenge the system were literally without protection.

Things have changed. Now women know they can take video with their cell phone and post it.  Moreover, even if one phone is confiscated, or one person arrested, more people wlll post the same footage, shot from their phones.

Activists and women cannot act with immunity, but they are starting to usher in an era of transparency. More time is needed to thwart the many abuses committed across the Arab world by multiple governments; but a start provides hope.

15 years for Bashir

Five years ago, cleric Abu Bakar Bashir was acquitted of killing 202 people in a bombing in Bali. Today, he is sentenced to 15 years ,in prison, for funding terrorism. This is the first conviction for Bashir, 72.

The trial took place under heavy security and much press interest. Approximately 3000 troops guarded the courthouse today and more were distributed throughout the country. Bashir’s  supporters were outside the courthouse to show support. Bashir’s lawyers, of course, states he will appeal.

The Indonesian government is pleased with the 15 year sentence, believing it is appropriate for the crimes he committed. There is a chance Bashir could have the sentence reduced through further court proceedings.

Cyber-Bullying

We are all familiar with traditional bullying and most of us have been the victim of bullying at some point in our lives.  Cyber-bullying is something the majority of us don’t deal with but something with which our kids do.

It is defined as “when the Internet, cell phones or other devices are used to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person,” by the National Crime Prevention Council.  Cyber-stalking and cyber-harrassment are quite similar they just involve different age groups. Adults get stalked and if there is a sexual nature to the content then it’s harassment. Cyber-bullying, however, refers strictly to children.

Here are some statistics from a 2006 ABC News report:

• 42% of kids have been bullied while online. One in four have had it happen more than once.
• 35% of kids have been threatened online. Nearly one in five had had it happen more than once.
• 21% of kids have received meanorathreateningee-mailsmorlotheromessages.ages.
• 58% of kids admit someone has said mean or hurtful things to them online. More than four out of ten say it has happened more than once.
• 58% have not told their parents or an adult about something mean or hurtful that happened to them online.

Cyber-bullying  has the same detrimental psychological effects as traditional bullying. Currently, only a few States have passed legislation that makes cyber-bullying a crime. Parenting is always difficult. I know, I am one. As technology progresses it’s our job, as good parents, to keep a close eye on the welfare of our children.

Remember, more than half of kids will not tell you that they’ve been cyber-bullied. They feel ashamed, just as they would with a traditional bully. Be vigilant.

Video Review: Anti-Snap Lock

Lock Snapping is a method of breaking a lock in order to gain access to what’s behind the door. It’s primarily used by criminals and has nothing to do with genuine lock picking. YouTube is littered with videos of people snapping locks; it’s that easy. My house has a plain old lock on it; not an anti-snap lock.

Even if I DID have an anti-snap lock, it probably wouldn’t do any good, because many anti-snap locks just aren’t that good. This video showcases a lock manufacturer, ABS, that makes locks that are actually well-designed, and stop lock snapping criminals in their tracks.

The video itself is a cheesy. It features a puppet; a very well-made puppet though. The video also has a man doing a voice for the puppet. However, the information presented is valuable and the videos presented of the lock, in action, are interesting and well produced.