This was great!

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.

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.

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.

Between $1,000-5,000 fine and up to six months in jail if youre caught carrying another persons luggage in Singapore airport

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.

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.

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.

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.

A suicide bomber and militants with hand-grenades attacked Ali’s convoy, near the southern city of Aden. At least three soldiers were killed and nine others injured. The convoy was attacked as it exited a tunnel. Major General Ali was staying in Aden during a visit to the south; where militants have already claimed three cities. The army is trying to regain the territory.

 Yemen is currently under quite a bit of upheaval; including fighting between political factions and an al-Qaeda militant group in the south.  Most recently, Saleh, left the country.

Social Media has become a powerful channel for individuals to voice their discontent. Just a few weeks ago however, Mexican Drug Cartels took a stand against those individuals who would speak out against their activities on social media sites.

Early Sept. 13, 2011, two bodies were found hanging from a pedestrian bridge in the Mexican border city of Nuevo Laredo. This violence is believed to be the work of the Zetas Cartel, a cartel with a history of military training.

CNN Reports that signs found with the victims state that these two individuals denounced drug cartel activities on social media sites Al Rojo Vivo and Blog del Narco. These signs also threaten other social media users who are doing the same.

Image via CNN.com video

This episode of violence displayed the cartels determination to shut down those who denounce their activities. While threats against those who denounce their acitivites is not new, the threat against social media users is new, but it seems that this threat is not going to stop some social media users from voicing their opinions, not from twitter or from the two blogs mentioned by the cartels.

Michael Saad International (www.michaelsaad.com), a threat management and personal security firm, launched a new online case management system which enables their investigative clients to get up-to-date information, on demand, anytime day or night.

This state-of-the-art high tech system allows the client, the field investigators, and the office staff to be able to interact and share vital information in one system. There are no more timely delays or having to wait for information to arrive in the mail.

The Investigative Division of MSI is a leading provider of services for the legal community, insurance companies and corporations worldwide. They were founded in 1994 and have grown considerably, expanding to be able to investigate cases nationally and internationally. In addition to investigations, their Security Division specializes in high-profile executive, celebrity and vip protection in hostile environments around the world, as well as low risk settings in surburbia.

They customize their programs and reports to the precise needs of their clients.

The launching of their online case management system, which is standard for all cases with no extra fees, is another way that they stay ahead of the competition. Their investigators have always been equipped with state-of-the-art resources such as laptop computers, digital video cameras, concealed camera equipment and digital audio recorders, and many more high-tech devices. With all of this specialized equipment their clients receive fast and accurate reports or videos and updated information 24/7.

Michael Saad International provides a wide range of services which include both discreet and interview-based investigations. They assist law firms with litigation cases and corporations use their services for internal theft, Workman’s Comp, and security issues. They also assist insurance companies with fraudulent claims.

When asked about the launching of the new online case management system, here is what some of the management of Michael Saad had to say about the new system:

“In today’s internet-driven world, clients want information available when they want it. I think this System is just one example of how Michael Saad is meeting this demand.”
Laurize Mimay, Operations Manager

“I can be at my desk, and know what my investigators are doing, have done and will be doing tomorrow.”
Deidra Vincent, Investigations Manager

“Gone are the days of waiting for the mail to arrive before our clients can see the video we captured. With streaming media, our clients can access the system and see the video in seconds.”
Zana Muhma, International Operations Manager