Online security

[DracoM]

Forget it!

[Dave2002]

Here is an article which might interest some here ....

https://themarkup.org/newsletter/hello-world/lessons-from-a-professional-password-cracker

[Bryn]

Beware of fake Amazon texts. I just had one which I deleted without opening.

[DracoM]

[Dave2002]

I find Google and second authentication troubling. OK - so it appears that Google is trying to protect users, and maybe it does, but it also gathers a lot of extra information. Each time there's a change of password, then Google will naturally require the user to put the new password into all the devices he or she owns, thus keeping track of the details and location of each device. It gets worse when one is asked to allow Google passwords for Apple, or vice versa. So after a while one or more companies have even more data about users which they claim is going to keep them safer.

Oh - did I mention that Google is closely involved with mobile phone companies and Android? So not only do they collate information about computer use, but also about smartphone use.

That's OK as long as these companies honour their commitments, keep the data secret, are not forced to reveal data by law enforcement, or are not hacked by malefactors, including foreign states.

So I continue to be wary of second factor authentication. Google may be the best/worst contender here, though it's not the only one.

[Dave2002]

This article about Facebook is interesting. Note, however, that if you try to remove any data from FB's databases you still have to provide your actual data so that FB can block access, or prevent further uploads by third parties. So either you trust FB - .... or you don't!!!!!

https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/personal/2022/11/how-to-delete-your-email-and-phone-number-from-facebook

Trying to check whether FB has your data would also supply FB with exactly the data it requires to have a hold on you in the future - unless such checks could be done by a hashing method which did not reveal the actual data.

[Serial_Apologist]

This article about Facebook is interesting. Note, however, that if you try to remove any data from FB's databases you still have to provide your actual data so that FB can block access, or prevent further uploads by third parties. So either you trust FB - .... or you don't!!!!!

https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/personal/2022/11/how-to-delete-your-email-and-phone-number-from-facebook

Trying to check whether FB has your data would also supply FB with exactly the data it requires to have a hold on you in the future - unless such checks could be done by a hashing method which did not reveal the actual data.

What kind of hold do you think this could involve, Dave? Blackmail??

[Bryn]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNRwTz6lH04