security – Jonathan Mumm

Google’s “Wifi Location Opt-Out” policy is horrible and flawed.

In one of my previous posts, I wrote how Google and other companies are tracking our locations via Wifi routers. In order to do that, these company must have a database that stores all of the wifi routers it can find, and their locations.

Google FINALLY just introduced a way to remove your router from their system, however their method is ridiculous, and here’s why.

Reason #1: The “removal method” is so bothersome, most users won’t use it.

Continue reading Google’s “Wifi Location Opt-Out” policy is horrible and flawed.

Wifi Location Tracking is killing Privacy

When Google’s “streetview cars” roamed around the world, they were performing wifi scans of their surrounding areas. By mapping the MAC address of your location to the van’s GPS coordinates, they built a map of locations that can accurately find your location, just by knowing the wifi router you’re connected to.

Google claimed this was “by accident”, and many countries objected to the collection of the data and the invasion of privacy.

As of 2010, Google had collected 600 gigabytes of data from over 30 nations. That list is now growing, as each new Android phone that gets purchased has the built-in ability to transfer locations of wireless networks to and from Google’s servers, to help aid in location services on the phone. The unfortunate part is even if you aren’t using these services, Google is still collecting this data via your phone.

So who has your wifi router’s location?

Continue reading Wifi Location Tracking is killing Privacy

You Need a “Find My Stolen Phone” App

If you care at all about your phone, you should have a “Find My Phone” app installed.

Why should you install a “Lost Phone” app?

Your phone has sensitive personal information in it.
If you browse the internet on your phone, if could have account login credentials. (Banks, emails)
Many people put their company’s emails on their phones.
You’d rather try recovering your phone before spending a few hundred $ on a new one.

So which app should you install?
Continue reading You Need a “Find My Stolen Phone” App