Stupid Security

Buck Mulligan writes "The folks at Privacy International are holding a stupid security contest to discover the "world's most pointless, intrusive, annoying and self-serving security measures." Nominations can be submitted by email: stupidsecurity@privacy.org. My vote goes to the Ronald Reagan 'Free Trade' Center in Washington, where you have to show your driver's license to visit the food court. (Having a driver's license proves that you aren't dangerous!)"

Comments

(Chemical) labs at universities

[tsa]

I find it strange that there is (almost) no security at all in many chemical labs at universities in Holland where I've been. Anyone can walk in and pick up some chemicals, some of which are very dangerous if you don't know how to handle them. Of course people who work there can always take anything they want, but people who just happen to be there are not (much) resticted.

Re:(Chemical) labs at universities

[Anonymous Coward]

That's not poor security so much as criminally poor chemical handling. Chemicals should be separated according to class, acids with acids and bases separate. Flamables away from the oxidizers etc... They should be in the proper cabinets and locked. And lastly anyone who works in a lab should keep everyone who doesn't need to be there out. No exceptions.

Identification

[david duncan scott]

Having a driver's license proves that you aren't dangerous!

No, of course not, but showing a DL makes you somewhat accountable -- would you rather chase "Caucasion male between 5'6" and 6', with brownish-blondish hair and average build", or "John Smith, 123 Maple Sreet, Clevland OH"?

Sure, credentials can be forged, but at least you've raised the bar.

XP explorer

[octalgirl]

When you use Explorer, which used to mean you would see everything about your computer in one fell swoop, clicking or double-clicking on My Network Places does nothing. You now have to right-click and Explore again if you actually want to get there. It seems it's because some users were getting into Network Neighborhood accidentaly and noticing there were other computers out there, possilby not locked down properly. But really, making someone right-click again, that is not better security, it's reduced functionality.