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Stupid Security

Posted by timothy on from the just-ask-penn dept.

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!)"

6 of 81 comments (clear)

  1. Signature via fax by DrSkwid · · Score: 3, Insightful

    & also "Company Letterhead via fax"

    I've encountered both of those as some sort of "security"

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
  2. Network Solutions takes the cake by ip_vjl · · Score: 2, Insightful

    How about the "Fax us the change request on company letterhead" for making changes when you don't have the admin password.

    Like nobody could possibly fake that.

    --

    When transferring a domain to another party, I had to have the form notarized, then fax it in.
    What's the point of the notary seal (embossed) when I'm going to fax it?

  3. JavaScript by SoCalChris · · Score: 3, Insightful

    JavaScript on web pages that won't allow you to right click. Very stupid "security", and highly annoying too! Not to mention that it is super easy to get around...

  4. Re:Identification by david+duncan+scott · · Score: 2, Insightful
    You're right about 9/11, of course, but suicide bombers are the extreme case. A truck bomb could certainly flatten my house, but I still lock the dead-bolt at night because I'm also concerned with ordinary criminals. I lock my car even though a moderately-skilled thief could still take it, because there are also even less skilled thieves who will be stopped unless I leave the keys in the ignition.

    As for what security guards will remember, you never know. Ask one of them sometime. Some of those guys are ex- or off-duty cops, and cops often have remarkable memories. Furthermore, there may be a camera in the ceiling overhead.

    --

    This next song is very sad. Please clap along. -- Robin Zander

  5. Re:Identification by parliboy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    You've circuitously explained the real problem. The true state of security is such that I would get in with a DL that says, "John Smith, 123 Maple Sreet, Clevland OH"

    --
    "You're never ready, just less unprepared."
  6. Re:How about ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    How can something be modded redundant if it's the first post to say it?