Privacy Resolutions for the New Year

Chris Hoofnagle writes "EPIC has released ten privacy resolutions for the New Year. In addition to losing weight next year, lose all those data brokers who are after your bits."

Comments

What does antivirus have to do with privacy?

[zxSpectrum]

From the Privacy Resolutions:

Install anti-spyware, anti-virus, and firewall software on your computer.

I can understand why people want anti-spyware when running on windows boxes, since they also do a good job with cleaning recent files and such.

I can also understand why people would want firewalls for privacy. They're more convenient than actually locking down all ports and services manually

But anti-virus? And as a privacy measure? I don't get this. I have run without anti-virus for almost seven years, on various Windows boxes. I have never been virus-infected.

Whenever I am called out to do virus disaster recovery, it's almost always for people who have an antivirus solution installed. When are people going to drink the kool-aid, and understand that anti-virus solutions don't help.

My advice would rather go something like this: Set up your mail client so it won't auto-infect you by receiving mail. Don't open attachments. Don't install warez. Don't be so freakin' naive and gullible. Stop believing strangers send you naked Britneys.

Re:Who gives a fucking rat's ass?

[Rosco P. Coltrane]

you don't want a marketer to know what brand of condom you prefer, even if there is no practical consequence. Well, and I say, fuck it, I don't care.

Dear Sir,

We at Foo Health Insurance have reviewed your personal customer file. It appears you use condoms from the SuperStrong[tm] brand, which is statistically consistent with a promiscuous sex life. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, and to better serve you, we have cross-checked your medical claims file and successfully determined that you have started taking tri-therapies recently. What's more, your credit record seems to indicate that you would be better served by another health insurance company. We therefore regret to inform you that you will no longer be able to enroll in your current plan. Please find enclosed a list of plans you are eligible to.

Regards,
Joe S. Bastard, Foo H.I., Inc.