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If it’s not SSL, you’re screwed.

Cyber Monday tip: We’ve been told for years that on any site that’s requesting your credit card number, you should be absolutely sure you see HTTPS in the browser bar and a padlock icon in the browser, yet millions of people continue to be taken in by this simple scam. Beyond the risk of someone “eavesdropping” on your sensitive information, the lack of SSL is a sure sign that you’re not dealing with a reputable store. Adding SSL to a site can cost as little as $10 and has been de rigueur for almost fifteen years, so any site lacking this basic protection is a huge red flag (but because it’s only $10, the presence of that padlock doesn’t mean very much by itself).

More Cyber Monday tips from Dayna Steele here!

At a Congressional hearing this morning that veered into contentious arguments and cringe-worthy moments, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spilled the beans on their social media monitoring project.
DHS Chief Privacy Office Mary Ellen Callahan and Director of Operations Coordination and Planning Richard Chavez appeared to be deliberately stonewalling Congress on the depth, ubiquity, goals, and technical capabilities of the agency’s social media surveillance. At other times, they appeared to be themselves unsure about their own project’s ultimate goals and uses. But one thing is for sure: If you’re the first person to tweet about a news story, or if you’re a community activist who makes public Facebook posts—DHS will have your personal information.

 Department Of Homeland Security Tells Congress Why It’s Monitoring Facebook, Twitter, Blogs

At a Congressional hearing this morning that veered into contentious arguments and cringe-worthy moments, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spilled the beans on their social media monitoring project.

DHS Chief Privacy Office Mary Ellen Callahan and Director of Operations Coordination and Planning Richard Chavez appeared to be deliberately stonewalling Congress on the depth, ubiquity, goals, and technical capabilities of the agency’s social media surveillance. At other times, they appeared to be themselves unsure about their own project’s ultimate goals and uses. But one thing is for sure: If you’re the first person to tweet about a news story, or if you’re a community activist who makes public Facebook posts—DHS will have your personal information.

Department Of Homeland Security Tells Congress Why It’s Monitoring Facebook, Twitter, Blogs