The fact that you’re reading this probably means that you’re on the Internet right now.

And that your intelligence is probably at least above-average.

But I have no idea whether you’re a good and admirable person or not.

For all I know, you may be a cybercriminal. [more...]

A few of my local grocery stores often offer deeply discounted prices on specific items to shoppers who have signed up for the store’s shopper card.

Here’s how it works: In exchange for filling out a registration form with your name, address, telephone number, email address, etc., the store gives you a plastic card the size of a credit card. Then, every time you shop at that store, you are eligible to receive huge discounts on [more...]

“Lawmakers working to craft a new comprehensive immigration bill have settled on a way to prevent employers from hiring illegal immigrants: a national biometric identification card all American workers would eventually be required to obtain.

Under the potentially controversial plan still taking shape in the Senate, all legal U.S. workers, including [more...]

Regular readers of this Journal know that I don’t trust online services with any of my private or confidential data.

And although I post messages in online computer support forums nearly every day, I have no need to participate in any “social networking” sites.

Judging by the emails that I receive, most users of online services and social networking sites [more...]

Regular readers of this Journal know that I’ve never trusted free online service providers like Google or Yahoo! with any of my personal or confidential data.

And I have absolutely no interest in storing any of my data — confidential or not — “in the cloud.”

So, instead of using online applications that [more...]

Chutzpah: n. (Slang) — 1892, from Yiddish khutspe “impudence, gall” from Heb. hutspah. The classic definition is that given by Leo Rosten: “that quality enshrined in a man who, having killed his mother and father, throws himself on the mercy of the court because he is an orphan.”

You would be hard-pressed to find a corporation that [more...]

Okay, let’s say that you’re rich.

Rich enough to be able to buy a penthouse apartment in Manhattan.

And you’ve found what looks like a perfect one to buy.

But you’re also geeky. [more...]

Regular readers of this Journal know that I’m a staunch supporter of computer users’ privacy rights.

And it drives me crazy that an increasing number of those users are willing to trade the security and confidentiality of their private data for a little added convenience.

Many of you have written to tell me that you [more...]

oo-ee oo-ee ooooh — wa-wah-waa.

I’m sure that fans of classic films instantly recognized that as the opening notes of the theme song from the iconic 1967 Clint Eastwood spaghetti western.

Good luck trying to get it out of your head. It’s still in mine as I write this.

Anyway, here’s some good news about [more...]

How much do you trust your government?

Would you feel comfortable knowing that they can listen in on your private telephone and cell phone conversations?

Would it bother you to know that they can monitor your Internet browsing habits? [more...]