Snowden Leaks Prompt Internet Users Worldwide To Protect Their Data 53
Lucas123 writes: A new international survey of internet users from 24 countries has found that more than 39% of them have taken steps to protect their data since Edward Snowden leaked the NSA's spying practices. The survey, conducted by the Center for International Governance Innovation, found that 43% of Internet users now avoid certain websites and applications and 39% change their passwords regularly. Security expert Bruce Schneier chastised the media for trying to downplay the numbers by saying "only" 39%" have taken action and "only 60%" have heard of Snowden. The news articles, "are completely misunderstanding the data," Schneier said, pointing out that by combining data on Internet penetration with data from the international survey, it works out to 706 million people who are now taking steps to protect their online data. Additionally, two-thirds (64%) of users indicated they are more concerned today about online privacy than they were a year ago. Another notable finding: 83% of users believe that affordable access to the Internet should be a basic human right.
Re: (Score:3, Funny)
In other news the NSA has declared that 43% of Anonymous Coward's are terrorist's and have now been added to no fly lists. You have now reasonable expectation to privacy because da gubbermint has been breading stupidity for so long, the people do not know what is best for them, big thanks to Hitler for your salvation.
The CIA has added waterboarding as a sport like wakeboarding, snowboarding, surfing etc.
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It's just 'Karma', you know ;). I do not agree with what is going on with these clowns, in fact, no reasonable expectation to privacy en mass is unhealthy, they are effectively lining people up to buy Prozac from big pharma. Just another case of the government feeding a line of paranoid bullshit to the people with hidden objectives, and it always turns out to be about money.
If "Steps" are Facebook Privacy Controls... (Score:4, Insightful)
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!
HAA HAA HAA HAA HAA HAA HAA!!!!!!
Oh God, that was funny! *SNORT*.
I'll let you in on a secret (*snicker*):
If you're on the web, you're walking down the street shouting your secrets to the world.
The way to keep your privacy is to keep your mouth shut.
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No, it's because you say things like "YESSH!!!!", "I got modded Troll!", "Boooyahh!", "*Really*?", "Did you Facebook fanbois actually read what I posted,", "did your lips get tired after the first sentence?", "No troll here folks." and "Just the truth.".
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YESSH!!!! I got modded Troll! Boooyahh! *Really*? Did you Facebook fanbois actually read what I posted, or did your lips get tired after the first sentence? No troll here folks. Just the truth.
I originally thought you were baked. Now I see it's waaay too many espresso's. You ain't supposed to drink a whole potfull of them like youur halfcaf regular coffee!.
Yes, there is no anonymity on the intertoobZ. You don't need to get your dander up over it. I really don't give a flying fuck if dah guvmintz know I'm buying some dried chipotle peppers online, or even looking at some fine milfs on occasion.
And if someone doesn't want to have the world know about their Mexican vacation and their "Donkey Enc
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Surprisingly, it can actually be both.
Congratulations, you succeeded at Troll Truthiness.
You must be proud.
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there's a lot more to 'the internet' than port 80 and 443, my friend.
most of us don't care so much about port 80.
we DO care about email and voip, though. there used to be the concept of privacy and security there (more or less) but now, the cat is out of the bag and all data is now sniffable and loggable.
(I wonder if you are done with your childish laughing attack?)
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most of us don't care so much about port 80.
Who is "us"? Most internet users care very much about port 80, not that they even know it. Most of them do pretty much everything through their browser.
(I wonder if you are done with your childish laughing attack?)
I started having one when you suggested that most of us don't care about port 80. Welcome to slashdot, you must never have been here.
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But ... but ... port 80 is where they keep most of the porn.
We certainly do care. ;-)
Re: (Score:1)
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!
HAA HAA HAA HAA HAA HAA HAA!!!!!!
Oh God, that was funny! *SNORT*.
I'll let you in on a secret (*snicker*):
See that happens when they legalize grass?
Doooood - don't worry man! It's all okay. Here, have some Doritos..
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As far as I know, they might not be able to decode that on the fly without digging up some older (and probably more sane) staff.
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We're going to spend more effort on security now.
The new password: S-o-n-y
Re:Changing passwords regularly (Score:5, Funny)
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You are correct. Linux would be much less secure with only 5 characters.
Dubious About This Survey (Score:4, Insightful)
Some really odd responses in here, that make me question the honestly of the responses. For example, on 35% of Chinese respondents believe their government restricts access to the Internet?
Secondly, on the Snowden question, the question calls out for a "yes, I have" response. People don't want to admit to surveyors that they don't know something, so a good study will actually test whether they actually know about Snowden, or are just not willing to admit ignorance.
Finally, it doesn't say what the "steps" people took actually are, so it's very hard to say what impact Snowden's actually had.
There is a section asking about what people are doing differently on the net vs. last year (changed password, not go to certain sites, etc. etc.), but that was asked of all respondents, not just those who say they know of Snowden, so there's no output on what specific changes people made. Would be interesting to see the responses to that question separated between those who know of Snowden, and those who don't.
Re:Dubious About This Survey (Score:5, Insightful)
At this point, does it really matter if people are simply taking steps to hide their Facebook posts, or if they're starting to PGP sign their emails?
People are starting to do something; starting to feel that it's important enough to do something. That's a positive step, each subsequent story makes them think "Oh, maybe I should do this thing more often, or keep these posts private." That increases the overall digital literacy, for lack of a better term, with each subsequent generation doing better than the past. Most people now know not to emails from strangers with attachments, if not most then certainly a lot more than did 5 years ago. Same goes for password practices, people know they should do better at them regardless of if they do or not.
Eventually people will, or services will do it for them, encrypt their phones, they'll put a half decent password on things, etc. It's just not going to happen overnight. We should be encouraging any little steps people take, not deriding them for not doing enough.
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Many Chinese people see their government's censorship of the internet as protecting them from bad or even criminal activity. You probably wouldn't say that the police "restrict" your ability to commit crime, but rather they protect you from it.
It sounds like the question was poorly worded.
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Many American people see their government's tapping of the internet as protecting them from bad or even terrorist activity. You probably wouldn't say the NSA "restrict" your civil liberties, but rather they protect you (and the rest of the world) from them.
One set
There is no privacy. Good luck... (Score:1, Interesting)
In this day and age there is no protection. Look at a live threat map and see whats happening day in and day out - countries are attacking the United States as a target and the United States in attacking itself. Its clear the genie is out of the bottle and nothing you can do, no matter what OS you use will protect you if you connect to the internet. Its time to be aware and the best defense is to remove all ingress points entirely... if you have something to hide, stop being insecure and let it all hang out
Reliability of questionnaires (Score:2)
> 39% change their passwords regularly
Am I the only one who finds that hard to believe?
(And for how many website accounts do they do this?)
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Well, they're counting changing the password from "GoBadgers1" to "GoBadgers2".
The main point (Score:1)
64% of users thing changing passwords will keep them secure.
Ministry of (dis-)Information (Score:2)
Oh, come on, he doesn't really believe they aren't just a mouthpiece, or at least heavily controlled, does he?
So .. if I mug 1000 people (Score:1)
And then a minority of people decide to better protect their money, it's OK??? Even though most people already know to protect their money and stay out of bad neighborhoods??
What a moronic argument. He broke the law, ran like a coward, was basically a traitor who thought he, and he alone, knew best. And was willing to coerce his fellow employees to break the law along with him.
Extradite him, try him, hopefully toss his cowardly traitorous ass in jail.
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There are those that understand the meaning behind the Civil War/WWI/WWII. Unfortunately, you are not one of them.
Gone Incognito (Score:1)