Privacy at risk: Who's watching you? (roundup)

The notion of Big Brother has been around for decades, but technology has long lagged behind the Orwellian imagination. Not any more--in the era of smartphones, face recognition, and the omnipresent Internet, the stakes are now much higher. That's what drives the new CBS drama "Person of Interest." Read on for more about the show and about the real-world connectable dots of the everyday surveillance we live with.

Video: "Person of Interest"--Cell phones spying on you

See additional "Person of Interest" videos below.

TODAY'S PRIVACY REALITIES

CNET's Security Center

Writers Elinor Mills, Seth Rosenblatt, Declan McCullagh, and others work to provide you with news, information, advice, and tools you need to understand security technology and its impact on your life.
(Posted in CNET)

Richard Clarke on Patriot Act, WikiLeaks, privacy (Q&A)

Ten years after September 11, Americans are safer but would benefit from a civil liberties commission, former U.S. cybersecurity and counterterrorism advisor says.
(Posted in InSecurity Complex by Elinor Mills)
September 19, 2011 12:58 p.m. PT

Privacy-minded mimes to dog Google's Schmidt in D.C

To spotlight concerns over Google's Net tracking, mimes working for an advocacy group will follow government workers around Wednesday, when Google Chairman Eric Schmidt testifies before Congress. Group also releases new video, with sinister depictions of Schmidt, Larry Page.
(Posted in Digital Media by Jay Greene)
September 18, 2011 8:56 p.m. PT

How 9/11 attacks reshaped U.S. privacy debate

The attacks a decade ago may have given us the Patriot Act, Homeland Security, and "don't touch my junk," but there are signs that privacy is poised to make a comeback.
• Justice Dept. loses round in warrantless phone tracking
(Posted in Privacy Inc. by Declan McCullagh)
September 9, 2011 4:00 a.m. PT

How companies use Wi-Fi to track you

The way tech companies such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft collect and use geolocation tracking information has come under scrutiny in recent months out of potential privacy concerns.
• Geotracking controversy homes in on iPhone (roundup)
• FTC eyes updates to online child privacy rules
• Researchers decrypt data on mobile networks
(Posted in Security by Declan McCullagh and others)
September 1, 2011 12:35 a.m. PT

Keeping up with the hackers (chart)

This handy chart provides a timeline of the computer attacks and hacks that have happened in recent months.
• Kevin Mitnick shows how easy it is to hack a phone
• Black Hat, Defcon: All about hacking (roundup)
(Posted in InSecurity Complex by Elinor Mills)
August 29, 2011 11:32 a.m. PT

White House pledges new Net privacy approach

A White House aide says that the new approach, expected to be announced this fall, will feature "privacy law without regulation."
(Posted in Privacy Inc. by Declan McCullagh)
August 22, 2011 4:54 p.m. PT

Face-matching with Facebook profiles: How it was done

Carnegie Mellon researcher demonstrates a new Facebook privacy threat: profile photos can be used to ID people on dating sites and on the street.
• Taxi cab cam nabs phone thief in the act
(Posted in Privacy Inc. by Declan McCullagh)
August 4, 2011 7:40 p.m. PT

KEEPING YOUR PRIVATE LIFE ON LOCKDOWN

Protect your privacy with a new crop of security suites

Fall is upon us, which means that your favorite security suite has probably just updated. Check out this roundup to see CNET's favorite 2012 security suite so far.
(Posted in The Download Blog by Seth Rosenblatt)
September 16, 2011 5:47 p.m. PT

How to prevent identity theft

Awareness is the most important aspect of any computer-security scheme, so monitor all your online and financial accounts--and change your password regularly.
(Posted in CNET How To by Dennis O'Reilly)
September 13, 2011 3:33 p.m. PT

How to improve your password strength

Awareness is the most important aspect of any computer-security scheme, so monitor all your online and financial accounts--and change your password regularly.
(Posted in CNET How To by Rob Lightner)
September 9, 2011 1:56 p.m. PT

Stop the creepy Facebook oversharing

Facebook now shares your new friendships, comments, and Likes in the News Feed and on your Wall, giving your nosy friends a free pass to your personal life. Block this feature with our quick tip.
(Posted in CNET How To by Sharon Vaknin)
September 8, 2011 2:21 p.m. PT

Five ways to avoid being tracked on the Web

Use privacy-enhancing browser add-ons, a DNS filter service, clear your browser cache and cookies on exit, sign out of services when not in use, and forward Web mail to a pop/imap account. Find out how.
(Posted in CNET How To by Dennis O'Reilly)
August 31, 2011 2:47 p.m. PT

BEHIND THE SCENES: "PERSON OF INTEREST"