IT Security Stack Exchange
IT Security Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [privacy]

The attribute of a system that prevents the release of data to unauthorized individuals.

The ability or expectation of an individual or group to reveal information about themselves selectively or not at all.

Privacy typically involves the aspects of a system to control user data as designed, such as a user's ability to choose whether or not to share their information with others. It differs from security in that security focuses on the failure of the implementation of the designed behavior.

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In CitizenFour, what was Edward Snowden mitigating with a head blanket?

A scene in the documentary CitizenFour showed Snowden using a blanket to cover his head and the laptop screen. When asked by Greenwald about this, he answered affirmatively, but I couldn't really understand what Greenwald meant/said. What was…
Mars
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A stranger asks for my delivery address, how much information should I give?

There's this person online with whom I have only interacted a few times. They had asked me for a small favour, which I did. They then wanted to give me something in return as a thank you. They were going to post it, so they wanted my address. I am…
cluelessAndDesperate
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Is it safe to upload & scan personal files on VirusTotal?

I had an idea to make a plugin for one of my email clients where my users will be able to upload & scan attachments using VirusTotal service, but then again I was worried about their privacy and security of uploading personal files which may have…
Mirsad
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Are zip codes considered to be personal identifying information?

A public website of a financial firm (falls under SEC) has a HTML 5 map of the US where each point on the map is the 5 digit zip code of their clients. These points are generated from a CSV file that is pulled from the server into the browser so…
cflyer
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A person knows my IP address: how to save my data and address?

I was chatting to a guy on a site, and the chat went wrong when I wrote a few wrong words by mistake. He then threatened that he will send my every detail to the vigilant team and soon my address will be known. He then showed me my IP address, the…
mnm
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Is it safe to rely on UUIDs for privacy?

I'm uploading files on S3, where the filename is a UUID. All files uploaded are publicly read/write, however these files are considered private to users. Is it possible for someone to guess a UUID, or randomly try a bunch of combinations to access…
Snowman
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Is blurring face secure?

I'm wondering how secure is to blur face in my photos? Is there any way to re-focus, or re-blur blurred object?
Mirsad
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What are these unknown visits to my private, unlisted webpage?

Greetings this is my first time to post a question here so please be forgiving if I do something wrong or did not follow proper etiquette. Here is my situation: I created a private, totally locked down, unsearchable, and password protected account…
Greenwall
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Does Google capture microphone data to better target advertising?

Recently several ads which I had never seen before started popping up. Most were related to products I had been talking about and thinking about buying as Christmas Gifts. Some of the most specific ads which popped up were "Dinosaur Books for…
rrz0
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what is differential privacy?

Currently I have heard a lot about differential privacy but I am unable to find out what exactly it is in a non-mathematicians language. Up-till now my understanding is that it add noise to the answer one gets for his query to database.
Geek
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How to defend against auto-scanning license plate cameras? (computer vision)

I just read a very interesting article in Popular Science about repo trucks and their new auto-scanning license plate cameras. The cameras are mounted on all four corners of their trucks, as as they drive around they automatically scan any license…
IT Bear
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Can a website identify me if I go in privacy mode with a different IP ? Or should I use a different computer?

Assume I am a regular user of website A that forbids multiple accounts. I assume it can identify me with cookies and IP. So if I use a VPN, then open a private tab in my browser, can it still identify me ? The cookies sent to the website will have…
eee
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Do VPNs really mask your identity or is it a facade?

Disclaimer: This is NOT intended to educate myself or others on carrying out illegal activities. I am interested in security topics and as a craftsman I pride myself on continued education. THAT SAID: Question: It is often said that things such as…
DotNetRussell
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Company computer use from home - how much can they see on the desktop?

I have a company supplied computer that I use from home. I log into VPN (cisco AnyConnect) when i need to access company email or internal company sites. In the past the company has been able to "take control" of my desktop to make software updates…
John
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Personal Information shows up in Google Search from a mailing list

Years ago, when I was young and fool, I sent personal information on a mailing list. Now, if someone type my first name and last name, this content shows up. I do not want this content to show up. What could be done to address this annoying…
ForgetMe
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