Computers, databases and networks have connected us like never before, but at what cost?
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Science Talk
Who's Watching You: The Future of Privacy
Scientific American editor-in-chief John Rennie discusses the future of privacy and security, the subject of the September single-topic issue of Scientific American magazine. Plus we'll test your knowledge of some recent science in the news. Websites mentioned in this episode include www.sciam.com/sciammag; www.snipurl.com/sciamfootball
Features
Are You Being Watched? Probably [Slide show]
Looking back at the surveillance all around us--from wiretapped phones to security cameras
Features
Poll: How Safe is Your Information Online
What steps do you take to protect your personal information?
Features
Who's Keeping an Eye on Your Online Health Records?
Google, Microsoft and other providers of Web-based services for managing health care information promise to keep it secure, but privacy policies vary from site to site
60-Second Science
Invasion of Privacy: A Conversation with Larry Greenemeier
ScientificAmerican.com's Larry Greenemeier talks about your privacy and the threats to it. See our privacy package online at SciAm.com, as well as the September special single-topic issue of Scientific American. Steve Mirsky reports
Scientific American Magazine
Privacy In an Age of Terabytes and Terror
Introduction to SciAm's issue on Privacy. Our jittery state since 9/11, coupled with the Internet revolution, is shifting the boundaries between public interest and "the right to be let alone"
Scientific American Magazine
Do Social Networks Bring the End of Privacy?
Young people share the most intimate details of personal life on social-networking Web sites, such as MySpace and Facebook, portending a realignment of the public and the private
Scientific American Magazine
How Loss of Privacy May Mean Loss of Security
Many issues posing as questions of privacy can turn out to be matters of security, health policy, insurance or self-presentation. It is useful to clarify those issues before focusing on privacy itself
Scientific American Magazine
Tougher Laws Needed to Protect Your Genetic Privacy
In spite of recent legislation, tougher laws are needed to prevent insurers and employers from discriminating on the basis of genetic tests
Scientific American Magazine
Beyond Fingerprinting: Is Biometrics the Best Bet for Fighting Identity Theft?
Security systems based on anatomical and behavioral characteristics may offer the best defense against identity theft
Scientific American Magazine
Data Fusion: The Ups and Downs of All-Encompassing Digital Profiles
Mashing everyone's personal data, from credit card bills to cell phone logs, into one all-encompassing digital dossier is the stuff of an Orwellian nightmare. But it is not as easy as most people assume
Scientific American Magazine
How RFID Tags Could Be Used to Track Unsuspecting People
A privacy activist argues that the devices pose new security risks to those who carry them, often unwittingly
Scientific American Magazine
Internet Eavesdropping: A Brave New World of Wiretapping
As telephone conversations have moved to the Internet, so have those who want to listen in. But the technology needed to do so would entail a dangerous expansion of the government's surveillance powers
Scientific American Magazine
Cryptography: How to Keep Your Secrets Safe
A versatile assortment of computational techniques can protect the privacy of your information and online activities to essentially any degree and nuance you desire
Scientific American Magazine
Industry Roundtable: Experts Discuss Improving Online Security
Experts from Sun, Adobe, Microsoft and MacAfee discuss how to protect against more numerous and sophisticated attacks by hackers; security professionals call for upgraded technology, along with more attention to human and legal factors
Scientific American Magazine
Digital Surveillance: Tools of the Spy Trade
Night-vision cameras, biometric sensors and other gadgets already give snoops access to private spaces. Coming soon: palm-size "bug-bots"
Features
Spying on the Spies [Slide Show]
State Department shows off Cold War-era electronic eavesdropping gadgets
Scientific American Magazine
Seven Paths to Regulating Privacy
History is ambiguous about government willingness to protect private life, but a few recommendations can help keep its future secure
News
Many States Elect Not to Use Flawed E-Voting Technology
Eight years after the controversial 2000 presidential election, electronic voting systems still fail to deliver on their promise of accuracy and security
News
I Hear Ya: Bush Signs Expanded Wiretap Power into Law
President scores victory in effort to widen scope of federal government's warrantless recon power
News
Palm-Reading Devices Get Smart about Security
A new biometrics system uses the blood network in the palms of your hand to ID individuals
News
China's Cyber Attacks Signal New Battlefield Is Online
Although a cyber war has yet to be declared, there have been plenty of online skirmishes
60-Second Science Blog
Apple disses hackers' Black Hat convention
60-Second Science Blog
Hackers convene Last HOPE conference in the Big Apple
News
Navy Mulls New Way to Enhance, Hide Submarine Communications
Deep Siren technology would let submarines communicate with ships and shore without compromising stealth
News
Colorado "Spam King" Dead in Apparent Murder/Suicide
Edward Davidson reportedly shot his wife and daughters before turning the gun on himself after escaping from minimum-security prison
News
Mac Attack Targets Porn Surfers
Does a scheme for stealing personal information from Mac OS X users mean that a few bad Apples are about to spoil the bunch?
Scientific American Magazine
A Little Privacy, Please
Computer scientist Latanya Sweeney helps to save confidentiality with "anonymizing" programs, "deidentifiers" and other clever algorithms. Whether they are enough, however, is another question
News
Space Station Could Beam Secret Quantum Codes by 2014
Researchers outline project to send long-distance, ultrasecure messages on Earth via the International Space Station
News
Heart-Stopper: Could Hackers Hit Pacemakers, Other Medical Implants?
Researchers warn that implantable medical devices could be vulnerable to cyber strikes
The Editors Recommend
Features
Planning to E-Vote? Read This First
With less than three months before the presidential election, the hotly contested state, Ohio, along with others, continue to have problems with E-voting technology
Features
Pedophile Proof Chat Rooms?
Can Lancaster University's Isis Project keep children safe online without invading our privacy?
Features
Does an Advertiser Know You Clicked on This Story?
Facebook, Yahoo, and Google come under fire for allowing advertisers to follow online consumer behavior to create targeted messages
From the Archive
Scientific American Magazine
September 2008 Issue
Privacy In an Age of Terabytes and Terror
Introduction to SciAm's issue on Privacy. Our jittery state since 9/11, coupled with the Internet revolution, is shifting the boundaries between public interest and "the right to be let alone"