Managing Your Identity and Cyber Security

As an IT professional, I have witnessed an explosion in Internet use since its inception. As people become more and more connected with computers and mobile devices, the responsibility of managing passwords and one’s identity becomes more complicated. Attacks on corporate systems have steadily increased over the years, and these help to realize the pitfalls of heavy reliance upon computer systems. The attacks are becoming less common from rogue hackers as much as they are coordinated state-sponsored or criminal efforts. The government can only do so much to encourage standards of cyber security because the ultimate responsibility lies with the companies, IT departments and people to implement proper strategies. Everyone has to realize what types of threats there are and how to manage systems in order to mitigate these threats. For cyber security strategy, there are three aspects that we must consider 1) password management and online presentations, 2) hardware and software infrastructure, and 3) secure application development. Of the first two, everyone can do a part while the third is primarily the responsibility of developers.

Let us review some threats to cyber systems and Internet communications. Viruses, worms and spyware have played important parts to disabling networks and doing mischievous activity with various computer systems. Phishing and spam emails have been used to decoy potential threats as legitimate requests. Today, threats are more than just the annoying viruses and spyware issues. Attackers simply “sniff’ unsecured communications, such as unencrypted or unsecured Wi-Fi networks, for information. Anyone using a mobile device (e.g. iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone) or laptop that connects to an unsecured Wi-Fi network risks having information stolen. Today, attacks are more coordinated efforts toward systems like utilities, banks, and government resources. IT departments are on the defensive to keep attacks from gaining access to critical information or from disabling systems. The recent issues with Sony PlayStation systems, as well as the infamous Stuxnet attacks on Iran, provide a glimpse of how well these attacks are evolving and how damaging the results can be. Most utilities and banks know that those probing for security holes and attacks are often rooted in foreign countries.

The first part of a good cyber security strategy is proper password management. The make-up of the password is important as well as how you manage passwords. Passwords should be strong (e.g. a mix of characters, numbers in different cases and symbols if allowed). A computer program can match a simple character-only password by brute force within minutes whereas a strong password can take much longer such that attackers may desire to look for easier victims. People should get in the habit of having different passwords (instead of using one over and over) as well as routinely changing those passwords. There is software that can help 1) generate strong passwords and 2) keep a record of those passwords so that you do not have to necessarily remember them.

Password management is important, but this is not the only part of cyber security to manage when protecting your identity. Criminals are interested in aspects of your identity so that they might attempt to open accounts, to access corporate networks, and to use victim’s finances without the person’s knowledge. Consider the information that people share on Facebook, Twitter, or other social systems, and consider that many firms now ask for personal data in the event someone forgets their password (e.g. “what was your first pet’s name”). Everything that one posts online, regardless of privacy settings, can be used to create accounts or to gain access to online accounts and financial records. Consider what happens if one loses a thumb drive with saved documents and records. Postal mail, if not disposed properly, can also be used to open new accounts (with or without your knowledge). Be mindfully wary of random requests for “friending” or for other information and avoid clicking on links included in emails.

Protect your communications through software and hardware. Many people can remember the “I Love you” virus that spread wild and caused people to get ridiculous and destructive email messages. Most of this can be mitigated by having updated anti-virus and pop-up blocker software today, but one should always be wary of messages with attachments or messages from unknown sources. Be careful of what websites you visit when using unsecured connections because plugins and tools are available for people to easily scan those communications. You might consider purchasing SSH or encryption services to protect Internet connections or using virtual private networks that limit ability to sniff communications. Computers should have an active and updated firewall installed running always, and any routers in your home should be password protected. Change default passwords for these devices.

Our computer systems have grown much simpler to use over the years, and we have been able to access information in increasingly different ways. This has also raised number of different ways that people can attack or steal information. Everyone must be diligent in following proper procedures to protect against attacks and to be disciplined with what and when information is shared. Even when a product is released with the latest protection, there is someone somewhere learning how to circumvent the security. Awareness by everyone will help make better decisions about sharing information online and will help to prevent people from needlessly taking advantage of you.

Tax Reforms and Responsibility of Public Services

Taxes are not the fun part of our citizen duties to our country and state. The obligation to our communities, via taxes, enables the needed revenues through which we all enjoy mutual benefits. In the current state legislature and at the federal Congress, we are bombarded with a notion that taxes are too high. There is plenty of reason why people want to lower that duty. I have advocated that we should seriously reform the tax code. Considering our taxation history and the endeavors of several administrations (lowest tax rates in a century, 3 wars, unchecked tax subsidies, unchecked entitlement spending), there are mixed messages about responsibility and public welfare. In the state discussion, the focus is upon commercial property taxes in Iowa. The federal discussion is focusing upon the progressive tax system. The resolution to the issues will need to involve reforming the code without burdening larger swaths of people and to actually make some hard choices.

Let us analyze the proposed commercial property tax reduction of 40% over the next 4 years by Branstad. This essentially reduces the taxable property value and revenue for cities to draw needed funds in order to encourage commercial development (e.g. job creation). City managers all over Iowa argue this is misguided since the “expected” growth of commercial property to make up for the reduction in tax revenues is hardly possible. Given the trend of positive reports of Iowa as a business friendly environment (e.g. Forbes, Fortune and CNBC) and the relative lack of significant growth in response to those reports, can we seriously imagine a spike in growth based upon a sudden change in commercial tax rates? The replenishment of taxable property to make up for the shortfall created by the rate reduction will not be enough to cover that deficit. Therefore, someone else has to pay for the deficit or there is a reduction of services.

One proposed solution would be to merge administrative and services between communities in order to reduce redundancy or inefficiency. On its face, this proposal has some merit, but the pride of communities and the current redistricting provides us with the realities of making this happen. The county –wide vote to merge Des Moines with Polk County administration is evidence of people’s unwillingness to realize such solutions. As well, the smaller rural communities that have experienced school redistricting may resist ceding of local decision capabilities to some other community for fear of no services to the locality. Besides, who do the legislators and governor think is going to be willing to swallow pride pills? What is the priority for merging services? Does this ultimately mean reduction of services?

Remember, commercial property enjoys the same benefits of government service as residential areas. The reduction of those services may actually become a strike against moving new businesses to Iowa despite supposed favorable tax rates. The higher burden of taxes on residential areas may offset the relief of having lower commercial property taxes. Lower commercial costs may yield little benefit if no one can now afford to do commerce because of higher residential obligations. Reduction of commercial property tax rates at the levels proposed is essentially providing people with some means with public welfare that they, incidentally, will end up cutting services for middle-class and low-income families (e.g. schools, roads, mental health, police and fire protection). They are telling working people to shoulder the burdens for the wealthier parts of society.

Reform of taxes as less complicated and less burdensome to people is a great idea. Yet, if there is no problem with 85% of wealth hoarded in the top 5% of society, they surely have benefits associated with that much wealth and financial power that is unavailable to remaining 95% of society. They also get the benefits of having a robust middle-class that can afford and has access to buy services and products. Yet, why do they get to enjoy loopholes that in some cases reduce their tax obligation to rates to near zero? If everyone is paying a fair share, people would not mind being able to file a simple form without special software or tax accountants. In fact, some plans for simpler tax codes with less, or no, loopholes envision lower tax rates and provide the government with more revenue to provide those mutual services. (Consider that taxpayers pay for gas and oil before they even get to the pump.)

The proposals for tax reform are good starting points for the discussion about our state’s and country’s fiscal policies, but the policies enacted should be careful to ensure that the middle-class does not end up with more of the burden of the welfare state for business and the wealthy. As well, the middle class should be wary of rhetoric that scapegoats low-income families as non-working, lazy poor in order to maintain certain tax privileges for large firms and wealthier Americans. The cost to maintain the workers’ safety net is less than the cost to provide tax subsidies for oil and gas exploration (or to provide tax “relief” for wealthy Americans). There is no reason to continuously benefit one part of society at the expense of others because taxes are mutual duties that provide mutual benefits (not just for some).

Perceptions of Advanced Capitalism and Corporation Influence upon American Middle Class and Individual Political Efficacy in Post-Modern America

Whether you can participate or not, I would appreciate you sharing this with your colleagues, friends and lists to help gain participation!

To Whom It May Concern:

I humbly request your participation and invite you to be a respondent in my Dissertation research studying perceptions of corporate power and power elites influence upon public policy and upon personal capability to make social change. It is hoped that this research will contribute to the understanding of corporate power impact upon personal willingness to participate in politics (e.g. voting or activism).

With your permission, the survey will be conducted as an anonymous online survey. All information from the survey collection will be confidential, considered anonymous and your identity will be protected at all times. Participation is strictly on voluntary basis, and you may withdraw participation at any time.

For this study, I am seeking the following respondents who:
-A self-identifying middle class, English-speaking, white male from Generation X.
-Voted in 2008 Presidential election and identifies as independent.
-Has bachelors degree, non-union, employed by a for-profit corporation.
-Does not generally vote based upon a specific cause or issue.
-Has observed company culture where they are employed.

If you meet the above criteria and would like to participate in this study, simply go to the site listed and follow the link to begin the survey. If you need to contact me or have questions, please contact me by phone (319.621.6807), log on to the web page the http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/dissertation/ or email (tony.hansen@waldenu.edu).

If you don’t wish to participate, no one will contact you, and your anonymity will remain protected.
Thank you for considering participation in this study.

Sincerely
Tony Hansen

Marriage Equality and the Freedom of Religion

Among the many different arguments for and against equality in marriage, there is subtle, if not blatantly, overlooked point about the freedom of religion (in addition to the unrelenting prejudices). If one really thinks about the marriage issue as that being presented by those supporting so-called “traditional marriages”, there is a direct correlation to the freedom of religion and how they believe religion should be taught or expressed in public law. These religious right advocates want to codify in Constitutional amendments specific religious doctrines and to whittle away at the freedom of religion for everyone else.

There is an understanding that the purpose of the Bill of Rights (both at the state-level and the federal level) is to protect the minority from the impeding or disabling whims and wishes of the majority. Further, religious right advocates often declare that the media and the left are persecuting religious freedom by silencing religious speech or religious expressions in public, not to mention allowing LGBT people to have a voice in the discussion (or any so-called “special” rights or marriage equality). The call for marriage to exclude same-gender couples is often, if not boisterously, based in a particular “mainline” Christian tradition of heterosexual marriage. Yet, there are plenty of so-called “mainline” Christian faiths (as well as other religious faiths) that accept same-gender couples into marriage.

These same religious-rights advocates have categorized those same equality-supporting Christian churches in line with un-believers or not true followers of the “word of God”. Sometimes those advocates argue that the churches that support equality in marriage are merely a disguise for some unholy ritualistic paganism (e.g. un-Christian). Incidentally, this is comparable to the Ayatollah of Iran or Osama bin Laden labeling groups as infidels because their brand of Islam or religious faith is not pure enough. This relegates all of the churches, synagogues, or mosques in terms of who has the correct belief system. By attempting to codify that belief system in law, they are subverting the reason and establishment of the bill of rights protections with respect to religion. It would be perfectly logical to follow that reasoning to suggest that one church should receive preferential treatment since the law recognizes their particular faith tenets over others’ tenets.

Thus, the state has to decide whether to be mixed up in the religious debate. The rights of people in this country are founded upon the consensus of reasonable discourse from all religions with respect to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness where people have the equal rights to protect themselves and their property from unwarranted harm. We see this in laws with regard to murder, property and harassment. People, before the law, are to be treated equally and fairly. If the state founds its civic marriage on the parallel religious marriages, then we can not exclude those religions that recognize same-gender couples marriages into that commitment. To do otherwise is to protect some religious faiths while denying the religious belief of others and to inject a particular religion into public law. This consequence appears to be congenial with Bob Vander Plaats and Chuck Hurley as long as it is their brand of religion in law.

The state could simply not recognize all civic marriages, but we know from all sorts of studies that promotion of marriages is a compelling interest of that state. Obviously, the religious right regards civic marriage to be a partial integration of civic and religious conduct (similar to how the Christmas holiday is recognized). Otherwise, the discussion over civic recognition of marriage for same-gender couples would not be an issue. We also know from the growing set of academic research that children growing up in households with couples (straight or gay) will do better in school and life. As well, there is no harm that is committed to others, or even other marriages, by allowing people to marry without the blessing of a church. Thus, civic marriage has a state purpose for fulfilling a civilized and productive society. Yet, the religious right only wants the state to recognize marriages as defined by their own faiths and therefore, in a way, they want to control the public law and protections to exclude those that do not follow those particular faiths. Ironically and essentially, they want to use public law to persecute and to ridicule people for not following their self-avowed “true” faith.

The erosion of rights, by defining who has them and who does not have the rights, beckons the parallel chronology asserted in George Orwell’s Animal Farm where established and codified rights were slowly and systematically taken away based upon false numbers and eventually upon the pretext that some “are more equal than others.”  Again, no person or group of people is more equal than others before the law, and likewise, no one religion is more equal than another before the law that protects the free expression of religion. No majority can simply redefine that protection in order to justify the persecution of minorities or to require those minorities to follow a particular religious doctrine.

If we limit marriage to that defined by only some mainline religions, the next logical part of this discussion is to question who gets to perform marriages, where are they performed and if those marriages can be nullified. Perhaps, we codify marriages  and annulments only recognized by the Vatican; only those marriages recognized by churches of over 1000 members; marriages that cannot birth their own offspring should be annulled; or marriages only recognized in exchange for an obligatory tithe to a specific church? The law should not be subject to religious edicts or Salem-witch-trial type board for approval unless we mean to reject the sanctity of civil rights protections. The arguments against marriage equality look more and more like thinly veiled disguises for claims that one religious faith is better (e.g. “more equal”) than the others. Essentially, the state should not be in the business of arguing religious doctrines with respect to marriage given the civic interest in perpetuating marriage outside of religion.

This is also posted online with other research and commentaries at http://www.iowapolicyresearch.org/

GM, Holidays and Roger

The markets opened with a buzz today on the IPO of GM, which is trying to liquidate its government bonded debt. I found myself with a bit of a yawn at this prospect because IPOs are for the institutional players that get first crack at buying the stock where average retailers and traders get to trade the stock after those institutions see significant spikes in the first day of trading. I noticed how this works a couple times when I attempted to get into IPOs at the open price, but the stock wasn't even available until the price shot up 15-20% from the original offering price. So I have over time shifted away from this style of investing in quick gains in favor of more long term approaches.

The holidays have returned and this year is different for me as I have not been watching as much TV as I used to do. Thus, I have been somewhat of no-mind regarding the latest toys and gadgets advertised. Yet, I cannot escape the bustling shopping fever and holiday decor that is supposed to get people in the buying frenzy that is the staple of this season. Unfortunately, or otherwise, I am feeling a bit not interested in buying gifts like I have in the past. As well, I am not really interested in putting up a bunch of decorations outside only to put them back a month later. I guess my impression of the holidays have dwindled over the years as I see what is supposed to be a beautiful time with generous attitudes about humanity turn into gluttonous materialism that promotes "ME ME ME".

This may also have some roots in the latest album that I have purchased entitled Amused to Death by Roger Waters. I have heard the album before and thought it was ok, but I was not truly listening to the work until now. As a fan of Pink Floyd, I find this better than the Final Cut and in the realm of The Wall. The album has music the uses familiar riffs and chords from Pink Floyd work as well as the familiar angst against social issues (in this case, fallacy of materialism, evangelical religious orders, and remote-controlled war). I was impressed with Jeff Beck playing a superb guitar and in a similar style that David Gilmour would play in collaboration with Waters. Thus the album sounds incredibly like what should have followed up The Wall instead of The Final Cut.

Yet, with my satisfaction with the album, the lyrics reveal what I have been thinking in terms of religion and materialism. The irony of this album is that we have to "purchase" this and many of us are guilty of the same ironies, fallacies and actions that Waters is singing. Waters tells the story in a narrative from a perspective the "monkey in the corner" and the "alien comic" that observes these traits of humanity. The idea that no matter what religion traditions teach us about love, faith or humanity, those same traditions have been bastardized by evangelicals (of any religious order) in addition to capitalist ideas that promote a superior sense. That whatever one minister proposes that God wants, God gets. From love to a "clean fight", from crusades to jihad. God especially wants money. One could almost laugh at how much people will use religion to make up stories or to justify a means that has no other logical purpose. We could laugh if we did not also see how dangerous this has made people with respect to each other (especially between different cultures). "Germans killed the Jews, Jews killed the Arabs, the Arabs kill hostages..." What we call "miraculous" is a matter of degree of perspective rather than a truly spontaneous event.

To say the least, Roger Waters does not paint a friendly picture about society, but the point is that people have allowed religious, military or political figures to define what we believe as true regardless of how accurate that viewpoint is. Given the rise of religion in American politics, that illogical social perspective is playing beyond just material interests. The speed that people are expecting results is following the trend of instant access, which some would call a miracle. We still have to decipher information, question these grand assertions and we still have to do work in order to see miracles. If we continue to use religious assertions in law, we are destined to ignore basic and fundamental truths.

Loss of judicial Independence

The shock and disbelief of losing three justices on the guise that they overstepped the bounds of the judiciary was disheartening and scary at the same time. Iowa has set a dangerous precedent for itself, and this new precedent is based upon questionable mob rule rather than the secular rule of law. We find ourselves now at a condition in the judiciary that is bound to public opinion and ability to raise money for campaigns rather than legal fairness to interpret the law.  Given the disposition of those voting against the judges, they intend to have the courts follow a more religious test to the judicial decisions regardless of the law. That is, of course, contrary to constitutional law in U.S. Constitution Article VI and its First Amendment as well as contrary to the intentions of the Founding Fathers.  The preamble of the Iowa Constitution presents an invocation to the Supreme Being, but the Iowa Constitution has these same restrictions in Article I and even goes further to limit that the court of law does not render competence based upon religious tests or opinions. Article I of the Iowa constitution is clear that “all men and women are, by nature, free and equal” which suggests that Iowa has enjoyed an equal rights provision before the federal constitution and that equality is not bound to religious opinions.

Alexander Hamilton stated in the Federalist No.78 that “the complete independence of the courts… is essential… Without this, all… rights or privileges would amount to nothing”. He further asserts that

"...independence of the judges is equally requisite to guard the Constitution and the rights of individuals from the effects of those ill humors … or the influence of particular conjunctures …have a tendency … to occasion dangerous innovations in the government and serious oppressions of the minor party in the community”. 

These statements argue that judicial independence is required to guard the majority from minorities (e.g. prevent mob rule from undermining the Constitution or freedoms). These assertions by one of the Founding Fathers, in defense of the U. S. Constitution, makes one wonder why Iowa constitution framers left in a retention vote at all given the constant risk of politicizing a judicial branch.

The campaign by Bob Vander Plaats and his comrades was essentially a test for Iowa voter opinion for future marriage amendment proposals as well as a referendum on the Varnum vs. Brien decision clear through the end despite some of his comments after the vote. Every single ad that was released to oppose the justices was about the gay marriage ruling in Iowa, and those ads flooded the airwaves thanks to well-funded coffers.  Every single news story that covered the retention vote referred the retention vote in terms of the marriage ruling. There was no mention of the other decisions handed down or the works that the justices have done for Iowa. Further, vile and destructive characterizations (often outright lies) of whole classes of people were used to defend the opposition to retention. The name-calling and lying was reminiscent of school taunting and name-calling (like some people never grow up and still want to bully others). We do not have to look far to see examples of how destructive this type of behavior from leadership is and how that can lead to genocides and closed societies. Only after the ruling was opposition focused upon the ill-conceived notion of “overstepping the justices’ duties”. We should examine the arguments as they will be seen again.

They argued that the justices legislated from the bench, but any time the courts strike down a provision or law, they are, in effect, “legislating” by removing a provision’s authority or legality (essentially removing a provision from the code). As well, if they recognize a right or removing obvious inequalities that had been codified unconstitutionally is protecting the provisions of constitutional that protect equality for people regardless of class. Thus, every Supreme Court justice in the nation is guilty of such action, but this is usually (as was with the Iowa Supreme Court) based upon a premise that the code is “error at law”. As well, this is a duty of the courts enshrined in the Iowa Constitution Article V and U.S. Constitution Article III. The Iowa Supreme Court in this decision reviewed the equality provisions and the non-religious tests as evidence that DOMA is inherently unequal in its writing, intent and effect before the Iowa constitution as well as the equal protection of the 14^th amendment of the U.S. Constitution. As well, one cannot argue that liberties and rights can be extended to animals because there is no constitutional provision that asserts any rights for animals. That is because only “persons” have equal rights as defined as “all men and women”.  

In this case, the state protections of state-recognized civil marriage could not be denied to same-gender couples. Civil marriage offers many state protections of law that are not conferred to those couples without civil marriage. The Iowa Supreme Court was clear that this did not impose upon churches to recognize civil marriages nor did they challenge church-recognized marriages. Yet, the equal protections of state-recognized civil marriages could not be denied for one couple over that of another couple regardless of the gender of that couple since “all men and women are equal, by nature”, and all laws have to be uniform in terms to all citizens and classes of citizens according to Iowa’s Article 1 section 6.  

As well, the court would not be able to force a religious viewpoint, take away gun rights or property, without due process, as these are constitutionally guaranteed. The legislature cannot compel a person to receive a particular religious blessing for a marriage of which would also engender “respecting an establishment or religion” or impede upon the freedom from being “compelled to attend any place of worship…” 

Yet, the review of constitutionality of code is rooted in the constitutionally written duties of the courts. This is the purpose of designing separate branches with separate abilities and powers. Courts can not manufacture cases in order to make a decision that becomes the law and the legislature has the power to impeach if the courts act in illegal misconduct.  This helps to prevent courts from overstepping and helps them to interpret the law, especially constitutional law, correctly regardless of public opinion or legislative interests. This is essential to what Hamilton suggests because without the ability of courts to render an unconstitutional provision as null, governments and the people can rule at the political whims without regard to the sanctity of liberties, the equal recognition of those liberties, or the constitutions themselves. The constitutions and the courts become worthless endeavors to construct a fair society of liberties. ...

Read the whole work at http://www.wpstudios.net/policyresearch/adocumentreader.jsp?d=1078 

A Mac mini HTPC

I have wanted to get a Mac since they moved to Mac OS X but never did due to costs and the fact that I develop in Windows/UNIX. Apple then released their lineup of Mac mini a couple years ago and I kept thinking that would be neat to put in a home theater and I read about people doing just that.  The problem was delivering quality graphics and sound to your home theater from the Mac mini by rigging different cables up that would not support high graphics quality. With the latest iteration of Mac mini lineup from Apple, they added an HDMI port (e.g. HD quality video and audio output) and of course the nice new form factor, but they jacked the price to 700. Given that I am not planning to do much more than use it to stream media, I don't need a whole lot of computing power that I would need in a gaming device, and I don't feel like going out to buy a whole bunch of Blu-Ray discs yet. Well, I found a Mac mini for a refurbished price, and I got the base model with no upgrades. I plugged the Mac into my home theater by using the Mac's HDMI port to my Sanyo HDTV with audio cables from the TV to the receiver.

The first thing, I had to reset the TV picture to accommodate the Mac, otherwise menu bars and part of the Dashboard were not on-screen. Once I did that, I moved-copied media from my PC's iTunes library to the Mac, and then, I could start playing movies and music. I am trying the Apple Magic Trackpad and the Logitech K250 wireless keyboard and M310 wireless mouse. I am way used to having a two-button scroll mouse and may end up taking the Trackpad back to Apple. The wireless signal would sometimes be quite delayed though from either of them.  I may have to move the Mac to a more direct line with the input devices and away from the TV (possible interference).

I also downloaded the free OpenOffice and several browsers for the Mac. Yet, to do work in Office, it just didn't feel right to do "work" since I was working on the TV, but I could quickly check my Yahoo or Google accounts without much problem. I imported my Google Calendar into iCal pretty easily too. one doesn't need much computing power to run these applications. I may however attempt to do some development using the Eclipse suite or try some iPhone development.

I started by playing the Star Wars Episode III DVD and the Mac did well.  There was a little bit of graphics stuttering that I could notice though, but the graphics output was good. The sound was good as well and in sync. Then, I downloaded Karate Kid HD from iTunes, and this performed really well (no noticeable stuttering). I also downloaded the new Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) and that played rather well. The next test was to watch Netflix movies streaming of which I chose Star Trek (2010) and In the Line of Fire.  These performed ok but there were noticeable graphics or network stuttering (especially for Star Trek). So streaming and DVDs seem to exhibit some graphic stuttering, but I will test more:). The Mac software for DVD and FrontRow were fun to use. I also was able to use my iPod Touch with the Apple Remote app to sift through the iTunes library.