Continuing the work to manage my digital presence.
I just stumbled across two posts about Google continuing to “DO ALL THE EVIL”.
The jist of it all is that Google is taking the publicly broadcasted SSID of wireless networks and creating a database to help their location services. Pitching it like they are helping you help yourself, they are also saying that if one does not want to participate they should append their wireless SSID with “_nomap”. It’s all here in this post.
The Lone Sysadmin, someone I follow via RSS had a nice rebuttle to the Google post. Basically, Google should not make it seem like they are doing us a favor and ‘man-up’ about the fact that they are doing this to sell to the highest bidder. I like the points he makes.
It also reminded me of a few things I need to do with my wireless router. First off, I need to stop broadcasting the SSID. Secondly, I might need to look into making the SSID a bit more unique. I may or may not do this, since I won’t be broadcasting. However, a more unique name (or better yet phrase) will make it harder for someone to still randomly connect. Third on the list is to look into securing connections via MAC Address. I know a few folks who do this, but they are in the suburbs, so it makes no sense to me why they do it. It makes more sense for me to do it living in the city. Along those lines, I should look into possibly creating a DMZ so that I can keep some portions secure while at the same time leaving some portions open for visiting friends and or family. Fourth and final on the list is to get some new hardware. The stuff I have is pushing 8 years old. I should probably check the firmware on it as well.
Outside of that, the only other thing I am working on is the decision to delete my FB account. I only ever post links to things I find interesting. And those folks that might find them interesting, I can have them follow me on Twitter. I’m still not sure about this.