It's Your Privacy at Stake...Do Something!

They are referring to CISPA as the evil twin sister of SOPA and PIPA. There is a great deal of concern regarding the Internet and the security vulnerabilities we face as a Nation, which must be addressed and resolved. In addition to the security of our U.S. citizens there is another very important issue to consider and be mindful about. I just read a statistic that said the porn industry is a $97 billion dollar a year business. My question is, what do believe the value of the Internet (in currency) is worth? My next question is, do you believe there are powerful conglomerates and  industries that would like to control the assets of the Internet? Possibly governments?

I have come to the realization that as citizens, we will always have to be mindful and take an active personal interest in the well-being of the Internet. The Internet is a global asset that belongs to the human race and not any one organization and/or industrial entity. Unfortunately, we do not have the luxury of complacency, making that choice assures we will be fighting for our freedoms all over again.

“The American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Democracy and Technology, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and other groups are leading a week of protests against CISPA, which they warn could lead companies to hand over private user information to spy agencies.”

My point being…we need to accept the fact that we are all responsible for the Internet and its future outcome. The undisclosed desires for control and power of the Internet are very real concerns. The introduction of CISPA along with the defeat of SOPA and PIPA only demonstrates the continued attempts to control the Internet and our personal liberties.

Do you due diligence and make an informed educated decision before it is made for you.

Your CyberHood Watch Partner,

DigitalDave

david c ballard

Radio Security Journalist

PS: Be sure to tune in to the CHWRadio on Tuesday, May 1, 2012 when I will ask Raj Goel to talk about CISPA

ABC Family Premier Movie..."Cyberbully"

Sunday, July 17 2011, the ABC Family will premiere the original movie, “Cyberbullying”. The CyberHood Watch^® partners, Dave & Bill, will be joining Pandora Corp., makers of PC Pandora computer monitoring software, on Pandora Corp.’s live chat that will coincide with ABC’s Family premier movie, “Cyberbullying”.

The CyberHood Watch^® partners, Dave & Bill, urge parents to tune in to the program.

After years of research and more than three-hundred interviews with industry leaders’ worldwide, one of the common denominators referenced repeatedly by our guests on CHWradio is “Communication & Awareness”. It is one of the corner stones of the CyberHood Watch^® community.

ABC’s Family movie “Cyberbullying” is a great opportunity for parents to open up a dialogue with his or her child. Not taking advantage of this opportunity is one of the other common threads we have recognized throughout the interviews with industry worldwide perpetuates these problems …Complacency and apathy.

Too often, we are or should be concerned with the viewing habits of our tweens and teens. However, ABC’s Family movie, “Cyberbullying” is one of those movies that give parents a chance to bridge the digital divide and allow for a teaching moment with his or her child.

Recommended by The CyberHood Watch Partners, Dave & Bill

Pandora Corp., has seized the moment and recognized a great opportunity to apply technology in a positive light and communicate further the need to help stop cyberbullying by making it interactive through a live chat.

Sadly, and unfortunately as the chat site became available for everyone to share his or her personal input and try to make a difference a small group of hackers hit the site, and made it unbearable for others to share their honest and personal feelings about the show, “Cyberbully”.

I spoke with Ken, Director of Media and Public Relations, from Pandora Corp, after the event who shared his disappointment in what happened. It is sad that a great opportunity for the community to interact with one another while furthering communication and raising awareness about cyberbullying and the tragedies it causes in the lives of others was missed because of a few misguided individuals who lack respect for others and what they work diligently to accomplish.

Anyone who was on the chat, for a brief moment, had some insight as to how overwhelming and frustrating it would be for someone to be under such constant bombardment of trash talking. There was no way to comment or come up for air.

After the show, I read several reviews and comments of those who missed the intent of the show. Seems the attention was to criticize the merits of the actors and the outcome of the show; however, the intent was to raise awareness of the problem cyberbullying and the fact people get hurt. Hurt enough that some kids believe their only escape is suicide.

It was an ABC Family movie, and that should provide some insight as to the nature of the audience…it’s a movie. Criticize the merits of the movie all you want; however, it did draw attention to Cyberbullying, and that it is more a realty for your children than you think.  It is not the same “bully” our “digital immigrants” grew up knowing and/or experiencing.

The CyberHood Watch Partners Support - Stop Cyberbullying

The later statement in no way is to diminish the pain and torment of those who were bullied without the use of today’s technology. Jodee Blanco, Author of “Please Stop Laughing at Us” will bring you inside the life of someone bullied. Jodee was a guest of the CyberHood Watch^® partners, Dave & Bill, on CHWradio, who shared valuable insight for everyone, both victims and bullies alike. There is no denying the advancement’s of technology and its integration into our lives…”digital lives”, has taken bullying to a whole new level of abuse.

The sooner we empower the digital native and the digital immigrant how to live a safe and secure digital life the better chance they have as the starfish tossed back into the ocean.

As the grandfather picked up another starfish and tossed it back into the ocean, the grandson uttered why do you that, and who cares. “The starfish cares”, replied the grandfather. Every child deserves a trusted adult to rely on.

Your CyberHood Watch Partner,

david c ballard

Radio Security Journalist

Recommended by The CyberHood Watch®

Sunday, July 17 2011, the ABC Family will premier the original movie, “Cyberbullying”. The CyberHood Watch^® partners, Dave & Bill, will be joining Pandora Corp., makers of PC Pandora computer monitoring software, on Pandora Corp.’s live chat that will coincide with ABC’s Family premier movie, “Cyberbullying”.

The CyberHood Watch^® partners, urge parents to tune in to the program.

After years of research and more than three-hundred interviews with industry leaders’ worldwide, one of the common denominators referenced repeatedly by our guests on CHWradio is “Communication & Awareness”. It is one of the corner stones of the CyberHood Watch^® community.

"Cyberbullying" The New ABC Family Movie | Join Pandora Corp Live Chat...CHW Will be There.

ABC’s Family movie “Cyberbullying” is a great opportunity for parents to open up a dialogue with his or her child. Not taking advantage of this opportunity is one of the other common threads we have recognized throughout the interviews that perpetuates these problems …Complacency and apathy.

Too often, we are or should be concerned with the viewing habits of our tweens and teens. However, ABC’s Family movie, “Cyberbullying” is one of those movies that give parents a chance to bridge the digital divide and allow for a teaching moment with his or her child.

Pandora Corp., has seized the moment and recognized a great opportunity to apply technology in a positive light and communicate further the need to help stop cyberbullying by making it interactive through a live chat.

Be sure to join all of us Sunday, July 17, 2011 here:

Your CyberHood Watch Partner,

david c ballard

Radio Security Journalist

Aaron Snyder With Dave & Bill On CHWR

Are you an emotional eater? Aaron Snyder comments, that your emotional eating comes from stress triggers, including the happy moments. Be prepared and mange these moments by having foods prepared ahead of time that you can reach for instead of processed foods and/or candies.

Aaron Snyder begins his book, “The New Diabetes Prescription” by describing the role of food in our lives and the hidden strangle hold it may have on our every day behaviors. Our eating habits are not unlike our personal digital security habits. It begins with communication, awareness, and then shedding our complacency for taking action. Most everyone has had that conscious internal mental argument about his or her bad habits, and then the succumbing to what we know to be the poor choice. Aaron’s book is an antidote to help win that internal debate within your own head, while at the same time being an example for your children.

Aaron’s personal life dealt with this until at the age of twenty-two he became aware that he was diabetic. It is a known fact that certain eating behaviors contribute to diabetes and if not predisposition for diabetes, certainly a strong candidate for obesity and all the accompanying problems. Aaron does not want what happened to him to happen to anyone else, and is the catalyst for his book.

CHWR Interview With Author Aaron Snyder

There is no magic pill. However, more and more I am hearing form authorities in the their specific areas of expertise the magic pill of having a clear vision for yourself, your business, your customer, so whenever you become challenged you pull into view that goal and remind yourself about the “why” you are doing what you are doing.

To bring this onto perspective for diabetics it is estimated that one in three children after 2000 will be diabetic. The statement you are what you eat has a lot of truth behind the statement. Unfortunately, what we might be overlooking is the fact that our children are looking and emulating our habits. Our children are learning more about his or her health by watching their parents and family members.

Why does there exist such a dichotomy between having an abundance of knowledge about our foods and choosing those foods that are harmful for us? Aaron explains how we are subject to the industry’s mass production and their bottom line.

Why is it we can eat 1,500 calories in a single sitting and then feel hungry several hours later? The refined and processed foods are tricking our bodies not to register empty and useless calories that we consume. Aaron, points out try eating 1,500 calories of eggs and apples compared to 1,500 calories of soda.
Aaron covers his twelve prescriptions that will help every family in America to control obesity, which will also apply to controlling diabetes.

These twelve prescriptions will have tremendous results on the future of you and your family’s future wellbeing. Aaron covers all twelve in detail beginning at time stamp: 00:31:11. Be sure to listen to his prescriptions. Also, you can find out more about living a healthy lifestyle from Aaron’s blog.

Your CyberHood Watch Partner,

david c ballard
Radio Security Journalist

Greg Reber On CHWradio

Several years ago, I wrote an article on, “Internet Security vs. Internet Insecurity”, which addresses the end-user and their reluctance to accept the practice of security over convenience.

I guess it could be likened to driving an automatic transmission versus the option of a manual transmission. However, if you have ever been stuck in snow or mud, you will understand the advantages of a manual transmission. I can’t argue it is more convenient to drive an automatic, however, what if it was less safe to drive, and you or a family member were at a greater risk of an accident driving an automatic? Would it be worth the extra effort to drive a manual to keep you and your family safer?

I cannot imagine the extra efforts, the additional multiple steps, or making your life a little more complex could possibly outweigh the security benefits. Considering the bigger picture, I would venture a guess that the additional inconvenience would not cost you more than an additional thirty-to-sixty more minutes in the course of a year. How much more complex is your life because of a few extra clicks of a mouse or filling in a few additional fields. Complacency is what cybercriminals count on.

With your permission, allow me a little self-promoting on behalf of The CyberHood Watch. With more frequency, our guests are more vocal about commenting on the importance and contribution that The CyberHood Watch provides our digital citizens. Greg also expressed his appreciation for our method of education through communication and awareness, which is what he alluded to regarding financial institutions and their need to reach their customers. Authorities are expressing their appreciation for The CyberHood Watch efforts…Thank you.

Greg Reber President Of AsTech Consulting Meets The CyberHood Watch Partners, Dave & Bill

Greg Reber, President of AsTech Consulting, points out those financial institutions need to educate their customers, and not passively with the typical opt-in to read another white paper. Financial institutions need to get more creative about educating their customers, which is in their best interest, regarding the risks of online financial transactions. It is about getting the idea into main street media not technical or industry publications.

An inherent problem with the current system of financial institutions is when a breech occurs; the bank will commonly reimburse the customer their losses. This action only exacerbates the problem because there is no incentive for the customer to improve their security or culpability if applicable. In addition, there is no feedback for the customer as to how, or why the breech happened, and more importantly how it can be circumvented from happening again.

It really is somewhat of a catch-22 for the financial institutions. If a bank were to impose, additional security measures, and their competitors do not; the most likely outcome will be customers leaving for less security and more convenience.

What we may see is a consortium of institutions, like the Payment Card Industry, coming together to require best practices of their customers. If you have a better idea, be sure to head over to the CHW Community and let us know you are thinking.

You Are Welcome To Play In The Hood Anytime

Greg poses a great question for all of us regarding Identity Theft, which is, “Is it getting better or worse”? Greg says to look at the matrix, money being moved is growing, and breeches are growing. This seems to be a good indicator it is not working and the need for more customer participation as responsible cybercitizens.

Greg’s story about a bank sending out an email to its business customers with a link requesting personal account information was a jaw-dropper for both, Dave & Bill. The CyberHood Watch partners, Dave & Bill, believe that a bank or financial institution would never ever request personal account information. That was one practice thought to be carved in stone! Not so!

A bank did send out an email, with a link requesting customers personal account information. What were they thinking? Sure enough, the cybercriminals jumped on this with duplicate “phishing” sites with links taking the customers to fake sites, which gathered their personal banking information. Needless to say, this one is in the courts. What is absurd is the bank holds the position the customer is at fault, because they should have known better.

This one will be decided in the courts, who was responsible?  Here is a personal thought, if the court rules in favor of the financial institution that the customer should have known better, what do you think the chances are any financial institution will reimburse future credit card losses? You should have known better will be your reimbursement. My suggestion to all customers is to start making a few more mouse clicks and filling in a few more boxes to make sure you are secure in your digital world. We can do more for ourselves than relying on corporate to do it for us. What do you think? Come by the CHW Community and share your thoughts…They will benefit us all.

Anyone who is a Realtor or a real estate agent there is specific information for you…Fast forward to 37:00 timestamp.

david c ballard

Seventeen Steps To Better Internet Parenting

The more I think about it, the more I realize what Bill and I have put together in our down loadable book, “Think It Won’t Happen To You” is exactly what will bring parents, grandparents, and responsible adults current on Internet matters threatening our children.

It is not a masterpiece of English literature, and I am sure somewhere you will find fault in its grammatical structure (I struggled with diagramming sentences – ouch, still stings), but nonetheless the message is so important, and we do manage to get the point across, including solutions. However, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make them drink. Unfortunately, the same principle applies; we can provide you with the best-written document, but unless you read it – it is useless, and unfortunately children are left vulnerable.

If you can name a dozen top mobile media and Internet issues threatening your children and the potential solutions needed to either protect or empower your child then, “Think It Won’t Happen To You”, is not for you.

If the latter statement is true, then we would like to invite you as a guest post writer. For everyone else, take the time to read what two years of research and more than a hundred guests have shared with the CyberHood Watch about what children and parents are facing in the digital age.

Safe Social Network Site For Kids & By Kids

Let’s go back to this horse at the trough and this complacency of not taking action. Yesterday, Mary Kay Hoal of YourSphere gave CHWradio a very generous Birthday gift for all our guests, listeners, and partners. CHWradio’s Birthday present from Mary Kay is a free six month paid membership for your children, grandchild, or even your neighbor’s children.  Take Action! Go to YourSphere and enter this code: YS10-CYBH, and give children a gift of a safe monitored social network site for kids and by kids.

david c ballard

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