Identity Matters

John Fontana
  • Your passwords don’t suck, it’s your policies

    By John Fontana | May 16, 2012, 10:18am PDT

    A developer has created a password analysis tool that examines patterns to determine password strength and concludes password-creation policies are the real enemy of solid passwords.

  • Anatomy of hack on Google leads Plaxo to up API security

    By John Fontana | May 14, 2012, 11:23am PDT

    A malicious attack aimed at Google but routed through Plaxo highlights the growing importance of API security using the forthcoming OAuth 2.0 protocol, which protects the user’s credential information.

  • Google, Facebook, MySpace; privacy rule breakers or trend makers?

    By John Fontana | May 10, 2012, 8:29am PDT

    The major social networking sites have all been fined for improper use of private data; is that a trend that should be ringing alarm bells or a sideshow for the paranoid and uninitiated?

  • Phishers hooking Facebook, Twitter, Google, Yahoo passwords

    By John Fontana | May 8, 2012, 11:15am PDT

    Phishers are actively trolling the Internet trying to trick users into giving up their OpenID-based log-in credentials to popular social networking sites.

  • Privacy labels aim to control prying eyes, personal data

    By John Fontana | May 4, 2012, 7:15am PDT

    A pair of entrepreneurs thinks labels on websites that outline information sharing rules could go a long way toward protecting user privacy on the Internet and improving business relationships between consumers and online services.

  • SNOPA legislation would bar employers from social network passwords

    By John Fontana | April 27, 2012, 1:33pm PDT

    The proposed Social Networking Online Protection Act is designed to shield the social networking passwords of job applicants and students.

  • Group expects ruling on Google report in a few weeks

    By John Fontana | April 25, 2012, 1:45pm PDT

    It will be at least a few weeks before the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) finds out if the FCC wants to provide an unedited copy of its report in the Google’s Street View investigation.

  • ID thieves discovering defenseless target - the dead

    By John Fontana | April 23, 2012, 11:12am PDT

    Nearly 800,000 deceased Americans each year have their identity stolen by thieves looking for financial or other gain, according to a new study.

  • EPIC files FOIA request seeking full FCC report on Google

    By John Fontana | April 19, 2012, 11:52am PDT

    The Electronic Privacy Information Center wants to see the full, unedited report the Federal Communications Commission published on its investigation of Google and possible violations of wiretap laws.

  • On 1-year anniversary, organized NSTIC looking for fast track

    By John Fontana | April 18, 2012, 7:56am PDT

    The National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace is getting its house in order a year after its inception. The issue now is if it can gain speed and rally a critical mass of public and private organizations to join the effort.