SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at the now ubiquitous red light camera.
Browser Extensions are Stealing Data
By way of Peter X.: My browser, the spy: How extensions slurped up browsing histories from 4M users. The article begins:
“When we use browsers to make medical appointments, share tax returns with accountants, or access corporate intranets, we usually trust that the pages we access will remain private. DataSpii, a newly documented privacy issue in which millions of people’s browsing histories have been collected and exposed, shows just how much about us is revealed when that assumption is turned on its head.
DataSpii begins with browser extensions—available mostly for Chrome but in more limited cases for Firefox as well—that, by Google’s account, had as many as 4.1 million users. These extensions collected the URLs, webpage titles, and in some cases the embedded hyperlinks of every page that the browser user visited. Most of these collected Web histories were then published by a fee-based service called Nacho Analytics, which markets itself as “God mode for the Internet” and uses the tag line “See Anyone’s Analytics Account.”
Web histories may not sound especially sensitive, but a subset of the published links led to pages that are not protected by passwords—but only by a hard-to-guess sequence of characters (called tokens) included in the URL. Thus, the published links could allow viewers to access the content at these pages. (Security practitioners have long discouraged the publishing of sensitive information on pages that aren’t password protected, but the practice remains widespread.)”
Lies, Damn Lies, and Wikipedia Edits
Our own Editor At Large Michael Z. Williamson is prominently mentioned in this piece by Marta Hernandez: Lies, Damn Lies, and Wikipedia Edits. The article notes that some of these same trolls also campaigned successfully to get Mike Williamson banned from Facebook. Clearly, the lunatics have taken control of the asylum!
Persian Gulf War Drums
I had an interesting exchange of e-mails with Pat Cascio, discussing the recent events in the Persian Gulf. Pat suggested: “…the Iranians are pushing the limits.”
I agreed, but replied: “It may just be saber-rattling. I believe that the Iranian government realizes that the repercussions of starting a shooting war in the Gulf would be huge. They’ve already been living under trade sanctions since the early 1980s, and this has left their economy stuck in the backwaters. If they start ‘blowin’ stuff up’, then it would put them in so much trouble internationally that it would absolutely cripple their economy to the point of an endless depression or perhaps sparking a revolution.”
Russian FSB Massively Hacked
Reader Gregg P. spotted this over at Zero Hedge: Russia’s Spy Agency Hit In Massive Hack; 7.5 TB Of Data Stolen In ‘Largest Data Breach In History’. A snippet:
“Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB, formerly the KGB) was hit by a massive hack – after 7.5 terabytes of data was extracted from a major contractor.
The breach exposed several secret FSB projects, including efforts to de-anonymize the Tor browser, scrape social media, and help Russia to sever its internet from the rest of the world, according to Forbes.”
Oregon Man Fined $500 for Criticizing Red-Light Cameras
Video: Oregon Man Fined $500 for Criticizing Red-light Cameras.
Web of Doorbell Cams Raises Privacy Fears
Reader DSV suggested this AP news article: Fast-growing web of doorbell cams raises privacy fears. Here is a pericope:
“But as more police agencies join with the company known as Ring, the partnerships are raising privacy concerns. Critics complain that the systems turn neighborhoods into places of constant surveillance and create suspicion that falls heavier on minorities. Police say the cameras can serve as a digital neighborhood watch.
Critics also say Ring, a subsidiary of Amazon, appears to be marketing its cameras by stirring up fear of crime at a time when it’s decreasing. Amazon’s promotional videos show people lurking around homes, and the company recently posted a job opening for a managing news editor to “deliver breaking crime news alerts to our neighbors.”
‘Amazon is profiting off of fear,’ said Chris Gilliard, an English professor at Michigan’s Macomb Community College and a prominent critic of Ring and other technology that he says can reinforce race barriers. Part of the strategy seems to be selling the cameras ‘where the fear of crime is more real than the actual existence of crime.'”
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Oregon Man Fined $500 for Criticizing Red-Light Cameras
One step closer to government domination of every aspect of our lives.
You can’t speak about race
You can’t speak about sexual preference
You can’t speak poorly of politicians
Now you can’t talk about red light cameras
Gun talk is being banned all over the internet
The list goes on and on and on.
Who still thinks this is a free country? Is this the country you grew up in?
Is this the country you want your children and grandchildren to grow up in? Having to watch everything they say for fear of being fined or jailed for their beliefs.
It’s time to take it back.
Texas just outlawed Red Light Cams.
There has been some talk on the news about getting rid of them here in Florida.
Re: Iran
Jim I have this conversation with my friends often an point out that one military action is the result of failure of diplomacy and two war is not logical. I use Japan and WWII as a prime example. Japan new they could not beat us but yet still attacked. Something else to keep in mind is that Iran is ruled by Islamic extremists who believe that the next prophet will ascend out of a well that is located in the middle of the Iranian desert. You and I both know they will lose big time but they live in a fallacy perpetuated by year’s of radical Islamic indoctrination.
With that said, I hope your right since it is better than the alternative.
Re: Doorbell Cams, If the ACLU ( Atheist, Communist and Leftists United ) are against them they must be good for victims of crime and bad for criminals
Just remember that you are on somebody’s video camera when ever you step out of your front door. Always conduct yourself accordingly.
Re. Persian Gulf War Drums
I’ll go with Dr. Ron Paul, the most honorable, perhaps the last liberty-minded person serving in Congress in my lifetime.
He stated, “The truth is, the UK seizure of the Iranian ship was calculated to force Iran to retaliate and thus provide the pretext the neocons need to get their war.”
But sadly today one’s agenda trumps the source of all truth, God’s Word.
I’m not sure what to think about surveillance cameras as a whole. The story about the red light criticism drawing a fine is just crazy. It can be expected if you live in certain parts of Oregon.
However, many terrible crimes have been solved by video from security cameras. Its hard to find the proper balance between privacy and technology that can be helpful.
Personally, I draw the line at ownership and control of surveillance cameras. If they are nearly all kept PRIVATE, such as security cameras at banks and residences, then that provides a check on governmental over-reach.
And don’t forget that a group of Amazon employees (Amazon owns Ring) were discovered watching videos taken off of Ring cameras. https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/10/18177305/ring-employees-unencrypted-customer-video-amazon
Regarding Lies and Damn Lies. This article just dips its toes into this mess. But one of the people mentioned in the article is Larry Correia. I have met him twice on two separate occasions for book release tours. I highly recommend his books if you happen to be looking for a break from the chaos. I also would recommend his “Best of” on his blog. A simple internet search of his name will find it.
I will venture an opinion about Persian Gulf War. But first I will state it’s great value. My opinion and a couple bucks will get you a cup of coffee.
I have always thought war in the Middle East with Iraq and Iran was inevitable. Both are/were actually pretty powerful nations historically and even recently. Both want(ed) to regain their historical might and prestige. Both are based on world views that are completely at odds with Western Civilization. Both had/have WMD programs that they have pursued to bring themselves to at least some parity with the other world powers. Both have been caught at least planning terrorist attacks on the US.
Looking at it another way, if you share the view that Nazi Germany was a threat, I think that you have to view Iraq and Iran the same. Perhaps not quite where Germany was yet but maybe not far from it.
We already fought and subdued (for now) Iraq. Iran is playing games with the world with it’s WMD program. It is pressing, maneuvering, scheming. They are not going to stop and say “Let’s just all get along.”
I suspect we will someday fight them. I don’t know if it will be sooner or later or if that is a good or bad thing. But I think we are on a collision course and I do not see either side changing course. We will either allow them to become a nuclear power or we will subdued them and knock them back for a while. With recent events, I think the odds of war are increasing.
I agree with your opinion and would also add that we may be hoping for a crash of their economy or an uprising of their people in place of a conflict.
Peace is not healthy for the military industrial complex; Eisenhower warned us about that .. seems we didn’t listen. I also wonder just how close to the tribulation we are? Revelation has a lot to say about what’s happening too … I won’t get into any form of rapture theological arguments because the bottom line is this: If you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your saviour no matter what happens you’re in a world of hurt …
Now is the time to get right with God, and then hold on for the ride of a lifetime …
Our liberties are precious, and cameras are only one of the ways we loose our privacy. In 1981, while working at the reportedly first high tech ‘Mini-mart’ in the country, a computer controlled gas station- convenience store in California, they used cameras everywhere. I was a good and effective employee, yet prying eyes assumed I was up to something, so I was fired. Cameras are a bad thing, as is anything that encroaches upon our right to privacy. Once we give an inch, such as justifying cameras, first in a work place, they will take a mile if they can, and have, and will continue to do, until we insist they stop. Now with, facial, voice recognition, body thermal signature prints, Google designed social credit scoring systems, and soon with 5G being installed, we will live in a virtual prison, just as China has recently begun using…. BTW, 5Ghz frequencies can mess with your minds as well. And there is more on the horizon….brain implants will be made available at a mall near you soon. Enhance your brain, and interface with your smart phone and their AI (Artificial Intelligence computers) at a low introductory price…. Their goal is total control. The Beast System is rising fast. So fast, it is now hard to keep up.
If anyone is looking for a better browser to protect them selves, look into Brave Browser.
Cameras ? haha……well with the ongoing war between the sex’s #metoo has made damm sure that I must use a camera each time I have a woman come into the office, and record ALL interactions in the workplace with women !. Guess what incidences of alleged rape/ unwanted sexual advances by men that are later proven to be false are being proven by camera/ phone footage.
That is an example, and symptom of the moral decline of the country in general, and that I left behind years ago. Understand. I rarely see that out here in the boonies, but cameras are now everywhere, even use by hunters, and all of these will be used against us.
Soon they will be used to hunt us down. 5G will allow the installation of a spy grid for the State apparatus, that few can escape. I live on the edge of civilization where that kind of thing is not welcome. I will use a USB dongle to detect 5G, and other signals, and locate. If there is cell phone service in one’s area, one will have to be wary, and may have to require all visitors to leave their cell phones elsewhere. No, I would rather remove myself from that kind of society, rather than give up my privacy. I only tolerate the internet, because I need intel, and practical information to develop a self sufficient life. And I do have certain ‘firewalls’ in place.
I’d get out of the Big City if you are still there. Yes, I am now relatively poor without that nice job, but rich in the ability to live without the system, and away from sinners. It will only get worse in the ‘big city’, and even out here, but there will be less of it.
tunnel rabbit
I am in a big city sadly, we are just working out finances, possible jobs, where to live far enough away to be close enough to med care and far enough to not be on a track where trouble makers could be, internet we need, till we don’t need it, for me at 60, I remember the 1960s, 1970s as a great time, I yearn for those times, I know they won’t come back, now morality is relative, and you get shouted down or worse shamed with hate e – mail or text of fired for standing up for traditional family values, we are going to get away from here as soon as we can, it’s the how to do that and not attract unwanted big brother attention, while receiving our pension part that counts.
Peace
Tom
NW Montana is not cheap anymore. Taxes are high too. Idaho may be better. But if you really need to inexpensive property, I’d get Joel Skousen’s book, Strategic Relocation, and check out the area he recommends in the Ozarks. Longer growing seasons mild winters, lots of water, conservative/Christian values, about $5K/acre or less for larger properties. However, I am hearing that prices are rising there as well. Buy something now that is easily affordable, and put a trailer on it in case it is needed sooner rather than later. Yes, I also remember the 60’s….
Prepper Princess on youtube had an article about PG&E going to have rolling blackouts, and seems at their whim and whimsy. Seems the noose is getting tighter.
All this talk of war with Iran is disturbing. I still don’t remember a time when the government of Iran actually attacked the United States or any portion of our military. Oh there was a coup d’etat in 1979, but, if memory serves, none of our people were killed. Considering the brutal fascist dictator, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran, was a seriously bad guy, I don’t blame the people for revolting and throwing our bureaucrats out. What we are dealing with today is just blow-back for our support of that really bad guy. Our government has a history of supporting really bad guys all over the planet. Fulgensio Batista, the brutal fascist dictator of Cuba, comes to mind. Yet our politicians and bureaucrats are always surprised that the citizens of these countries resent our meddling support for these brutal fascist dictators. And they are always brutal fascist dictators that our government supports. Saudi Arabia, anyone? Saddam Hussein? The list is very very long.
Our continued sanctions against Iran are an act of war. Maybe we shouldn’t be committing warlike acts against the people of Iran. We should support the people of Iran. We should trade with the people of Iran. If they choose to revolt against their government, great, let’s support that. That being said, our continued sanctions need to come to an end. Why on Gods green earth should we be punishing the good people who live in Iran just because we aren’t particularly fond of the government they have. Should we be punished for the bad actions of our government? We have about as much control of our government as the Iranians do theirs.
If we do anything, lets work with the Russians and the Chinese to isolate the entire Middle East. Let the countries there either make peace or let them kill each other off and put an end to all this foolishness and the ongoing misery they put us through.
I have seen no mention of the proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Yemen. These two middle east behemoths are slowly beating each other up. One is our “ally”, the other is our “enemy”.
Political theater to distract us from the deep state picking our pockets.
This what our “enemy” did after September 11: Iranian president Mohamed Khatami[52][53][54] and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei condemned and denounced the attacks and the terrorists who carried them out. Iranians who gathered for a soccer match in Tehran two days after the 9/11 attacks observed a moment of silence. There was also a candlelight vigil. Huge crowds attended candlelit vigils in Iran, and 60,000 spectators observed a minute’s silence at Tehran’s soccer stadium.
Carry on
once a marine
As someone who has traveled freely ( as a westerner )in Iran of recent, I can tell you, openly not wearing a hi-jab is done in many Iranian cities and towns. I never had a problem speaking only English and was greeted with great enthusiasm where ever I went, not being American may have helped.
I was ashamed that Idaho has them……
We are living in the times of Ezekiel 38. Ezekiel 36 and 37 are fulfilled and the indication of the end times. In Ezekiel 38 read it very carefully and thoughtfully in conjunction with the news headlines of today. Magog is Russia. Gog is the leader of Russia. Persia is Iran. Cush was also known as Ethiopia. Ethiopia now is not the same Ethiopia as then. In Ezekiels time Cush was known as present Sudan. Isn’t it interesting that congresswoman Ilhan Omar (if that is her real name) is from Sudan and a Jewish hater. Put is Libya. Gomer and Togarmah are present day Turkey. Sheba and Dedan are Saudi Arabia. The merchants of Tarshish is Europe common market . America the young lions.
Damascus is going to be destroyed and will be a flash point.
Israel has discovered a huge natural gas field just off shore, and is going to try to supply Europe.
At some point the religious hatred, nuke threat by Iran and Israel dealing with it, natural gas distribution situation of Israel in competition with Russia, Palestinian situation, etc, is going to kick off an attack by Russia/Iran/Turkey/Sudan against Israel.
Read Ezekiel 36, 37, 38 in conjunction with that info.
bud, you have some of your biblical named countries incorrect, sorry , Magog isn’t Russia, latest scholarly evidence has binned that & several other of the traditional views of this text.
All these comments quoting end times scripture, just keep in mind that until the 3rd Temple is built, nothing is coming to an end yet. So before that Temple can be built the current structure must first be destroyed.
If y’all think things are “bad” now, just wait… we are in for darker times.. the screeching SJW simians are just getting revved 🙂 break out the marshmallows, crackers & chocolate. The heat is about to be turned up..
dwest,
Which “current structure must first be destroyed”? Are you referring to the Islamic Dome? Its not standing on the footprint of the 2nd or 1st Temple. In fact Davids Temple is now believed to be in a completely different location. Remember all of Jerusalem was sacked by the Romans and plowed under. In addition all Temple vessels, sacrifice utensils, livestock, and materials are in place and stored to quickly rebuild the temple. Also subsurface excavation has been done and the original stone that sacrifices were done on has been exposed. You and everyone might be very surprised by how quickly the Temple will be rebuilt. Even Priests in the lineage lines have been recognized.
I read not long ago the curious case of a teenage stalker who would make a nuisance of himself when a young lady’s parents were not around. He always would call or drop by when there was no adult supervision in the house. I believe the young lady was 15 at the time. The goblin in question was 18. After some investigation by a private security company an issue was found. This goblin had been able to easily hack into the security system and was watching this family 24/7. Apparently the goblin in question simply looked up the hacking instructions for this particular security system on youtube. I don’t guess such a video violated the “standards” of youtube.