Computer and Library Learning (Archived)

With Media Literacy Week (November 1 – 5) just past, it seems apt that a newly released piece of software is causing quite a stir among computer privacy and security experts. The software, known as Firesheep, comes as an addition to the popular open source browser Firefox and takes advantage of a significant flaw in the security of open wifi networks. All any user of Firesheep has to do is little more than push a button to gain access to other open wifi networks users' accounts on a wide variety of popular websites. The technique Firesheep uses isn't particularly novel, and  the flaws it exploits have been present and known about for quite some time, but in the past required a prohibitive level of know-how to take advantage of. This is in fact the point Firesheep’s creator Eric Butler was trying to make when he released the software; to highlight the fact that a significant flaw was being ignored.

  For we Canadians,  the Firesheep scare follows closely on the heels of another wifi related privacy announcement. The Federal Privacy Commissioner announced, after a lengthy investigation, that Google did in fact breach Canadian privacy regulations when its Street View cars collected data from private wifi networks.

   Security and privacy are serious concerns when using the Internet, regardless of whether one is using an open wifi network or wired connection at home or work. The important lesson posed by Firesheep is that users cannot always count on website creators and network operators to put security and privacy concerns first. The recent case of Google Street View's entirely inadvertent collection of personal information may be of even greater concern. Firesheep for all its ease of use, still requires a user  to deliberately seek out others’  personal information. The Google case demonstrates that without conscious action by individuals to protect their data, personal and private information is so available as to be collected by accident. Taking responsibility for ones’ own safety and security while online may seem a daunting task, but there are quite a few organizations with resources that make the job a lot easier.

  Electronic Frontier Foundation (http://www.eff.org/)

Founded in 1990, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) continues to be one of the most significant and influential consumer advocacy organizations on the Internet. The EFF’s goals and activities range from advocacy and consumer awareness to the development of software tools that make online browsing safer.

  Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (http://privcom.gc.ca)

 For Canadian specific information the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada has quite a few up-to-date resources. In addition to a blog promoting current awareness of privacy issues facing Canadian online and off, the site also includes an array of instructional material. No doubt of particular interest to many will be the collection of expertly prepared documents relating to  online social networks, many of which address the concerns illuminated by the Firesheep release.

   Media Awareness Network (http://www.media-awareness.ca)

The Media Awareness Network is a Canadian based non-profit focussing on media literacy. Most of their resources are focused on children and include instructional material, video’s and games tailored for both paren'ts and teachers. 

  Toronto Public Library (http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca)

  The Toronto Public Library offers print, electronic resources, lectures and classes on dealing with the concerns of living a life online. TPL's selection of E-books range from the basics including the sometimes venerated, sometimes maligned, "For Dummies" series as well as many significantly more detailed guides. For those that need a little more hands on, TPL's online selection includes more than 8 hours of instructional videos available to stream directly to your screen. In addition to the regular slate of beginner computer classes that have long been a staple of Toronto's branches many also offer more advanced classes and lectures by experts in fields on topics ranging from online privacy to Cyber-bullying.

  If you’re just trying to get through the latest scare and are looking for help, The Federal Privacy Commissioner, The Toronto Star and The Vancouver Sun have each gone to the experts and have a variety of suggestions for surfing safe from Firesheep.