AplusWebMaster writes "FYI... The Inquirer.net

27 May 2004
...According to a congressional report obtained by Reuters, [U]36 of the government's 199 data mining efforts collect personal information from the private sector[/U]. Fears that the Pentagon's $54 million Total Information Awareness program would do just that and kill civil rights resulted in the scheme being culled. However it seems that all the spooks have done is launch programmes that are remarkably similar including plans to read emails. According to the report, at least one unnamed agency is mining intelligence reports and Internet searches [I]to identify foreign terrorists or U.S. citizens connected to foreign terrorism activities[/I]... "

DownLoad of the Week: Eraser v5.7

What is Eraser?
Eraser is an advanced security tool (for Windows), which allows you to completely remove sensitive data from your hard drive by overwriting it several times with carefully selected patterns.

Three Minutes With Spybot's Patrick Kolla

By Andrew Brandt, PC World
Friday April 02, 2004

The author of Search & Destroy wages war against ever-sneakier spyware and competitors who poach on his name and reputation.

From the May 2004 issue of PC World magazine

How to ensure security compliance with HIPAA

by Marcia J. Wilson, CCSP Staff Writer
March 23, 2004

"Reprinted from May 01, 2K3"

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule became effective April 14, which means it's time to pay attention if you haven't done so already.

HIPAA is a set of federal regulations intended to protect and simplify the exchange of health care data. Compliance deadlines have been stretched out over the next few years. Compliance means doing everything in your power to follow the letter and spirit of the law without going out of business.

Privacy Protecting Programs Killed
By MICHAEL J. SNIFFEN,
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Two cutting-edge computer projects designed to preserve the privacy of Americans were quietly killed while Congress was restricting Pentagon (news - web sites) data-gathering research in a widely publicized effort to protect innocent citizens from futuristic anti-terrorism tools.

Anonymous writes " x-Wall is a series of 4 products intended to shield your computer and keep your data safe. x-Wall includes
fully customizable and user-defined content filter, antivirus-ready internet processor and personal firewall.
Content filter includes rule tester-composer and separate options for each internet protocol processing.
Features
"

Spy Block bill would outlaw hidden spyware

By William Jackson
GCN Staff
March 11, 2004

Free software downloaded over the Internet can contain all kinds of unexpected—and unwanted—surprises, including spyware to track your online browsing and deliver pop-up ads.

High-Tech Background Checks Hit Stores
By ADAM GELLER,
AP Business Writer

NEW YORK - With security-conscious employers stepping up scrutiny of job candidates, background checks have become standard procedure at many companies. But the new check-in-a-box, which is marketed by ChoicePoint Inc. and began selling alongside software for $39.77 late last year, points to new efforts by data vendors to market background screening as a consumer product.

Telemarketers Must Transmit Caller-ID Data, FTC Says

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Telemarketers will be required to transmit their telephone numbers and other caller-ID information under new rules that take effect on Thursday.

Will Computing Be More Secure in 2004?
Spammers will get more creative and worms will worsen, one expert predicts.
Peter H. Gregory,
Computerworld
Friday, January 02, 2004

In 2004, information security professionals will experience more of the darker side of human behavior, but organizations will also take more control over their network and computing infrastructures, particularly end-user systems.