Security!   We all scream we need more security.  That’s not quite satisfied by you having a password for your computer system that you keep on a ‘sticky’ attached to your monitor for “safekeeping”.  Or using your birthday to “secure” your phone.

And, if you secure your phone or computer, but back it up to the web (theoretically so you can recover from an earthquake or fire that destroys your home or office), that almost anyone can obtain access.  Whether ‘they ‘hack into the “secure” site or if the government (state, local, or federal) requests access- often without a warrant- and the phone company grants the access.  And, you are never notified.

(We use network backup devices.  Each of those network devices transmit coded files to another network device on our private network- in a different physical location.  So, unless there is a major event attacking the US, we should be safe.  And, if there is a major event attacking the US, it is not clear to me that the first thing I’d worry about would be my data security.)

But, what about using our fingerprints to secure our devices?  My laptop and my tablet both let me lock my units and open them with a flick of my fingertip.  OK.  Wait a second.  They say they do.   But, my tablet refuses my fingerprints about 80% of the time.  (Yes, there’s a reason for that, but still…)

Um.  New problem.  Those 250 million phones and tablets that have fingerprint security?  You can be compelled to open them.  All it takes is a magistrate to issue a warrant for your fingerprints.  And, if you think the magistrate is going to deliberate if this is a fishing expedition, you are sadly mistaken.  Right now, this is the law in both Virginia and California.

Do you realize how many District Attorneys are getting ready to avail themselves of this “opportunity”?  By trying to have this ruling expanded (via state and Federal courts to other jurisdictions)?  And, yes, Apple, Samsung, and LG will allow a fingerprint to unlock the phone, if it has been locked for 2 days (48 hours) or less.  After that, a PIN will also be required to unlock the phone.  So, you can bet the DA’s will be seeking that warrant quickly after they know a phone is locked.  (It also means if you want your relatives or trustee to have access to your data, they better know your PIN, too.)

But, some phones- if they are shut off- require a passcode in addition to your fingerprint.  I suggest you check out how yours works.  And, remember to shut your phone down to secure the data.

Because the two leading candidates for President certainly don’t believe in privacy rules for us citizens.

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