"I. Is anybody here involved in, what we'll call for the sake of the discussion, 'Network/Host/Internet Security'? This includes Security Analysts, Freelance Security Professionals (Ahem..), and hopefully involves people with at least rudementary coding skills."
Ooh, oh, I am!
"II. What about phones? Anybody work as a telecommunications tech or engineer? Is anybody familiar with the ins-and-outs of POTS?"
I have worked with phone a little, you know making silly little boxes, back in the day, to figure out how things work. There are also things like finding fun numbers, like the ones that shut off your line so that you can work on it without fearing that pesky little shock. 
I think that a lot of the newer implantations on payphone are quit interesting as well. Allow me to explain, Mister Snee (aka Flame0ut), who sometimes posts here, and a friend created what is known as The Flowbox. The gist of it is, Bell Canada now uses what is known as Millennium phone (model M1231). These phones don’t have a 'real' dial tone, as it were; instead they have a pre-recorded 'tone' -- which makes most of the boxes obsolete. However, the toll signaling is still done on the client side, so to speak. When you dial you number it asks for money, you deposit the correct amount and then it is stored in a temporary are, from there the microphone is activated. Once all that is said and done the phone tries to connect your call, at this time the ring is positive and the tip is negative; if your call is connected the Central Office reveres the ring and tips voltage, at this time the phone collects your money. What the Flowbox does it 'rectify' out the reversal of voltages, so the phone never knows to collect the money and when you hang up the change falls out of the temporary area. Of course, this is all theoretical.
Sorry to rant on about it, I just think is was a very clever thing that they discovered. :P
"If these apply, what are you proficient with? What are your interests? Have you studied privacy issues? What are your guidelines for retaining a semblance of privacy in a highly 'public' communications atmosphere?"
Actually I am involved in Network Security; I was recently working on getting my Cisco certifications, until I had a moral dilemma about Cisco. Anyhow, I do have rudimentary coding skills, I mean, I can maintain a Unix box and or a network of 'em (maybe even code something awesome ), but I am no Python or Assembly ninja. I am starting to pick up more coding technique, yo, but for now I remain a Network Monkey with some experience in Perl, BF and some other languages that I can't remember at the moment. So, to summarize interests are in Networking and Digital Logic and a bit of coding.
As for Privacy, I have been watching recent privacy issues et al, and to be frank I am somewhat worried about them. I mean, .NET scares the fuck out of me, but that is why I avoid it. Now, I should mention that I don't have a credit card, nor do I ever buy anything online -- so, I really don't need to be concerned with privacy as much as someone who does one or both of the aforementioned things.
When it comes to keeping your information safe, there is 256 bit encryption out there. I mean really, 256bit!
Well then, if you are interested in more information about your privacy online go to @stake and look for "What is your Identity Worth to You?". I guess that the best way to keep your self safe is to be aware of what people do to find things out about you, I guess that is common sense, but it never hurts to say it. Right? Right??
Right.
Also, if you are interested in cryptography the best book you can get for that is "Applied Cryptography: Second Edition".
Amazing book.
Honest. |
