Criminal Justice USA

100 Tips, Tools, and Resources for Locking Down Your PC

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/14/2009 | 0 Comments

The web can be a tricky and dangerous place to navigate, especially if you’re unprepared. However, you can better protect yourself by taking necessary steps to make your computer more secure. Here, we’ll discuss 100 tips, tools, and resources that can help you build a more secure PC.

Tips

Follow these tips, and your PC will be well on its way to locked down.

1. Use a password: Although they may be easily bypassed, be sure to at least use a password for your PC.
2. Disable boot devices: Someone with physical access to your computer and a freely available custom boot CD can access your PC without even opening Windows.
3. Use an alternative browser: Ditch Internet Explorer for Firefox or Opera, or at least tighten IE’s security settings.
4. Eliminate your data: Don’t keep supersensitive information on your PC or laptop-put it on a CD or file server, but take it off of your hard drive.
5. Disable file sharing: Limit your file exposure by disabling file sharing on your hard drives.
6. Protect your administrator account with a password: Make sure to always protect your administrator account.
7. Use a non-obvious laptop bag: Avoid using a bag that advertises that you’re carrying a laptop.
8. Change your password often: Keep your password fresh by changing it often.
9. Back up your files: Save your data with backup systems and utilities.
10. Use a strong email client: Make use of an email client that offers your PC a level of security.
11. Use biometrics: Use a biometric device like a fingerprint reader.
12. Use a screen guard: Keep your information private with a screen protector that hides your screen from snoops.
13. Scan email attachments: Before opening email attachments, be sure to run them through a scanner first.
14. Use email filters: Set up filters in your email to make sure that only safe email reaches your inbox.
15. Password protect your BIOS: Prevent others from changing your BIOS settings by setting up an administrator password.
16. Don’t fall for hoaxes: Be careful of bogus alerts, emails, and more.
17. Never leave your laptop in the car: A laptop turns your car into a sitting duck, and extreme heat can damage it anyway.
18. Use Linux or Mac OS X: Although Windows, Linux, and Mac all offer about the same security, Windows is more frequently targeted.
19. Use a variety of different passwords: Make sure you’re not using the same password for all of your sites and programs.
20. Use a rescue disk: Just in case, make sure you have a book or rescue disk to bring things back to normal.
21. Use an antivirus software: Use antivirus software and keep it up to date for good protection.
22. Use an asset tag: With a highly visible tag, your laptop is deterred from thieves and can be identified easily.
23. Scan executable files: Make sure you scan executable files before opening them.
24. Secure your network: Make sure you’re not keeping your network open-set it up with a password.
25. Test for flaws: Even if you think you’re locked down, you may still have some holes, so use a security scanner to make absolutely sure.
26. Use a strong password: Avoid dictionary words, names, and dates, and use numbers, special characters, and uppercase/lowercase letters.
27. Scan disks before opening them: If you receive a CD or floppy disk, be sure to scan them before opening.
28. Watch out for your SSID: Tell your wireless access router to avoid broadcasting its SSID, and change your SSID from the default.
29. Physically lock your laptop: Help prevent your laptop from walking away by using a cable lock, but know that it won’t keep all thieves away.
30. Password-protect Outlook: Make sure you put a password on your inbox, as well as your Outlook identities.
31. Log off: When you step away from your computer, be sure to log off of your identity.
32. Use a firewall: If you connect to the internet, you need to be using a firewall to be protected from network attacks and rogue programs.
33. Install tracking software: With tracking software, you can be alerted whenever your stolen laptop gets connected to the internet.
34. Watch out for spyware: Keep the snoops at bay by regularly scanning for spyware and adware.
35. Automatically update important software: Minimize application security flaws by always staying up to date on updates and patches.
36. Encrypt your files: Make it hard for your files and information to be stolen by encrypting them.

Tools

With the help of these tools, you can get your PC more secure.

37. Spybot: With the help of Spybot, you can keep spyware and other nasties at bay.
38. Ad-aware: Keep your computer safe from adware by periodically using LavaSoft’s Ad-Aware.
39. PC Security: Lock down your system with explorer control, file and folder locks, program locks, intruder detection, and more.
40. OSSIM: In OSSIM, you’ll find a number of different open source security tools.
41. Asset Labels: Mark your property and protect it with an asset label or security tag.
42. Perfect Passwords: Here you’ll get an ultra high security password generator.
43. Firewall Test: Make sure you’re not open to attack by testing the quality of your firewall.
44. Lockdown: This tool will monitor your computer and sound an alarm if someone tries to access your system.
45. RoboForm: RoboForm is a password manager that will help you keep your passwords in check.
46. ProShield: Use ProShield, and you’ll have your system scanned for malware and up to date software.
47. Antispam: Antispam offers an easy way to fight spam.
48. Trust-No-Exe: Set up a whitelist and blacklist of trusted and non-trusted executable files for your PC with this tool.
49. Untangle: Through Untangle, you’ll get spam, virus, and spyware protection, plus a firewall and web filtering.
50. Hardened Linux: With this Linux distribution, you’ll get excellent security.
51. Simpliciti Locked Browser: If you need to restrict employees, children, or others from visiting non-secure sites, try Simpliciti Locked Browser.
52. Snort: Snort offers effective intrusion detection.
53. Lockdown Plus PC: Lockdown Plus PC offers a network based desktop security solution for public access computers.
54. eBox Platform: This network management framework will help you filter content, use a firewall, proxy, and more.
55. Network Security Toolkit: In this toolkit, you’ll get a number of different open source apps for security.
56. TrueCrypt: Get strong encryption for free with TrueCrypt.
57. Metasploit: With Metasploit, you can test out your system like a hacker might.
58. Anonymous Surfing & Privacy Check: Use this test to find out how anonymous your surfing is.
59. Kismet: With Kismet, you’ll get wireless network detection and packet sniffing. sudo: sudo allows you to selectively control which programs are allowed to run on your PC.
60. Spam Assassin: This spam tool will keep your email safe from spam.
61. EXE Lockdown: Use EXE Lockdown to protect yourself against the installation of unauthorized applications.
62. AWStats: With AWStats, you can monitor attacks on your server.
63. Spamato: Spamato will help keep spam out of your popular email client.
64. Bastille Linux: Use this tool to get a custom lockdown solution for your PC.
65. Honeytrap: Honeytrap offers advanced warning about attacks.
66. Thunderbird: Thunderbird offers lots of tools for keeping spam and viruses out of your inbox.

Blogs & Books

Get ongoing updates about security threats and solutions from these blogs.

68. IT Security: Check out this site to learn all about securing your PC and more.
69. BlogInfoSec: Here you’ll find an information security magazine in blog format.
70. Schneier on Security: This blog covers security and security technology.
71. Security Now!: This audio podcast features weekly security information from Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte.
72. Security Fix: Brian Krebs discusses computer and Internet security.
73. TaoSecurity: Richard Bejtlich’s blog covers digital security, forensics, and more.
74. Windows Lockdown!: Your XP And Vista Guide Against Hacks, Attacks, and Other Internet Mayhem: Here you’ll find an absolute beginner’s guide to keeping your Windows PC locked down.
75. No Tricks: Dr. Luke O’Connor’s blog offers information on risk, security, and IT technology.
76. My PC Security Blog: Follow this blog to get a new computer security tip every day.
77. The Ethical Hacker Network: Learn about security from ethical hackers in this network.
78. Netgear ProSecure Security Blog: Check out this blog to find out about the latest malware, viruses, and more.
79. Mind Streams of Information Security Knowledge: Read Dancho Danchev’s blog to find independent open source intelligence for security threats.
80. elamb: elamb’s security blog offers up to date information on threats to your PC.
81. Network Security Blog: Here you’ll find news about security and privacy.
82. McAfee Avert Labs Blog: Learn about cutting edge security research as it happens through McAfee’s blog.

Guides

These guides will teach you various ways to protect your PC.

83. Home Computer Security: This guide from CERT has a wealth of useful information.
84. Lock Down Your PC: PC World offers this guide with 29 steps to good PC security.
85. Ten Password Commandments: Follow these commandments to make sure your passwords are protecting you as much as possible.
86. 5 Steps to Secure Windows XP Home Edition: Use these 5 steps, and you’ll get a more secure home computer.
87. Lock Down Your Laptop: Learn about products and tips for PC security in this guide.
88. 10 Easy Ways to Lock Down Your Computer: Learn about user passwords, authentication, anonymous access, and more.
89. Advice to Linux Users: Lock Down Your PC: Find out how to lock down your Linux PC with these tips.
90. Five simple PC security tips: Here you’ll find a simple guide to PC security.
91. The Ten Commandments of PC Security: Follow these rules to avoid viruses, worms, and more.
92. The Twenty Minute Guide to PC Security: 20 Tips to Secure Your Box: Get a simple tutorial in PC security from this guide.
93. Cyber-Security: Tips for Safe Computing: Follow these instructions to help reduce the threat of running into security problems online.
94. How to lock down the computer via a shortcut: Follow this guide and you’ll learn how to create a computer lockdown shortcut.
95. FAQ: Locking Down Your Computer: This guide from the University of Utah offers practical advice for PC security.
96. Computer Security 101: Get the basics of computer security through this guide.
97. Lock Down Your PC!: This guide offers practical tips for making your computer more secure.
98. Lockdown Your Laptop: Follow this guide to learn how to keep your laptop safer.
99. Lock Down the Data on Your Portable Drives: Follow this guide, and you’ll find out how to get your laptop, portable disks, and more supersecure.
100. Lock Down Your PC: Here you’ll find answers to your network and internet security questions.

Best Criminal Justice Jobs

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/12/2009 | 0 Comments

 Criminal justice degrees offer students a wide range of options in regards to their future.  They can choose to enter law enforcement and see criminal justice at work first-hand, or even delve into the legal/judiciary aspect of it all.  However, most students will agree that the more fulfilling jobs center on upholding the law and prosecuting wrongdoers.   These are three of the most popular criminal justice jobs that students of criminal justice aspire to earn. 

Becoming a police officer does not necessarily take a criminal justice degree, unless you want to become an officer in one of the larger cities or metropolitans.  However, the police force is one of the most intense forms of criminal justice jobs because it directly introduces you to the seedy underbelly of society.  Criminal justice jobs are not about shelter from the dark side of society, but rather force you right into the center of it all.  Therefore, at least an introductory course in criminal justice can help prepare you for the job that may await you upon graduation.  If you simply throw yourself into police work, the results could be devastating and you may experience a type of culture-shock.  Criminal justice jobs involve dealing with many people who have a disregard for the normalcies of civilized society and instead insist on breaking many of the most fundamental human laws. 

A career in the FBI may also open up for many students of criminal justice, although this career is not degree-specific.  This is one of the most heightened forms of a criminal justice job and allows employees to delve even deeper into criminal justice.  Most FBI careers are not easy to come by, but they introduce you to one of the peak forms of criminal justice jobs.  FBI agents must undergo a vast spectrum of medical and psychological tests before they are admitted into the program, although previous work and education experience should prepare applicants for the career they will face.  FBI agents are among the most respected of law enforcement agents and therefore a background in law enforcement usually helps applicant chances. 

Finally, another popular criminal justice job is that of DEA agent.  The specialties that go into this type of work deal directly with criminal justice, although in a more specified area.  The drug industry has boomed in the past decades, causing a greater need for this type of enforcement.  DEA agents are involved in the same type of work as other law enforcement officers, such as criminal investigations and tracking dangerous criminals, although they simply operate in a much smaller spectrum.  DEA agents are respected within the field because they are in charge of combating some of the most dangerous criminals of modern society: the drug wars that are going on in border towns are living proof that we need such criminal justice jobs in the country. 

50 Best Blogs About Environmental Law

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/10/2009 | 0 Comments

Environmental violations, toxic torts, and more can be quite interesting and informative, and you can read all about them in various environmental law blogs. You can find environmental law blogs about news, developments, education, and more. Read on, and you’ll find 50 of the best blogs about environmental law.

General

Take a general look at environmental law through these blogs.

1. Environmental Law Resource: Follow this blog to get environmental law updates, rulings, and information around the world.
2. Biolaw: Read about law and the life sciences from BioLaw.
3. Environmental Legal Blogs: Learn about developments in environmental law from this blog.
4. Law and the Environment: Seth Jaffe’s blog is a good source for learning about current events in environmental law.
5. Green Counsel: On this blog, you’ll learn about using the law to promote renewable energy, environmental business, and sustainability.
6. Environmental Crimes Blog: Check out Environmental Crimes to learn about some of the acts being committed against the environment.
7. The Brockovich Report: Erin Brockovich works to protect the public from dangerous substances that cause health problems.
8. Environmental Toxic Torts: This blog offers a look into legal developments and defense strategy in environmental toxic torts.
9. Ear To The Ground: Thomas Clarke blogs about the law and science of the environment and toxic torts.
10. Municipal, Planning & Environmental Law Group Blog: This blog offers a look at how municipal law and planning affects the environment.
11. Law and the Environment: In this blog, you’ll find commentary and insights into the issues of law and the environment.

News

You can stay up to date on environmental news developments with these blogs.

12. Environmental & Energy Law Monitor: This blog covers news and updates on environmental and energy law.
13. Becker’s Environmental Law Update: Find news about environmental law from this blog.
14. eNewsUSA: Visit this blog to find environmental news and information for environmental attorneys and consultants.
15. Sharks in the Water: Sharks in the Water is all about global environmental and IP matters.

Educational

These bloggers are involved in environmental law education.

16. Environmental Law Prof Blog: Susan Smith is a professor of law at Williamette University College of Law.
17. American College of Environmental Lawyers: This group of environmental lawyers offers insight into environmental law, ethics, and administration of justice.
18. Legal Planet: Legal Planet is an environmental law and policy blog that’s a joint effort between Berkeley Law and UCLA Law.

Climate Change

Find out about law and climate change from these blogs.

19. Envrionmental Law & Climate Change: This Lexis Nexis blog offers a look into our changing climate.
20. Sustainability Law Blog: Tonkton Torp Attorneys write this blog about climate change, sustainable business, practices, and more.
21. Climate Change Attorney: This blog is written by climate change attorneys Silverberg Zalantis.
22. Climate Change Insights: Climate Change Insights offers a forum for critical analyses of climate law and policy.
23. Global Climate Law Blog: Here you’ll find discussion on issues about global climate law and litigation.
24. Climate Change & Carbon Management Blog: Check out this blog to get insight into climate change and carbon management in the law.
25. Warming Law: This blog works to change the climate in the courts.
26. Environmental Law Diary: In this blog, you’ll learn about environmental law with a focus on the climate.
27. ClimateIntel: This blog offers insight on climate change, including international law, intellectual property, and more.

Animals

See how the law protects animals in these blogs.

28. ESA Blawg: This blog takes a look at the Endangered Species Act.
29. Animal Rights: The Abolitionist Approach: Check out this blog to learn about animal rights and the law.
30. Animal Law Blog: Follow animal law news, litigation, and more from this blog.

Local

These blogs focus on environmental law at the local level.

31. Envirosphere: Envirosphere shares information about environmental law in New York State.
32. Oikos: David Jeffrey’s blog is based in Australia, focusing on connections between the environment and the economy.
33. Saxe Environmental Law Mews: Dianne Saxe’s blog features environmental law updates from Toronto, Ontario.
34. PA Brownfields Environmental Law: Visit this blog, and you’ll get a look into brownfields in Pennsylvania and beyond.
35. Environmental Law in Washington State: Get an overview of the issues in Washington environmental law from this blog.
36. Ohio Environmental Law Blog: Check out this blog to find information and commentary about environmental law in Ohio and beyond.

Energy

See the future of energy law in these blogs.

37. Renewable Energy Law Blog: Read about the law, science, and policy of renewable energy on this blog.
38. Energy Legal Blog: Energy Legal Blog discusses national and regional energy issues.
39. Renewable + Law: This blog covers climate policy, renewable energy, and sustainability.
40. The Energy Law Blog: In this blog, you’ll find information about oil and gas exploration, development, and more in the Gulf Coast.
41. Offshore Renewable Energy Law Blog: Follow this blog, and you’ll learn about the news and regulation of wave, tidal, and offshore wind energy.

Building

These blogs focus on the laws involving building developments.

42. Green Building Law Blog: Shari Shapiro’s blog is all about green building law.
43. Construction Law Musings: On this blog, you’ll find information about construction law in Virginia.
44. Green Building & Environmental Trends: Visit Rich Cartlidge’s blog to learn about trends in the fields of green building, construction and environmental law.
45. Construction Law Blog: This blog offers insights on legal issues concerning the construction industry.
46. Green Building Law Update: On this blog, you’ll learn about trends, legal developments, codes, and regulations in green building from a construction attorney.

Government

Check out these blogs to see the latest in government environmental law.

47. Greenversations: Here you’ll find the official blog of the US Environmental Protection Agency.
48. EnviroWonk: Find news and analysis of politics from an environmental perspective on this blog.
49. Green Car Congress: This blog is all about the politics surrounding sustainable mobility.
50. Hill Heat: Learn all about science policy legislation action from Hill Heat.

Criminal Justice Jobs in a Justice Entrenched Society

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/09/2009 | 0 Comments

We like to think that we live in a democratic nation in which our justice system convicts the guilty and releases the innocent, but we know every system has its problems.  The innocent are not always released, and the guilty are not always punished.  This is a growing problem in our nation, and many criminal justice jobs exist to straighten out this endless mess of justice.  While it is difficult to make changes in a justice system that is so heavily entrenched in its ways, new criminal justice jobs have sought to try.

While we live in a nation that is more or less consistent with its criminal justice system, each state has its own methods of delivering justice, causing a drastic difference both in punishments and in trials.  Michigan, for example, denies appellate lawyers to most poor people who plead guilty to a crime.  This is a far cry from most of its neighboring states who believe that any person should be entitled to defense, regardless of their economic state or the severity of their offense.  While these seem to be more about public policy changes, it holds firm that criminal justice jobs can deliver the changes that are needed through many criminal justice students’ extensive backgrounds in the justice system.

It is unlikely that we will ever reach a point where our nation’s justice system is congruent in every state, but we may reach a point where various changes can be implemented into the federal system so at least criminal justice can begin to be more uniform than it currently is.  Public defenders are the epitome of a criminal justice job and many of them have challenged rules similar to that in Michigan, which seeks to preserve the state’s criminal justice costs by denying prisoner’s rights to counsel in a move which is seemingly unconstitutional.  However, every state has similar little quirks in their justice system, all of which can be challenged by banding together a group of public defenders (as was the case in Michigan) or even law enforcement.  Criminal justice does not have to be confined to one specific area of the law or criminal defense, but instead encompasses the wide array of topics within the justice system.

Criminal justice jobs are typically known as those which are most popular, such as a detective, or forensics analyst.  However, there are many opportunities within criminal justice and many ways to help expand and promote the justice system.

50 Best Blogs for Privacy Nuts

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/09/2009 | 0 Comments

In today’s world of Internet interconnectedness, guarding your privacy can become a full-time job. Whether you are worried about your personal privacy, government interference, national security, identity theft, or the laws and policies surrounding privacy, these blogs will help you stay vigilant against any breaches in your privacy rights.

Privacy, Communications, and Censorship Blogs

These blogs cover a wide range of privacy issues including censorship, surveillance, online privacy, communications, and more.

1. The Privacy Blog. Anonymity, online privacy, policies, surveillance, and censorship are among the topics featured on this blog.
2. Privacy Blog. Medical record disposal, social networking privacy, and the Supreme Court’s take on privacy are recent posts here.
3. Threat Level. This blog at Wired.com touches on privacy, security, and related topics.
4. Conspicuous Chatter. Get research and opinions on the latest topics from the fields of anonymous and covert communication, traffic analysis, and censorship resistance.
5. Inoperability Streams. These posts include news about telecommunications, communications, and security.
6. Privacy International. This watchdog group posts news pertaining to privacy from all around the world.
7. Privacy Diary. Identity theft, risk management, information security, and more find their place in this blog.
8. TRUSTe Blog. Cybercrime and self policing are among the topics on this blog.

Online Privacy and Security

Guarding your privacy online is not only a good idea, but actually a necessity. Read these blogs to find news and updates from the world of cybersecurity and privacy.

9. MetaSecurity. Topics on this blog often include intelligence, cybersecurity, and virtual worlds.
10. Matt Blaze’s Exhaustive Search. This professor from University of Pennsylvania blogs about security and privacy issues as they relate to science and technology.
11. Freedom to Tinker. Published by Princeton’s Center for Information Technology Policy, this blog examines privacy, Internet security, intellectual property, and much more.
12. SMBlog–Steve Bellovin’s Blog. This professor from Columbia University blogs about Internet Security, privacy, and related issues.
13. Avi Rubin’s Blog. Electronic voting security, computer and network security, and other security issues appear on this blog written by a professor from Johns Hopkins University.
14. CERIAS. The Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security is one of the leaders in research and education on information security. and their blog focuses on these issues.
15. Random Spaf Items. Professor Gene Spafford from Purdue, who also posts on CERIAS, writes about privacy, cybersecurity, cybercrime, and more on his personal blog.
16. 1 Raindrop. Written by security software expert, Gunnar Peterson, the posts on this blog discuss online security and privacy issues.
17. SecurityBuddha.com. Mark Curphey writes about Internet security tools as he has begun to reshape his blog.
18. Security Retentive. This information security engineer blogs about Internet security and privacy issues.
19. Another Set of Teeth. This blog covers privacy, security, and ethics especially pertaining to Internet security.

National Security

These blogs cover national security from the perspective of the government, strategists, and others who are dedicated to keeping you informed about security issues.

20. In Homeland Security. This non-partisan and non-commercial blog is sponsored by the American Military University and delivers news and analysis of issues relating to national security.
21. Stephenson blogs on homeland security 2.0 et al.. Written by the well-known strategist and theorist, W. David Stephenson, this blog touches on technology and civil liberty issues in relation to homeland security.
22. Global Guerrillas. This former USAF pilot and current analyst on warfare and security writes on communities and potential crises.
23. Vital Systems Security. With posts including such topics as community health issues, security, and globalization, this blog brings the latest scientific news as it relates to these issues.
24. Emergency.Blog. This blog focuses on information relating to security issues such as terrorism, emergency service, and cyberwar.
25. Homeland Security Watch. This non-partisan, non-commercial blog provides information about national security events and news.
26. War and Piece. Written by a national security correspondent, this blog provides insight on national security issues and foreign policy.
27. DefenseTech. This blog from Military.com covers a variety of topics that pertain to national security.
28. Evolution of Security. From the Transportation Security Administration, posts here discuss security and technology as they relate to national security.
29. Security Debrief. This blog features news and commentary from several sources that all discuss issues surrounding national security.
30. Home Station. From the Integrative Center for Homeland Security at Texas A&M University, this blog discusses timely issues surrounding homeland security including cybersecurity, terrorism, and more.

Personal Privacy, Security, and Identity

From guarding your identity to keeping your family safe to digital identity issues, these blogs cover personal security and privacy.

31. Privacy and Identity Theft. Get news and learn how to protect yourself with the information here that examines cybercrime, identity theft, and more.
32. Privacy Gourmet. Privacy and social networking, data privacy, privacy resources, and keeping families safe online are some of the subjects covered on this blog.
33. Emergent Chaos. This collaborative blog focuses on privacy, security, liberty, and economics.
34. Schneier on Security. This "security guru" and renowned author blogs about computer security, personal security, and Friday squids.
35. The-New-Internet-Security-Cyberhood-Watch-Blog. This blog focuses on such privacy and security issues such as identity theft, child cybersafety, and cybercrime.
36. Ceci n’est pas un Bob. Learn about issues surrounding security, privacy, identity, and risk at this blog written by Bob Blakley.
37. Identerati. Another blog from an employee of Burton Group, this focuses on identity management and security with a perspective from both business and the individual.
38. IdentityBlog. Kim Cameron writes about digital identity, privacy, and more on his blog.
39. Identity Woman. Social issues surrounding online digital identity are the focus of Kaliya Hamlin’s blog.
40. Adventures of an Eternal Optimist. Digital identity, privacy, and more are the topics discussed here.

Law and Policies

These lawyers and organizations all blog about privacy law and policies.

41. Privacy Law Blog. Security breaches, privacy law issues, and more are the focus of this blog from Proskauer Rose, LLP.
42. Burton Group Identity and Privacy. Burton Group reports news and offers opinions on the state of privacy policy and issues.
43. Privacy and Security Law Blog. Medical records, cybercrime, and other privacy issues get attention on this legal blog.
44. Privacy and Information Security Law Blog. Global privacy law issues, especially as they pertain to the cyberworld, are featured here.
45. Privacy Spot. The law firm of Hughes & Luce, LLP blog about data protection and privacy law.
46. beSpacific. This law and technology blog frequently discusses topics such as government, cybercrime, and the Internet.
47. Think Progress. Advancing progressive ideas and politics are the mission of this blog where you can find topics including privacy, immigration, and security.
48. In General Counsel. This right-leaning legal analyst discusses issues of security, politics, and more from a legal perspective.
49. Gregory S. McNeal. This law professor writes on such topics as counterterrorism, national security, and criminal law.
50. Privacy Law & Policy. Privacy rights, open government, and cybercrime are the topics on this blog.

Careers in Criminal Justice in a Global Society

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/09/2009 | 0 Comments

Our criminal justice system has been turned upside down in recent years due to the increasing pressure on different nations to prosecute dangerous war criminals.  This is a difficult task for a global society because every nation has their own justice system, and the possibility of combining all of them together causes many conflicts between nations and a general complexity in prosecuting international terrorists.  However, with programs like the UN and the European Union, these issues are becoming easier to solve and many countries have begun to work together in matching their justice systems with each others.  As a result, careers in criminal justice have taken a dramatic turn away from their previous status as law enforcement positions, and have become more about prosecuting international terrorists and developing a plan as to their trials. 

The difficulties in trying international terrorists has become a dilemma across the Western world.  We are all unsure how to proceed and many high ranking officials in the criminal justice system have been forced to make decisions that can vastly affect our international standing as well as the true justice of the criminals we are prosecuting.  As a result, careers in criminal justice need to ensure even further that justice is upheld than they had to in past years.  This has grown increasingly difficult in a global society in which we are fighting a war without boundaries.  It is difficult to determine who is dangerous and who should be let go, and due to the longevity of most detainee’s imprisonment, the issue is in immediate danger of growing out of control.  Criminal justice jobs now revolve around this debacle and developing new plans for justice in the international sphere. 

Even more difficult has become the task of combining various international justice systems to prosecute dangerous war criminals around the world.  Because each nation has their own self-interests at heart, it is hard to administer what we consider to be justice, as compared to what they consider justice.  Criminal justice careers have never before had so many intricacies to deal with in past years, and therefore the jobs have become wider and farther set apart, allowing much more experience into the justice system than ever before.  While this may seem like a difficult task to take on, many criminal justice employees love their position and love the ability to participate in an atmosphere that is “uncharted territory” to say the least.  

Understanding Careers in Criminal Justice

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/07/2009 | 0 Comments

Careers in criminal justice are largely unrecognized for the respect they deserve by the general public.  As a result, most Americans do not understand the amount of work that goes into criminal justice degrees nor the hardships many encounter within their career.  Deciding on a career in criminal justice may mean that you will not be respected for the contribution you are making to society, but knowing that your career helps preserve the balance of society.

Most careers in criminal justice are comprised of law enforcement (police officers, detectives, government agents) or judicial careers (county clerks, legal assistants).  Most law enforcement careers are known for their lack of respect within the community: police officers are often illustrated as ego-trip careers in which post citizens are unwilling to look beyond.  Contrary to this belief, law enforcement agents play a vital role in securing the peace within most communities. Without such agents, chaos would ensue as criminals would run amuck and drugs would easily be trafficked within borders.  Since we have agents in place to prevent this from happening, modern society can function without any major disruptions aside from those we cannot predict. 

Law enforcement agents perform a vital role in the community, from picking up repeat offenders, to protecting the streets from wrongdoers.  The majority of the American population does not consider this to be that vital of a commitment after having an unfortunate run-in with a law enforcement officer.  Getting pulled over for a traffic citation, however, is vastly different from more serious criminal offenses that officers must endure.  Therefore, most citizens assume that police officers spend all their time pulling people over for the most minute infractions (expired inspection stickers); as a result, this has impacted the popular perspective of most law enforcement officers.  However, when we find that are home is burglarized, what is the first number that we call?  Therefore, the career of a law enforcement agent is almost double-sided, as many people seem to nearly loathe these agents but call on the same officers when they are in need. 

Other careers in criminal justice involve less prominent positions, such as legal assistants or clerks, although they are involved with the same manner of upholding the law.  Legal assistants are part of the criminal justice sector in a different way than law enforcement agents, although they too help prosecute the wrongdoers of society.  Similar to law enforcement agents, legal assistants are often lumped into the same pile as that of lawyers, including the misconception that they are dishonest in their dealings.  However, they play an important part in the criminal justice community in making sure that criminals are justly punished for the wrongs they commit.  While careers in criminal justice are only truly understood by those who are within the field, slowly they are gaining the recognition they deserve. 

50 Ways to Make Your BlackBerry More Like Obama’s

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/03/2009 | 0 Comments

Crackberry addict President Barack Obama has had to wait a long time for the return of his mobile device while the NSA creates a customized, uber-secure version that’s appropriate for all the sensitive information that will be stored and transmitted. And even if the rest of us can’t ask the government for help beefing up encryption capabilities on our phones, we can take a cue from the President and take BlackBerry security very seriously. Use this list of tips and tools to make your BlackBerry more like Obama’s.

Hardware

First, you’ll have to start by purchasing the same hardware as the President.

1. BlackBerry 8830: Obama has a BlackBerry 8830, which features a media player, wireless email, built-in GPS, and a long lasting battery.
2. NSA Customization: Chances are, you can’t get your BlackBerry customized by the National Security Agency, but if you really want your BB to be just like Obama’s, you’ll have to find a way.

Apps and Features

Obama probably has to get clearance if he wants to add any extras onto his BlackBerry, but if he could use them, he’d find these productivity enhancers, secure data viewers and other reference tools particularly useful on the go.

3. Vlingo: Vlingo lets you record text messages by speaking into your phone, instead of typing them.
4. MSDict Concise Oxford American Dictionary and Thesaurus: Obama is known for his articulate speaking and expansive vocabulary, maybe because he refers to the Oxford Dictionary on his BlackBerry.
5. BlackBerry Database Viewer: Using this app, you can view and update databases instantly from your BlackBerry.
6. Opera Mini: A secured Opera Mini browser will refresh much faster than other browsers.
7. BlackBerry Enterprise Server: The BES is a popular system that monitors how your device is used, protects data and more.
8. eSpell: Obama can make sure all of his text messages, documents and e-mails are spelled correctly before sending them using eSpell.
9. Bloomberg: Use the BlackBerry version of Bloomberg to get graphs, financial news, economic analysis and more. You know Obama’s keeping up with it, and your BB will make sure you’re updated too.
10. Shazam: Turn your BlackBerry into a workout or in-flight companion with music partner Shazam.
11. Wireless Calendar Synchronization: All BlackBerries in the 8800 series feature Wireless Calendar Synchronization, which lets you RSVP to meetings, submit meeting requests, and manage end-to-end data encryption.
12. Pocket Express: Obama could quickly check the weather, stock quotes and more by using this app on his BlackBerry.
13. Remember The Milk: This to-do list and task manager can be safely and privately used on your BlackBerry, too.
14. Travel Mate for BlackBerry: Organize your vacation or business trip just as securely and exactly as if you were the President. This app features currency converters, country fact sheets, check lists, a travel plan module and more.
15. Agendus for BlackBerry: Agendus safely stores data and syncs up calendars.
16. BlackBerry Organizer: Obama’s phone features the secure Organizer, which includes a calendar, address book, task list, MemoPad and calculator.

Security

Security is the number one priority for the experts working on Obama’s phone. Learn about the security tools and strategies that they’re using and that can work for you too.

17. SecurVoice: Obama’s phone features the SecurVoice software from The Genesis Key, Inc. company. It removes traditional encryption software and installs its own key.
18. No IMs: Obama probably won’t be able to use IM or other chat services on his BlackBerry, as it could leave him too vulnerable to hacking.
19. Restricted e-mail usage: If you want your BB to be just like the President’s, you won’t be able to subscribe to shopping sites, get Evites, or bulk up your contacts list. Only a few security-cleared people even have Obama’s e-mail address.
20. Password Protect: No doubt Obama’s BlackBerry is password protected, a security tip you should remember to use, too.
21. Clear memory: Here you’ll learn how to clear memory off your BlackBerry for maximum privacy.
22. Disable GPS: You may have to disable your GPS capability if you’re worried about hackers, like Obama’s aides are.
23. Don’t get a phone with a camera or video: If anyone with an ulterior motive gets your phone for a split second, he or she could take an incriminating photo or video that could get you in trouble.
24. Understand BlackBerry Code Signing: This tool limits access to third party applications.
25. Check up on your IT administrators: Make sure that BlackBerry IT administrators who have access to your account are using your information responsibly.
26. When you drop it, make sure you find every piece: If you drop your phone and it breaks into several pieces, make sure you collect every single part, just in case you lose a piece that carries confidential information.
27. Check for unwanted add-ons: Take your BlackBerry back into the store to check for any downloads or devices that may have been added without your knowledge.
28. Know the signs of being tapped: Mediocre tapping devices leave clues that give them away. Make sure you know the signs of a bug on your phone.
29. Don’t send PIN to PIN messages: PIN to PIN messages aren’t encrypted like ones sent with BlackBerry Enterprise Server Redirector are.
30. Do background checks on the people you e-mail: Just because you don’t have Obama’s security teams to help you out doesn’t mean you can’t do a simple Google check to make sure the people you share your e-mail address with aren’t psycho.
31. Research anti-theft software: Anti-theft software like Gadget Trak and Get It Back protects your data even if it’s stolen, features an alarm that you can set off remotely, and more.
32. Stay off social media sites: Sites like Facebook are almost as addicting as playing with your BlackBerry, but they’re not secure enough to visit on phones that hold top secret information.

Communication

Remember to protect your network during e-mails and communication on the BlackBerry.

33. Exclusive network: Obama’s BlackBerry can communicate with other choice users who have the same super secure software on their phones, like Michelle Obama.
34. Forget Bluetooth: Bluetooth is susceptible to viruses, and will leave your BlackBerry too vulnerable to hacking.
35. Cut back on e-mail: Due to the Presidential Records Act of 1978 which considers all business-centric communications from the President as public property and subject to subpoenas, Obama is encouraged to cut down on e-mails, which could be sent in the heat of the moment.
36. Track e-mails: Use a special tool like FlexiSPY Light to track and record outgoing and incoming emails, just like Obama’s people do.

Tips

Here you’ll find tips for using your BlackBerry, setting up security systems, and more.

37. Choose the right password: Make sure your passwords for your BlackBerry are so secure that no one will be able to hack into your system.
38. Remove password storage capability: Your BB browser may automatically remember passwords, but it’s safer to type them in each time than store them online.
39. Get a spam filter: Make sure spam is being filtered out of your regular e-mails so that you don’t accidentally grant access to viruses or hackers.
40. Don’t set your BlackBerry on counters or tables: When you’re at a restaurant, don’t set your phone on the table to monitor incoming calls. It’s too easy to forget it when you leave.
41. Don’t pay bills with your BlackBerry: Don’t shop online or pay bills with your BlackBerry, as it leaves your accounts open to hackers.
42. Remember that your phone contains information about others, too: Obama needs to remember that his phone contains personal or sensitive information about his family and professional colleagues, making it that much more important for him to be serious about security.
43. Enter your password as few times as possible: Circumvent password prompts to protect yourself against hackers using these tools.
44. Choose black: Get a plain black BlackBerry, which is less tempting to a potential thief than something shiny or colorful.
45. Keep up with security updates and certifications: Make sure your BlackBerry is equipped with the latest security solutions and isn’t running out-of-date software.
46. Set the timeout option on your email: Set up your BlackBerry so that it automatically times out after a certain period.
47. Monitor your own usage in public: Don’t work on sensitive e-mails or documents on your phone in a public place: you never know who is looking over your shoulder.
48. Always lock your BlackBerry: Prevent curious eyes from hacking into your data or contacts by locking it whenever it’s not in use.
49. Activate your encryption software: Check to make sure your encryption service has been activated. You may have to do it yourself after you purchase your phone.
50. Get a second opinion: Obama has had entire teams devoted to testing his BlackBerry’s security and function, and if you’re worried about hackers or vulnerability, get a second opinion from IT experts.

The New Need for Criminal Justice Jobs

Posted by Site Administrator on 06/01/2009 | 0 Comments

The days of small law enforcement offices are long gone, as crime has risen dramatically over the last few decades.  Even more, we have witnessed a new growth in terrorism-related law enforcement units as our country has swelled in population and international acclaim.  As a result, new law enforcement sectors have opened up in every department which has increased the need for criminal justice students tremendously.

Police stations alone have witnessed a rise in departments, as there are now special units for various types of crimes; anything from homicide to burglary contains a special crime unit now, causing a new need for professionals in each field.  The amount of detectives has increased in many police departments, and many of them require a criminal justice degree in order to understand the mindset of criminals and a background in each crime.  Crime is much more complicated than it appears to many ordinary citizens, and criminal justice jobs really unearth the true significance of each and every crime, as well as analyze statistics regarding the rate of crime in various cities.

Without criminal justice jobs, the country would fall into disarray as there would not be a way to police criminals and citizens.  This is common knowledge for many of us, but what is new in this regard is the way new crime units affect crime rates across the country.  Crime is finally starting to come down in many cities thanks to the increase of criminal justice jobs, and without these specialty positions, the crime rate would skyrocket once more.  Additionally, units within the FBI and CIA have become essential to protecting the threat of terrorism or other attacks on the nation.  Without these units, we would be even more susceptible to attacks on our own soil. 

It is amazing how much our need for criminal justice jobs has grown over the past few years, but what is not astounding is how the country has matched this need with more criminal justice students than ever before.  As technology advances, and criminals find new ways to complete crimes, this amount of potential units to combat crimes is only positioned to increased, creating more criminal justice jobs in the coming years.  Criminal justice is exactly what it sounds like: bringing criminals of heinous crimes to justice for their transgressions.  Without a system that completed this task, criminals would run amuck in our cities, and roam free without fear of punishment.  However, due to the many units and law enforcement positioned around the country, this fear is now present in the hearts of many criminals.