Computers, laptops, Ipads, smartphones, GPS, Android phones, an app for this and an app for that. It seems as if some people can't live without these items. It's not good enough in today's world just to have one of these devices, you have to have the latest model that's constantly being advertised online, on television, over the radio and in magazines. The technology never stops.....and slick advertisements produced by billion dollar companies encourage us to purchase the latest models.
But is it too much? Are we actually endangering ourselves more than we are helping ourselves. That just might be the case according to PL Potts who has initials after his name such as CISSP, CEH, and EICSA. Potts, who can be followed on Twitter, @cyberseccorner, said many smartphones people use to take photos and upload the photos to photo sharing and media sites, have the ability to tell where you are on the planet via GPS.
This is because Digital photos contain embedded information called EXIF (Exchangeable Image File) format. The embedded information includes data about the make and model of camera used and the settings used in taking the picture. On GPS enabled smartphones this data also can include the exact location where the picture was taken. Potts said it only takes a few seconds to place that information on Google and map the location.
This process is called geotagging. If you take a picture at home and post it online, that picture could include the location of your house. If you upload a photo you just took while you're away on a trip with a caption saying, "look at us on vacation." You're advertising to the world that you're not at home. This is very useful information for criminals.
Another way we may be outsmarting ourselves is with the so-called "smart meters" some power companies want to install in neighborhoods. Potts said these devices transmit wireless signals which may be intercepted by unauthorized and unknown parties. Some individual or group could remotely turn the power off once they have intercepted the signal.
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