from the Jan 15, 2008 Crypto-Gram Newsletter
by Bruce Schneier

* Anonymity and the Netflix Dataset

Little information is required to de-anonymize information in the Netflix dataset.

87% of the population in the United States, 216 million of 248 million, could likely be uniquely identified by their five-digit ZIP code, combined with their gender and date of birth. About half of the U.S. population is likely identifiable by gender, date of birth and the city, town or municipality in which the person resides.

Narayanan and Shmatikov are currently working on developing algorithms and techniques that enable the secure release of anonymous datasets

* "Where Should Airport Security Begin?"

Real security happens long before anyone gets to an airport, a shopping mall, or wherever.

* My Open Wireless Network

If someone did commit a crime using my network the police might visit, but what better defense is there than the fact that I have an open wireless network? If I enabled wireless security on my network and someone hacked it, I would have a far harder time proving my innocence.


length: 17:43
PS: this is my cheat sheet of Bruce Schneier's Podcast:
http://www.schneier.com/crypto-gram-0801.html

Labels: cissp, security