The Potential Risks Of Geotagging
Posted by Michelle Moquin on December 8th, 2012
Good morning!
I thought this was a great follow-up to the other day.
How to Avoid the Potential Risks of Geotagging
Geotagging can be a wonderful feature on the internet because it allows people to know where you took a picture of a sunset, a famous event, or even allows you to locate your own past memories in a few clicks. Such information can make it easier for you to arrange photos, let friends know where they can have a similar experience and share with the world the types of things you like doing and where.
On the darker side, however, there is a risk of “social surveillance by GPS” with geotagging. People intent on stalking you can make use of public geotagging information to pinpoint your location, home, and even your activities with very little effort. What that can mean in terms of your safety and security will depend on who you are, where you live, and the value to anyone watching your movements but it does pay to be careful. Avoiding the risks of geotagging is one more important thing to keep in mind in this day and age of diminishing privacy, and here are some suggestions to help.
- Be aware of the ability for your images to be geotagged. Geotagging is the process of adding geographical identification to photographs, video, websites and SMS messages. It is the equivalent of adding a 10-digit grid coordinate to everything you post on the internet.[1] Many people are unaware of geotagging possibilities held in the gadgets they own, while for others, they know but forget to disable them. Images from many digital cameras and cell phones capture not only the picture but all the related information ranging from make of the camera to location and latitude where the image was taken.
While not all cameras capture the geotagging information, a lot of cameras do, such as the Canon brand; and such cameras will include the metadata (shutter speeds, flash, and other settings) embedded into the individual photo. In GPS devices like iPhones and other smartphones, additional information is automatically captured, such as longitude and latitude of where the image was taken.[2] Using particular tools and programs, a person determined to find out this type of information can decipher any geotagged image and retrieve the information for their own purposes.
- Geotagging websites such as Foursquare, Gowalla, and Facebook’s Places are also able to pinpoint your location when you check into public places such as cafes, restaurants, and theaters.[3]
- Photo sites such as Flickr and Picasa can provide geotagging information but this is not an automatic function.
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Understand the risks involved.Understand the risks involved. Geotagging information could potentially give someone intent on scaring you (such as a stalker) or a potential house thief the opportunity to know your exact whereabouts, particularly where you’ve cross-posted your check-ins on places such as Twitter and any other sites. For example, say you take a photo of your favorite garden rose, posted it online and left a message on Twitter about the photo: “Just took this rose in my garden before I left the house 5 mins ago”. In doing this, you’ve just signaled to anyone watching your account that you’ve left your house and if they wanted to find the address via geotagging and you haven’t removed that information, it can be found.
- Another problem with geotagging is that it has the potential to “establish patterns” of your movements.[4] If you post photos or use geotracking sites on a regular basis, it is possible for someone to work out where you end up at particular times during the day. This might allow a person to determine where you work and live, simply by watching your daily patterns.
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Know when to use the geotagging feature and when not to.Know when to use the geotagging feature and when not to. There will be occasions when it’s clearly not appropriate to use geotagging on images, especially where the information you’re sharing is about a private residence, such as the location of your home or another person’s private residence:
- Private locations such as residences, schools, a beach house, or a hotel room are private and it’s never wise to broadcast the address by geotagging.
- Never geotag photos containing children.
- Public settings such as a beach, an amusement park, a camping trip in the mountains, and so forth, might be fine for geotagging and can be a great way to keep tabs on the dates and locations of vacations and fun days. All the same, if this information has the ability to reveal something personal about yourself that should not be made public, think twice.
- House or college dorm parties might be the highlight of your weekend but it’s important to be cautious when posting pictures of the event to the internet.
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Know how to disable your cell phone’s or camera’s geotagging feature.Know how to disable your cell phone’s or camera’s geotagging feature. Everysmartphone has the geotagging feature automatically set to operate, so you need to put in the effort to prevent it from doing this. It’s recommended that you disable the geotagging ability and enable it again when you make a conscious decision to use it; it’s far better to opt in than to try to remember to opt out.[5]
- If using an iPhone, disable it through the “Settings” page of the geotagging program. Tap “Settings”, then “General” and then “Location Services”. Disable the applications that use GPS data. For older iPhones, tap “Reset Location Warnings” under “Reset” to cause the phone to prompt you about using geolocations when using the relevant applications. If you have a hard time remembering to disable the geolocating features of your iPhone, consider leaving it off permanently.
- On a Blackberry, go to the camera icon. Press the “Menu” button, select “Options” and set the geotagging option to “Disabled”. Click “Save”.
- On an Android, start the camera application. Open the menu to the left and go to “Settings”. Turn off “Geotagging” or “Location storage” (the name depends on the version of Android you own).
- For your digital camera, read the user manual. Not all digital cameras come with geotagging and the manual will explain whether it does and how to shut off the GPS features.
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If using geotagging websites, control with great care the people who are able to see where you’re located.If using geotagging websites, control with great care the people who are able to see where you’re located. Each website differs in how it confines your information to only those people whom you want seeing it; always be sure to read the instructions carefully and don’t just rely on the default setting which might be allowing anyone to see your whereabouts (or the metadata in your images, such as on photo sites).
- Be aware of the tags you’re using. Many people include the name of the city, town, or country with the photo in the tags, and there are many location-specific tags too. Tagging photos with an exact location on the internet allows random people to track any individual’s location and correlate it with other information.[6] The tags are completely within your control, so think carefully about the information you share.
- Always check a geotagging site’s default settings and what needs to be done to fix automatic geotagging defaults. Facebook Places is active until disabled – read How to disable Facebook Places for the instructions.
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Be aware where you post your pictures and what geotagged information you leave.Be aware where you post your pictures and what geotagged information you leave. Security and safety come first. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea of geotagging pictures on the internet, either upload them to a website that has different security settings that can be easily managed to protect your privacy, like Facebook, or use another image capturing device that lacks a GPS enabled feature.
- If you want to wipe geotagging information from your photos, look for free EXIF editors online. These will help you to wipe that information from the photos.
- Don’t check in to geotagging sites from home and don’t include your GPS coordinates in your Twitter updates.
I’m out of here – Blog me your thoughts.
Peace out.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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December 8th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
Soda Causes Strokes
I used to have a diet soda with my lunch every day. I switched to water a few years back when Bottom Line/Personal reported that the phosphoric acid in soda might cause bone loss.
Now I’m really glad I did. A new study by researchers at Harvard University and Cleveland Clinic’s Wellness Institute has linked the regular consumption of soda—both sugar-sweetened and diet—with increased risk for stroke.
The study analyzed the soda consumption of more than 100,000 men and women over more than 20 years and concluded that drinking soda on a daily basis increases stroke risk by about 16%.
The fact that sugar-sweetened sodas increase stroke risk should come as no surprise, says Adam Bernstein, MD, one of the authors of the study. Earlier studies had already linked consumption of sugar-sweetened sodas to coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, weight gain and increased risk for diabetes.
But Bernstein and his coauthors were surprised to learn that low- and no-sugar diet sodas appear to produce the same increased stroke risk. “We don’t have a good biological mechanism to explain this finding,” Bernstein says.
A recent study suggests that a widely used caramel coloring might be a contributing factor, though Bernstein cautions that this finding is very preliminary.
Rather than soda, Bernstein recommends that we drink water, tea, coffee or skim milk, beverages that do not increase stroke risk.
In fact, the study found that drinking coffee—caffeinated or decaf—actually decreases stroke risk, perhaps because of the antioxidants that coffee contains.
That’s welcome news! I gave up my lunchtime diet soda for the sake of my health, but it looks like I get to keep my morning coffee.
Source: Karen Larson, editor, Bottom Line/Personal.
December 8th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
Just thought I would remind all of you that graduated from the University of Guam of its origins.
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Guam – What is now known as the University of Guam began in a quonset hut on the former George Washington High School campus in Mongmong in 1952.
As part of the University’s 60th Anniversary celebration, the Territorial College of Guam will be commemorated with a historical marker and the renaming of N. Old GW Road to the “Territorial College of Guam Road” at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 11. The site is located along Route 8 across from Coast 360.
“With this historical marker, we recognize our humble beginnings and celebrate what the University is today, the engine of progress in Guam and the Region,” said Dr. Robert A. Underwood, UOG President.
The Territorial College of Guam, the first post-secondary educational institution in Guam, was established in Mongmong on June 30, 1952. Sharing campus grounds with the George Washington High School, it began as a two-year teacher training college under the Department of Education with five faculty members, 13 staff, and 123 full-time students. In 1960, the College moved to its present campus in Mangilao where it continued to grow. On August 12, 1968, the College was renamed the University of Guam.
Over the years, UOG has thrived. As the only U.S.-accredited, baccalaureate-degree granting institution on this side of the international dateline, UOG has graduated over 14,000 students and currently employs nearly 300 full-time and part-time faculty and a staff of nearly 600 in support of extensive service, educational and research activities. Over 3,700 students are enrolled at UOG this fall.
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Hafa Adai
Anna
December 8th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Trailed the exercise. The MV-22s from Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 265 (VMM-265), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) completed the simulated “assault support” mission with four F/A-18 Hornets and KC-130J from Aerial Refueling Transport Squadron 152 (VMGR-152), 1st MAW, III MEF.
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Data available. –//41. respond on MV-22s this level immediately. Lost track mode 7.
December 8th, 2012 at 12:58 pm
Fighting for Your 2K
Today, the Department of Labor reported that the economy added 146,000 jobs and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent in November. With 147,000 jobs added by private businesses, this marks the 33rd consecutive month of private sector job growth. As the private sector continues to create jobs, we must work together in Congress to ensure that our economy continues to grow and that we restore certainty and security for the middle class and small businesses.
House Republicans can do their part now by joining Democrats to extend the middle class tax cuts without further delay. With Republicans refusing to take up the Senate-passed tax relief bill, House Democrats have filed a discharge petition to force a vote on this legislation, so we can put over $2,000 into the pockets of the average family of four during the holiday season and the New Year. There is no time to waste. We must come together to pass the middle income tax cuts and reach a balanced, bold, and responsible agreement that creates jobs, grows the economy, and reduces our deficit, while ensuring that the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share.
Congresswoman Pelosi challenges Congress to bring to the floor a vote on middle class tax cuts.
A Deep Blow to Disability Rights
On Tuesday, Senate Republicans blocked the passage of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, a treaty modeled after the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. The historic legislation recognized, and made the law of the land, the simple premise that every American has the right to live independently and to fully participate in all aspects of our society — including our schools, our businesses, and our communities. The treaty put before the Senate this week captured the sentiments of the Americans with Disabilities Act, especially with regards to the respect and recognition of the needs of people with special needs. The refusal by Senate Republicans to pass the bill marked a deep blow to our veterans, individuals with special needs, and the families of children with special needs. Their actions marked one of the saddest days ever in the U.S. Senate.
Fighting to End HIV/AIDS
On Saturday, World AIDS Day, I was honored to receive the National Leadership Award from the National AIDS Memorial Grove. The AIDS Memorial Grove, located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, is the nation’s first living memorial to the thousands of Americans who have died of AIDS and in support of the thousands living with HIV. For over 21 years, the Grove has been a place for remembrance and renewal. In San Francisco, ground zero for the AIDS assault, we know how to turn heartache into hope and that is the significance of the Grove. On the 19th annual World AIDS Day, we are on the brink of an AIDS-free generation. That is why we must carry on with determination, hope, and courage until the day that the HIV/AIDS pandemic is a terrible memory.
Please feel free to forward this information to your family and friends. To learn more about these efforts, to express your views, or to sign up for email updates, please visit my website. I am also on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NancyPelosi.
best regards,
Member of Congress
December 8th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
I know you guys read Michelle, so let me say fuck you. Just because I didn’t know what LGBT means doesn’t mean I am dumb. Why should I care to know about a bunch of sexual deviates?
Get a life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 8th, 2012 at 2:16 pm
The MV-22s linked up with a VMGR-152 KC-130J about 850 nautical miles into the flight, southwest of Iwo Jima, to aerial refuel en route to Guam.
>>>>>>>Come back<<<<<<<<
73g2G
December 8th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
Misch, so timely, I was ‘tagged’ in a geo- pic and just gave a quickie lecture to my friend, I know she thinks I’m paranoid about privcy but it was more about certain peeps not knowing my whereabouts and that’s my right to privacy I wish to preserve to some degree.
Luv, Zen Lill
December 9th, 2012 at 7:40 am
We observed the flight of the Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) from Okinawa under cloak for 500 nm to study their performance through permissive territory free of enemy threats.
Then we uncloaked 4 Birds for 200 nm to observe how the unit would react in that space of hostile territory.Although we did not engage or allow them to engage, we think the exercise provided us with a realistic replication of how they would react to an enemy threat.
December 9th, 2012 at 7:52 am
During Ip731′s simulated assault we monitored and observed how their Marine Air-Ground Task Force(MAGTF) integrated their support the 1st MAW.
Channel **4341Lac9*22 is not available to provide you with data concerning their application of MV-22s when an uncloaked encounter occurs in the Pacific-Asia arena.
December 9th, 2012 at 8:21 am
Note that was the first study of MV-22B Ospreys (only three were active). We prevented Anderson AFB which serves as their MAG-12 forward operating base from sending reinforcements by shutting down Tinian’s West Field arresting gear and fuel storage/distribution capabilities.
The cover and static shut down prevented harm to their facilities and personnel while showing our capabilities to operate at will in the MIRC.
Although the US Marine forces demonstrated their ability to displace rapidly and generate significant combat power in an earth enemy provided environment, it shows us that these primitive beings pose no threat to us even when they use their MAG-12 to improve aviation combat integration across all echelons of the Marine Air Ground Task Force.
Hence, orders from the Emperor are such. Disengage hostile actions towards the Ospreys. They pose no threat to properly operated alien craft. Treat them as per orders on engagement of their replaced CH-46 helicopters. Except allowing for their increased capabilities which are: the MV-22 is roughly twice as fast, can carry nearly three times the payload and has approximately four times the combat radius. Additionally, the MV-22 has the ability to operate at much higher altitudes and refuel while airborne.
Previous errors of engagement were caused by over reaction to the MV-22s vertical take-off and landing capability. That combined with their increased speed and extended range over the Ch46s panicked who can only be assumed tyros at the helm of sub Hover crafts into attacking.
Any such repeated performance by with be handled with resonance.
December 9th, 2012 at 8:31 am
Edit; Any such repeated performance by WILL be handled with resonance.
Note: To all would operate inside the MIRC and Northern Marianna Islands although the MV-22 aircraft operate primarily out of Andersen AB, they are the first engage police force for the area.
Respect their missions. This is their planet. Agreements have been made with the Emperor for your safe operations within the area. That does not permit uncloak operations or uninterrupted retrieval of lost aircraft.