Interesting: Encryption

Why do we need to have secrets? Bruce Schneier says "Too many wrongly characterize the debate as 'security versus privacy.' The real choice is liberty versus control." He explains, in his essay The Eternal Value of Privacy, that privacy is a basic right and is needed to maintain the human condition. Just because I want privacy doesn't mean I'm doing anything wrong.

So, cryptography is a tool for freedom and here are several cryptography tools that anyone can easily use:

Torpark is a portable, secure browser that can run off a thumb drive. It combines Mozilla Firefox and Tor, the EFF's anonymous internet communications system. Here is an article with more information about torpark.

Encrypted gmail from Richard Jones is a very easy way to send encrypted email messages.

Password Safe is a password manager originally created by Bruce Schneier. This free program allows you to save all your passwords for different web sites and programs in one easy, secure location.

Getting a little more advanced, "OpenPGP is a non-proprietary protocol for encrypting email using public key cryptography. It is based on PGP as originally developed by Phil Zimmermann." OpenPGP is an email encryption tool.

And, IMNSHO, the best tool available for making secure connections over public internet, OpenSSH. "OpenSSH encrypts all traffic (including passwords) to effectively eliminate eavesdropping, connection hijacking, and other attacks. Additionally, OpenSSH provides secure tunneling capabilities and several authentication methods, and supports all SSH protocol versions." SSH stands for Secure Shell, take a look at the site for more information.

I'm also going to include this link to a cryptography podcast series that gives some great info and points out some other resources.

In conclusion, JOIN THE EFF!!! I don't need a reason to want privacy, anyone wanting to watch me better have a very good reason ... and some damn fast computers to break my encryption :)