[NSRCA-discussion] Online security

[Phil]

Great, Scott. Thanks. I didn't know that about cell phones... 

Phil Spelt, KCRC Emeritus 
AMA 1294, Scientific Leader Member 
SPA L-18, Board Member 
Oliver Springs, TN (865) 435-1476v (865) 604-0541c 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Scott McHarg via NSRCA-discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> 
To: "General pattern discussion" <nsrca-discussion at lists.nsrca.org> 
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2017 10:00:45 AM 
Subject: [NSRCA-discussion] Online security 

I thought I'd take a moment to point just a few things out about online security. 

1. If you send anything via the internet on a website that constitutes personal information, always make sure that the website is secure. You will not see http at the beginning but https:. Some email services, including Gmail send email securely but that does not mean that the recipient's email is secure. SSL (Secure Socket Layers) has been replaced with TLS (Transport Layer Security). These are what comprise, essentially, "https". They are protocols that provide data encryption and what makes your information secure. 

2. Depending on your browser, when you're at a site that is encrypted, you should always look for a notification or a color coding on the letters "https". Green is the most secure. I would not send SS #'s or CC #'s without this. If you see red on an https site, their certificate has expired. It does not mean the data is not secure, it means they have not renewed their certificate. For safety, I would not send personal information on this. 

3. Your cell phone. If you do not have your cell phone "locked" with a PIN or pattern or some way of preventing people from accessing your phone, the data that you send over the internet from your phone is not secure when utilizing cellular data. If you have a PIN or pattern or whatever in place, the phone, regardless if it is iOS or Android, uses that PIN/Pattern/Fingerprint to encrypt your data being delivered. If your phone is simply accessible by picking it up without unlocking your phone, you will be sending data unencrypted and not secure. This refers to when your phone is using cellular data. If you're connected to a Wi-Fi network, you are encrypted by that Wi-Fi router. Point to all this.....lock your phone. 

Hope this helps, 
Scott 


Scott A. McHarg 
VSCL / CANVASS U.A.S. Research Pilot 
Texas A&M University 
PPL - ASEL 
Remote Pilot Certified Under FAA Part 107 

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