Tip for August 7, 2009: Vanish!
In this era of hyper-data portability securing your information is becoming more important than ever. Tools such as old-fashioned email and newcomers like Facebook, blogs and practically anything that can be associated with Web 2.0 have made it almost enjoyable to create voluminous amounts of content. It’s possible that you have not given too much thought to the things you send into the ether, but you need to be prepared for it to live in perpetuity and also be found with Google.
These are the issues which lead a research team at the University of Washington to create Vanish, a tool which will render your messages (and more) unreadable after 8 – 9 hours. The Mission: Impossible producers would be proud! To use Vanish you will need the following:
- Java 5 or above and FireFox 3.x
- The Vanish System
- Vanish Plugin for FireFox
If you are interested in trying the system before installing, they provide an online version to let you create self-destructing messages, one by one. Their site points out that while the Vanish system is fully functional, it is still a research project and should be treated as such. If you’re interested in trying Vanish, I strongly recommend you spend time reading about how it works and what to expect. They provide several screencasts and screenshots to explain their objectives and how to properly install the system.
Bonus Tip!
Are you envious of all the people who have found fame by starring in a video that has gone “viral?” If so, you’re in luck! Don’t worry about taking the time and effort to create your own video, just superimpose your face on any of the most popular viral videos and become your own star with family and friends! Just connect your webcam and head over to Fun Face Cam. You can choose from some of the most popular videos, like Laughing Baby, Numa Numa, or my personal favorite David After Dentist.
Today’s services: Vanish & Fun Face Cam
Tags: fun face cam, privacy, security, vanish, webcam