Technology
Wired News: Your Identity, Open to All (no longer available)
A search for personal data on ZabaSearch.com — one of the most comprehensive personal-data search engines on the net — tends to elicit one of two reactions from first-timers: terror or curiosity. Which reaction often depends on whether you are searching for someone else’s data, or your own.
This is a pretty frightening site. Much of your entire history is probably here. In light of the recent spate of data thefts and losses, it pays to know what information is out there.
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Jim Duncan has been helping buyers and sellers in Charlottesville’s neighborhoods for 25 years. Get local insight born of experience.
Dig Deeper
Secure Your Doorbell, For Pete’s Sake
What is your doorbell's password? Is TFA an option? Do you have two-factor-authentication turned on? You should. Even on your thermostats (see: Family Says Hacked Nest Cam Terrorized Them With Fake Ballistic Missile Alert) In 2018, I represented sellers with solar systems installed, Nest and EcoBee…
Who Owns the Thermostat’s Data?
Have you ever read the terms of use that come with a Nest or an EcoBee thermostat? I hadn't. (I don't have one) Who owns that data? How is that data transferred/deleted? How might it affect the current homeowner? As Realtors, might we soon add…
Blockchain and Real Estate
Q: What is a blockchain? A: “The blockchain is an incorruptible digital ledger of economic transactions that can be programmed to record not just financial transactions but virtually everything of value.” I admit; I don't yet fully grasp blockchain. But I know it's going…
Open Data in the City of Charlottesville
The Open Data workgroup last night put on by Smart Cville (disclosure, I'm on their board, and I spoke briefly) was fascinating, not only for the insight provided by the City of Charlottesville folks demonstrating the tools available, but also the depth of information available at the…