Social Media: Your Private Life Made Public!

Social Media: Connecting People

It’s free, it’s easy and it’s the quickest way to stay CONNECTED online! Social media networking is quick infotainment bundled with excitement about sharing everything with your friends and family – what you’re doing, thinking, eating, drinking, buying and even where you’re going.

Private Investigators are now using social media as an investigative tool.

But, are you sure you are not “over-sharing”?

Many people don’t realize when they crossed the limit and shared more than they should have on a public forum. While many of us readily create and update our personal details, days schedule, likes, dislikes and contact information over social media sites, “Would it be okay for U.S. CIA director Leon Panetta or his wife to post their addresses, vacation photos, children’s’ names and other personal data on Facebook?” Robert Sicilliano, an Internet Security Analyst explains the underlying privacy issues here.

Well, every tweet, image, video, comment, or blog that you post is kind of a micro-chapter of your public profile that anyone can access online. Sure, you created it for your friends, family and colleagues but it is also out there for other people with less virtuous interests. Social media are prone to internet lurkers and are leading to a real world problem like virtual stalking.

Online Socializing isn’t a boon after all.

You receive a friend request or a friend suggestion from a friend or from friends of friends and you add them to your friend list without realizing what you are really getting into. You chat, share personal information, pictures and videos with other people which could later turn into a threat to your own privacy.

Much recently, a bunch of high school teachers were fired for flirting with their students on social media sites. These teachers “friended” some of their female students and took it off to another level by writing creepy comments and posting inappropriate photos on a public forum like Facebook, one of which even culminated into a sexual relationship between the teacher and the student.

Public-Private pendulum swung too far public

Is your boss on your friend list? These days, social media has emerged as a very common threat to employees in the corporate world. According to a new study, by Proofpoint, an Internet security firm, of companies with 1,000 or more employees, 17 percent of the reported issues were with employee’s use of social media. If your job is boring, think twice before making it public or you could be fired. And if you are staying back home on sick leave, you better refrain from appearing online because you never know your boss could deem it abuse of trust.

And Andrew Keen wrote in his book, The Cult of the Amateur, “Out of this anarchy, it suddenly became clear that what was governing the infinite monkeys now inputting away on the Internet was the law of digital Darwinism, the survival of the loudest and most opinionated. Under these rules, the only way to intellectually prevail is by infinite filibustering.”

So How Do I Protect Myself In The Age Of Social Networking?

Since Facebook and Twitter are the most popular and populated of the bunch, lets talk about your privacy on these two major social networking sites. As a Private Investigator in Orange County, I know how easy it is to obtain information while online. Checking social media is a great place to start when a PI wants to find out the goods on someone’s social lifestyle. Here’s a great article on Facebook privacy (with good reference pics & examples) titled “10 Privacy Settings Every Facebook User Should Know” written by Nick O’Neill.

Twitter can be a great outlet for sharing information “as it happens” but too often users post “tweets” they regret and very well could open up the door for a libel case if they spoke about someone in a bad light. It’s common sense, don’t say anything about anyone on Twitter if you wouldn’t say it to their face. Here’s an informative article about Twitter privacy titled “How to Protect Your Privacy on Twitter” written by Angus Kidman.

The OCPI Blog says “Stay Safe Out There, and Protect Your Privacy”!

-

Ryan Garrahy is a state licensed private investigator specializing in surveillance, background checks, locating individuals and workplace investigations. He is the owner & principal investigator for Orange Investigations.

BlackBerry Voice Encryption; Not “Just” For President Anymore

 

President Obama takes a moment to relax and view a message on his BlackBerry Smartphone. Courtesy CNET News.

Government Grade Encryption Now Available To Private Sector

Ah, being President looks pretty relaxing doesn’t it. You’ve got a nice cozy tour bus to cruise around in, a couple of guys to chat it up with everywhere you go, and you get a really cool encrypted phone. I’m not talking about one of those big bulky President Jimmy Carter phones with the rotary dial…I’m talking about a slick BlackBerry Smartphone with government level encryption.

Well Gumshoe, you might not have to be Mr. Big after all to get your hands on one of these BlackBerry encrypted phones. Actually, judging by a recent article on Crackberry forums there’s a company called Cellcrypt (creepy name, awesome software) which allows you to use your own BlackBerry device, while they provide the software capable of government-grade encryption of voice calls over standard cell phones such as the Nokia Symbian and BlackBerry Smartphone. “Cellcrypt’s easy-to-use software application offers unparalleled voice quality and performance over cellular, Wi-Fi and satellite networks that is as easy to use as making a normal phone call”.

 

This proprietary software allows GSM encryption on both ends of the conversation. Courtesy Cellcrypt.com

 

Enterprise Service Needed To Make Encrypted Phone Calls Over GSM Cellular Networks

So far, it looks like this company only offers the software on BlackBerrys’ that are connected to the GSM network (T-Mobile & AT&T). So for those Private Investigators and corporate execs who have Verizon and Sprint, this may be a good time to make an excuse to get new BlackBerry Torch from AT&T to justify the switch! It looks like an Enterprise account will be needed in order to make the secure connection. If you’re on T-Mobile’s network, the upgrade to their BlackBerry Enterprise account will only cost you one Honest Abe extra a month compared to the normal $30.00 standard BlackBerry server fee. So for $35 bucks a month, it ain’t a bad deal.

So far, Cellcrypt’s website has remained silent on their pricing. Judging by their website, the only inkling of pricing they mention is link to an email address  partner@cellcrypt.com which connects you with their “Global Partners” department. I have yet to email them, so feel free to take the first step in finding out if this is worth the expense to have the luxury of secure voice conversations!

Interesting Read: GSM Cracking – Facts & Advice

News Release Oct. 6, 2010: AT&T Launches Encrypted Mobile Voice Service

Cellular Phone Hacking, Bluetooth Security Issues and Pre-Paid Phone Alternatives

You’ve seen it in movies like Eagle Eye and Proof of Life. A memorable line from Ex-British SAS operative Russell Crowe to Meg Ryan “Pack your bags, get to the airport, don’t talk to anyone until you get to Dallas; then call me on the encrypted phone.”

Conversations can be compromised, we all know this, especially with era of Bluetooth & iPhone hacking software available with just a quick Google search on the internet. If a client is  hiring a Private Investigator to work a stalking and harassment case, the aggressor could very well have placed hacking software on the phone; now having access to overhearing conversations.

As a Private Investigator here in Orange County California, I’ve recommended that anyone who feels their privacy has been compromised, and wants to have a confidential conversation with a Private Investigator working on their case, they should go out and purchase a pre-paid cellphone. For under $100.00 (some less than $50), you can have peace of mind while receiving text messages and phone calls, as well as having an unlisted phone number. If both parties should feel compromised, then two pre-paid phones would be needed to carry out the conversation.

-

Ryan Garrahy is a state licensed private investigator specializing in surveillance, background checks, locating individuals and workplace investigations. He is the owner & principal investigator for Orange Investigations.

Private Investigator Uses Digital Signature For Competitive Edge

PRESS RELEASE: JULY 16, 2010

Ryan Garrahy, PI “EchoSign Electronic Signature Eliminated Red Tape; Gives Me an Edge”

Courtesy EchoSign.com “In The Press“

Continuing our series on particularly interesting EchoSign customers and our learnings from them, we were pleased when Ryan Garrahy, P.I. of Orange Investigations reached out to us to tell us of his big success with EchoSign.

If Magnum were on the air today, it looks like he’d be driving a hybrid (ok, probably Robin Masters’ Tesla), using e-signatures to sign up new clients, and blogging about the life of a private investigator.  Check out Ryan’s great blog piece here on how to pick a P.I.

Orange Investigations provides a wide variety of investigative services to clients who demand results.

EchoSign Increases Competitive Edge for Private Investigator

Company Overview

Orange Investigations is a private investigation firm located in Orange, California. The company was founded by Ryan C. Garrahy, a former US Army military intelligence and law enforcement professional. Orange Investigations specializes in surveillance investigations, video/photo evidence, performing comprehensive background checks, locating individuals, conducting workplace investigations and investigating worker’s compensation insurance claims. We can also conduct specialized “case specific” due diligence research.

Workflow Challenge

“Before EchoSign, I had a real logistical problem with sending and receiving client agreements,” says Ryan Garrahy, Owner, Orange Investigations, “about half of the agreements I sent out for signatures were not getting returned.” Unfortunately, for Orange Investigations, it was a common occurrence for customers to change their mind and lose interest before they signed the contract. In addition, Ryan spends most of his time on assignment, and without a secretary it is difficult to fax back documents on a timely basis.

EchoSign Solution

“Having the ability to allow a client to sign an agreement online, and on my website is truly innovative”, remarks Ryan. “Clients in this business can run very ‘hot and cold’ — from wanting to speak with an investigator, and take action immediately, to showing initial interest and then cooling off. Ryan posted two contracts on his website and now his clients can read and contract his services online.

Results

“With EchoSign, I am now able work with clients on the phone and let them know that the process is simple and no faxing or emailing is needed. I am also able to close clients faster and more efficiently because clients can see all the required paperwork online. EchoSign has increased my competitive edge, provided unmatched convenience to my clients, and basically eliminated the red tape.”

Thanks EchoSign, and keep up the excellent work!— Ryan Garrahy, Owner, Orange Investigations

Yes, sir!

-

Ryan Garrahy is a state licensed private investigator in Orange County specializing in surveillance, background checks, locating individuals and workplace investigations. He is the owner & principal investigator for Orange Investigations.