A question for providers who have web sites with a contact application page:

How come these forms are never secure - meaning https rather than http?

Has anyone besides me noticed this?

Personally, I'd be somewhat more inclined to fill out and submit these forms if they were secure.

Speaking of web sites, does anyone find that TER tends to often timeout?

Yes. From time to time. Usually in the wee hours of the morning. I just assume they are doing maintenance.

I find it can occur any time of day, usually for a few minutes at a clip, at least once a day, more often several.

I suspect that either the web server is overloaded with hits, or else there's some network issue.

"https" requires a security certificate to be acquired for the domain.

A little more complicated than just a typical form to setup. Thats probably the main reason.

Never really times out for me.
Now and then it loads slow but I blame comcast for that.

your driver's license, SS#, or credit card number, I really don't see the need for secure forms... Perhaps you can explain?

And YES, I have that problem with TER constantly.

I have a faster connection. I haven't noticed it timing out since. Sometimes it posts slowly.

as for me.. the current server I am on does not allow for secure connections.. it is a lame MS server..


On more speedy web surfing.. go check out OpenDNS (search it)
it is free and all you have to do is update your DNS  server links in your router/modem and on your machine through Control Panel - network connections - (the lan or local area connection) - properties - internet protocol - properties - use the following DNS server addresses.. and put in their server addresses..

It will speed up most of your surfing...

Secure information stored on server. HTTPS encrypts your data during transit.

There are methods to encrypt data on server but it would not do you any when it comes to LE because, they decrypt themselves or can force you to decrypt.

If you want your data to stay safe you can move your server to an EU country with an EU company. Then again, government can get the data for variety of reasons.

So the big brother or sister is always watching. Be aware and intelligent.

You are only giving out what should be anonymous info. Phone number to a 'throw away' phone. Anonymous email acct.

I've seen forms where they are asking for info like your name.  Especially when using a verification service that has your info.  Not very anonymous.

OpenDNS, hmmmmm, this sounds like an intriguing idea.

Thx Nikki!

Yes, exactly!

If the problem is with the ISP, then wouldn't I have the same problem with any website I visit?

I don't have a problem with any other website, it's TER specific.

I'll try it tonight.

A note on secure encryption.. If your have info on a encrypted file system stronger than 128 bits and multi-keyed and strong dual passwords there is no LE in the US that has the budget for the super computer time that it would take to crack it..
It took YEARS just to crack 32bit and the tetra grid ..

AND

Case law has up held that YOU CANNOT be compelled to reveal passwords under the fifth... FYI

A recent group of cases hinge upon employers or the government finding cached web pages from Internet surfing. HTTPS pages should not be locally cached and t/f add an extra layer of protection. Also, data is encrypted in transit, so LE can't hijack the data from your session. LE can't practically decrypt these, nor can they force you to decrypt--but they can question you on the content of the transmissions under oath under pains and penalty, etc.

There are a lot of ways on keeping your transmissions anonymous, pretty seamlessly, but not enough room to go into it here.

And as for anonymous data--there is the practical issue that respectable providers will want your real name for verification.

PM

I tend to notice it right around midnight EST, pretty steadily.