Page 43 - 200802 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - February 2008

Computer Search & Seizures 43 Computer Search & Seizures 43 UFO at Roswell - Sgt. Does the Government abroad, you might want to think twice about UFO at Roswell - Sgt. Does the Government Have the Right to Read Earl Fulford. - A new Have the Right to Read what's on your laptop's hard drive before you Earl Fulford. - A new embark. At the very least, back everything up and Everything on your edible 'debris field' cr credible 'debris field' Everything on your leave the backup at home in a safe place. There have been reports of agents not just viewing data Computer? witness comes forward Computer? but also erasing it (either deliberately or witness comes forward accidentally). Continued from Page 41 These days, our hard drives are almost What about encryption? Can't you just Continued from Page 41 like extensions of our lives. The data there can tell encrypt all your data so the agents can't read it? Now a seasoned 82 year-old veteran, - others a lot about our personal and business lives. Well, yes, as a matter of fact, you can - and you Sgt. Fulford was an original witness who was Many folks have files containing formal letters, might not have to reveal the password (at least, if researched by Thomas J Carey and Donald R informal email messages and even transcripts of you're suspected of criminal activity). In a recent Schmitt for their ground-breaking book - super-informal chat sessions. In email and chat, case, a man suspected of having child 'Witness To Roswell'. Tom Carey was good especially, they may say things in a joking manner pornography on his laptop when crossing the enough to hook Sgt. Fulford up with the Open that would result in disapproval or even legal U.S./Canadian border got a ruling from a federal court that requiring him to give up the encryption Minds Research Team - who have now action if they were taken seriously. Or they may, password would violate his fifth amendment right interviewed this vital Roswell witness and in all sincerity, confide intimate details about their against self-incrimination. You can read more produced an exclusive audio account compiled thoughts and lives and those with whom they live. about that one here: from hours of candid conversations on the They may also have personal financial http://www.wxpnews.com/080212-Password subject of the Roswell crash - in particular, Sgt. information, such as tax returns and other How about within the U.S.? Even if you Fulford's deployment into the 'debris field'. In documents. don't cross any borders, there are circumstances this amazing audio - we learn of entirely new If we use our personal computers for where your laptop could be seized and searched evidence. Descriptions of the 'memory work, we may have all manner of information on without a warrant. Another exception to the them pertaining to our companies and clients. We material'. How it felt. How it behaved and how may have memos and correspondence and probable cause requirement for conducting it looked. Sgt. Fulford is clear about one thing - contracts containing trade secrets or the details of searches is called "search incident to arrest." This the material he saw all had "geometric shapes". confidential deals. We may have credit card or means if you're arrested - on any charge, including There were no tears, splits or jagged edges - all account numbers of our customers and other a traffic violation - police can search your vehicle, the material had completely straight edges. This information about them that they would not want briefcase and whatever you might have with you, is important information - not only does this released to anyone else. whether or not there's any probable cause that show that the material was not 'balloon material' Even if you keep your documents on a those things contain evidence of a crime. As the or 'mylar' (not invented then) - but there is an secure server instead of the local machine and law stands now, that could also include your intriguing aspect to the material having you're careful to delete your email messages laptop or smart phone. Read an article about this 'geometric shapes' ( "there were no curved regularly, there may still be a lot of information here: edges") - does this suggest something about the that can be had by examining your temp files, web http://www.wxpnews.com/080212-Police-Search inherent nature and structure of the strange browser's cache files and other locations on your Of course, you don't have to worry about material itself? hard disk where data can hide. that, because you aren't going to do anything to This interview is one of the new This becomes more of a problem when the get you arrested, right? You're probably right - but 'exclusives' on the Roswell crash. It has taken computer holding all this is a portable. And an perfectly innocent people do occasionally get over half a century for all 'the truth' to get out increasing number of people are now using arrested, for reasons ranging from mistaken identity to overly exuberant police officers who 'there'. But here is a crucial witness with some laptops as their only computers. Of course, there don't know the law (as a former cop myself, who exclusive first-hand insight. To listen to the first are lots of ways you can protect the data on your still occasionally teaches criminal justice and part of the audio - only just released 15th laptop in case the computer is lost or stolen, as we police academy courses, I've seen more than my February, 2008 - the first hour long segment of discussed last month over on VistaNews in share of rookies who don't yet know or understand this amazing audio interview with Sgt. Fulford "Keeping your Portable Computer Safe" (Jan. 17 the laws as well as veteran officers who aren't will be streamed live from the Open Minds edition) at aware of changes in the law that make what was http://www.wxpnews.com/080212-Portable- Forum main website within the next few days. Computer-Safe arrestable last year legal today). A search of your With the latest events in Stephenville, But it's not just thieves you may have to hard drive under those circumstances probably Texas - and new developments in UFOlogy worry about accessing your information if you won't turn up anything legally incriminating - but reaching an all-time high; with reports coming travel, especially if you travel internationally. In it's still going to feel like an invasion of privacy. from around the world more so than in any time the name of security, government agents can seize What's the point? Don't assume that the in history - we are perhaps at the cusp of a full your computer or other electronics devices. Some information you store on your computer can't or Disclosure. are even demanding that the computer owners won't be perused by government agents at some Now with the addition of Earl Fulford's provide their passwords. time or another. Be aware that joking comments exclusive new evidence - this incredible yet And when we say "government agents," about wanting to "kill" someone you're angry with 'hidden' history is becoming very much up to- we aren't just talking about regimes in countries or noting that your friend "must have been date. [] that don't have constitutions or bills of rights. smoking some really good stuff" could very well Most people aren't aware of the power that U.S. arouse suspicion of wrong doing if they fall into Customs has to search you and your things when the wrong hands. Sure, such mistakes will you cross a border. Think you're protected from probably eventually be recognized for what they searches without probable cause by the sixth are, but in the meantime, you could suffer plenty amendment? Think again - that prohibition doesn't of inconvenience (at best). apply to "border searches" by Customs agents. What do you think? Should the They can search your person - and your computer government have the power to search your hard - just because they want to. drive at the border, in the interests of national The matter is, however, under review in security? Should the police be able to do so if the federal courts. While those courts have always you're arrested for something completely upheld the exception to the probable cause unrelated to your computer? Or should those who requirement for searches of persons, vehicles, etc., have done nothing wrong just not worry about it? privacy advocates contend that searching our hard Tell us your opinions at xzone@xzone-radio.com. drives goes beyond looking for dangerous or illegal items and comes very close to "mind V Visit The ‘X’ Zone Radio isit The ‘X’ Zone Radio probing" for "thought crimes." Read more about Website this here: Website http://www.wxpnews.com/080212-Mind-Probing www.xzoneradio.com www.xzoneradio.com Meanwhile, if you're planning a trip