Beware of charity :-)

["Rob, grandpa of Ryan, Trevor, Devon & Hannah" <rmslade () shaw ca>]

At this season of the year, our thoughts turn to those less fortunate.

(Anton, David and Martin will, of course, ask why this should be so, but we'll 
ignore that for the moment.)

Unfortunately, that means there are people out there who try to take advantage 
of the impulse.

Those of us in the security profession are well aware of the straightforward scam 
sites that pop up after every disaster.  Those who aren't much involved with 
charity will be less aware of charities that may be questionable, in that they raise a 
lot of money, only a small portion of which actually goes to those in need.  (With 
more charities having to "outsource" fundraising these days, this may now 
constitute most of the field.)

Then there are those charities using stereotypes to raise money for causes which 
sound good on the face of things, but don't actually address central needs.  An 
organization calling itself "Africa for Norway" (actually SAIH - The Norwegian 
Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund) is trying to raise some 
awareness in that area with a rather cute video.

http://www.africafornorway.no/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJLqyuxm96k
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/11/28/166095383/africa-for-norway-
viral-video-pokes-fun-at-stereotypes-in-aid-efforts
or http://is.gd/jDuG6D

======================  (quote inserted randomly by Pegasus Mailer)
rslade () vcn bc ca     slade () victoria tc ca     rslade () computercrime org
Mycroft had often theorized that the whole of existence was so
large and hideously complex that it must be sentient.  And if
this were so, then it must have a truly warped sense of humour
and have an abiding love of math and hydrogen--and a deep
loathing for order.      - `The Woman Who Died A Lot,' Jasper Fforde
victoria.tc.ca/techrev/rms.htm http://www.infosecbc.org/links
http://blogs.securiteam.com/index.php/archives/author/p1/
http://twitter.com/rslade
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