[in]Security |  |
Security is a big topic these days. The most widely used consumer operating system is riddled with security problems, and it seems that the company that makes that operating system treats security as something of an afterthought at best, and a means to drive sales at worst. Every user of this software is either a victim, has weekly updating hassles, or submits their computer software to "automatic" updates that are a privacy and security risk all unto themselves - and then are still at risk due to the reactive nature of these security "fixes".
Another big topic is privacy and anonymity. Basically, you don't automatically have any privacy or anonymity on the internet.
Virtually nothing you do on the internet is private unless you take deliberate measures to make it so. Take email, for example. Email has always been completely public: going over the networks in plain text format, being stored and forwarded by any number of computers in its path from one to another. NEVER send confidential data over email unless you have taken specific measures to protect it from prying eyes.
Following are a few references on these topics that may help you to better understand the issues and thus protect yourself.
If you find that the issues are just too much hassle for you to deal with, contact Cañones Software Outfitter for help!
Privacy and Security | ||
The EFF, one of the few voices "working to protect your digital rights" in this corporation-controlled country, has published this useful guide.
Astalavista, a security-oriented organization, has this to say about privacy issues.
Another privacy reference document, also from a person at Astalavista.
It's ridiculously easy to forge who email is from, also from a person at Astalavista.
Fresh Cookies | ||
Think you've got a handle on 'browser cookies'? Did you know macrom$dia flash player has the capability to create a whole new type of cookie?
Check out this and this. Then go here for a point and click solution; OR preferably just go into your personal profile area and delete the cookies manually (Macromedia/Flash Player/...). For the naive (windows) user, go to some variation of this: 'C:\Documents and Settings\<Your User name>\Application Data\Macromedia\Flash Player" and delete wantonly.
Spam | ||
Currently the best way to whip this monster is to avoid giving out your email address. It seems that every day there's a new entity asking for your email address. Like your social security number, make sure that who your giving it to really needs it, then give out a "fake" one.
A couple of approaches to this are:
- Sign up for sneakemail. Give out these generated addresses instead of your "real" email address, especially for any e-commerce matter.
- Sign up for free email accounts like yahoo mail.
Surfing Anonymously | ||
There are ways to protect your anonymity when using the web. Some with limited functionality are free.
Eliminate Worries About "Search Record" Subpoenas | ||
Google (and other search sites) keep records about the searches made from your IP address. If you're foolish enough to use a "gmail" account or other google services that you provide personally identifiable information to, they can and will tie it together to identify you.
Your IP address usually can be traced back to you if you're using a paid internet-access account of any kind.
Use the "Scroogle" service to do your searching (taking advantage of google search technology) but keep your personal and surfing data private.
Scroogle - scroggle your info, but get the google search!!
You might also try other less-well-known search engines, such as:
Mail Spoofing | ||
An explanation of using SMTP directly.
