How private is your information?
Monday, March 15, 2004 by Rocky Nimda | Discussion: WinCustomize Talk
I put this here to prove a point. If this little sign can show you you’re IP and other information, then your information isn't as private as you might think.
Sure, I can't see the information about you it just shows me my own information. But every website you visit can, and most do, store this information in log files. This type of information is used for trending data. Web developers use it to get statistical information, so that they can better know what platforms to develop for. There are lots of other types of information that is obtainable also. Your screen resolution would be another type of information that is valuable to developers.
Jafo, or other admins, if you think that this is an inappropriate post, just Delete it. I feel that it is not, but I don't want to overstep my bounds.
Edited due to the fact that I forgot about the Delete thing.
[Message Edited]
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IPlural
Reply #42 Monday, March 15, 2004 5:58 PM
hmmmm, well I guess prOn.com has a bunch of users with some serious heart conditions!
Reply #42 Monday, March 15, 2004 5:58 PM
hmmmm, well I guess prOn.com has a bunch of users with some serious heart conditions!
Sput
Reply #43 Monday, March 15, 2004 8:25 PM
Reply #43 Monday, March 15, 2004 8:25 PM
Anyone who IS paranoid enough to worry about people knowing their IP could investigate the use of anonymous proxies, and software like JAP which can bounce each packet off a different proxy, thus making tracking traffic to/from a site very difficult. Or, you could go further and use something like Stealthier http://www.photono-software.de/Stealther/main.php3?language=eng&reseller=
Yes, people can still track you if they REALLY wanted to, and if they have the time and skills, but it can certainly make things pretty tricky.
And, if you wanted to obfuscate which browser you're using, try Proximotron, which can filter all packets to/from HTTP sources and change the header info such that the site can be fooled into thinking your using any browser you like - even non-existent ones.
Cookies can be stopped/controlled using the tools in IE or again using the Proxomotron to "spoof" cookies if sites refuse to work without them...
And you thought tracking people on the net was simple?
Yes, people can still track you if they REALLY wanted to, and if they have the time and skills, but it can certainly make things pretty tricky.
And, if you wanted to obfuscate which browser you're using, try Proximotron, which can filter all packets to/from HTTP sources and change the header info such that the site can be fooled into thinking your using any browser you like - even non-existent ones.
Cookies can be stopped/controlled using the tools in IE or again using the Proxomotron to "spoof" cookies if sites refuse to work without them...
And you thought tracking people on the net was simple?
Sput
Reply #44 Monday, March 15, 2004 8:27 PM
Reply #44 Monday, March 15, 2004 8:27 PM
Oops...I missed page 2 where people had already mentioned proxies...never mind...
sig101
Reply #45 Monday, March 15, 2004 10:00 PM
Reply #45 Monday, March 15, 2004 10:00 PM
Yes, your IP is your return address on the internet so that the websites you visit can actually send you content.
And not all anonymous proxies are really anonymous.
Anyway, some people do freak out when they see such things but if you want to show what info websites can see when you visit them this is a better example: http://www.gemal.dk/browserspy/
And not all anonymous proxies are really anonymous.
Anyway, some people do freak out when they see such things but if you want to show what info websites can see when you visit them this is a better example: http://www.gemal.dk/browserspy/
Evorg
Reply #46 Monday, March 15, 2004 10:51 PM
Reply #46 Monday, March 15, 2004 10:51 PM
I've been reading this thread and spinning around in abject apoplexy, gasping for breath and turning red.
I'm just a simple caveman
I'm just a simple caveman
DesignCaddy
Reply #47 Monday, March 15, 2004 11:01 PM
Reply #47 Monday, March 15, 2004 11:01 PM
thanks, ive been looking for one of those gifs so i could find the outbound IP my router is giving me
if you use simple firewall software then even if the world knows your ip they can't get it. for more advance users, use a router.
if you use simple firewall software then even if the world knows your ip they can't get it. for more advance users, use a router.
WebGizmos
Reply #49 Monday, March 15, 2004 11:36 PM
Reply #49 Monday, March 15, 2004 11:36 PM
It doesn't matter if your on or off the internet. If you've done business with a doctor, hospital, department store, or just about anyone else that utilizes a computer for their business...your information is all over the internet. Privacy is a thing of the past. Welcome to the "information highway"!
MGiff
Reply #50 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 2:23 AM
Reply #50 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 2:23 AM
Personally I think the internet is 110 times safer than leaving the house and driving the streets of Memphis, TN, if anyone is unaware it's the new violent crime capitol of the country. At least my internet isn't gonna shoot me! (I hope)
kongit
Reply #51 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 2:41 AM
Knoxville and Chattanooga Are much safer...I live in both.
Reply #51 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 2:41 AM
| Memphis, TN |
Knoxville and Chattanooga Are much safer...I live in both.
MGiff
Reply #52 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 3:49 AM
Reply #52 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 3:49 AM
I liked both of those cities, I almost went to UT Chatanooga, beautiful place.
paxx
Reply #53 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 6:53 AM
Reply #53 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 6:53 AM
Oooooo! Who cares if anybody can see my IP address?
Fact is, an IP address is no more personal information than your licence plate number on your car. Unless you turn your computer off and never visit any site, never send any email, never play any online game, never chat on ICQ or MSN, etc. anybody can see your IP address. So, big deal? Anyhow, anybody in their right mind who has a static IP should have a good firewall, as anybody riding in a car should wear his seatbelt.
But it's still cool how that that's done in a little GIF image. Neat.
Sput
Reply #54 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 7:19 PM
Reply #54 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 7:19 PM
Knowing someones IP address is quite useful if you need to contact their ISP to report an abuse...I've done that many times in chat environments when people have started posting extrem pornography or other unpleasant images (or just being abusive).
One guy panicked nicely and appologiesed sweetly in public when I posted him a private note telling him not only the name of his ISP, but the reply they'd already sent me describing the action they would take if he continued to be a problem, and assuring me that they had already taken a note of his name and address to talk to him - it turned out he was in Saudi Arabia and pornography is treated VERY seriously there....
One guy panicked nicely and appologiesed sweetly in public when I posted him a private note telling him not only the name of his ISP, but the reply they'd already sent me describing the action they would take if he continued to be a problem, and assuring me that they had already taken a note of his name and address to talk to him - it turned out he was in Saudi Arabia and pornography is treated VERY seriously there....
sig101
Reply #55 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 10:42 PM
Reply #55 Tuesday, March 16, 2004 10:42 PM
I was wondering what ISP was that...then saw the last sentence. Interesting. 
DesignCaddy
Reply #56 Wednesday, March 17, 2004 12:11 AM
Reply #56 Wednesday, March 17, 2004 12:11 AM
damn. i just did a search online and couldn't come up with my social security number. but i could make some phone calls - one to the bank, one to my credit card, one to the office, one to my school, and one to my car insurance agency. they all have it. and many more. yes it can be taken from your machine. it could also be taken from your wallet while your jacket is in coat check. someone could intercept your debit card transaction while video taping you entering your pin number from over head (hey, i heard it all on the radio yesteryday). if people want your info they will get it. but i trust browser encryption much more then a trust other human beings. call me pessimestic. its the truth.
Jafo
Reply #57 Wednesday, March 17, 2004 12:12 AM
Reply #57 Wednesday, March 17, 2004 12:12 AM
Googling 'Jafo' gets my email....real handy for when I'm legless and can't remember it...
Sput
Reply #58 Wednesday, March 17, 2004 12:14 AM
Reply #58 Wednesday, March 17, 2004 12:14 AM
#56 DC - very true. The most powerful tool available to any hacker is not some password cracking, IP tracing, backdoor finding software but simple social engineering...
DesignCaddy
Reply #59 Wednesday, March 17, 2004 12:27 AM
Reply #59 Wednesday, March 17, 2004 12:27 AM
the ip addie of a machine is just that - an address that a server post office uses to route information to you. it is, truely all over the place. it is logged on the server, on sites you visit, and in emails you send. sadly, because people suck, it can be used agaisnt you.
eh i already said this stuff before so i erased it. get a norton firewall.
my buddy just got a new laptop. his fist new computer (i get my loaner back!). i got a call 2 days after his first connection to the world wide web. "HEEEELLLP!!! im getting these gray text messages that take up the full screen like- ever 45 seconds!!! they're telling me a hacker is on my system and that im not protected! and someone keeps trying to sell me viagra!! i cant get any work done!". poor fella. i couldn't even remove the msmessages door because it was an AOL connection. had to norton him.
[Message Edited]
eh i already said this stuff before so i erased it. get a norton firewall.
my buddy just got a new laptop. his fist new computer (i get my loaner back!). i got a call 2 days after his first connection to the world wide web. "HEEEELLLP!!! im getting these gray text messages that take up the full screen like- ever 45 seconds!!! they're telling me a hacker is on my system and that im not protected! and someone keeps trying to sell me viagra!! i cant get any work done!". poor fella. i couldn't even remove the msmessages door because it was an AOL connection. had to norton him.
[Message Edited]
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Reply #41 Monday, March 15, 2004 5:57 PM