[OT] Are you being tracked online?

[Aryoche]

Zone Alarm isn't bad, I believe there's a freeware version on their site as well. Howerever, there is also Outpost, a freeware firewall that is a bit friendlier to use, and customizable for your own preferences, including content filtering for the "little ones" who may be using your PC.

Here's the link: http://www.agnitum.com/

I recommend getting ZoneAlarm. It is a personal firewall that is independent of Microsoft's influences. Basically, it keeps an eye on what is using the internet on your computer. You'd be surprised what tries to get online. It can catch things that Adaware is not aware of, but the learning curve is a little steeper.

 

[DDK]

Just out of curiosity, what is the real concern here? I mean, if you have nothing to hide then why are you worried?

Only those engaged in illegal activities should have any concern over privacy. So what if Joe and Jane download a little porn or go to #Ilikewhipsnchains chat every now and again? Ultimately the government isn't concerned about junk like that so privacy isn't really that big an issue since they're hardly going to advertise the above on the evening news.

Now if you're worried about companies using your information for marketing purposes, then that at least is a little more legitimate. But even then, so what? Isn't it a GOOD thing that companies are seeking to improve the ways in which they interact with society and the individual? How many of you actually pay attention to any spam that you get? I bet the number is close to zero and guess what, most companies simply DON'T spam because they know it doesn't work. They know that because they collect the data and analyse it.

I think the only people that have anything to worry about are pedophiles, terrorists and Jack Chick

 

[Buttercup]

Just out of curiosity, what is the real concern here? I mean, if you have nothing to hide then why are you worried?

There are a couple of things going on here. First, we in the US are fairly nervous these days about what many people see as increasing government encroachment on our civil rights in the name of the 'war against terrorism'. We tend to be a belligerant bunch vis a vis our rights anyway, especially our privacy.

Then too, you don't really want to assume that only the guilty are arrested, do you? I can think of cases where innocent people have had their computers impounded, have been thrown in jail, and have endured all sorts of grief, who were later proved innocent. And guilty of what, by the way? In several states in the US, all sexual activity except the missionary position between a woman and man is illegal.

The bottom line is, if you can protect your privacy by taking a few simple steps, why not do it? Of course, any of us are welcome to take your approach, Fourecks, and probably there will be no ill consequences for doing so. Free choice.

 

[DDK]

And guilty of what, by the way? In several states in the US, all sexual activity except the missionary position between a woman and man is illegal.

Really? How terrible! And, might I add, rather dull!

But yes, I see your point. I was accused of stealing computers and music equipment from my High School. The janitor positively identified me and for two weeks I was harrassed by teachers and students alike until I had to leave.

I didn't do it, though. I was completely innocent. In fact, in later years I even met the guy who actually did it! But I know the feeling of having my civil rights violated and abused. The police were not... nice. They made it well known, despite the laws that supposedly protect my privacy, that I was accused and what I was accused of.

Three weeks after the accusation, after I had been forced to leave school and had endured all sorts of hate, the police cleared me of all charges. But the damage had already been done.

So I agree. Privacy is important. I guess I was just curious as to why everyone was so concerned and didn't consider this particular aspect of the argument.

 

[Sammael99]

Just out of curiosity, what is the real concern here? I mean, if you have nothing to hide then why are you worried?

Well, for a start, since I ran AdAware and cleared most of the spyware associated with various things I was stupid enuogh to download over the last few months, I really noticed a significant improvement in my browser's response time. When I say significant, I mean of course that I didn't have to measure it : it was obvious !

That alone is a good reason to get rid of the critters that affect the computer's performance.

Now if you're worried about companies using your information for marketing purposes, then that at least is a little more legitimate. But even then, so what? Isn't it a GOOD thing that companies are seeking to improve the ways in which they interact with society and the individual? How many of you actually pay attention to any spam that you get? I bet the number is close to zero and guess what, most companies simply DON'T spam because they know it doesn't work. They know that because they collect the data and analyse it.

Unfortunately, spam is a nuisance, and a damned annoying one at that. I haven't entered an e-mail address in my browser, so that's not where my e-mail spam comes from, but pop-up windows and endless ad-banners are sometimes (often ?) prompted by the same annoying critters mentioned here...

So that's enough for me, without even getting into the whole privacy thing...

 

[Viking Bastard]

I really noticed a significant improvement in my browser's response time. When I say significant, I mean of course that I didn't have to measure it : it was obvious !

Yeah, same here. I don't think it's ever been as fast, not even when we first got it (although I'm probably imagining this).

 

[jdavis]

Just out of curiosity, what is the real concern here? I mean, if you have nothing to hide then why are you worried?

Only those engaged in illegal activities should have any concern over privacy. So what if Joe and Jane download a little porn or go to #Ilikewhipsnchains chat every now and again? Ultimately the government isn't concerned about junk like that so privacy isn't really that big an issue since they're hardly going to advertise the above on the evening news.

Now if you're worried about companies using your information for marketing purposes, then that at least is a little more legitimate. But even then, so what? Isn't it a GOOD thing that companies are seeking to improve the ways in which they interact with society and the individual? How many of you actually pay attention to any spam that you get? I bet the number is close to zero and guess what, most companies simply DON'T spam because they know it doesn't work. They know that because they collect the data and analyse it.

I think the only people that have anything to worry about are pedophiles, terrorists and Jack Chick

I average 20 to 30 crap e-mails a day, yes I just delete them but everytime I receive one it lets them know they have a live e-mail account and I get a half dozen more, not only that but I get the same ones day after day, and I get telemarketer phone calls and junkmail too (if they get your e-mail address they can get your phone number and address if you have any information listed anywhere it will get out.). I have yet to get any spam that was actually tailored to my personal information, I get everything from refinancing my house (I don't own a house) to getting a bachelors degree online (I am working on a Masters degree right now). I get ads for cell phone antannas 3 or 4 times a day. Those are the legal things, there are untold amounts of ways for people to get information on you and use it illegally.

There is also the problem that alot of people may have illegal tings on thier computer and not know it also, if you got your computer used there is no telling what might of been on it before you got it, and if it was ever on it there are ways to find out. Also there are things that you might not know that are illegal where you live and there are things that you could get into that are legal where you live but not where the server is, there is just too much to get into that can come back and get you. The big protection here is not that there is any sort of privacy but that there are so many people on the internet.

I know all this sounds a little paranoid but I'm really not that concerned about any of it except for the annoyance factor. If they were actually trying to tailor adds to my taste and needs and sending me intersting things that would be one thing, but I really have no interest in the worlds greatest colon cleaner, I didn't the first time it was sent to me and still didn't the 10th time I got it. I have no interest in human growth hormone shipped from Mexico but that doesn't stop them from bugging the crap out of me.

 

[Dragongirl]

Well, for a start, since I ran AdAware and cleared most of the spyware associated with various things I was stupid enuogh to download over the last few months, I really noticed a significant improvement in my browser's response time. When I say significant, I mean of course that I didn't have to measure it : it was obvious !

Hehe you didn't download Bonzobuddy too did you? Had like 20 little "critters" from that silly thing.

 

[KDLadage]

strangely, the F-microsoft site shows destination unreachable when I ping it, google finds it, but I cannot get to anything except cached pages...

 

[DSC-EricPrice]

Same here. Must be a microsoft conspiracy with the M$ DNS Servers eh? lol. Or their ISP is down. Which is more likely?