Posts Tagged ‘privacy’

How Browser Cookies Have A Negative Effect On Everyone’s PC Privacy and Anonymity

May 27th, 2011 by Martin Clamson

A cookie is a text file composed of alphanumeric characters that are stored on a user’s computer when a website is accessed. Cookies are also called by other names like browser cookies, HTTP cookies, and web cookies. The browser uses a cookie to navigate the website more easily. A cookie can be used for log ins, language settings, shopping cart contents, themes and more features that use text data.

Certain cookies have dates of expiry. These may be saved by the browser and deleted as the expiration date passes. Other cookies do not have expiry dates. They are automatically deleted as the browser is terminated. Cookies help a website to deliver improved services, although cookies in themselves do not hold information.

Cookie files include the name of the server, its duration, and the cookie value, and are stored in the browser’s cookie file. The cookie value is a randomly produced number that makes one cookie distinct from the rest. This value helps the server that created the cookie to recall the user when he or she comes back to the site, or to navigate from page to page.

Unlike a virus, a cookie is not an executable file, meaning that it cannot reproduce itself. However, it can be a privacy concern in some situations. A browser has a system that sets and reads cookies so a cookie can be used as spyware, like the “zombie cookie” or an “evercookie”. As spyware, a cookie can be used to track computer activity. This is why users are given the option to choose whether or not to accept cookies.

A cookie itself is not dangerous on a computer. Its role is just to help the website to identify the user and summon up his or her information. For example, a website may ask the user to input his or her name the first time he or she visits the site. The cookie then tells the server who the user is every time he or she returns to the website. A user should not wonder why his or her name would appear on the “welcome” page the next time he or she returns to the same site.

Privacy risks can be an issue in the use of cookies. All personal information uploaded by a user will be remembered by the cookie. This can expose the user to the possibilities of identity theft or computer hacking. This is one of the reasons why some users would want to remove cookies kept in their computers.

Cookies can be removed in various ways, depending on the user’s browser. However, there are three general steps involved in doing such an action:

First, on the browser, go to “Tools”.

Second, select “Internet Options” or “Options”.

Third, under the “General” tab, choose “Delete Cookies”. This may necessitate a combination with other functions. The “Browsing History” may be used where cookies may be deleted together with temporary files. The user can choose to delete all items or just the cookies in there.

More information about how to delete cookies is offered here.

It’s not just about cookies! Online privacy can be compromised by a number of issues. One problem is IP addresses. Change your IP address by using an anonymous Proxy server to mask your IP address and defend your Internet identity. For more information about using a Private Proxy please visit our blog.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in PC | No Comments »

Online Behavioral Monitoring Can Keep A Log Of Everything You Do On The Web – Do You Worry Or Not Or Not

May 22nd, 2011 by Andrew Virender

Very important information is collected from users through online tracking. A significant amount of data gathered could be used by companies that do target advertising and strategic marketing approaches could surely enhance revenues of these companies. In the past, data compilation was done through surveys of readers’ preferences and applications. Online tracking as a marketing “tool” evolved as modern technology developed and grew. Today, marketing firms easily accumulate data by just keeping an “eye” on a user’s online behavior.

In its earlier days, online data collection from users seemed innocent. Privacy issues began to emerge as more and more internet marketing companies made use of such strategies. Keeping privacy on the web became more and more complicated. A user’s online behavior is left unguarded, making him or her “target” for internet advertising companies. Claims of unlawful intrusiveness by internet data gradually became commonplace. Users questioned whether such techniques could be considered legal. Others contend that such procedures are violations of individual privacy.

User data that is uploaded holds so much important information with enormous marketing potentials. As a whole, these contain the user’s data and those of his or her friends, linkages, locations, and influences. With some transformations, these could tell not only what the individual user wants but also the wants of his or her friends. Abuse of personal data becomes a never ending risk.

User information is collected by placing cookies on the computers of users who visit the website. The use of cookies is common. In one report, it is said that out of the 100 most popular websites examined, more than 50 percent used cookies. Cookies make internet use simpler, especially for those sites that are regularly visited by the user. Cookies help in saving individual user preferences so he or she does not have to go through a repetitive process.

The stand of the Federal Trade Commission is that behavioral marketing should be self-regulated in order to avoid privacy violation claims. It requires that website owners should not fail to disclose behavioral targeting approaches in a clear and conspicuous manner. There were some website owners who were prosecuted due to violations of Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

If you are at all concerned about your online identity or your Internet privacy, you should consider using an Anonymous Proxy to defend yourself from Internet behavioral tracking. Try our PrivateProxy for free and start defending yourself today!

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in PC | No Comments »

The Pirates Are Coming To Massachusetts – Introducing The Newest Party In Politics

May 16th, 2011 by Martin Clamson

The Massachusetts Election Division has granted approval to the Massachusetts Pirate Party as a political designation. This gives the go signal for its members to finally take their place in the state. The long-awaited time for voters to register as a “Pirate” has come at last. Way back in 2006, the United States Pirate Party was founded. It has been a long time for it to be formally recognized by some states.

Having been given the official approval, the party can already start working toward its vision and mission. The party has always openly voiced its ideals and tried to live up to them. They endeavor to “increase government transparency, promote personal privacy, reinforce the spread of knowledge through copyright reform, and abolish patents.”

One of the key reforms that the party strives to maintain is personal privacy. They have criticized the government’s use of the 9/11 occurrence to boost its surveillance and regulation over citizens. They have cited the PATRIOT ACT, wiretapping, surveillance cameras as some of the government’s methods of curtailing privacy of people. They have also cited how corporations step up their spying in order to get more work out of their workers.

Another area of unease is government transparency. The party strives to uphold citizens having control of their democratic fate. This can be accomplished if people know what the government is doing and which special interests are influencing public elected officials. There seems to be a decreasing openness by government in abiding by open meetings. There are closed door deals that benefit mostly corporations. Public information is also sold to private interests; all of these are detrimental to democracy and privacy.

Massachusetts Pirate Party has issued a statement emphasizing that the government no longer gives people the opportunity to live up to the old ideals. These are supposed to be the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Now, corporations have overwhelmed the people with the government increasing their influence. To the party, these ideals should be lived once more and be real for all.

The party’s organizer said that the party is in the process of training activists. After deployment, they will focus on organizing and building local chapters. It is in the process of killing the Combating Online Infringements and Counterfeits Act (COICA). Passage of this bill would sanction government to “take down any web domain found to host copyrighted material without permission”. It is also looking for legislation before the Massachusetts General Court to settle on which ones they should and should not support. The party is confident and optimistic that they will find its way to success in Massachusetts.

We’ve been saying this for a long time, privacy is not given, it is taken. You have to defend your own privacy. One way to do that is to use an anonymous Proxy to hide your IP address. For additional ways to defend your Internet Privacy, please visit our website.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

What is the Informed Consent Law plus How Can the law Affect You and Your Family

May 4th, 2011 by Frank Andrew Greenwald

The informed consent law is now in the public eye with respect to how it is being executed. A number of groups including Colorado Progressive Coalition said that there is a need for its improved implementation. It has recommended that both law enforcers and civilian citizens must be knowledgeable of it. According to the group, it is not sufficient that just the police are up to date. Individuals should be well-oriented on the new law especially so that they are the subjects.

According to the law, a search will only be performed after the consent of the subject. If he or she refuses, then no search can be completed. To avoid from committing privacy violation, the law enforcer must complete the necessary process. He or she must first clearly explain to the subject his or her constitutional rights under the law. Once the subject refuses, the police officer can not go on with the intended search.

The bill known as HB 1201 was voted for last year. Under the 4th Amendment, this law was approved to defend individuals against unreasonable searches. Search under this law is considered unreasonable if there is no informed consent. The many incidents of law enforcement brutality prompted lawmakers to watch over both law enforcers and civilians. It is hoped that this would inspire in both the police’s and citizens’ respect of the law.

The Colorado Progressive Coalition hosted one round table event. During the said occasion the 2 fundamental aspects on the implementation of the law were identified. One is the creation and implementation of training programs for law officers. The other is generating public awareness of the law and legal rights of individuals. These two would create a partnership between both police and civilians as they know their rights. This means that there would be less cases of police maltreating private individuals.

There are a number of ways of training programs available for police officers. The one being used at present is through education bulletins sent by the use of emails to law enforcement representatives. Nonetheless, the group suggests of a superior way that would really inculcate “a society that respects the law”. These additional media that would facilitate deeper awareness and positive reception of the law must be incorporated. One that would guarantee appropriate implementation of the law is video webcast training.

The ACLU stresses that public comprehension is also essential. It has signified its on-hand resources for providing know-your-rights classes. It would be teaching individuals who are agreeable to study the new Colorado law as well as their rights as individuals. It also said that they would make available know-your-right cards to those who are concerned in endorsing the informed consent law.

Often you can’t wait for the laws to protect you. Many times you have to take proactive steps to defend yourself. Here is how to use an anonymous IP Changer proxy server to change your IP address.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Deciding To Purchase A Paper Shredder To Preserve Privacy

September 1st, 2010 by Martha Johnson

In an age of identify theft and fraud, you will want to make the purchase of a paper shredder. You can keep you information confidential. They are valuable for your commercial office or business as well as home needs.

There is a lot of paper every day that we come to no longer need. It adds up from paid bills and other correspondence. Most of us do not sift through it all for confidential information that we do not want others to have. With a shredded, you do not have to spend your time sifting. If in doubt shred it into little pieces that cannot be put back together.

You should not just toss all of those papers in the trash without shredding them. There is information that can be misused that could wreck you financially and be hard to overcome personally if identity is stolen or misused. Shredding it will put your mind at east and help you sleep at nights.

A paper shredder is in your immediate future. There are choices to be made. Here are some tips in choosing a paper shredder.

1. Before you go shopping, look at your budget and decide what you are able to spend. Stick to this range when looking for your shredder.

You are either looking for one designed for an office setting or commercial place or one that is made for the home or home office. Commercial ones will take more papers at once and are usually larger. If you do a lot of shredding at home, you may want to even consider a commercial level one for your home if it fits in your space and budget.

2) You will want to find a shredded paper container that fits your shredder that is sizable. Most come with containers. Changing it a lot is a pain.

In addition to office equipment, this writer also frequently publishes information regarding white vinyl placemats and hand painted wine glasses.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in computer equipment | No Comments »
Newer Entries »