Maintaining Your Privacy While Using Your Home PC
June 23rd, 2009
Privacy over the Internet is far too often a subject that goes unnoticed. When you are online, you could be sending vital data to other computer owners and websites that you wouldn’t want to share, even if you aren’t aware of it. By using relevant software and programs, you can keep such information secure.
Almost every website you visit will have some sort of tracking cookie to detail who you are. Any website that requires you to login and register will keep cookies on your machine to identify you and grant you access to certain portions of the website. At the same time the cookies can be used to track other data you don’t want to share. Cookie blocking techniques can be employed by software to stop such tactics.
Your IP address, which stands for Internet Protocol, is the number that is assigned to your computer. The IP address is used to map where you are and who you are according to that data. IP addresses have been used in good situations such as tracking illegal file sharing, but has also been used in privacy-demeaning instances. Hiding the IP address through proxy programs is the best bet for keeping private.
The Internet is bad enough for security, but even staying off the web can put you in danger of giving out private information. The network you are connected to, even if not connected to the Internet, can put your information at risk. Computer users on the same network will already know the basics of finding out information on your computer, and can use such things against you without proper security.
Local files are stored each time you visit a website so that you can come back alter and enjoy a quick load. Browsing history is another popular Internet browser function that needs to be erased for optimal privacy. Both things can be erased quickly by privacy software. Otherwise you would have to manually do so each and every time you use the Internet or view a website. Programs today can wipe the files clean each time you close your browser.
Security programs are also making use of what is called stealth ports. This mode of security simply takes the ports of one’s computer and hides them from pings. For those who aren’t computer savvy, this essentially means that the connections you have with other computers will only be open when they need to be. This safeguards your computer against anyone trying to see if you have security holes to exploit.
In Conclusion
The Internet has a time and place for sharing information, but not all of your information is something that you want to share. Sharing something such as your location, for instance, would be something that you wouldn’t want every stranger to on the Internet to know about.
Learn more about Hotspot Shield and KeePass.
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