Web Browsing - Collected Information

You may not realize it, but as you are surfing the web all sorts of details are being left behind about your computer and where you have been. Most of this information is used harmlessly in website statistics, but it could also be used to profile you, or identify you as a vulnerable target for an exploit.

There are a few main pieces of information that get saved when you surf the web, this is by no means a full list, or a list of potentially what someone may be able to get, but the 'average' website will collect this data.

Referring URL - The prior website that you were surfing. This information is quite detailed, it will not just say google.com, it'll give the full website url that referred you, including the search words you used. In fact, they can click or copy that in to their web browser and see the exact page you left. Keep in mind that if you were in a website doing banking or something over a secure connection they won't be able to just login, however some less secure websites encode your password and username in to the URL itself, which could make that possible.

IP Address & Hostname - Your IP address and hostname identify you to the world, without a unique identity you wouldn't be able to request anything from the Internet. This will tell them who your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is and often give away where you live (to the city), or if you are working for a government agency, educational facility, or if you are surfing from behind a company proxy server.

Surfing Habits - Websites will record how many pages you have visited, the amount of time you spent at one page (before clicking on the next), the page you enter on, and the one you exited from.

Operating System and Software - This is a big one, as you are surfing information about your Operating System (OS) and the web browser you are using is recorded. Often the version numbers are also sent out. Additionally, they can actually tell your screen resolution and colour depth!

Most websites as I said before, use all of this information for statistical purposes, targeting advertising, developing a more user or operating system friendly website. However, it is good to keep in mind that a malicious person could also use this information.

Many security features are available through your web browsers, such as different levels of security for trusted and untrusted sites. Some linux browsers allow you to remove operating system and web browser information so it won't be available to websites. Personal firewalls, anti-virus software, malware scanners are all a great thing to have if you do a lot of surfing the web, and of course cleaning your internet cache and history!

It's always a good idea to keep privacy and security in mind when you are surfing the web and be careful of what websites you openly provide information to.

Ken Dennis
http://KenDennis-RSS.homeip.net

---

Personal Firewalls - Secure Your Computer

There has not been a time in the history of... Read More

Email Scams ? Ten Simple Steps To Avoiding Them

According to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) email scams also... Read More

Protecting Your Children On The Internet

If you are a parent, as am I, I think... Read More

Protecting Your Identity On The Internet

Afraid that someone is monitoring your PC or installed a... Read More

How To Prevent Spyware Attacking Your Computer

Spyware is software or hardware installed on a computer without... Read More

How to Get Rid of New Sobig.F Virus?

As you know, this time the virus under the name... Read More

Firewalls: What They Are And Why You MUST Have One!

A firewall is a system or gateway that prevents unauthorized... Read More

Passwords or Pass Phrase? Protecting your Intellectual Property

Much has been said on the theory of password protection... Read More

Remove Rogue Desktop Icons Created By Spyware

If you have used a Windows machine for a while,... Read More

Watching the Watchers: Detection and Removal of Spyware

If spyware were a person and he set himself up... Read More

Don?t Become An Identity Fraud Statistic!

"You've just won a fabulous vacation or prize package! Now,... Read More

Avoiding Scams: If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It Probably Is

A week or so ago, I received an inquiry from... Read More

Phishing-Based Scams: A Couple of New Ones

Phishing in its "classic" variant is relatively well-known. Actually, 43.4... Read More

The Important Steps To Protect Your Kids on the Internet

Internet is the ocean of knowledge. In this ocean you... Read More

Everything You Need To Know About Spyware and Malware

You are at your computer, checking out software on EBay.... Read More

Traditional Antivirus Programs Useless Against New Unidentified Viruses!

Every now and then you can read about a new... Read More

Secure Your PC From Hackers, Viruses, and Trojans

Viruses, Trojans and Spyware: Protecting yourself.No user on the internet... Read More

Do You Know What your Kids Are Doing Online?

It's a sad statistic, but hundreds of unsuspecting kids are... Read More

Is the Internet Insecure Because of You?

Long gone are the days that we could feel secure... Read More

Top 10 tips for Safe Internet Shopping

Over £5 billion pounds was spent on online shopping in... Read More

The Never Ending Spyware Story

It's been with us since 1993, it's gotten more intrusive,... Read More

Is That Free Stuff Like An iPod Or Desktop Computer Really Free?

Have you seen the web site, www.freestuff.com? Or have you... Read More

Virus and Adware - Fix them Both!

We all get the odd virus now and then, but... Read More

What Can Be Done About Spyware And Adware

Having a good Spyware eliminator on your computer is vital... Read More

Protecting Your Home Both Inside and Out

If you are a parent, you have probably wondered at... Read More

Criminals are Fishing For Your Identity

What is Phishing? In a typical Phishing attack, a criminal... Read More

Is My PC Vulnerable on the Internet?

No longer are viruses the only threat on the internet.... Read More

Phishing: A Scary Way of Life

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has identified "phishing" as the... Read More

Whats All This I Hear About Firewalls?

At this point, if you've got the whole "turning the... Read More

Dont Get Hacked - A Guide to Protecting Your Business from Thieves

You've seen it in the news - 40 million credit... Read More

Reducing Fraudulent Transations ? 5 Simple Ways To Protect Yourself

The money being spent online is steadily growing. With billions... Read More

The Risk Of Electronic Fraud & Identity Theft

Electronic Fraud and Identity Theft Human beings are pretty... Read More

Spyware Protection Software

Spyware protection software is the easiest way of removing spyware... Read More