Without cookies, the Internet is pretty useless. But you only really need them for each online session. You can clean, i.e. remove them, at the end of each session. I keep specific cookies so certain data is available for applications I want.
So true.. People are so quick to cry foul over any mass data collection that remotely feels like an invasion to privacy, but will completely ignore what they make visible in plain sight.
Little brat has no concept of personal space. He’s probably already hacked into their email, he’s just trying to cover it. The parents need to only allow him to use the computer while everyone is standing around watching HIM
The biggest threat to internet security is social engineering or phishing.
People are gullible, more of them than I ever imagined. There is a reason the Nigerian Prince scam has been running for about two decades – people fall for it.
Even reasonable people fall for a well-designed phish trap. “Your account is overdue.” “Your account will expire.” The bottom line: check directly with the bank or IRS or whoever. No legitimate organization is going to contact you via email to ask for credentials, credit card numbers or personal information.
Also “Windows” or “Microsoft” is not monitoring your computer and they will not call you to tell you that you have a virus. Tell them, अलविदा (Hindi for goodbye) and hang up.
Use easy to remember, but hard to guess, long passwords – pass phrases are better. Ruth,Yankees,1927-60HR. Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in 1927 for the Yankees. This is a lot better password than H6z!gQt.
Don’t use reuse passwords.
Keep the operating system (e.g. Windows 10), antivirus (Windows Defender that comes free with Windows 10 is good enough). browsers and all other software up to date.
I also recommend Malwarebytes – it’s so good, that if you can afford it, I recommend the paid version (good for 3 computers) – however the free version is also worth it – do scans frequently.
Be wary of opening email attachments especially if they are unexpected.
Browse safely. Ironically religious sites are more prone to have viruses than porn sites (don’t ask me why). Don’t download pirated software.
Most of all use the best privacy protection scheme in the world: your brain.
This covers about 95% of what you need to know to stay safe out there.
Each of our girls has her own laptop (thank you, tax return). They have to use them in the kitchen, but we give them as much privacy as we can. Our #1 main rule: we need to have access. One time we needed to access our older daughter’s laptop but we couldn’t get in, so we removed it. When she came home and asked about it, we told her. Then we got her story: she noticed that you could change from password to a PIN; however, she thought that the password would still work as well! We gave it back
There are different types of cookies kept in a browser, and they are for different purposes. Some are intrinsic to the browser, and will always be there, others do allow various sites to store info (and send some to them as well). I allow cookies much of the time, but also run PrivacyBadger (restricts which sites can track you) and AdBlock, which reduce to almost nothing the number of intrusive popups. I also make sure the browser settings are set to stop popups and apply other restrictions.
Templo S.U.D. almost 4 years ago
amscray, asonjay
Prescott_Philosopher almost 4 years ago
Without cookies, the Internet is pretty useless. But you only really need them for each online session. You can clean, i.e. remove them, at the end of each session. I keep specific cookies so certain data is available for applications I want.
Wilde Bill almost 4 years ago
Cookies also enable sites to target ads to you based on what sites you visit.
Dillithamir almost 4 years ago
So true.. People are so quick to cry foul over any mass data collection that remotely feels like an invasion to privacy, but will completely ignore what they make visible in plain sight.
PammWhittaker almost 4 years ago
Little brat has no concept of personal space. He’s probably already hacked into their email, he’s just trying to cover it. The parents need to only allow him to use the computer while everyone is standing around watching HIM
Adiraiju almost 4 years ago
Meanwhile, a lot of the same people complaining about this don’t say a word when they put the exact same information on Facebook…
dflak almost 4 years ago
If you want it to be private, don’t post it.
dflak almost 4 years ago
The biggest threat to internet security is social engineering or phishing.
People are gullible, more of them than I ever imagined. There is a reason the Nigerian Prince scam has been running for about two decades – people fall for it.
Even reasonable people fall for a well-designed phish trap. “Your account is overdue.” “Your account will expire.” The bottom line: check directly with the bank or IRS or whoever. No legitimate organization is going to contact you via email to ask for credentials, credit card numbers or personal information.
Also “Windows” or “Microsoft” is not monitoring your computer and they will not call you to tell you that you have a virus. Tell them, अलविदा (Hindi for goodbye) and hang up.
Use easy to remember, but hard to guess, long passwords – pass phrases are better. Ruth,Yankees,1927-60HR. Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in 1927 for the Yankees. This is a lot better password than H6z!gQt.
Don’t use reuse passwords.
Keep the operating system (e.g. Windows 10), antivirus (Windows Defender that comes free with Windows 10 is good enough). browsers and all other software up to date.
I also recommend Malwarebytes – it’s so good, that if you can afford it, I recommend the paid version (good for 3 computers) – however the free version is also worth it – do scans frequently.
Be wary of opening email attachments especially if they are unexpected.
Browse safely. Ironically religious sites are more prone to have viruses than porn sites (don’t ask me why). Don’t download pirated software.
Most of all use the best privacy protection scheme in the world: your brain.
This covers about 95% of what you need to know to stay safe out there.
Wren Fahel almost 4 years ago
Each of our girls has her own laptop (thank you, tax return). They have to use them in the kitchen, but we give them as much privacy as we can. Our #1 main rule: we need to have access. One time we needed to access our older daughter’s laptop but we couldn’t get in, so we removed it. When she came home and asked about it, we told her. Then we got her story: she noticed that you could change from password to a PIN; however, she thought that the password would still work as well! We gave it back
Sailor46 USN 65-95 almost 4 years ago
Privacy is dead, and social media is the smoking gun.
asrialfeeple almost 4 years ago
Anybody hear about computer printing?
bwsevier Premium Member almost 4 years ago
There are different types of cookies kept in a browser, and they are for different purposes. Some are intrinsic to the browser, and will always be there, others do allow various sites to store info (and send some to them as well). I allow cookies much of the time, but also run PrivacyBadger (restricts which sites can track you) and AdBlock, which reduce to almost nothing the number of intrusive popups. I also make sure the browser settings are set to stop popups and apply other restrictions.