Ask Leo!: Privacy

How do I stay safe in an internet cafe?

leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -08:00

I've read your articles about how a secure home wireless network is important. But lets say I'm in a cafe, and I'm connected to their public wireless, is all my privacy compromised? I have a firewall and I suppose that will block any attacks into my laptop, but what about the information I send out such as online banking and the like on that public wireless?

]]> You are absolutely right to be concerned.

There are steps that you need to take to ensure both your security and your privacy.

How can I password protect a desktop shortcut?

leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -08:00

Is there a program that offers desktop password protection for shortcuts? My system is Windows Vista Home Edition. I have a few shortcuts/Icons on my desktop I want to keep private. I've seen answers about managing administrator controls and user accounts, etc but that won't help me. I keep my computer on and signed in at all times so there is no changing of users, if I step away from my desk I'd like to be sure no one can click on a desktop Icon and access these files. Logging off and on throughout the day to avoid unauthorized access is not an option for me. I am looking for one that will prompt for a password when the icon is clicked.

]]> The short answer is no - I know of no way to do exactly what you describe.

And to continue along that line, doing exactly what you describe - password protecting the shortcuts - won't help. Protecting a shortcut to a document is not the same as protecting the document itself.

Let's look at some possible alternatives.

How much can people find out from a photo I email them?

leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:40:17 -08:00

I am curious: how much information is made available to someone if I send a photo through email (if any at all)? For example, if I attach a photo through a provider such as Yahoo!, can the receiver of that photo find out any information about my computer or me? I know my IP address is viewable in the email - but I am curious about the photo.

]]> More than you think, but most of it's pretty boring. And none of it is about the computer.

I'll set aside the obvious fact that whatever's in the photo is part of what you're sharing. That's the point, after all.

But modern digital photos often include a lot of additional information you might not realize is present.

Just how do websites track or monitor our activity?

leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:37:48 -08:00

Other than using spyware and cookies which can be deleted from our PC (hopefully), how can websites or search engines continuously track and monitor our internet activities from our home PC? I read from one of your earlier articles that most people probably have a "dynamic" IP address. Assuming that is true for me, and my IP address constantly changes, how can an IP address be used to identify me for any significant length of time? (My IP address today could be yours tomorrow.) And even if the website/search engine knew my IP address at a single point in time, how can they connect that IP address to my name (if I don't register it) and physical location? I'm guessing that my ISP can make this connection, but I assume they won't provide that information to just anyone, right?)

]]> That question covers a lot of ground, from cookies to IP tracking. It also misses a couple of areas that are worth thinking about as well.

But I do have to point out one important thing for most people: you, as an individual, just aren't that interesting. Sorry to burst your bubble, but it's pretty likely no one really cares where you go or what you do.

Let's see what they might care about, and the ways that they can collect it.

How do I block people from finding information about me on the internet?

leo@pugetsoundsoftware (Leo A. Notenboom) — Sun, 24 May 2009 16:45:05 -08:00

How do I block people from finding me and information about me on the internet? I want to erase myself from the internet. How do I stop my name and my information from showing when people google me or search for me on the internet?

]]> This is, sadly, an extremely common question. I say sadly, because the answer is both disappointingly complex, and ultimately unattainable.

The short answer is very, very simple: you don't.

The longer answer involves understanding how little control you have, what steps you can try, and how effective they may or may not be.