Re: [newbie] Privacy in linux?
On Monday 09 Jun 2003 12:28 am, rikona wrote: Hello, There has been discussion about security, but little about privacy. Granted, Mandrake seems FAR less intrusive then M$ when updating, and with 'call home' programs. Thank you, thank you, Mandrake. It would seem that the primary risk is in the browser, chats, and perhaps in email. I'm starting to look at privoxy for increasing privacy in browsing. If anyone has used it, are there pre-configured files set up to protect against the common privacy leaks? Has anyone had experience in using the host file to block ads/snoops? Does it hang the browser in waiting for the localhost to time out if the host file is used [this is a problem in Opera, at least]. Has anyone used a DNS proxy to block ads/snoops? If so, are there pre-configured files for the common ad servers? How secure are the various 'wallet' programs in linux? I note that the Mozilla 'wallet' seems to point back to a server at Mozilla - not so hot, I'd think. In email, do any of the email clients go to the web for HTML references that might be in email? Finally, what has to be configured so that my local info is not sent with, say, finger, or some other probe? Did I miss any other privacy considerations for linux? In my experience privoxy works great out of the box for the vast majority of sites. I find it particularly easy to use with Opera and Galeon because those browsers allow you to put 'bookmarklets' on your task bar to get quick access to the privoxy config if you want to toggle privoxy, or customise its settings. I also find Opera runs faster with privoxy because it no longer waits for the last advert to arrive before rendering the page. (Although I think the latest Opera7.11 no longer has that issue anyway, and is in my opinion a *seriously* good browser) After using privoxy for some time I am always shocked when I use a computer away from home at how many adverts there are around the web. Privoxy makes surfing much more peaceful :-) derek -- -- www.jennings.homelinux.net Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
Re: [newbie] Privacy in linux?
On Monday 09 Jun 2003 7:28 am, Derek Jennings wrote: On Monday 09 Jun 2003 12:28 am, rikona wrote: Hello, There has been discussion about security, but little about privacy. Granted, Mandrake seems FAR less intrusive then M$ when updating, and with 'call home' programs. Thank you, thank you, Mandrake. snip /snip Has anyone had experience in using the host file to block ads/snoops? Does it hang the browser in waiting for the localhost to time out if the host file is used [this is a problem in Opera, at least]. Ok, in konqueror this works a charm. I'm currently blocked from banner spam etc from over 6000 servers all listed in my /etc/host file. Copy it across and you're set to go. Browsing has speeded up nicely thanks to this. It also helps as this is the only spot in my county that cannot get adsl services so every bit helps. If you want a copy derek then email me off-list and I'll send you a very up-to-date copy as I added about 25 more servers to it only yesterday. Regards magnet Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
Re: [newbie] Privacy in linux?
On Monday 09 Jun 2003 3:31 pm, you wrote: On Monday 09 Jun 2003 7:28 am, Derek Jennings wrote: On Monday 09 Jun 2003 12:28 am, rikona wrote: Hello, There has been discussion about security, but little about privacy. Granted, Mandrake seems FAR less intrusive then M$ when updating, and with 'call home' programs. Thank you, thank you, Mandrake. snip /snip Has anyone had experience in using the host file to block ads/snoops? Does it hang the browser in waiting for the localhost to time out if the host file is used [this is a problem in Opera, at least]. Ok, in konqueror this works a charm. I'm currently blocked from banner spam etc from over 6000 servers all listed in my /etc/host file. Copy it across and you're set to go. Browsing has speeded up nicely thanks to this. It also helps as this is the only spot in my county that cannot get adsl services so every bit helps. If you want a copy derek then email me off-list and I'll send you a very up-to-date copy as I added about 25 more servers to it only yesterday. Regards magnet Hmm... got that wrong in last post. typo... Its actually 16000 servers. See, it's kinda comprehensive coz spam bugs me out. Regards magnet Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
RE: [newbie] Privacy in linux?
privacy in browsering is cool.. just keep in mind that you have no right to expect ecommerce apps to work if you make all authentication methods non functional... Its a tough call, as a user, I know that for the most part, I'd prefer to be anonymous but as an e-commerce developer I know how hard it is to safely code apps that work when users have blocked any method of authenticating them.. (like zonealarm and other personal firewalls and the HTTP_REFERER env variable, or IP faking methods etc.. ) We have precious little authentication methods available to us now. If people all start spoofing their details online then no-one can expect this stuff to work anymore. my point is turn it off when using online apps. rgds Franki -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of rikona Sent: Monday, 9 June 2003 7:29 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [newbie] Privacy in linux? Hello, There has been discussion about security, but little about privacy. Granted, Mandrake seems FAR less intrusive then M$ when updating, and with 'call home' programs. Thank you, thank you, Mandrake. It would seem that the primary risk is in the browser, chats, and perhaps in email. I'm starting to look at privoxy for increasing privacy in browsing. If anyone has used it, are there pre-configured files set up to protect against the common privacy leaks? Has anyone had experience in using the host file to block ads/snoops? Does it hang the browser in waiting for the localhost to time out if the host file is used [this is a problem in Opera, at least]. Has anyone used a DNS proxy to block ads/snoops? If so, are there pre-configured files for the common ad servers? How secure are the various 'wallet' programs in linux? I note that the Mozilla 'wallet' seems to point back to a server at Mozilla - not so hot, I'd think. In email, do any of the email clients go to the web for HTML references that might be in email? Finally, what has to be configured so that my local info is not sent with, say, finger, or some other probe? Did I miss any other privacy considerations for linux? -- Best regards, rikona mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Want to buy your Pack or Services from MandrakeSoft? Go to http://www.mandrakestore.com
