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"Surfing DNA..."

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Tue 24/06/08 at 14:07
Moderator
"Are you sure?"
Posts: 5,000
Have you ever thought about the trail you leave behind as you surf the web?

As someone who runs various web sites it often amuses me what people do and makes me realise how most internet users don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes.

Lots of data is collected when a visitor views a website.
The main items being:

Browser and browser version.
Screen resolution, number of colours, etc.
Internet Provider and IP address.
Computer operating system and version. Java enabled, .net, etc.
Referrer - Where did they come from – search engine or entered the address directly? If they found the site by a search engine which one and what did they search for. Did they arrive from a link on another site?


Now none of these things directly relate to an actual person but together they make up a foot print or ‘DNA’ of an individual internet user. This is just the way the internet works so it’s the same for everyone. There are ways of hiding your details but normal surfers shouldn’t have to worry about having to do that as you will look pretty anonymous.


There is something to be aware of and avoid though.

I notice some internet providers let the customers use certain words from their account name to make up the address of the provider – people are often leaving their name and address on every website they visit – which in it’s self isn’t a problem but it’s not recommended!

Freeola ADSL users will just leave an ‘anonymous string’ for the provider address but some of the providers that make up your address using your account details give too much information away.

i.e. Some people display their name – mrsmith.provider.com etc. and others (individuals and businesses) will use “our-house.co.uk”, “company-name.com”, “nhs.uk”, “southampton.gov.uk”, “man.ac.uk” etc., etc.

If you are just leaving your employers address in website logs then the chances are that the worse that could happen is that you could embarrass your employer – but if you are leaving personal details surname/house name etc. then it could possibly be used for criminal purposes.


Just something to think about (or check) when you set up your internet connection…



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Mon 11/05/15 at 20:50
Regular
"Feather edged ..."
Posts: 8,536
Hmmm... wrote:
Voice-in-my-head wrote:
[i]That's all very well - but how do I check to see what tracks I'm actually leaving when I visit a webpage?

Thanks.



Good question!
This page Surfing DNA shows you the details that website owners can view - IP Address, ISP, Operating System, Browser Screen size and referring web page.

I hope that helps :¬)
[/i]

So ... thanks for viewing my stats ... Hmmm is a spy;¬)
Mon 11/05/15 at 17:53
Moderator
"Are you sure?"
Posts: 5,000
Voice-in-my-head wrote:
That's all very well - but how do I check to see what tracks I'm actually leaving when I visit a webpage?

Thanks.



Good question!
This page Surfing DNA shows you the details that website owners can view - IP Address, ISP, Operating System, Browser Screen size and referring web page.

I hope that helps :¬)
[s]Hmmm...[/s]
Sat 09/05/15 at 22:41
Staff Moderator
"Aargh! Broken..."
Posts: 1,408
:) yes you are....or have you upset a lot of people:? :)
I'm also on the electoral role....under E for Eccles....maybe.
Sat 09/05/15 at 20:51
Moderator
"Are you sure?"
Posts: 5,000
Fair enough.
Don't forget WHOIS though in case I'm seeing your real address.


I wouldn't like people to see those details for me - but I'm a worrier!
[s]Hmmm...[/s]
Sat 09/05/15 at 20:41
Staff Moderator
"Aargh! Broken..."
Posts: 1,408
Well no, there are a lot more with my funny surname in the UK than you would think!
Sat 09/05/15 at 20:39
Moderator
"Are you sure?"
Posts: 5,000
Just checking you know you leave your actual name on every site you visit though?

[s]Hmmm...[/s]
Sat 09/05/15 at 20:33
Staff Moderator
"Aargh! Broken..."
Posts: 1,408
I guess you're talking about the visit to your site from my connection? Not really an issue for me!
Sat 09/05/15 at 18:30
Moderator
"Are you sure?"
Posts: 5,000
This is a very old thread but probably more relevant today than when I first posted.

Internet privacy and security are have been in the news a lot in the last year.


I'm *bumping* this for @Eccles :¬)
Check your 'DNA' !!!

If you should need more details you know how to find me.
[s]Hmmm...[/s]
Wed 25/01/12 at 18:40
Moderator
"Are you sure?"
Posts: 5,000
Old thread - but 'sort of' back in the news

I've been following today's O2 mobile phone number 'privacy' issue with interest. It reminded me of this old thread :¬)

To summarise; O2 customers viewing websites via O2's mobile service have been leaving their phone numbers on every website they've visited!

There are numerous blogs etc reporting this but here's a BBC News item.

...and here's O2's blog updates



[s]Hmmm...[/s]
Sat 09/08/08 at 18:48
Moderator
"Are you sure?"
Posts: 5,000
:¬) I knew 8/8/8 was lucky!

Thanks Freeola...





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