Yahoo is recording every website and every group you visit.
Yahoo is now using something called "Web Beacons" to track Yahoo Group Users around the net and see what you're doing and where you are going similar to cookies.
About half-way down the page, in the section on cookies, you will see a link that says web beacons. Click on the phrase web beacons. That will bring you to a paragraph entitled "Outside the Yahoo Network."
In this section you'll see a little "click here to opt out" link that will let you "opt-out" of their new method of snooping.
Once you have clicked that link, you are exempted. Notice the "Success" message on the top of the next page. Be careful because on that page there is a "Cancel Opt-out" button that, if clicked, will *undo** the opt-out.
So is there any method for purging your computer of "beacons" once you have them in the same way that you can purge "cookies"? When you click "opt out," are you sure this process doesn't add tracking gimmicks to your computer? Sorry, I don't trust anyone anymore, especially high paid computer nerds.
MIcrosoft does the same thing! Have you looked at the Microsoft Media Player? THAT IS Big Brother!
I recommend Hijackthis.exe, spybot and ad-aware. And if you have zonealarm loaded you can get a pop-up every time some nosey site tries to load something on your computer. You tell it NO, remember this site, and that site won't bother you again.
All this stuff is freeware.
I watched 1984 on telly the other night. I came to the conclusion that George Orwell was an amazing prophet. Aprox 20 years out with his forcast but I think he was an optimist.
Then you are talking about lies? You can always tell when politicans lie. They move their lips.
I wonder if every computer on the planet has had a secretly installed Claris file or Gator file. Any others on the most notorious, insidious and sneeky file list? I know a lot of the ad pop ups come from none@ files.
This is the ultimate non sequitur (it’s not worth its own thread), but for the benefit of those in the Brendan Gleeson fan club I've just seen him in "The Kingdom of Heaven" - a so-so film about the Crusades, and barely worth 3 stars IMHO (if I'm feeling very generous). He comes to an inevitable gory end, and , no, he doesn't play the fiddle in the film.
Trevor
Hi innocent bystander, I installed spybot - now I find a connection to some websites is refused - interesting, one suspects that these sites are trying to install cookies to track your browsing, and when spybot detects and refuses this, you get access denied. Rather insidious, eh?
I had a friend whose PC was so loaded with spyware, malware, worms, snails and slugs that she couldn't no longer even use it to get online (to get more of the same...) She is going to switch to a Macintosh. She doesn't have the patience, budget, or technical skills to overcome the PC problem.
I have a Mac at home and have never had a problem with any internet garbage invading my machine. I switched to the Firefox browser (on my Mac and my PCs at work) because it is the best I have found at blocking unrequested software installations, popups, ads, and images from non-originating servers. It also allows you to make exceptions for specific sites that you TRUST.
Bob, yes, I like Firefox too, and for the reasons you give. I'ts my main browser, although I still use IE6 (but only for TheSession, which is my IE6 home page).
On my XP-Pro PC I use a proprietary antivirus application and a couple of anti-spyware packages, all of which get updated automatically on virtually a daily basis, and a good firewall. Microsoft also automatically updates Windows and IE6 for me whenever it finds problems that need addressing.
My email provider deletes any emails or attachments that contain dangerous code, and intercepts virtually all spam. I delete unread any email from a source I don't know. I'm also careful about which websites I look at, and think before clicking on anything when online.
This all seems a lot, but it's no trouble in practice and my PC has been free of viruses and spyware etc for the last couple of years.
The only drawback with all this extra protection is that it can slow down the computer for some processor-intensive applications (audio and video editing in particular), so in those cases I'll first physically disconnect the PC from the internet and close down the antivirus etc applications. The important thing is to do a cold reboot before going back online.
BTW, I don't particularly like yahoo, so all references to it on my PC have been deleted.
I'm also a bit leary of using the Google desktop search engine (it does a thorough search of everything on your PC). It may be fine for an off-line office PC with gigabytes of business data that needs to be accessed in a hurry, but I wonder what unauthorised access to one's home PC could be generated by such an application. Running in the background as it does it's probably using up processor power which could be put to better uses. I did briefly install the Google desktop search a while ago, but I soon completely deleted it for the reasons given.
BTW, if you ever use Google, be very careful how you type in the URL address. Apparently, there is a spoof website incorporating the name "Googkle" (very easy to mis-key in if you're not careful), which will instantly infest your system with all sorts of really nasty stuff. OK, so good antivirus, antispyware and a firewall "may" stop it, but I'd rather not take the risk. It's far safer to have the real thing as a click-on favourite in your browser. In fact, I use Google as my home page for Firefox.
Trevor
“Extremely critical” security flaws have surfaced over the weekend in Mozilla’s Firefox browser. For details see http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1814056,00.asp, but it’s worth pointing out immediately that an attacker could combine the flaws to execute malicious code without user interaction.
Mozilla urges Firefox users to disable JavaScript immediately as a temporary workaround, and recommends that the browser's software installation feature be disabled. This can be done by unchecking the "Allow web sites to install software" box, which can be found by selecting Options on the Tools menu and then Web Features.
Trevor
Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Yahoo is recording every website and every group you visit.
Yahoo is now using something called "Web Beacons" to track Yahoo Group Users around the net and see what you're doing and where you are going similar to cookies.
Take a look at their updated privacy statement: http://privacy.yahoo.com/privacy
About half-way down the page, in the section on cookies, you will see a link that says web beacons. Click on the phrase web beacons. That will bring you to a paragraph entitled "Outside the Yahoo Network."
In this section you'll see a little "click here to opt out" link that will let you "opt-out" of their new method of snooping.
Once you have clicked that link, you are exempted. Notice the "Success" message on the top of the next page. Be careful because on that page there is a "Cancel Opt-out" button that, if clicked, will *undo** the opt-out.
# Posted on May 6th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Thanks, Jack. I hate the way my computer fills up with junk, cookies and spybots.
# Posted on May 6th 2005 by Michele Sims
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
So is there any method for purging your computer of "beacons" once you have them in the same way that you can purge "cookies"? When you click "opt out," are you sure this process doesn't add tracking gimmicks to your computer? Sorry, I don't trust anyone anymore, especially high paid computer nerds.
# Posted on May 6th 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
MIcrosoft does the same thing! Have you looked at the Microsoft Media Player? THAT IS Big Brother!
I recommend Hijackthis.exe, spybot and ad-aware. And if you have zonealarm loaded you can get a pop-up every time some nosey site tries to load something on your computer. You tell it NO, remember this site, and that site won't bother you again.
All this stuff is freeware.
# Posted on May 6th 2005 by Innocent Bystander
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Done all that. Now all I have to worry about is the CIA and US of A spy satellites.
# Posted on May 7th 2005 by bodhran bliss
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Oranges and lemons, say the bells of St. Clement's
Halfpence and farthings, say the bells of St. Martin's....
# Posted on May 7th 2005 by 2ndFiddle
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
I watched 1984 on telly the other night. I came to the conclusion that George Orwell was an amazing prophet. Aprox 20 years out with his forcast but I think he was an optimist.
# Posted on May 7th 2005 by Bernie
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
A few days ago I deliberately used the rare word "hyposcheses" (pl.) in a post. Do a Google search for it - they're on the ball.
Trevor
# Posted on May 7th 2005 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Trevor - Google just brings me back to your post. I have also tried a few of the other search and dictionary sites and no joy.
So are you going to enlighten us?
# Posted on May 7th 2005 by breandan
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
I got a hit for www.thesession.org/discussions/display.php/6500 all right. It's really amazing how fast google is, sometimes.
# Posted on May 7th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Those Bastards. I have successfuly opted out.
# Posted on May 7th 2005 by Why Bother?
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Breandan, "hyposcheses" (sing. "hyposchesis") means "promises" - which politicians of all hues are (in)famous for.
Trevor
# Posted on May 7th 2005 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Then you are talking about lies? You can always tell when politicans lie. They move their lips.
I wonder if every computer on the planet has had a secretly installed Claris file or Gator file. Any others on the most notorious, insidious and sneeky file list? I know a lot of the ad pop ups come from none@ files.
# Posted on May 7th 2005 by CeolCairdeas
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
This is the ultimate non sequitur (it’s not worth its own thread), but for the benefit of those in the Brendan Gleeson fan club I've just seen him in "The Kingdom of Heaven" - a so-so film about the Crusades, and barely worth 3 stars IMHO (if I'm feeling very generous). He comes to an inevitable gory end, and , no, he doesn't play the fiddle in the film.
Trevor
# Posted on May 7th 2005 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Hi innocent bystander, I installed spybot - now I find a connection to some websites is refused - interesting, one suspects that these sites are trying to install cookies to track your browsing, and when spybot detects and refuses this, you get access denied. Rather insidious, eh?
# Posted on May 8th 2005 by On Sabbatical
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Are there any Mac users experiencing problems because of this beacon situation? It is all about greed!
# Posted on May 9th 2005 by pwr1951
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
I had a friend whose PC was so loaded with spyware, malware, worms, snails and slugs that she couldn't no longer even use it to get online (to get more of the same...) She is going to switch to a Macintosh. She doesn't have the patience, budget, or technical skills to overcome the PC problem.
I have a Mac at home and have never had a problem with any internet garbage invading my machine. I switched to the Firefox browser (on my Mac and my PCs at work) because it is the best I have found at blocking unrequested software installations, popups, ads, and images from non-originating servers. It also allows you to make exceptions for specific sites that you TRUST.
Anyone else using Firefox?
Bob
# Posted on May 10th 2005 by Laughtonb
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
Bob, yes, I like Firefox too, and for the reasons you give. I'ts my main browser, although I still use IE6 (but only for TheSession, which is my IE6 home page).
On my XP-Pro PC I use a proprietary antivirus application and a couple of anti-spyware packages, all of which get updated automatically on virtually a daily basis, and a good firewall. Microsoft also automatically updates Windows and IE6 for me whenever it finds problems that need addressing.
My email provider deletes any emails or attachments that contain dangerous code, and intercepts virtually all spam. I delete unread any email from a source I don't know. I'm also careful about which websites I look at, and think before clicking on anything when online.
This all seems a lot, but it's no trouble in practice and my PC has been free of viruses and spyware etc for the last couple of years.
The only drawback with all this extra protection is that it can slow down the computer for some processor-intensive applications (audio and video editing in particular), so in those cases I'll first physically disconnect the PC from the internet and close down the antivirus etc applications. The important thing is to do a cold reboot before going back online.
BTW, I don't particularly like yahoo, so all references to it on my PC have been deleted.
I'm also a bit leary of using the Google desktop search engine (it does a thorough search of everything on your PC). It may be fine for an off-line office PC with gigabytes of business data that needs to be accessed in a hurry, but I wonder what unauthorised access to one's home PC could be generated by such an application. Running in the background as it does it's probably using up processor power which could be put to better uses. I did briefly install the Google desktop search a while ago, but I soon completely deleted it for the reasons given.
Trevor
# Posted on May 10th 2005 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
I'm also using Firefox, but I only switched very recently - however, as a browser, I have so far found it vastly superior to IE, in every respect.
# Posted on May 10th 2005 by On Sabbatical
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
BTW, if you ever use Google, be very careful how you type in the URL address. Apparently, there is a spoof website incorporating the name "Googkle" (very easy to mis-key in if you're not careful), which will instantly infest your system with all sorts of really nasty stuff. OK, so good antivirus, antispyware and a firewall "may" stop it, but I'd rather not take the risk. It's far safer to have the real thing as a click-on favourite in your browser. In fact, I use Google as my home page for Firefox.
Trevor
# Posted on May 10th 2005 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Big Brother is watching you -- yahoo!
“Extremely critical” security flaws have surfaced over the weekend in Mozilla’s Firefox browser. For details see
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1814056,00.asp, but it’s worth pointing out immediately that an attacker could combine the flaws to execute malicious code without user interaction.
Mozilla urges Firefox users to disable JavaScript immediately as a temporary workaround, and recommends that the browser's software installation feature be disabled. This can be done by unchecking the "Allow web sites to install software" box, which can be found by selecting Options on the Tools menu and then Web Features.
Trevor
# Posted on May 10th 2005 by Trevor Jennings