Security Information |
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Web Browsing - Collected Information
You may not realize it, but as you are surfing the web all sorts of details are being left behind about your computer and where you have been. Most of this information is used harmlessly in website statistics, but it could also be used to profile you, or identify you as a vulnerable target for an exploit. There are a few main pieces of information that get saved when you surf the web, this is by no means a full list, or a list of potentially what someone may be able to get, but the 'average' website will collect this data. Referring URL - The prior website that you were surfing. This information is quite detailed, it will not just say google.com, it'll give the full website url that referred you, including the search words you used. In fact, they can click or copy that in to their web browser and see the exact page you left. Keep in mind that if you were in a website doing banking or something over a secure connection they won't be able to just login, however some less secure websites encode your password and username in to the URL itself, which could make that possible. IP Address & Hostname - Your IP address and hostname identify you to the world, without a unique identity you wouldn't be able to request anything from the Internet. This will tell them who your ISP (Internet Service Provider) is and often give away where you live (to the city), or if you are working for a government agency, educational facility, or if you are surfing from behind a company proxy server. Surfing Habits - Websites will record how many pages you have visited, the amount of time you spent at one page (before clicking on the next), the page you enter on, and the one you exited from. Operating System and Software - This is a big one, as you are surfing information about your Operating System (OS) and the web browser you are using is recorded. Often the version numbers are also sent out. Additionally, they can actually tell your screen resolution and colour depth! Most websites as I said before, use all of this information for statistical purposes, targeting advertising, developing a more user or operating system friendly website. However, it is good to keep in mind that a malicious person could also use this information. Many security features are available through your web browsers, such as different levels of security for trusted and untrusted sites. Some linux browsers allow you to remove operating system and web browser information so it won't be available to websites. Personal firewalls, anti-virus software, malware scanners are all a great thing to have if you do a lot of surfing the web, and of course cleaning your internet cache and history! It's always a good idea to keep privacy and security in mind when you are surfing the web and be careful of what websites you openly provide information to. Ken Dennis
MORE RESOURCES: Opinion | Banning TikTok Won’t Solve Your Data-Security Problem The Wall Street Journal He’s a Security Guard at the Met. Now His Work Is Showing There. The New York Times Why does Trump want Greenland and the Panama Canal so badly? One reason may surprise you - USA TODAY Japan links Chinese hacker MirrorFace to dozens of cyberattacks targeting security and tech data ABC News Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on Nonproliferation and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea United States Mission to the United Nations Sweet Security Partners with Illustria to Offer Proactive Open-Source Supply Chain Risk Management GlobeNewswire Krebs on Security – In-depth security news and investigation Krebs on Security One week later: New Orleans debates security, memorial grows, more chemicals found FOX 8 Local First New in 2025: Counties Should Prepare Now for the Upcoming HIPAA Security Rule Update National Association of Counties Special ops forces seek to manage digital footprints, achieve ‘security through obscurity’ DefenseScoop Pope to celebrate Jubilees for Communications, security forces Vatican News - English White House program to certify the security of IoT devices goes live Cybersecurity Dive U.S. citizen denied entry into Poland after security staff object to handwritten notes in passport ABC News Remarks at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Political and Humanitarian Situations in Syria United States Mission to the United Nations Stowaways on planes and inside landing gear raise worries about aviation security The Associated Press Brillion Achieves SOC 2 Type 2 Compliance, Reinforcing Commitment to Data Security and Privacy Business Wire Opinion | Biden’s ‘security’ concern about TikTok and U.S. Steel is doubly specious The Washington Post New Orleans Homeland Security criticized during terror attack probe WDSU New Orleans Border security is national security Foundation for Defense of Democracies The Rio Treaty's Security Pact and Unintended Consequences of Threatening Canada, Greenland, and Panama Just Security Tidal Cyber Acquires Zero-Shot Security to Enhance Threat Intelligence Mapping Capabilities Business Wire Swimlane Hero helps solve complex security operations problems Help Net Security Security guard catches DJ molesting 12-year-old boy at California mall, officials say Sacramento Bee UN aviation agency confirms recruitment database security breach BleepingComputer Who is Acronis’ New Chief Information Security Officer? Cyber Magazine AITX's RAD-R Welcomes Steve Danelon as President, Strengthening Leadership for Residential Security Solutions GlobeNewswire Fort Smith Public Schools to integrate AI gun detection software in security cameras Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Orange Bowl pep rally security includes surveillance cams, law enforcement on the ground - CBS Miami Security Industry Association Welcomes New Perimeter Security Subcommittee Leaders Security Sales & Integration Update on former Vigo County Security Annex demolition MyWabashValley.com BreachLock Unveils Unified Security Testing Platform for PTaaS, ASM, Continuous Pentesting, and Red Teaming PR Newswire Alois Brunner, the Nazi ‘butcher’ who trained Syrian security Al Jazeera English Marine Corps bases take increased security posture The Island News – Beaufort, SC When It Comes to Security, Europe Is Whistling Past the Graveyard World Politics Review Synology Launches ActiveProtect: Simplifying Enterprise Data Protection with Unmatched Security, and Scalability Business Wire Japan links Chinese hacker MirrorFace to dozens of cyberattacks targeting security and tech data The Associated Press Security and Sanctions in Post-Assad Syria The National Interest Online Security consultant denied profiteering in defamation case against CNN WMBB - mypanhandle.com 2025 Security Industry Predictions: Jon Adams, Vice President of Sales, DMP Security Sales & Integration Eric Trager tapped for Mideast slot on Trump’s National Security Council The Times of Israel Can Washington handle two weeks of high-security pomp along with a heavy burst of snow? The Associated Press Washington Township Police to launch security risk assessment program for businesses Bellefontaine Examiner New Orleans hires consultant to review security after Bourbon Street attack. See who has the job. NOLA.com New Orleans attack prompts tighter security in D.C. ahead of inauguration, Carter funeral The Chicago Cusader Newark Airport makes list of Top 10 craziest security catches New Jersey 101.5 FM Base steps up security measures following terrorist attacks Mountain Home News Gov. Ivey mourns security detail member Justin Williams, 42, succumbed to cancer Alabama Political Reporter |
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