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: Homeland Security Department to Release New A.I. Guidance The New York Times Officials detail increased D.C. security for certification, inauguration The Washington Post Nuclear power for military bases will increase our national security Breaking Defense U.S. ambassador bashes Mexico’s security efforts. Mexico’s president pushes back Los Angeles Times New 'spectral fingerprint' atlas of satellites aims to improve space security University of Arizona News Opinion | Trump’s national security wrecking crew The Washington Post Brief altercation between fans mars France-Israel soccer match despite heavy security The Associated Press St. Francis Seraph hires security guards for Christmas, Nativity display visitors as crowds still plague area WCPO 9 Cincinnati Trump’s National Security Team Keeps Getting More Extreme The New Republic Video: How The Fortinet Security Fabric Is Combatting Cybersecurity Threats And Talent Shortage Channel Insider The Fastest Airport Security Line You Don’t Know About The Wall Street Journal The campus will be closed to anyone who is not a student, faculty or staff member. WVTM13 Birmingham Tuskegee president releases security updates following shooting WIAT - CBS42.com Do Titans QB, Coach Have Job Security? Sports Illustrated Inside The 2024 Security Benchmark Report Security Magazine Homeland Security Department releases framework for using AI in critical infrastructure The Associated Press The UN cybercrime convention threatens security research. The US should do something about it CyberScoop Your favorite security leadership podcasts Security Magazine France draws with Israel in high-security operation to reach Nations League quarterfinals with Italy The Associated Press Endpoint Security from BlackBerry BlackBerry 3rd Annual U.S.-Mexico Defense and Security Roundtable smallwarsjournal Tuskegee University Shifts Security, Facilities Leadership Tuskegee University France-Israel Soccer Match is Overshadowed by Amsterdam Attack The New York Times Akamai: 84% of security professionals experienced an API security incident in the past year SecurityInfoWatch ‘We’re just a target’: Pickleball players call for more security - Camas Washougal Post Record ‘We’re just a target’: Pickleball players call for more security Camas Washougal Post Record ESA opens registration for 2024 Town Hall Broadcast SecurityInfoWatch Trump names Florida’s Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser Nebraska Examiner New infosec products of the week: November 15, 2024 Help Net Security Mexican Officials Arrest Top Security Official in Mayor’s Beheading The New York Times Linn County’s Food for Health pilot program aims to improve food security, support local economy KEZI TV Tom Homan, Trump’s ‘Border Czar,’ on Border Security The New York Times South Florida campus security officer arrested after attempting to meet minor for sex WPBF West Palm Beach Silverfort Buys Rezonate to Fortify Identity Security Muscle BankInfoSecurity.com Trump Picks Kristi Noem for Homeland Security Secretary The New York Times Rand Paul Will Continue His COVID-19 Investigations From Atop the Senate Homeland Security Committee Reason NIST report on hardware security risks reveals 98 failure scenarios Help Net Security Microsoft Patch Tuesday, November 2024 Edition Krebs on Security Lamar CISD invests in safety, security amid rapid growth Community Impact Mexico’s ‘hugs, not bullets’ security strategy has failed, says US Ambassador Ken Salazar Mexico News Daily Who Is Michael Waltz, Trump’s Pick to Be National Security Adviser? The New York Times Security guard turned gunman: Christopher Farrell's fatal rampage in downtown San Diego - CBS News 8 |
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