More Computer tips: add a layer of privacy/encryption to your Internet Connection

wep is not secure - it is easily broken.

Wpa2 is better

Most public wifi networks use neither

VPN encryption is very difficult to break and that is why most corporations use it

Jphelan answered the encryption issues, but the VPN does so much more than just that. You also get to surf anonymously so if your privacy is important to you the VPN makes it very hard to identify you. Without a VPN every time you land on a webpage the person that built that page collects a lot of material about you: What type of computer you have, what type of browser you have, where you came from, how long you stayed on the page, prior sites you visited can even be obtained, and most importantly your IP address which shows where you live and is generally accurate within a 5-10 miles.


But back to your question double bagging is always safer, especially if you’re going to engage in risky behavior.

Hey malibber,

So can they still identify the computer even if they can't identify the IP address? I know that is able to be done these days especially google. Google will track the computer used and the IP address used as well.

What about the "private browsing" mode in web browsers?

Does'nt that keep sites from gaining date?

I don’t think it is really possible. Google is able to identify people so easily because most people have a Google account from using one of their many services such as You Tube, Search Toolbar, Gmail and so on. The easiest way to get around Google’s tricks on a windows machine is to simply create a fresh user account on your machine. Also, when you initially set-up your windows machine make sure you name your computer something generic like “Home” or “Office” never use identifying information like your name such as “John Smith’s Computer” because then everybody can tell which websites John Smith has visited and with your IP they can almost 100% identify you assuming your first and last name are just a little bit unique.

RoadTrip, private browsing is basically for surfing porn when you want to hide it from your wife/gf as she can’t see it in your history. You aren’t hidden from the sites you are visiting.

It sounds like you know quite a bit about porn surfing.

The two Ps (porn & politics) are all I know

And with the new and improved LVA, now all you know is porn.

You’re correct; perhaps a Lisa Ann appreciation thread is the way to proceed.

The IP changes on a network as you connect, kinda like you can move into any house on a block and the adresses range from 1-100. Since you and x number of other folks are using the same set of addresses, one can log off and another can log on and use the same address (IP).

Typically folks keep track of you using those pesky cookies which contain information about you and your computer so you can be tracked all over the web.

JP, you do forget that a properly setup firewall is far better than having no security at all. Also, for most folks, the easiest to use without any/much training. Even having a dynamic IP offers some degree of security.