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Be very very careful checking out text messages. Received a text message with the return add coming from .hotmail. Didn't open it, and did a search on the web sing4.us. It is a porno site. Never linked on to it but getting close they dropped four cookies on me along with adding two more web sites to my surfing history. So much for add blockers, java blocker along with virus filters. Dug in and erased all of off and out of my computer. If by any stretch of the imagination my computer was seized because someone swated me, there would be no history or records of getting close to a porno site. And yes it has happened to some poor souls who got caught up by over zealous DAs. Guilty until they could prove their innocence and it cost close to a hundred thousand dollars to prove it.
Virus filters and all the safety precautions on your computer won't protect you from the malicious virus downloads even if all you do is click on the website through a search engine. You don't need to open the page just looking at URL will bite you. Virus writers have got really creative.
We wash our hands after working and before we eat. Make sure you wash your computer if you get close to one of those sites. If you don't know how, ask a friend and if they don't know, ask someone who does. Keep your computers virginity from being questioned. Never get in a compromised situation with the legal authorities question where your computer has been. If you can't erase the cookies individually, dump the whole cookie jar. All the legit sites you normally link into will refresh their cookies on your computer.
Stay safe people, it's a vicious world you're surfing.
Barb
Life is a gift, don't waste it.
PS: I'm changing from Firefox which has a history of mistakes besides annoying the hell out of me trying to upgrade Firefox every week. I'm going to Safari which after researching the heck out of web browsers they are the most secure and don't share all your info with the whole world. It has tons of built in features including the one I just used to delete cookie or cookies. It also has anonymous surfing one can turn on if desired. There are claims it is one and a half times faster than any other browser. I know it's super fast after using it. It's going to take awhile to learn and understand all it's features. Be aware it isn't as non intrusive as some claim. It does gather some data from anyone using it. Not as bad as all the other browsers though. Many of its best features must be turned on after downloading so dig in if you go that route.
Comments
A great warning Barbie
I use Firefox and Safari as I may have told you before. Firefox plus a number of plugins is pretty secure.
Here is my current list
Adnauseum
Disconnect
FlashBlock Plus
NoScript
Ublock Origin
My email client is Thunderbird. It is setup to block all remote content in messages by default.
The whole system is covered by Adguard (this is a paid-for app)
I think the key is the blocking of remote content in messages from being displayed unless I specifically allow it.
There is one more step I could take and that would require some more work (and expense). I could set up a VM for email and another one for web browsing. That way, there is no connection between the two systems. Any nasties that arrive on the email would be kept on that VM.
It is a constant battle of cat and mouse to protect our systems from the bad guys.
As an aside, I've just analysed the almost 1000 IP addresses that I block on my Blog. 62.5% of the attempted hacks originate at IP addresses in the USA, 7% in Japan, 5% in China and 1% in Russia.
Be safe out there people
Samantha
I use Avast!
My antivirus app of choice is Avast!, it comes with a suite of apps, one of which is a secure browser. I don't use it much, but when I need to do what you did, check out a questionable website, I use it. It's very strict in what it allows and blocks anything even a little questionable. It is particularly good for doing any banking or online purchases.
It does allow cookies, but keeps them separate from any other browsers cookies. The other apps in the suite will go through and delete cookies as part of the scheduled maintenance. If you don't want cookies deleted, you have to monitor the maintenance (I do) so you can uncheck the boxes for the ones you want to keep.
But yes, you do need to be vigilant in protecting yourself (your computer) from the hackers and virus' that are out there.
Hugs
Patricia
Happiness is being all dressed up and HAVING some place to go.
Semper in femineo gerunt
Ich bin ein femininer Mann