IP Address

[speedman]

I have always wondered about this!

Say I go to a website do they get to see my IP Address number?

If so what is to prevent them from trying to hack your computer!

Or do they only get to dump a cookie on you?

Also if they can leave a cookie what is stopping then from leaving something maliciuos instead?

Just something that has been in the back of my head bugging me!

[jadison]

From my experience most websites such as TechIMO, etc. only put a cookie on your computer, and nothing mailicious.
If you want to block cookies from being downloaded onto your computer, then I suggest you visit XtremePcCentral's Downloads (http://www.xtremepccentral.com/downloads.php) for several programs that will do this and more. Or if you use Norton Internet Security (which includes Norton Firewall), then you already have that feature Cookie Blocker, you just need to enable it, and configure it.

And, yes there are websites out there that may contain mailicious content, that would be downloaded onto your computer just by visiting that site: such as malicious ActiveX or Javascripts coding. I recommend you don't visit a site unless you know what it is 1st, and that it's legitimate (i.e.: don't go to warez, hacker, porn, or illegal sites and expect to surf with no problems 24/7) It all depends on where you surf, sites like us (XtremePcCentral), TechIMO, voogru.com, or many common Tech news sites don't contain malicious code or content.

As far as ur IP #, I'm not sure...that information is the most easily attainable information a net surfer could pose. I'm sure that cookies will contain ur IP addy, mainly because one of a Cookies' main jobs is to track your internet behaviour, where you go, and when you're online (the latter I'm unsure), so the IP addy would be needed.

Again, visit our Downloads section HERE (http://www.xtremepccentral.com/downloads.php) for great programs that will give a big boost to your online security!!!

[Mntsnow]

Yes I do log the IP of the system used to post to the site. but it is behind "lock and Key" All websites log the IP's that visit their sites. IP's are actual how the webservers know who and what info to serve back to you....Without an IP there would be no communication. As for cookies I actually block cookies and Only allow "trusted" sites to download a cookie to my systems.

[wizofid]

one of my employees called me late one night - He found a shortcut on the desktop - [ porn] and after I searched the file download times - I found a file loaded the day before - Same obscure name - the dial up went to a Dominican Republic phone number - so you could imagine how it would look if that showed up on a phone bill.

Funny thing - I was using the machine the day it loaded into the C drive - don't know where I was but It really go tme thinking - And working on fixing the machines - rather than format and start over.

wiz

[Mntsnow]

Wiz,

Sounds like he got a "dialer" application served to him. Many Warez and sex type sites use those type of things to generate money :( It's best to block Automatic downloads and put only the sites you trust into a "trusted" zone.


Type of sites in my trusted Zone

XtremePcCentral
TechIMO
MrC's
GMTA Chess
My Bank's site
My Creditcard's site
and my personal friend's sites and that is about it...everything else is concidered "internet Zone" and I raise the security level on it alot compaired to the default settings.....IE. Java doesnt work, Scripts are not allowed to be downloaded or run, cookies are blocked ect ect

[wizofid]

wiz - makes sense -