Posted by Dee on September 29, 1999, at 12:38:25
In reply to Easier than that, dj, posted by Racer on September 27, 1999, at 4:12:19
I *wish* I was interesting enough for someone to go through al the trouble of finding out who I am and what I do. I don't think anyone ever will. By the way - anyone wants my e-mail address or my URL, it's just to ask - I can post it, no secrets here.
I do, however, like to be able to opt for privacy when I choose to. And I find the weakest link to be my PC. The P in PC stands for Personal and I like to keep it that way - NO ONE can access my computer but me. A roommate who has to type a resume will have to go to Kinko's to do it, because he won't get past the passwords. I don't want anyone to go through letters, bad writing, diaries etc. that have been accumulating since I bought my first 8088 back fifteen years ago.
The Internet for one leaves all kinds of traces everywhere, cookies, cashes, history lists, the netscape address bar that I haven't figured out how to clean... The pictures that I loaded from the net (oh yes, I admit I do go there at times.) How about the files in your root directory that scandisk recovered and put there- that could be anything.
To keep things secure, I require a password at the boot. I know this is not 100% like nothing ever is. It would be really easy to remove my hard disk, for example, and access it through another computer. But considering what possible interest anyone could have in getting to see my files related to the amount of work they'd have to put down to get there I think I am safe.
Same thing with this board. I am sure if, say, the CIA wanted to find out who I am, they could. Why would they want to? (I am sure there is some CIA clerk in some dark basement compiling a list of people with ADD for the sake of the national security laughing out loud when he reads this ;o). Good for you - I'm glad I made you laugh – A little demonstration about subtle good-natured paranoia here in the midst of my rambling)
Did I have a point when I started? I guess that would be that if you are concerned about people accessing what you do and where you go with your computer, then you should secure the weakest link which is the security in your own PC.
Dee
poster:Dee
thread:11754
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991001/msgs/12253.html