Internet Security Tools. Internet News. Privacy. Gibson Research Corporation Home Page. Security Now! Episode Archive. ShieldsUP! — Internet Vulnerability Profiling. Your Internet connection's IP address is uniquely associated with the following "machine name": The string of text above is known as your Internet connection's "reverse DNS. " The end of the string is probably a domain name related to your ISP. This will be common to all customers of this ISP. But the beginning of the string uniquely identifies your Internet connection. The question is: Is the beginning of the string an "account ID" that is uniquely and permanently tied to you, or is it merely related to your current public IP address and thus subject to change?
The concern is that any web site can easily retrieve this unique "machine name" (just as we have) whenever you visit. It may be used to uniquely identify you on the Internet. If the machine name shown above is only a version of the IP address, then there is less cause for concern because the name will change as, when, and if your Internet IP changes. Just something to keep in mind as you wander the Internet. Shields UP! -- Officially Unofficial ShieldsUP! FAQ. _______________________________________________________________ ShieldsUp! Newsgroup Frequently Asked Questions Written and Compiled by Chris Baker Version 1.14 - 16 April 2000 Please note: If you wish to contact me with errors, omissions, or suggestions regarding this FAQ, feel free to e-mail me at faq-admin@home.com, and I will try to get back to you within 72 hours. However, if you have general questions or technical support issues regarding ShieldsUp! , or anything else for that matter, I regret that I have neither the time nor the resources to assist you directly. , or better yet, post your question in one of the ShieldsUp!
Table of Contents Introduction This FAQ came into being on 29 February 2000, primarily because I got tired of answering the same few questions over and over again. Right now, it basically represents a compilation of what I know about internet security, with the excellent comments of several others thrown in. I also want to thank Dave Moose, a.k.a. Q. Q. Q. Q. Q. Kantara Initiative: Shaping the Future of Global Identity.
Net Literacy. McAfee: How Become a Zombie. 20 Things I Learned About Browsers and the Web.