From: "Mark M." <markm@voicenet.com>
Date: Sat, 15 Jun 1996 17:08:09 +0800
To: cypherpunks@toad.com
Subject: Re: doubleclick monitoring web browsing habits
In-Reply-To: <199606132319.QAA14901@jobe.shell.portal.com>
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.93.960614175916.153A-100000@gak>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain


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On Thu, 13 Jun 1996, Hal wrote:

> One question is whether enough information to uniquely identify users
> is routinely provided by widely used browsers like Netscape.  I have
> refrained from telling my Netscape browser my name and email address out
> of fear that it would reveal this information; as a result, I can't use
> mailto: links, which is annoying (and also suspicious; lynx allows me to
> do mailto: without permanently entering an email address).

I do this too.  Until recently, it was trivial for a server to either force
the browser to download something via FTP and record the e-mail address or use
the infamous Javascript hack.  I currently have Netscape setup to disable Java,
and issue warnings whenever sending a form via e-mail or accepting a cookie.
I think this will prevent my e-mail address from being revealed to any server,
but it is not enough to satisfy my paranoia.  I would be truely satisfied if
Netscape would prompt for an e-mail address whenever it sends mail or post to
usenet.

> 
> This points out the need for browser providers to be sensitive to the
> privacy needs of their users and to clearly explain when and under what
> circumstances private information is revealed.  It also suggests that
> services like www.anonymizer.com will be increasingly important for
> people to protect their privacy while browsing.

Definitely.  Although they will never be as secure as anonymous remailers
(messages can not be delayed), this will be much better protection against
information gatherers.

- -- Mark

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"In Christianity neither morality nor religion come into contact with
reality at any point."
                -- Friedrich Nietzsche


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