Security Alerts

A new phenomenon called 'history sniffing' is being used by fraudsters to learn more about their targets and send them personalised attacks. Effectively, websites are harvesting lists of places that their users have previously visited online. It also allows e-commerce companies to adjust adverts or prices - for instance, if the site knows you've just come from a competitor that is offering a lower price.
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From the Washington Post: Faster Forward - Request for comments: Java considered harmful?

I'm curious - does anyone notice that they are using web sites or services that use Java applets? Should we be recommending that people uninstall Java altogether?
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We discussed this privacy issue quite awhile ago, and I must admit, I totally forgot about it until getting the following newsletter Recent Lawsuits Challenge Use of Flash Cookies to Track Online Behavior : Privacy Law Blog
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One of our members recently had a problem with losing all power on the USB ports. It turned out to be caused by upgrading a previous version of Kaspersky to the 2011 version.

The following is a copy of the letter sent by Kaspersky....
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I've been meaning to write something up about Flash cookies for awhile now, but I just found this article that sums the problem nicely:

John Graham-Cumming: What's wrong with Flash Cookies?

I hate Flash. As far as I'm concerned, it's too buggy, it's too crashy, and it hides too much of what it is doing from the user. It's mainly used by advertisements anyway. I'll be very glad when HTML5 is at the point where it can wipe Flash off the face of the planet. Flash for me is similar in many respects to the old ActiveX and Java applets we had to endure in the late 90s early 2000s.

When I install a browser, one of the first plugins I install is Flashblock:
Flashblock for Firefox
Flashblock for Chrome

Flash lets ME decide when I want Flash. If Flash is on a page, it just shows a "play" button, so I can just hit play if I want to see the Flash. Usually, I don't, and it helps my browsers run faster and makes them more stable. Soon, we'll be free of Flash forever (I hope).
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At Facebook's conference, they have announced some really scary new features that create legitimate privacy concerns for any Facebook user. Unless you opt out, your Facebook information can be shared with their partner sites. Furthermore, they have changed one of their policies so that Facebook Applications can no longer have to delete your personal information after 24 hours.



The result is that every little quiz you ever took, every app you added and forgot about, can forever more access your private information. You don't know who these quiz developers are - they could be anyone or from anywhere. Don't take the chance.

For more information and to learn how to opt out, follow the directions in BOTH of these articles:

Lifehacker: Delete Facebook Apps that Now Have Greater Access to Your Data

AND

Librarian By Day: Protect Your Privacy Opt Out of Facebook’s New Instant Personalization – Yes You Have to Opt Out

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