Noble Realms — Amazon.com and your privacy

Re: Amazon.com and your privacy

null@example.com (morningsun76) — Sun, 20 Feb 2005 21:42:42 +0000

Tom Paine wrote:

It occurred to me that with each new "update" that Microsuck
would send, I was getting this feeling that they were sneaking in
all sorts of new ways to spy on you. Same thing with XP.

I have the same feeling.

Tom Paine wrote:

So, my intuition was right concerning the "Service Package 2"
that they wanted me to download and install.
Who needs it if you use Firefox?

Unfortunately the Windows Updates (including SP2) update the operating system itself, as distinguished from your browser (IE or Firefox). The effect of not installing the security updates from Microsoft is that you are leaving your computer vulnerable to all sorts of attacks from outside hackers, etc. No doubt the updates themselves might contain secret Microsoft/gov't code as well, but there's not much you can do about that if you're going to run Windows. But not keeping the operating system itself patched is like leaving your front door wide open when you leave for vacation.

Tom Paine wrote:

But of course, I knew all along the only way to be secure was to have two PC's with which you got on the web with one and the other remains a virgin, never going on the net.

This is an excellent idea, probably the best way to keep your personal stuff secure. That way no one can get at your data without physical access to your machine itself.

Re: Amazon.com and your privacy

null@example.com (Tom Paine) — Sun, 20 Feb 2005 21:03:29 +0000

Okay Morningsun, you've got me going again.
Back when I used AOL (shudder) they kept sending me updates.
Just when I had gotten everything working right, they'd send an
update that would take a lot of time to get my pc working right
again. It took an inordinate amount of time and energy to
get rid of everything that had AOL on it and the same for
YAHOO. Talk about parasites!
Same thing happened with ME 2000 and Windows Updates.
Soon I just stopped accepting the updates so I wouldn't have
to screw around with trying to fix it again.
It occurred to me that with each new "update" that Microsuck
would send, I was getting this feeling that they were sneaking in
all sorts of new ways to spy on you. Same thing with XP.
So, my intuition was right concerning the "Service Package 2"
that they wanted me to download and install.
Who needs it if you use Firefox?
But of course, I knew all along the only way to be secure was
to have two PC's with which you got on the web with one and
the other remains a virgin, never going on the net.
Like the spy guys.

Regards,
TP

Amazon.com and your privacy

null@example.com (morningsun76) — Sun, 20 Feb 2005 19:02:23 +0000

[The Amazon.com patent application] describes a user interface that responds to a user's request to "delete" his search history by rendering it "undisplayable" to him, but still leaving it accessible for other uses. When filed back in 2003, Amazon asked the USPTO not to publish the application ...
SOURCE

Worth being aware of, I say.