Susan_H
0
Thanks Bob. I don't want to meander too far off topic in this thread (still hoping for some help with the questions below), but the point is not that important information is attached to every IP 'track', but that it is with some of them, and they can/might be joined together. From my "permanent GUID" link below :-Yes your IP address is left on web sites but can only tell a third party your ISP - not your name, address, etc [-]
"A key is a piece of data in common between two disparate data sources. Let’s say there’s one log which records which websites you visit, and it stores a log that only contains the URL of the website and your IP address. No personal information, right? But there’s another log somewhere that records your account information and the IP address that you happened to be using. Now, the IP address is a key into your account information, and bringing the two logs together allows the website list to be associated with your account information.
[-]
Any key information associated with personally identifiable information must also be considered personally identifiable."
- Have you ever searched for your name? Your IP address is now a key to your name in a log somewhere.
- Have you ever ordered a product on the internet and had it shipped to you? Your IP address is now a key to your home address in a log somewhere.
- Have you ever viewed a web page with an ad in it served from an ad network? Both the operator of the web site and the operator of the ad network have your IP address in a log somewhere, as a key to the sites you visited.
[-]
Any key information associated with personally identifiable information must also be considered personally identifiable."
Some correlation is inevitable (as you say, the ISP keeps records, and so does my PC) [shrug]. But a permanently fixed IP address potentially extends that correlation and logging to a much wider audience. For the wider world, I'd just like to change my breadcrumbs, every now and then.
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Anyway, recapping :-
- Is it the case that if I use an Entanet reseller I can't change my IP, beyond the eight (or more, for £'s) fixed ones available?
- Does Virgin use dynamic IP addresses? And can users can change those by turning the modem/router off for a while (with/without doing nasty things to syncing/training/interleaving)?
- Does Virgin's (non-cable) ADSL service fall within the purview of "recommend caution surrounding the choice of a larger ISP"? (I've asked on the Virgin forum here, but it seems very quiet there: mine was the first post in more than 2 months). Because it seems a good deal, if it's fast and reliable.
- What exactly is wrong with USB modems? I see that routers do a lot more stuff, but would my connection/throughput be less reliable or slower with just a modem?
Thanks anyone, for any further help :smilet:























