Advice On Using A Proxy Service ???

I have been considering using a proxy service and have been experimenting with Privoxy. (However, I have had trouble with my wireless connection ever since. I have to plug in the computer, even though I removed the software).

I started using Privoxy because a short time ago my bank cancelled my visa/debit card and issued a new one. Someone was charging itunes to my account and they caught it. I buy things on line and usually go through paypal. I don't use itunes, but I have used Amazon on one occasion. I got paranoid when I started getting spam email for narcotics, viagra, and other things I don't use.

Are the proxy services which guard your information and identity any good? I realize they best way not to get your information stolen is to not but online, but it is becoming a necessity these days.

:confused

 

Using PayPal or Amazon will not normally get you targeted with spam or have your identity stolen. I know there are some cases but these are generally isolated and are generally because the user's computer has been compromised.

Anyone could have found your email address on-line by a number of methods, including a random try of millions of addresses to see if one did not bounce, so this is quite common these days.

Of course, it could be possible that someone has been targeting your bank account and has got your email address from that, as you may have unknowingly used a compromised ATM machine. Some fraudsters add hardware to ATM machines to capture your card details and a small camera in the fascia to get your PIN, but this kind of attack is generally limited to cash withdrawals as they clone your card and empty your account.

Proxy services generally cannot protect your on-line identity, and may actually pose a security risk if you input usernames and passwords through them. Some less-than-reputable proxies may record your sensitive information and sell it on, and at best all they really hide is your IP address. Therefore I cannot recommend their use.

It is good that you feel paranoid on-line and take steps to protect your identity, but there are too many ways these days, not all of them on line, for people to commit fraud using your details or money, or even just selling your personal information to spammers.

 

Greetings, melissa...

There's a free, online proxy service that's been recommended here called Hide My *** that is very good - what I really like about it is, unlike Privoxy, it doesn't require any installation - everything is web-based, with the option for SSL encryption...

 

Thank you for your replies. Sorry it has taken me a few days to get back to you. I will look into the site suggested.

Thanks again :wave

melissa

 

Hi

Your best bet for what you describe would be security software for your computer, NOT a proxy service. Your computer is likely infiltrated by a Trojan, and you should go through the READ AND RUN ME FIRST thread in the Malware Forum here, and then post your results as instructed.

After completely cleaning your PC, install security software.

By security software, I'm talking about a reputable antivirus and firewall program. Comodo offers a free version that offers antivirus and firewall protection in one. Comodo's the one I've been using for years, and I recommend it to everyone. Link to it is here (THIRD download option):

http://personalfirewall.comodo.com/free-download.html

 

mcsmc:

I have cleaned the computer. I Avast, MBAM, SAS, aSquared, and Comodo as the firewall. I also have trend micro rubotted, Spy Sweeper, and winpatrol. If that doesn't make your head spin, I also have sandibox, and use cwshredder, sophos, rootkit revealer.

I clean with ccleaner, tfc, and old-timers tfc.

I"m not paranoid...no...not in the least...:-o