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Posted by on January 15, 2006, 1:30 am
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Does a specific computer have a specific identity regardless of who is
using it and where?
Suppose a person changed ISPs, got a completely new email address from
their new ISP, used a new personal name for it, and didn't put anything
identifying on their email profile, such as a home address or phone
number?
Could someone who was spying before on what this person was doing
online continue spying although the computer has a new ISP and
(supposedly) new user, because the computer itself has some identifying
code embedded in its very vitals?
Does the physical location of the computer matter at all? That is, if
the person moved completely out of the region (which would obviously
result in changing ISPs) but took their same computer, could that same
computer still be traced to them?
Is a Macintosh specifically different in this regard than any other
computer, more easy to identify, less easy, or does this work the same
for all computers?
Thanks for any information on clearing up these questions.
Cori
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Posted by Todd H. on January 15, 2006, 2:15 am
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cmashieldscapting@hotmail.com writes:
> Does a specific computer have a specific identity regardless of who is
> using it and where?
It depends.
> Suppose a person changed ISPs, got a completely new email address
> from their new ISP, used a new personal name for it, and didn't put
> anything identifying on their email profile, such as a home address
> or phone number?
Assuming their computer is not compromised with a key logger, or
anything that phoned home and tipped an individual snoop off to the
physical machine's new whereabouts, it would be fairly untraceable,
at least by mortals.
> Could someone who was spying before on what this person was doing
> online continue spying although the computer has a new ISP and
> (supposedly) new user, because the computer itself has some
> identifying code embedded in its very vitals?
If the creepy snoop managed to get software onto that computer
unbeknownst to its rightful owner, then all bets are off.
If one wanted to be reasonably certain against being traced to a new
location, purchasing a new computer, or completely reinstalling the
operating system from original media would be the prescription I'd
write.
> Does the physical location of the computer matter at all?
> That is, if the person moved completely out of the region (which
> would obviously result in changing ISPs) but took their same
> computer, could that same computer still be traced to them?
Depends... The biggies for making the move untraceable would be to
change the email address completely, use no identifying information in
the new email addresses, don't leave traces behind in usenet
newsgroups that might identify someone based on writing style or word
choice, or whatever, change the version/type of email/news reader
being used (or use one that's exceedingly common), and completely
reinstall the operating system on the computer to make sure there
isn't any spyware. If you wanted to be very paranoid and rule out the
possibility of a hardware based snooping on the computer itself
somehow... buy a new machine entirely.
Another thing to consider is that there was (and maybe still is)
unique identifiers embedded in Microsoft office documents that
someone very very savvy could use to try to track someone...but that's
getting into the realm of having to have someone as resourceful as
goverment agencies who REALLY want to find someone able to track
taht.
> Is a Macintosh specifically different in this regard than any other
> computer, more easy to identify, less easy, or does this work the
> same for all computers?
Not much difference ultimately.
While macs are designed such that they're perhaps a little harder to
penetrate to begin with, and less pieces are available in terms of
public exploits as a manner to get malicious software onto a system
(such as a keylogger or some program that phoned home periodically).
But that's a moot point, if you're following the advice of
reinstalling the operating system to clear off any rogue bad programs
that might let a very determined and creepy stalker tip off to new
wherabouts.
Best Regards,
--
Todd H.
http://www.toddh.net/
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Posted by Frank Slootweg on January 15, 2006, 10:05 am
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> Assuming their computer is not compromised with a key logger, or
> anything that phoned home and tipped an individual snoop off to the
> physical machine's new whereabouts, it would be fairly untraceable,
> at least by mortals.
The original poster ("Cori") did not set clear limits on the scope of
the "spying" part of "someone who was spying before", so I guess it
needs to be said, that not only the computer must not be compromised,
but also the 'local' network, if any, to which that computer is
connected must not be compromised. In other words, if the *network* has
been compromised, re-installing the *computer* on that network will do
little good.
[deleted]
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Posted by on January 15, 2006, 9:12 pm
If you were Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options > The original poster ("Cori") did not set clear limits on the scope of
> the "spying" part of "someone who was spying before", so I guess it
> needs to be said, that not only the computer must not be compromised,
> but also the 'local' network, if any, to which that computer is
> connected must not be compromised. In other words, if the *network* has
> been compromised, re-installing the *computer* on that network will do
> little good.
Well, of course not. For one, when you're trying to be mysterious you
don't get specific, for another, when you're asking a question of
possible benefit to many people you make the question as broad as
possible.
Cori
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Posted by on January 15, 2006, 5:57 pm
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> If one wanted to be reasonably certain against being traced to a new
> location, purchasing a new computer, or completely reinstalling the
> operating system from original media would be the prescription I'd
> write.
I've heard there are such things as programs to rid a computer of any
spyware and viruses it may have picked up, and am asking what programs
are best recommended and where can they be obtained? Will this be good
enough? Thanks.
Cori
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