Using a Virtual Browser

Melita-s · 04. Oct 2018, 02:46 PM

I found this on the Internet [link removed] and there are many others.

When using a Virtual Browser, apart from protection from malware and viruses, does it also afford protection from spyware, tracking and collecting personal information.

Thank you

MidnightCowboy · 04. Oct 2018, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melita-s

I found this on the Internet [link removed] and there are many others.

When using a Virtual Browser, apart from protection from malware and viruses, does it also afford protection from spyware, tracking and collecting personal information.

Thank you

Without wanting to be unkind the very act of going to a red-rated WOT site is far more likely to implant malware than using an obscure solution to avoid it.

eyeb · 04. Oct 2018, 06:34 PM

It can help depending on how you set it up, but not entirely. Tracking is done by cookies, so they accumulate as you browse web. The virtual part would delete cookies after use but there are plugins doing the same thing.

Spyware, virtual browser again can delete it if you set it up to not keep any changes after use. You can do the same with sandboxie and limiting permissions on the account you use.

Personal information? If you enter it yourself, it isn't going to be safe. If you mean it finding it on computer and sending it back, you can use firewall and limit access to what files the browser can use so they are separated. But if you enter it yourself you override its protection

Not sure I mind red WOT links myself but I am more careful about it if I land on one. Mostly because for a forgotten reason WOT lost my trust for something they did in the past. I haven't had a reason to trust them again so I don't have it installed.

Melita-s · 08. Oct 2018, 03:38 PM

Thank you for the most helpful post

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyeb

Not sure I mind red WOT links myself but I am more careful about it if I land on one. Mostly because for a forgotten reason WOT lost my trust for something they did in the past.

I think you are referring to the discovery a few years back that WOT was selling user information. That surprised most people. I uninstalled WOT at that time along with many other members here and never went back. That is why I didn't know this was a red rated site.

Burn-IT · 08. Oct 2018, 03:58 PM

The biggest thing you need to remember is that basically it is up to you whether you visit a site or not. Yes I know that the biggest dangers are the forward links from sites that you don't have control over, but most browsers have blockers that tend to stop that sort of thing.

That is why I get very very annoyed at sites that complain that I have an ad-blocker and can I please turn it off - only to discover the ads, that they haven't checked, are riddled with viruses.
And then they have the gall to say it is not their fault and there is nothing they can do about it.

Well I CAN and that is avoid their site, which is not WOT sic.they want.

04. Oct 2018, 02:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Melita-s Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 638	Using a Virtual Browser I found this on the Internet [link removed] and there are many others. When using a Virtual Browser, apart from protection from malware and viruses, does it also afford protection from spyware, tracking and collecting personal information. Thank you __________________ Melita Last edited by Anupam; 04. Oct 2018 at 03:54 PM. Reason: Link removed because of red WOT rating

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04. Oct 2018, 06:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
eyeb Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Planet X Posts: 887	It can help depending on how you set it up, but not entirely. Tracking is done by cookies, so they accumulate as you browse web. The virtual part would delete cookies after use but there are plugins doing the same thing. Spyware, virtual browser again can delete it if you set it up to not keep any changes after use. You can do the same with sandboxie and limiting permissions on the account you use. Personal information? If you enter it yourself, it isn't going to be safe. If you mean it finding it on computer and sending it back, you can use firewall and limit access to what files the browser can use so they are separated. But if you enter it yourself you override its protection Not sure I mind red WOT links myself but I am more careful about it if I land on one. Mostly because for a forgotten reason WOT lost my trust for something they did in the past. I haven't had a reason to trust them again so I don't have it installed.

08. Oct 2018, 03:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Burn-IT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 555	The biggest thing you need to remember is that basically it is up to you whether you visit a site or not. Yes I know that the biggest dangers are the forward links from sites that you don't have control over, but most browsers have blockers that tend to stop that sort of thing. That is why I get very very annoyed at sites that complain that I have an ad-blocker and can I please turn it off - only to discover the ads, that they haven't checked, are riddled with viruses. And then they have the gall to say it is not their fault and there is nothing they can do about it. Well I CAN and that is avoid their site, which is not WOT sic.they want.