Geolocation > No Geolocation

[fredvries]

A nice write-up can be read here.

The part that may interest us all is:
'...The URL is configurable by preferences (“geo.wifi.uri”). The data sent includes a version number, access token, and an array of public WiFi access points data. The access token basically acts like a two week cookie, and if you clear cookies in the browser, this value is deleted and a new one is used.'

[fredvries]

Update of my list of programs/phones that use geolocation.

Added:
• Disabling of geolocation/GPS for Dell Aero.

See here.  

[polonus]

Hi malware fighters.

Tested here: http://browserspy.dk/geolocation.php
Geolocation supported in browser?    No. The navigator.geolocation object is not available
Another online test for this feature: http://www.tothepc.com/archives/check-geolocation-feature-of-browser-online/

Interesting to read: http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2009/07/10/the-browser-geolocation-wars-skyhooks-ceo-on-why-google-maps-is-misreading-your-location/

polonus

[YoKenny]

Hi malware fighters.

Tested here: http://browserspy.dk/geolocation.php

I see

No. The navigator.geolocation object is not available

It did know I am in Canada but it is a big place.

Geolocation supported in browser?    
Another online test for this feature: http://www.tothepc.com/archives/check-geolocation-feature-of-browser-online/

I see

Your browser does not support geolocation.

I do not use Firefox.

[fredvries]

Update of my list of programs/phones that use geolocation.

Added:
• Disabling of geolocation/GPS for Mozilla Thunderbird.

See here. 

[fredvries]

Update of my list of programs/phones that use geolocation.

Added:
• Disabling of geolocation/GPS for Sony Ericsson Xperia X10.

See here.   

[polonus]

Hi fredvries,

For those amongst us that want to test their geo-location:
http://api.hostip.info/?ip=75.125.29.226  (URL of this webforum site), you get to this info:
look-up 122.264,38.1075  or (122.264000 38.107500) Houston, Texas, USA
Then look up here: http://msrmaps.com/advfind.aspx?panel=Decimal

polonus

[polonus]

Hi fredvries,

How to disable this for GMail? Scary news, that was published on Mar 25 2010. Read: Google has added some rudimentary geolocation technology to thwart Gmail hackers.

Pavni Diwanji, engineering director at Google, blogged that your Gmail account will automatically notify you if there's any suspicious activity.

"To determine when to display this message, our automated system matches the relevant IP address, logged per the Gmail privacy policy, to a broad geographical location," said Diwanji.

Gmail will try to resolve the IP address of potential hackers to a geographic location and present a log-in history. If there is something funny going on, Google will post a warning and a geographic estimation of where the hack is from. Users can then change their log-in details.

The technology doesn't have the power to determine exactly where you're being hacked from and Google says it should not be used a replacement for sensible practice.

"While we don't have the capability to determine the specific location from which an account is accessed, a login appearing to come from one country and occurring a few hours after a login from another country may trigger an alert. Keep in mind that these notifications are meant to alert you of suspicious activity but are not a replacement for account security best practices," it said.

This feature is being road tested in Gmail but Google wants to roll it out on Google Apps, too.

It is to be expected that the pin-pointing will be much more accurate and what if one then is being accused falsely of hacking and the hack was a result via another malcreant or malware on the machine that was logged for such activity. Scary indeed,

Quote added by me, Polonus...

polonus

[Hermite15]

hello Polonus,

click details in Gmail (bottom of the page)... it's been there for quite a while, very convenient to close old sessions and see from where they originated (IP), just in case your account would have been hacked, you'd know it straight away. There's nothing to say against that, and I honestly don't think that Google spends money on paying employees to watch the behavior or 175 000 000 Gmail users, they have other things to do.

 It's the same old story again and again, people keeping ignoring that unless a judge has ordered it, your online data won't be scrutinized. I mean seriously people, anyone here has an idea how much it would cost in time wasted and money to track a few millions Joe Smith emailing another few millions Melinda Smith to tell them that they won't forget to buy milk for the kids?

[polonus]

Hi Logos.

OK. I follow you. But there are a lot of crazy IT people walking in this place under the moon. Just imagine a scan seems to come from your local IP, but it was actually wrought by malware. The jittery G33k IT man informs your local provider and you are being mailed and noticed for abuse. I would know what to do in reply, but what about the digital illiterate, they could scare them to well ye know where? All technology that is being brought in could be abused "in between noticing the milkman and going to the hairdresser's" 
The above mentioned scenario happened in real life, I can assure you, and after such an incident American web masters will just block your whole IP range (everything works on their nerves, and they won't take half measures) and many have to suffer for the abuse of some/one, and when you want to go there, you see a message "Go from here to kindergarten and enjoy this simple online game (link provided) and do not sweep scan us anymore or you get the message "You are stalloned, you robot" with accompanying image of this known muscle man!",

polonus

[bob3160]

Damien,
Not all of us see a glass as half empty. Some of us see it as half full.
There isn't always a boogie man under every rock or around each dark corner. 

[fredvries]

How to disable rudimentary geolocation in GMail.

• Scroll down on your GMail page until your reach 'Last account activity: 0 minutes ago on this computer.  Details'
• Hit 'Details'
• Scroll down
• Check 'Never show an alert for unusual activity'

[Hermite15]

How to disable rudimentary geolocation in GMail.

• Scroll down on your GMail page until your reach 'Last account activity: 0 minutes ago on this computer.  Details'
• Hit 'Details'
• Scroll down
• Check 'Never show an alert for unusual activity'

as said in my last post here I don't advise at all to disable that, because again, it's the only way to find out if someone else could access your account, and from where. I mean this is a security meant to secure your account, not to allow Google to track you...but I'm not going to explain it again

edit: not mentioning that any web site (even without login in btw) has your IP guys...and this should include Google >>> meaning that this "details" view is just an interface for the users, showing IPs and clients accessing your account. Turning it off won't stop the server from recording your IP

[Hard_ROCKER]

Damien,
Not all of us see a glass as half empty. Some of us see it as half full.
There isn't always a boogie man under every rock or around each dark corner. 

+1

Imagine going through life thinking everyone is after you. Must be really hard.

How to disable rudimentary geolocation in GMail.

• Scroll down on your GMail page until your reach 'Last account activity: 0 minutes ago on this computer.  Details'
• Hit 'Details'
• Scroll down
• Check 'Never show an alert for unusual activity'

as said in my last post here I don't advise at all to disable that, because again, it's the only way to find out if someone else could access your account, and from where. I mean this is a security meant to secure your account, not to allow Google to track you...but I'm not going to explain it again

edit: not mentioning that any web site (even without login in btw) has your IP guys...and this should include Google >>> meaning that this "details" view is just an interface for the users, showing IPs and clients accessing your account. Turning it off won't stop the server from recording your IP

+1

[polonus]

Hi folks,

Well of course it is not presented by me all that black and white, and fredvries thanks for the way to disable for those that want to do so for whatever reason they come up with. No, I am not a person that see a bogeyman hide around every corner and what I report I hope just stays in the realm of a single incident over a long, long period of  time. On the other end I am also of the opinion well not to swallow all they feed you and not given it a second thought about the implications and possible abuse, and repeat like others "When they say so, it is good for you." Users have their own responsibility and should question things before making up their own minds and that has nothing to do with over-reacting, it is just about not taking everything for granted. Somehow people just follow like sheep. When it is OK, it is OK, when not, better be aware. Does not the Bible say:

"But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;" also given as "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; what was spoken they must put to the test",

polonus