If it was not because of Ed Bott article on system security by hackering yourself before anyelse do, I will never be aware of the privacy issues raised by Steve Gibson on the use of RealNetworks Download, Netscape Smart Downloader and NetZip Downloader programs.
Althought I do not use those programs I came to use RealNetworks and Netscape programs in the past. Knowing now that what we called “Personal Identifiable Information” is being transmitted thru the Internet by the use of those programs, I commited myself not to use them and to research other similar programs like Gozilla! I must agree with Ed that Steve Gibson site is not intended for Web Server or Network administrators. However, its content proved to be of great value if you have a peer-to-peer network (no server) and connect to the Internet via dialup.
Knowing wich products can put you in a position to share sensitive personal information is as important as to protect your company or corporate network from pyring eyes! I followed Steve advise and installed ZoneAlarm in my computer. Don’t want to take any chances at all.