FOCUS?.......BOFUS?

FR Login/Cookie problems: "Your browser did not accept our Focus cookie"
May 1, 2003 | Jim Robinson

Have you been checking out DU?..

Have you adjusted your preferences or security recently? Even worse, have you surfed anywhere that may have triggered it to change unbeknownst to you? I read a lot of Brasilian sites, like real life, you can pick up all sorts of nasty "bugs" down there. ; )

Try using your spyware software or AdAware first after applying any updates. Then virus scan. Check for trojans. Then once you are satified, reset your internet preferences and check every option. Be careful how you set your handling of "cookies". I can't get too detail due to time and unfamiliarity with your current settings. Maybe it will restore it.

If you use a software firewall like Zone-Alarm, drop the Privacy settings (all 3) all the way down, then log in, then set the privacy settings back to where you like them (I have mine on high). Also might check if using IE that the Privacy settings in Internet Options is set to Medium or lower just for logging in. I get the same errors you do if I don't take these steps.

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Sounds like your FOCUS is FUBAR.

Thanks anti guv. That worked. THANKS!!!!!

Problem solved.

You're quite welcome. Glad to be of help!

How Can I Prevent Internet Electrocution?

Are you teaching your children about the dangers of the Internet? What steps are you taking to ensure your family is safe? It is important to be aware of the risks because the threat of Internet electrocution is more probable than you realize.

What most people don't realize is that the Internet runs on electricity. Every time a web page is sent to your computer, it uses several kilobytes of power. Just as we all know not to stick a fork into an electrical outlet, the same precautions should be applied when using the Internet.

Every year, thousands of computer users are shocked when they visit unprotected websites, and that shock isn't always from the content. To reduce the risk of Internet electrocution, it's critical that you learn some basic safety measures to guarantee that your web-surfing experience is a safe one.

1. Be Properly Grounded

Nothing can protect you from the Internet better than proper grounding. Most offices have protective rubber chair mats on the floor that will insulate you from the conductive nature of the Internet. Rubber mousepads, plastic keyboard membranes, and gel-filled wrist-rests also act as insulators, protecting you from nasty electrical Internet surges. To help reduce the threat of Internet electrocution, wear rubber boots and gloves, or remove yourself from the threat by using a cordless mouse & keyboard. Another good idea is to attach a grounding wire to your wrist, just like the professionals use. Try to avoid wearing tin-foil hats if possible, although that's just what the government wants you to do.

2. Upgrade Your Equipment

You shouldn't be using a computer built before 1997, as Internet electrical standards weren't regulated in the "early days." Older machines don't have the same capacity to handle Internet data, increasing the risk of electrical shock and death. This explains why most obsolete hardware is destined for landfills instead of electrically-unstable third-world countries. Most monitors built after 1996 are "energy safe", which means that they will not amplify the deadly voltage that flows through your Internet connection. And avoid using dangerous computers known as "SPARC" because that's exactly what they will do.

3. Choose Proper Hardware

With the prevalence of cheap foreign computer equipment, your imported computer hardware may have been built using different electrical safety standards. Those who build their own computer systems should be careful to make that all of their components are safety-approved, and should be wary not to install cheaper uncertified hardware. A $20 Korean hard-drive may be a steal, but it probably isn't worth losing your life over. If possible, purchase hardware components that are made from non-conductive metals, or even better, composite materials. And always make sure that your power supply is capable of absorbing the dangerous high-powered electrical bandwidth that will flow through your machine. Better yet, have a power user install your hardware for you.

4. Surge Protection

Surge protection is an important precaution when using your computer. But remember, a normal surge protector only protects you against the electricity from the outlets! To properly protect against nasty Internet power spikes, you should be using an ethernet surge protector, a component which buffers you from your machine using common RJ-45 connectors. You should be able to purchase an ethernet switch or router with built-in Internet surge protection, or you may choose to build a separate server that buffers the computer surfer against data packet power surges. Whatever you choose, ensure that the Internet surge-protecting hardware is capable of withstanding online electrical currents strong enough to cause brownouts and blackouts.

5. Proper Wiring

The best away to prevent Internet electrocution is to make sure you are using the right cables. Most ethernet cables nowadays are shielded, reducing the threat of deadly electrical discharges. While CAT-5 is the national standard, try to use a higher CAT, such as 6, 7, or 8. In fact, the higher the CAT, the better. While real cats have nine lives, you only have one, and it would be sad to see you lose it by using poor quality unshielded cabling.

6. Use A Certified Internet Service Provider

Most ISP's provide their own built-in surge protection, and have the capacity to absorb most excess electrical energy. But be careful, not all providers are certified, and many run the risk of electrocuting the end user. Ask if your provider has web filtering and load balancing, because those are key safety features employed by certified ISP's. Also, avoid the so-called "free providers" as they are usually deliver the Internet as is, and are a "use at your own risk" provider.

7. Don't Host An FTP Site

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is a dangerous and unreliable part of the Internet. Everyday we hear about FTP hosts that run illegal MP3 filesharing servers getting"zapped", so you're better off just avoiding this risky area of the Net.

8. Avoid European Websites

In Europe most of the Internet is 220V, which is enough electricity to kill a charging yak. Because of conflicting Internet protocols, information exchange across the continents is incompatible, unreliable, and potentially dangerous. Most of the websites in Europe are written in foreign languages, so your need to visit them is probably limited. But if you must click on a European link, web sites such as Babelfish utilize servers that invert power streams to the more manageable 110V, safe for North American web surfers. However, caution is still urged whenever you choose to visit unstable French, Norwegian, or German websites, as their content is quite capable of frying you and your motherboard.

9. Use Linux

Linux is an operating system proven to be more stable than Windows or Mac OS. Linux is what you call an "open source" system, which means it acts like a lightning rod, absorbing hazardous electrical currents that flow through the Internet. While most computer users will not understand the intricacies of this operating system, they will feel much safer using it.

10. Install Monitoring Software

The key to safe surfing is to know when you're using too much power. Install programs such as ACDSee or WinAmp, utility software which will let you know when the flow of electricity to your web browser is getting to be too high. Windows also has a built-in utility that monitors your flow of electricity called Current Download.

These are just a few electrical precautions that every computer user should be aware of before they decide to surf the Internet. With a little bit of preparation and a lot of common sense, your Internet experience will be a safer one.

Snarfed from http://www.thetoque.net/040113/internetsafety.htm

FOCUS?.......BOFUS?

Ha! Haven't thought of that joke since 1971.

Oh well I got here too late. Try sitting a glass of milk next to your hard drive. Milk and cookies are more accessible to most hard drives than cookies alone. Then go move your security level down a notch on your internet properties in control panel.

Seriesly a lot of posters are using PhotoBucket to store host graphics and pictures. My server at work pegs PhotoBucket as a High Risk site, so I can view pictures hosted there.

Not ever 12 replies and the problem is solved. So much for fun on Monday morning. [*sniff*]

Threadkiller ;o)

Sowwy.. =)

If Che is dead how can he autograph it?.............

Dump IE all together and use Mozilla as your regular browser. For me IE was a magnet for adware and scumware like browser hijackers. I keep IE as a back up and update the security settings, but don't have it as my default browser.

Dang! You beat me to it. And I thought NO ONE would get THAT old punchline.