potential DANGER of using a PROXY to access DU?

[thotzRthingz]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x530009 < I saw this thread, posted by Skinner, about people having problems accessing DU. Within that thread I saw several people stating that they were using a PROXY to access DU... and they had be logged in order to post.

Well folks, using a PROXY has some advantages, but it also has some disadvantages. When you use a PROXY, to LOG IN to any website, the PROXY server can (but not necessarily will) obtain your username and password... and having that info, they have full access to your account.

Some people do an unwise thing (and use the same/similar username & password) to access multiple web sites/services... which means, by using a PROXY (to "log in" anywhere), someone in this category could be opening themselves up for a world of hurt (keep in mind that identity theft is on the rise... don't make it any easier for the crooks).

If you have used a PROXY to log into DU (or any web site/service for that matter)... I strongly suggest changing anything which might be compromised (such as passwords, credit card accounts, contact email addresses, etc.)

...just my 2cents

[Tess49]

1. I was afraid to use a proxy for some reason. I decided to wait

the problem out. I am not computer savvy and figured I'd just make a mess of things.

[OhioChick]

2. K&R n/t

[steve2470]

3. good reminder to everyone, thanks nt

[Melissa G]

4. Crud. I just used a proxy sever to log on for this post!

Now you tell me! Thanks anyway. What do I do now. I just used the weird password DU sent me. Is there anything dangerous in our DU accts that I need to change?
Thanks,
Melissa

[thotzRthingz]

7. well... it depends:

Once logged in (either yourself, or someone that has your username & password) to DU... one can change the USER OPTIONS...

ref: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=user

Which means they could change your password (locking you out)... change your profile settings, your avatar, etc. I would be more concerned if that same (or similar) username & password were being used on other Internet sites/services.

Bottom-line? If you've logged into DU using a PROXY... as soon as "normal access" has been restored to you... I strongly suggest going to your user options and changing your password (also look around at your profile, email contact of record, etc. settings for DU... then take similar action if other web site/service LOG IN info is the same/similar to that which you use here @ DU).

hth

[Melissa G]

12. Thanks! n/t

[travelingtypist]

5. Lucky for me DU is the only site I use this userID/password.

Are you talking like a keystroke logger where the proxy tracked everything I did or read my whole computer or something?

[tridim]

6. They are also havens for web delivered spyware.

[thotzRthingz]

9. "They are also havens for web delivered spyware" ... some could be:

...and if they manage to get a KEYLOGGER past whatever anti-malware the user happens to have installed on their computer... it's katie bar the door! (but the horses could already be out of the barn, so to speak).

[hlthe2b]

8. Thank you for that.. Another reason why this "minor snafu"

is not a mere inconvenience for a large segment of the DU population. I did not know this about proxies and had used one for much of yesterday and to date, without realizing what I might be opening myself up for. Fortunately, I don't use my login id, email address and password elsewhere (to my recollection, at least). Had I known the risks, I might just have avoided DU altogether.

It is STILL not loading for me sans proxy, however. As I've posted in other threads, I would really appreciate if Skinner could have a discussion with the members as to how (if) this might be prevented in the future and perhaps ways in which he could get the word out as to what is going on through other outlets, such as twitter, and other progressive websites (Yahoo's DUpanicroom did eventually post an email exchange with him that relayed his DU posted information, but I doubt most DUers even know about that user group).

[snappyturtle]

10. I am not happy about learning the dangers of using a proxy server.

I had already done so, obviously,before I learned. Hopefully, since my password is different here than any other website I use I'll be OK. My life is enough of a mess!

Still can't get through without using a proxy though.

[hlthe2b]

11. I have heavy layered anti-malware protections...

both PC tools internet security and AVG running in tandom, so I hope that I am protected from that.

But, I got to say, if this "little snafu" causes something like that, I may finally have broken my 10 year DU addiction. DAMN, DAMN, DAMN! I so hope I'm not F--ked

[femrap]

13. I don't even know what a proxy is.....

I googled 'democratic underground IP number' and saw a post about this on 3/1 and I clicked on it....and voila. Finally.

Do I have to change anything?

Thx.