When you save HTML files to your local hard disk and open them in your browser, you could be sending information back to the originating website.
By Erik J. Heels
First published 7/17/2003; LawLawLaw Newsletter; Clock Tower Law Group
If an HTML file includes an image tags with and absolute URL (or code such as Javascript that does the same thing), then every time you open the HTML file, you are sending the computer’s IP address and related tidbits of information to the computer hosting the image. When I searched my computer for offending HTML files, I found them in an unexpected place. It turns out that Dell’s support files on my computer do just this. Or they used to. I deleted all of the Dell applications from my computer. Remember, it’s not paranoia if they really are out to get you.
