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Cached images - what are they & what do they mean?

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LW78

Member since
July 2024

5 posts

Hi, Just looking for some information and clarification on what people's understanding of cached images are?

Are these images that have been accessed/ viewed or stored on a phone by some automatic download?

I'm so confused and worried that there might be some automatic downloading of images stored on a phone even if this material is not actively searched for or sought out.

The internet is an effing minefield.

Posted Fri August 9, 2024 4:05pmReport post

Pleaseletthisend

Member since
May 2024

17 posts

Yeah you're right. Every website you go onto the images 'download' for you to be able to view them, this will create a cache on your device for every image on that website.

Basically means you could get in trouble even if you haven't searched, etc. Whether that would actually hold up in court I'm not sure, but does make me realise even more so now just how dangerous the internet can be.

Posted Fri August 9, 2024 5:19pmReport post

LW78

Member since
July 2024

5 posts

I've noticed alot of posts in this forum refer to these cached images - I'm presuming there is no discernment whether these are clicked on/ opened or if they downloaded automatically?

I suppose what I'm wondering is - are there websites or pages that are known to have this content even if you aren't searching for it? E.g. legal pornography sites?

I'm looking for every potential website/ App to block going forward.

I honestly think the platforms and Internet providers that host these pages should be held jointly accountable if stuff like this is literally automatically downloading onto devices. Maybe they would then do more than they are currently doing.

Posted Fri August 9, 2024 5:47pmReport post

edel2020

Member since
March 2022

511 posts

There appears to be 3 main types of 'automatic' downloads. Pop ups, links and shared chats. Email attachments are becoming rarer, because of junk mail filters.

With the first two, the most important thing is just to not click on them, because nothing downloads until they are clicked. Pop ups tend to be suggestive rather than illegal, so you would still need to click on them to take you to the image.

Links can be tricky, because they don't always say what they are linking to. So if you are on an app like Kik, then you are always at risk. You can use things like ad blockers to warn you before you click on them though.

With group chats, you can usually set the device not to automatically download images.

Posted Mon August 12, 2024 11:16amReport post

LW78

Member since
July 2024

5 posts

Thanks for this Edel.

Apart from Kik, does anyone have recommendations what other Apps/ sites should be blocked?

I find myself hyper vigilant and worrying about using the Internet in general. It's the unsolicited images that frighten me now we are out the other side of all of this.

Posted Tue August 13, 2024 11:34amReport post

Pleaseletthisend

Member since
May 2024

17 posts

The problem is, any website or person can be hacked/compromised at any time. There is only so much protection we can do. I would recommend using some sort of security software which scans messages, apps when downloading etc to provide an extra layer of security. We also have security on the router where you can block certain apps and websites or just blocks categories.

Not much help sorry, I've driven myself insane trying to protect us from anything happening again. But all the conclusion I came too was the internet is so scary and risky.

Posted Tue August 13, 2024 5:53pmReport post

LosingIt

Member since
September 2024

215 posts

Post deleted by user


Posted Wed September 11, 2024 5:03pm
Edited Wed September 25, 2024 3:57pmReport post

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