Restoring Privacy, Cleaning Your Computer's Cookies and Beacons

Photo by: KayVee.INC

Cookies Historical

• Cookies – Browsers have allowed websites to store small amounts of information on the computer. – Number of visits– Preferences– Login

Beacons/Bugs Historical

• 1x1 pixel transparent image• Track customers across a web site• Spammers use to determine valid emails

What is tracked?

• IP address – general vicinity of your location• Time you accessed the page / email• Computer type and operating system• The browser you used• Any previous information stored in cookies

they stored

Turning Cookies Off

Browsers allow you to turn cookies off. However, there is a downside:

Many times the functionality of the website fails. For example, you may not be able to login to the site, or preferences are lost, shopping carts don’t work.

Third Party Cookies

Cookies with a different domain than the site you are visiting.

Quite often used in advertising to track the websites you visit.

Clearing Cookies

• Browsers typical allow you to clear the data stored in normal cookies.– When the cookie expires– When you close the browser– Ask before clearing

Flash Cookies

• Local shared objects (LSO)• Latest versions of Flash do not allow 3rd party

sharing.• Much larger data storage• Little public awareness of LSOs• Browsers are unaware of LSOs

New Information Collected

• Assess what you are doing on a web• Determine your location• Estimate your income• Determine shopping interests• Assess medical conditions

New Market

Your profiles is built as you browse the web.

Companies buy and sell your profile to target their specific ads to certain types of individuals.

Google Ad/Preference Video

iPhone / iPad 3G

• Track location (lat/lon) with time stamp and stored on iPhone or iPad -- Encrypt

Review ebay’s cookie policy

•Take a look at how ebay uses cookies and beacons http://pages.ebay.com/help/account/cookies-web-beacons.html

Discussion

• Is it of concern that advertisers are tracking you?

Opting Outhttp://www.google.com/ads/preferences/

http://privacy.yahoo.com/aim

Companies including Yahoo, Microsoft, Google and AOL will be adding links to their European ads that will allow web surfers to opt out of tracking.

Enhancing Privacy through Software

Better PrivacyFirefox

Firefox, Safari, Chrome, IE

McAfee Site AdvisorFirefox

Abine Privacy SuiteFirefox, IE soon

WOT – FF, Safari, IE,Chrome, Opera

Addblock PlusFirefox, Chrome

Tips for Safe Browsing

• Use antivirus software• Keep browser updated• Update Adobe software – Flash, PDF readers• Avoid clicking on malicious ads• Only accept friend requests from those you

know.

Removing Flash Cookies

• Global Storage Settings Panel http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager.html

• Flash announced in January they will provide a means for browsers to remove flash cookies.– So far Chrome has adopted

Email Disclaimer• This message is the property of Time Inc. or its affiliates. It

may be legally privileged and/or confidential and is intended only for the use of the addressee(s). No addressee should forward, print, copy, or otherwise reproduce this message in any manner that would allow it to be viewed by any individual not originally listed as a recipient. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any unauthorized disclosure, dissemination, distribution, copying or the taking of any action in reliance on the information herein is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender and delete this message.

Going Further

• WSJ article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703940904575395073512989404.html

Add Ghostery/WOT to Your Browser

• www.ghostery.com/download• www.mywot.com/download• Configure Ghostery• Surf some sites and see who is tracking you