Is Privacy no Longer a Term for the Internet?

techgenie } Three PC Wishes: Speed | Security | Support You Are Being Watched! Is Privacy no longer a term for the Internet? What happens with just e One Click? A A 03 You visit a website and tracking files record your online activities. Tracking companies use these records to build your profile based on your Internet search. These tracking companies sell this information to advertisers. 01 02 05 04 Your personal profile can be linked to other sources Your data is also available of your personal data. on exchange networks where anyone can purchase your profile. 06 08 Once again, this is sold to advertisers looking for consumers with your Advertisers buy ad space from websites at Real time automated bidding starts as you search the web. auctions. interests. 07 you are Tracked? TYPES OF COOKIES 1 Absolutely Necessary Cookies Required for a website to work. Cookies Functional Cookies A small piece of data is sent from a website and stored in a user's web browser. Social sharing and behavioral. Targeting Cookies Full user tracking. Pixel Trackers Deep Packet Inspection Supercookies It can recreate user profile, even after regular cookies have been deleted. Small 1x1 images are placed on specific pages, so site owners know when the specific page is loaded. Enables advanced network management, user service and security functions as well, along with Internet data mining, eavesdropping and Internet censorship. Device Fingerprinting The Cookie (Less) Monster Information is collected from properties without depending on cookies from all your devices like PC, Smartphone and Tablets to identify and track even if the 'Do Not Track' is enabled. How? When a device is turned on, these characteristics in the browser make it unique: http:/ Screen dimension List of plugins (Flash, Java etc.) Browser Version What the browser talks to List of installed apps Clock Is it Legal? Unfortunately, Yes! This category falls under Supercookies, meaning they are outside the traditional restrictions on tracking cookies. 5 Steps to Maintain your Privacy Install a browser plugin like Collusion to check how many companies are tracking you every day. Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to add another layer to your Internet use. Disable Javascript and Flash and change your computer settings 3 frequently. 4 Install plugin like Ghostery, Disconnect, or Peer Block to block trackers. Turn off Cookies and stick to the regular font stack. Sources: http://online.wsj.com http://phys.org http://webmonkey.com http://arstechnica.com http://wikipedia.org http://w3techs.com techgenie } Three PC Wishes: Speed | Security | Support