Thread: Handy Software

Do Not Track Plus

Blocking tracking is its first priority

Stop worrying about ever-changing privacy policies and take the first step towards getting control back over your information. DNT+ keeps an eye out for advertising companies and social networks looking to gather your personal information.

• Free tool that puts you back in control of your information
• Best available blocking stops more than 600 trackers
• Compatible with Mac or PC for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer
• Automatically updates to catch new trackers

abine.com

Not software but an alternative to google



Startpage does NOT record your IP address!

Nor do we share your personal information with any third party.

Read more on our privacy position or go directly to Startpage's Privacy Policy.

startpage.com

'Do Not Track' privacy effort at crossroads
17/11/2012

A movement by privacy activists to curb tracking of Internet users' browsing habits scored a major victory last month when Microsoft launched its new browser with "do not track" as the default, or automatic setting.



A movement by privacy activists to curb tracking of Internet users' browsing habits scored a major victory last month when Microsoft launched its new browser with "do not track" as the default, or automatic setting.

But some advertisers are in revolt against the move, certain websites are skirting the Microsoft effort and the debate over online privacy and tracking is heating up.

The controversy stems from practices used by websites and marketing partners to track browsing activity to be able to deliver ads targeted to individuals.

The ad industry argues that tracking is done anonymously without violating privacy, but some say it is easy to connect the person's anonymous IP address or mobile device to a real person.

"It is trivial to make those connections," says Jim Brock, a former Yahoo! executive who now heads a venture called PrivacyFix which offers browser plug-ins for privacy and other services to consumers and businesses.

Websites and mobile devices use a variety of software to determine a user's browsing habits. Marketers can then use that data for "behavioral ads" designed with people's habits in mind.

In some cases, these electronic tags can predict if a consumer is price-sensitive, allowing sellers to charge more or less for a product or service.

Privacy activists say a simple Web search can make consumers a target for marketers, and that viewing certain websites may identify them as homosexuals, AIDS patients or suffering from another disease.

"That is one of the scariest things, and it shakes people's faith in the marketing industry," Brock said. "There is very little protection for targeting based on health conditions. This is information that can get in the hands of insurance companies and employers who might not use it in a way we would expect."

Most Web browsers allow users to activate a "do not track" privacy feature, and Microsoft designed its Internet Explorer 10 with the feature as the default setting.

"We believe consumers should have more control over how data about their online behavior is tracked, shared, and used," Microsoft chief privacy officer Brendon Lynch said in announcing the move.

Advertisers see the issue differently, arguing that Microsoft should not make the decision for consumers.

The Digital Advertising Alliance, a consortium of the largest US media and marketing associations, told its members they can ignore or override the default settings in Microsoft or other browsers.

"The trade associations that lead the DAA do not believe that Microsoft's IE10 browser settings are an appropriate standard for providing consumer choice," said the alliance, which includes the Better Business Bureau.

"Machine-driven do not track does not represent user choice; it represents browser-manufacturer choice."

Yahoo! has also broken ranks with Microsoft, saying it "will not recognize" the "do not track" settings by default.

A Yahoo! blog post said Microsoft acted "unilaterally" and that "this degrades the experience for the majority of users and makes it hard to deliver on our value proposition to them."

Representatives Edward Markey and Joe Barton, who head the House privacy caucus, expressed disappointment over the actions by advertisers and Yahoo!, saying they highlight the need for better privacy laws.

"If consumers want to be tracked online, they should have to opt-in, not the other way around," the two lawmakers said in a statement.

Some analysts argue that wiping out all online tracking would undermine the economic model of the Internet.

The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a Washington think tank, recently modified its website to warn visitors with "do not track" enabled with a pop-up message which asks them to enable tracking.

ITIF analyst Daniel Castro said most consumers do not object to online tracking if they understand that ads support the websites they visit.

"You can't say you don't want targeted advertising but you do want free access to websites," Castro said.

"People like free content and they are willing to make some tradeoffs."

Richard Frankel, president of the ad technology firm Rocket Fuel, said that even though "everyone claims to hate online advertising" there would be very little content on the Internet without it.

Frankel said that imposing tracking restrictions would cut revenues and thereby "would stifle investigative reporting, dissuade open discussion and commentary, and muffle free speech."

Brock acknowledges that revenue will be lost if without behavioral ads, but that the industry has failed to persuade consumers of their value.

"There will be less data to monetize," said Brock, who describes himself as "a former tracker."

"But what the industry has not done is to explain why we benefit from targeted advertising."

Brock argues that with industries unable to reach agreement on privacy standards, consumers may face confusion and it may be time for the government to step in with legislation.

"I believe in ad-supported media, but the industry is giving us no choice," he said. "They need a kick in the butt from the government."

bangkokpost.com

I suppose I'm a bit of a privacy freak. This type of tracking however I really cannot see the problem with, there are much more disturbing privacy threats on the net to be worried about.

As said, without advertising revenue the net would have much less free content. Whether that advertising is targeted via cookies/IP on my browsing habits is irrelevant to me. It does not threaten my privacy. If I want to browse anonymously it is easy.

IMHO to suggest opt-in tracking is ridiculous. Who would opt in? Might as well simply outlaw it altogether. Expect a considerable drop in net activity.


Can anyone suggest the best anti-malware software these days?

Just added Ghostery to my browser, Opera. Will give it a try.

https://addons.opera.com/en/extensio...ry/?display=en

Have a look at the Collusion plugin as well.

Originally Posted by Mid

Some analysts argue that wiping out all online tracking would undermine the economic model of the Internet.

Somebody ought to explain to the anal cysts that the Internet came before their economic model.

Originally Posted by Mid

ITIF analyst Daniel Castro said most consumers do not object to online tracking if they understand that ads support the websites they visit.

"You can't say you don't want targeted advertising but you do want free access to websites," Castro said.

Somebody needs to tell this assclown to STFU. He has free access to the 'websites' because of a guy who invented the www and distributed it for free.

I think I'd be quite happy to see all advertising removed from the web/internet, fortunately a few lines in my /etc/hosts file does most of that for me.

Windows XP

^

I found dexpot useful. Those who are used to virtual desktops in unix/linux may appreciate it. Those from a Windows only background may realise what they have been missing...

Dexpot | Virtual desktops for Windows

Originally Posted by quimbian corholla

Originally Posted by Mid

Some analysts argue that wiping out all online tracking would undermine the economic model of the Internet.

Somebody ought to explain to the anal cysts that the Internet came before their economic model.

Originally Posted by Mid

ITIF analyst Daniel Castro said most consumers do not object to online tracking if they understand that ads support the websites they visit.

"You can't say you don't want targeted advertising but you do want free access to websites," Castro said.

Somebody needs to tell this assclown to STFU. He has free access to the 'websites' because of a guy who invented the www and distributed it for free.

I think I'd be quite happy to see all advertising removed from the web/internet, fortunately a few lines in my /etc/hosts file does most of that for me.

FFS. From under which communist rock did you crawl.

Such a total lack of understanding is breathtaking. Especially after the great successes of the USSR and the Cultural Revolution.


Can you actually see the end of your nose??

If you wish to maintain privacy whilst browsing I have heard a rumour that the Tor browser bundle is very good.

Adblock Plus

Surf the web without annoying ads!

• Blocks banners, pop-ups and video ads - even on Facebook and YouTube
• Protects your online privacy
• Two-click installation
• It's free!

adblockplus.org

If we're doing Browser add-ons.....

Top 10 Best Firefox Addons That You Never Knew You Needed - TopTenREVIEWS

Top 10 Google Chrome Extensions for Better, Faster Browsing

Top 10 Best Internet Explorer Add-Ons |

Originally Posted by hazz

If you wish to maintain privacy whilst browsing I have heard a rumour that the Tor browser bundle is very good.

I'm no expert so I may be wrong but a geek I was talking too told me that Tor is great as long as you don't open attachments.

Originally Posted by Mid

Surf the web without annoying ads!

Careful, you'll get accused of being a communist by FlyFree if you don't want your browser cluttered up by ads!

#14^ " Tor is great as long as you don't open attachments."
That's true; attachments are not optimized under TOR privacy, and can easily reveal your IP.

I run Adblock on my browsers, simple and effective.

Originally Posted by FlyFree

Can anyone suggest the best anti-malware software these days?

Windows Defender, free on Win7 Win8

Originally Posted by FlyFree

Can anyone suggest the best anti-malware software these days?

Malwarebytes

Originally Posted by ataloss

#14^ " Tor is great as long as you don't open attachments."
That's true; attachments are not optimized under TOR privacy, and can easily reveal your IP.

Tor is painfully slow sometimes, Ultrasurf is a better bet, although they don't allow porn, etc. (It was designed for Chinese dissidents and bloggers).

Originally Posted by boloa

It detected 3 lots Malware I didn't know I had.!!!

you got them from sites like the one you are promoting ,

FFS there is NO free lunch .

and since when did malwarebytes req an activation code ?

If people aren't happy then don't use it or any of the other free software on this thread as we all know " there is NO free lunch "

I use Ghostery to block trackers,Better privacy for lso cookies and cookie monster for regular cookies also got No script which is a must to protect against malicious script and hijacking.Firewall and anti virus, so pretty much covered.