moonchildhippy
Group: Members
Posts: 1807
Joined: Dec. 2004 |
|
Posted: Feb. 25 2008, 18:15 |
|
Quote (Alan D @ Feb. 21 2008, 08:51) | There's a lot of misunderstanding (and probably too much fuss made) about tracking cookies (and I'm not entirely sure I fully understand them myself). As far as I understand the tacoda cookie, its purpose is not to gather information about an individual, but to target advertising. The trouble is that most people have antispyware programs that alert users to the presence of tracking cookies as low level threats, and then offer to remove them when found. So they're widely perceived as a threat to security even though they're not - though they do potentially offer a threat to privacy.
Personally, I see no reason why any company should be privy to my own or to anyone else's browsing habits, for whatever reason without asking permission first, so I set my browser to block third party cookies as a matter of course. Without making a big deal out of it, I'd prefer it if Tubular.net did not try to plant a tracking cookie on my computer. The correct approach is not to assume that we all want to opt in unless we opt out - but to assume opting out to be the default position, and invite us to opt in, as Moz suggests. You can go to the tacoda website here and opt out, but I don't think non-compliers should be required to do that.
If you still use IE6 like me and want to block third party cookies, open Internet Explorer, click on Tools, then Internet Options, then click the Privacy tab at the top, then click on the 'Advanced' button (don't worry, it isn't scary) and tick the boxes to 'Override automatic cookie handling', 'Accept' first party cookies, and 'Block' third party cookies. Click OK and you're done.
Alternatively (or as well), you can install a program like Ccleaner, which will allow you to clear out your cookies at the click of a button, while still retaining the helpful ones (like those that store your log-in details for sites like this one). |
I agree I block third party cookies as a matter of principal. I seem to get enough spam e-mails as it is, don't know how. I'm running Windows Vista, with latest version of IE and AVG free edition along with Windows Defender, which is Microsoft's security programme. I'm just wondering if I can switch my main browser and e-mail to Firefox and Thunderbird, as I think they allow fewer pop ups through. I try and block these and third party cookies, but it doesn't always seem to work.
-------------- I'm going slightly mad, It finally happened, I'm slightly mad , just very slightly mad
If you feel a little glum to Hergest Ridge you should come.
I'm challenging taboos surrounding mental health
"Part time hippy"
I'M SUPPORTING OUR SOLDIERS
BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!!
|