Privacy in Internet - Avoid flash cookies
Due to some of the recent developments in the area, the browsers have a Do Not Track functionality which does not let the sites to identify a browser and ultimately you and your browsing habits. But the Ad providers are using Flash cookies which need to be blocked separately.
The method here is to block all flash content in FireFox and let the user choose which flash content to run. This has another advantage that unnecessary flash Ads will also not be played and thus saving bandwidth. An 'Activate Adobe Flash' message will be shown over blocked content. So, if you want to play a flash, click on the link and view it.
Now if a site try to save flash cookie, you will see a notification below the address bar. You can now see how many of the sites you regularly visit are tracking you.
NOTE: This method is also not sufficient to avoid browser finger printing used by Ad providers. I will blog later on how to avoid browser fingerprinting.
The method here is to block all flash content in FireFox and let the user choose which flash content to run. This has another advantage that unnecessary flash Ads will also not be played and thus saving bandwidth. An 'Activate Adobe Flash' message will be shown over blocked content. So, if you want to play a flash, click on the link and view it.
- Open FireFox and press ctrl + shift + A to open Add-ons Manager.
- Find Shockwave flash in the list.
- Change the button to the right end to 'Ask to Activate'.
Now if a site try to save flash cookie, you will see a notification below the address bar. You can now see how many of the sites you regularly visit are tracking you.
NOTE: This method is also not sufficient to avoid browser finger printing used by Ad providers. I will blog later on how to avoid browser fingerprinting.
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