Online Spying Tools

COOKIES

What is a Cookie?

A cookie is a small text file that is stored on a

user’s computer. Each cookie on the user’s computer is

connected to a particular domain. Each cookie can be used to store up to 4kB

of data. A maximum of 20 cookies can be stored on a

user’s PC per domain.

"a cookie is a unique identifier that a web server

places on your computer-- a serial number for you

personally that can be used to retrieve your records

from their databases”

It's usually a string of random-looking letters long

enough to be unique."

Once a cookie is attached or 'set' in your computer, it

tracks your movement around the website that sets it

and provides this information back to the site's

owners.

The amazing thing about the more intrusive cookies is

that nobody would tolerate this sort of behaviour in real

life. Imagine, for example, being stopped at the

entrance to your local grocery store or gas station and

asked to show identification in order to get in. While

you're there, imagine being observed by a security

guard who takes notes on what you're doing or being

recorded by a hidden camera as you walk around.

Information gathering cookies are not nearly so

obvious, but this is essentially what they do once they

get inside your computer.

The main benefit of cookies is that they help you to

navigate websites, particularly those where you

purchase goods or services and have to fill out forms

with your name, address, and payment information.

Cookies remember this personal information so that you

don't have to fill out the same form over and over again

every time you make a new purchase. Unfortunately,

other cookies help the websites that set them far more

than they help you.

They provide personal information that you may not want other

people to know. Depending on the nature of a cookie, it can

identify the type of computer you're working on, the software

you're using, and in some cases, may even be able to get your

email address.

Depending on a site's privacy policy (which you should always

read), this data may or may not be made available for sale to

outside advertisers, marketing firms, junk e-mailers, and more.

Many cookies remain in your computer for years or even

decades.

In the worst cases, cookies are set by sites you've never

heard of while you're navigating your favorite sites.

These often come from marketing firms like DoubleClick,

HitBox, or AdForce that sell advertising, analyze website

effectiveness, help increase clients' online revenues, and

place or monitor banner ads.

This kind of cookie is capable of tracking your movement

from one website to another, accumulating personal data,

and sometimes making it available for sale to third parties.

Fortunately, you can fight back against these invasions of privacy. Websites like

Aboutcookies.org contain virtually everything you need to know about who's watching you,

what they're doing, how you can find out who they are, and how to control the cookie-

setters in order to keep your personal information personal. They post a page about

how to delete cookies here, and one about how to control cookies here.

For example, I have my computer set to notify me whenever any website tries to set a

cookie in my machine. I have the option of either accepting or declining it. I make this

decision in much the same way as I do in real life. If I'm asking for help, making a

purchase, or requesting information or services, I usually accept the cookie. If I'd rather

look around first, make my decisions later, or find that the site has nothing to offer, I usually

decline the cookie. This turns the tables on the cookie-setters. You find out who they are

before they find out who you are. You watch them as they follow you around and tell them

to leave you alone whenever they get too nosy.

Two other situations where you should think twice before giving

out personal information:

* Junk emails that ask you to reply in order not to receive any future

mailings. NEVER reply to junk emails; NEVER reply to "unsubscribe"

options. Replying is the only way the senders get your email address.

They also learn that you read their garbage and reply to it than delete

it without ever looking.

* Companies that ask you to either call or email in order to get

additional information not provided on their websites. You can bet

you'll be placed on mailing lists with marketing firms if you do, so think

twice about how badly you need what they won't give you unless you

give away personal information first.

spyware

HOW IT COMES IN COMPUTER ?

Advertising companies uses

spyware to “mine data” to further

help them advertise better.

Uses your Internet connection

and reports statistical data about

you and your surfing habits to a

3rd party thus Violating your

privacy.

And is a completely a LEGAL program!

FREE, FREE, FREE = DANGER!!!

Spyware is created by real businesses (and sometimes..

organized crime)

-They have business plans, and sophisticated

development groups

-They generate revenue

Competition! They all want your desktop.

Web Bug

What exactly is a Web Bug?

A Web Bug is a graphics on a Web page or in an Email

message that is designed to monitor who is reading the

Web page or Email message. Web Bugs are often invisible

because they are typically only 1-by-1 pixel in size. They

are represented as HTML IMG tags.

Why are Web Bugs invisible on a page?

To hide the fact that monitoring is taking place.

Are Web Bugs always invisible on a page?

Not necessarily. Any graphics on a Web page that is used for monitoring

purposes can be considered a Web Bug.

Are all invisible GIF images, Web Bugs?

No. Invisible GIF files are also used for alignment purposes on Web pages. A

Web Bug will typically be loaded from a different Web server than the rest of

the page, so they are easy to distinguish from alignment GIF files.

What other names are Web Bugs known by?

The Internet advertising community prefers the more sanitized term "clear

GIF". Web Bugs are also known as "1-by-1 GIFs" and "invisible GIFs".

What information is sent to a server when a Web Bug is viewed?

The IP address of the computer that fetched the Web Bug

The URL of the page that the Web Bug is located on

The URL of the Web Bug image

The time the Web Bug was viewed

The type of browser that fetched the Web Bug image

A previously set cookie value

Ad networks can use Web Bugs to add information to a personal

profile of what sites a person is visiting. The personal profile is

identified by the browser cookie of an ad network. At some later

time, this personal profile which is stored in a data base server

belonging to the ad network, determines what banner ad one is

shown.

Another use of Web Bugs is to provide an independent accounting

of how many people have visited a Web site.

Web Bugs are also used to gather statistics about Web browser

usage at different places on the Internet.

What are some of the uses of a Web

Bug on a Web page?

Thank you for watching!