Following up on the comments about Disconnect in the Private Search (http://www.landzdown.com/general-software-news-updates-discussions/private-search/msg168799/#msg168799) topic, siljaline sent me a link to 'Canvas fingerprinting' tracking method is sneaky but easy to halt (http://www.infoworld.com/d/security/canvas-fingerprinting-tracking-method-sneaky-easy-halt-247011).
QuoteFollowing media coverage, AddThis admitted it ran a five-month test using canvas fingerprinting within its widget but said the canvas fingerprinting code was disabled earlier this month. Acknowledging privacy concerns, the company said it would provide more information on such tracking tests before starting one.
It worked like this: When a browser loaded the AddThis widget, JavaScript that enabled canvas fingerprinting was sent. The script used a capability in modern Web browsers called the canvas API that allows access to the computer's graphics chip, which is intended for use with games or other interactive content.
An invisible image was sent to the browser, which rendered it and sent data back to the server. That data can then be used to create a "fingerprint" of the computer, which could be useful for identifying the computer and serving targeted advertisements.
siljaline told me that MVPS Hosts (http://http//www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm%22) and Tracking Protection Lists in IE block canvas fingerprinting and the article adds that AddThis can be blocked with AdBlock Plus or DoNotTrackMe from Abine.
Ad-Blocking is one reason why people choose a browser add-on but with marketing companies getting trickier, privacy is also an important consideration. There are many options to select from but are there some that outshine the others? Will too many add-ons slow down the browser?
Options:
Internet Explorer Tracking Protection Lists: Internet Explorer Gallery (http://www.iegallery.com/en-us/trackingprotectionlists)
Mozilla Privacy Add-ons (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/search/?q=privacy&appver=24.0&platform=windows&_pjax=true)
Google Chrome: Chrome Web Store - privacy (https://chrome.google.com/webstore/search/privacy)
Popular Privacy Tools:
AdBlock Plus (https://adblockplus.org/) (Which filters? There are many to chose from.)
Disconnect :: Add-ons for Firefox (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/disconnect/)
NoScript Security Suite (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/noscript/?src=search)
Ghostery (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ghostery/?src=search)
What do you use and on which browser? Are there options/tools you have found that are more or less effective that others?
A good ( first ! ) starting point to set up your browser for more privacy : http://fixtracking.com/
Greetz, Red.
I use Pale Moon as my browser.
I also use the following add ons:
1) Disconnect
2) Adblock Plus. In total I use three filters, including the Easy Privacy filter. which I added a few days ago.
3) Better Privacy
I have not noticed any slowing down of my browser.
I used to have NoScript as well, but since removing Java from my computer some time ago, I have also removed NoScript, whish to be honest, I found quite annoying!
Quote from: Basil on July 27, 2014, 06:41:39 PM
I used to have NoScript as well, but since removing Java from my computer some time ago, I have also removed NoScript, whish to be honest, I found quite annoying!
Hi Basil :)
It is good that you have removed Java because you don't need it, but Java and JavaScript are two different things. I urgently recommend that you install NoScript again, for your own safety.
Greetz, Red.
Yes! Totally unrelated as Rednose noted. Java has nothing to do with Javascript/Javascripting.
You still will want NoScript as Rednose said.
I know NoScript is a good, however, like Basil I also found it troublesome and removed it after having it installed for quite a long time.
For when I do use IE (yes, siljaline, I do occasionally use IE ;) ), I have TPL's installed, AdBlock Plus for IE, ActiveX filtering and the Smart Screen Filter. With PaleMoon, I also have AdBlock Plus, Disconnect and Better Privacy. EMET, WinPatrol and MBAM Pro accompany A/V and Firewall. Never a virus or trojan and no adware/PUPs.
Good to know you use IE, Corrine - I was under the impression that you were Firefox exclusive. @Basil, I would agree that NoScript is a bit tricky to run and have never seen much merit in running that tool.
My Ad Block Plus filters for those that might be curious as to what others are using.
I forgot to mention two (!!??) more add ons I use.
WOT, which for me is probably the most important add on. I wouldn't surf the net without it.
AND
COMMON SENSE !... :tease: Don't surf without it.... :dance:
Like Corrine, I don't even remember when I last had a virus or trojan, adware/PUPs...
Here's another article that you may find interesting: Panopticlick reveals the cookie you can't delete | Naked Security (https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2014/07/28/panopticlick-reveals-the-cookie-you-cant-delete/).
If you click the Panopticlick button, note in the test results the "Limited supercookie test" at the bottom of the test results. I have the setting disabled in Pale Moon from some years ago (How to Disable DOM Storage "Cookies" (http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2010/08/how-to-disable-dom-storage-cookies.html)) and thus, this result: DOM localStorage: No, DOM sessionStorage: No, IE userData: No
Thank you Corrine. Just changed the value to False... :thumbsup:
Great article Corrine!! :mitch:
For those who use Chrome here's instructions:
How to clear and disable DOM Storage in Firefox, IE and Chrome (http://webdevwonders.com/clear-dom-storage/)
The article also notes BetterPrivacy (http://addons.mozilla.org/de/firefox/addon/betterprivacy/) extension for Firefox. I love that addon!
Also mentions BleachBit for Windows that will remove them for all installed browsers. However, BleachBit is on Sourceforge. I would not download anything in exe format from Sourceforge these days.
However, Bleachbit is available at Majorgeeks (http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/bleachbit.html) and there is also a portable BleachBit at portableapps.com (http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/bleachbit_portable)