Internet Privacy

[Dedicated Mind]

cookies are the way companies track user activity and create profiles based on browsing history. when you visit a website, the website will deposit a cookie in your browser and use that cookie to collect data, track your browsing history in the future and create a profile. browsers can block cookies but if you set your browser to block, you will not be able to visit most websites. the best way to visit websites and protect your privacy is to set your browser to delete cookies upon closing firefox. then close and open your browser after every website visit. why firefox? there is a new cookie called LSO, local shared object that is also called a flash cookie. these are stored in your app data on your computer. LSO's evade being deleted when you delete your http cookies, but function the same way. firefox has an addon to delete LSO's called "better privacy". install better privacy then go to addons, better privacy options, options & help and uncheck "prevent firefox from treating LSO as regular cookie." this will delete your flash cookies just like http cookies on browser exit.

I also found IXquick to be the most private search engine. they are based in netherlands and do not collect user data. their sister search engine "start page" deposits a google cookie if you use it, but ixquick does not deposit cookies on usage. If you check your cookies and LSO folder everytime you visit a website, you will find out which websites are depositing cookies. I found that google and yahoo deposit cookies even when you visit other websites. so if you do not want to put an individual block, then delete upon closing firefox and close after visiting each website and use ixquick as your search engine. comments, suggestions???