Summary
Most internet users are aware that websites they visit place tracking cookies (software that tracks where you go on the 'net and transmits the information to advertisers), but Wall Street Journal technology columnist Walter Mossberg says the privacy-protecting anti-spyware programs designed to purge these cookies from computers may be in jeopardy, as software companies assert their cookies are a legitimate business practice.
Original source:
http://www.heraldnet.com/stories/05/07/19/100bus_mossberg001.cfm
Details
In almost all cases, the user isn't notified of the download of the tracking cookie, let alone asked for permission to install it.
Now, though, some of the companies that place these files on your hard disk are complaining about that defense.
Some are urging the antispyware software companies to stop detecting and removing tracking cookies.
They assert that the secret placement of these tracking mechanisms is a legitimate business practice, and that tracking cookies aren't really spyware or aren't harmful.
Unfortunately for consumers, this twisted reasoning is having some impact.
In the most notable case, Microsoft disabled the detection and removal of tracking cookies when it purchased an antispyware program from a small company called Giant and turned it into Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware.
That is a big reason why I can't recommend the Microsoft product, which still is in the test phase but is available for anyone to download.
I believe it is important for consumers to know who is on their side right from the start and who may be being swayed by companies that do things to your computer without telling you.
Cookies are small text files that Web-site operators - and third-party companies that insert ads into Web sites - place on a user's computer.
There are many definitions, but here is mine, in two sentences: Spyware - and a related category called adware - is computer code placed on a user's computer without his or her permission and without notification, or with notification so obscure it hardly merits the term.
Some tracking-cookie purveyors say their
cookies aren't really spyware because they aren't full-fledged programs and they aren't as outrageous as spyware programs such as "key loggers," which record and report every keystroke you enter.
About the author: Mike Adams is a natural health researcher, author and award-winning journalist with a passion for sharing empowering information to help improve personal and planetary health He is a prolific writer and has published thousands of articles, interviews, reports and consumer guides, and he has published numerous courses on preparedness and survival, including financial preparedness, emergency food supplies, urban survival and tactical self-defense. Adams is a trusted, independent journalist who receives no money or promotional fees whatsoever to write about other companies' products. In 2010, Adams launched TV.NaturalNews.com, a natural health video site featuring videos on holistic health and green living. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also a veteran of the software technology industry, having founded a personalized mass email software product used to deliver email newsletters to subscribers. Adams is currently the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit, and enjoys outdoor activities, nature photography, Pilates and martial arts training. He's also author a large number of health books offered by Truth Publishing and is the creator of numerous reference website including NaturalPedia.com and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. His websites also include the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the innate healing ability of the human body. Known by his callsign, the 'Health Ranger,' Adams posts his missions statements, health statistics and health photos at www.HealthRanger.org
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Sunday, July 31, 2005
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