Blocking tracking cookies and also third party cookies

Most of you know that sites add cookies to your computer and these are usually innocent and identify you on say this forum for example and do no harm.

Some, however, track your activities for nefarious purposes and you can block these - usually your spyware programs will find them and get rid of them for you but I block them from the outset in case they track in the period before I again run a scan.

Third party cookies can be dubious as maybe there to steal your identification etc or password and bank details which can be nasty if you find nothing remaining after an attack on your bank.

On Firefox easy to block all of these and manage everything - don't ask me about IE because I don't think it can be done as not as refined or secure as Firefox. And I don't use it as IE7 and IE8 both were not compatible with other programs and wrecked my computer so rolled back to IE6 which I cant get rid of as part of Windows system. Don't use it as also insecure and if I need a IE tab well have it as an add on on my Firefox anyway.

So Firefox>tools>options>privacy

click on exceptions - add the url of the site in the box - and click on block. This will add it to the ones already in the blocking area set by Firefox as bad sites for this.

www.perthnow.com.au

which is one I just blocked and reminded me to tell anyone who hasn't come across this or how to do it. Australian News too I have blocked as like Perth Now it puts tracking cookies on your computer. Murdoch trying to see where you go I expect and thinking out how to make you pay!

If you think you cant remember the url - go to the site and left click on the url in the address bar and then right click and copy to clipboard. Then go back to Firefox tools and options etc and get to window and paste it into the space.

Can do this all the time for cut and pastefor source of data you post.

Sometimes the newspapers - particularly Murdoch's - don't seen to want you to cut and paste off the tab on top of the browser so use this method of cut and paste and it works.
Tee he hehe beat him at his own game........

Hope this is of value...........

9 comments

Good point BigVal.

With firefox

Under Options / Privacy , I untick "Accept third party cookies"



and in the "Keep Until" box I select "Ask me every time"

Once you have refused a cookie doing this, the site will be permanently blocked from adding cookies.



The only sites I accept cookies from are the ones I use passwords for.

It pays to use Spybot (free software) now and then just to make sure something has not sneaked in.

Good advice BigVal, to those with limited computer knowledge, thanks.



Delete your browser cache and history frequently to remove traces of personal information. Make sure that your pop-up blocker is running on your web browser and configured to block "third-party cookies." Run frequent virus and spyware scans and delete traced cookies.



With the correct free software on your computer, no website can install a tracking cookie anyway !

Giz , exactly what freebies are you refering to please TIA

Freeware programmes to keep computers free of the 'nasties'.

1 SpyBot Search and Destroy.

2 Avast..... free AntiVirus.

3 SuperAntiSpyWare.......... programme free, can be updated to PRO version by paying to update.

4 MalWareBytes.

5 SpyWareDoctor......... trial period then update payment.

6 AVG Antivirus is very good but has too many other bits tacked to it which you don't need.

Avast is a superior antivirus programme, far better than Norton and others which are 'bundled' with heaps of garbage which is installed without your knowledge on your computer, and they track you, plus you have to pay for it, continually. It is highly advertised, simply because MONEY is the object.

MacAfee is much the same.

Avast is highly recommended by computer techs world wide.



May I suggest that Seniors with limited computer knowledge visit a 50's plus site,... INFOAVE..... for a free weekly email newsletter with tips and tricks, simplified computer advice, especially,....... continued advice on how to keep the nasties out, and tested and recommended programmes. They also have very nice email stationery, CloudEight.

I have been a member since the site started many years ago. Honest and Honourable people run the site. A visit is

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.



Please leave a message for me for more information on the above.

Regards from Gizmo.

Ok Gizmo - looks like the site you mention is up to date.



Another good free program is Ccleaner - it clears your cache daily - set it to run on boot up automatically - or manually run it at close down.

Will keep you ticking over faster without all that clutter as every page you look at gets stored and then some wonder why their computer is taking forever to boot up or close down or run etc.



http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download - Use Filehippo -safe



Also you need to add spyware Blaster to your security package it is a passive watcher so will run easily in tune with those you have now - SAS MAM Avast and keep you nice and clear of the trojans and other crap some people must spend all their time thinking up just to annoy everyone else. Sad sacks!



Use Major Geeks site for Spyware Blaster as Lava Cool do this get the auto update free if you take up one of their offers and this is a catch imo. So go to here for latest free version. another safe download site. Mind you the auto update is only US$9.99 which is not bad for auto update but Ihave used it for around 8 years without bother and manually update - back up for the others.



http://www.majorgeeks.com/SpywareBlaster_d2859.html



One thing you haven't mentioned is a firewall. I have used most of them at one time and the two top rated free are Comodo and On Line Armour.

Comodo is great used it for over 2 years but it is very hard to configure and I got fed up with the forum which is geeky to the extreme.



So tried No2 which is [b]On Line Armour[/b] and it is a wonderful one - easy to configure - it learns as it goes - easy to use and best of all it does its job.



http://www.online-armor.com/products-online-armor-free.php



BTW No longer have spybot as the two SAS MAM do the job checking on each other nicely but if you dont have spy bot will need to download a hosts file to be safe. As spybot has it in house.

The easiest way that I have found to clear cache with firefox is with a clear cache button on your toolbar.

It is a firefox add on and is available [url=https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1801/]here[/url]



So easy, just click the button and it is done, no messing around with extra software or going through menus to do it.

The easiest way that I have found to clear cache with firefox is with a clear cache button on your toolbar.

It is a firefox add on and is available [url=https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1801/]here[/url]



So easy, just click the button and it is done, no messing around with extra software or going through menus to do it.



What menu's? see don't know what you are talking about without checking it out now do you





As I posted - it can be set to automatically run on boot meaning no need to do anything once it is set up. So less work than an add on which you have to do manually.



Ccleaner clears all caches not just Firefox.



BTW Ccleaner also uninstalls.

What menu’s? see don’t know what you are talking about without checking it out now do you



I am probably more computer literate than you, but that would not be to hard, would it ?



The menu I spoke about is Tools/Options/Advanced/Network/Clear cache now.

Obviously you did not know that.

I also use firefox and have added a couple of addons that I think good value.



Better Privacy and No Script.



Better Privacy clears LSO cookies that clearing cookies doesn't clear - if you follow.

There are 2 types of cookies - common and Long Standing.



No Script stops "things" running in firefox before you have a chance to approve.



In Tools/Options/Privacy I select "Use custom settings for history" to suit my preferences.

I have everything set to clear when I close firefox.

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