Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?

news.ycombinator.com

1–10 of 118 posts

Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?

#1
On a blank new work computer using Chrome but not logged in, I refuse all cookies but still see myself being tracked, for example by ads targeted to my surf history.

I could think of sophisticated methods, but maybe the simple answer is that refusing cookies doesn't actually do anything?

Re: Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?

#5

There are plenty of ways to fingerprint you aside from cookies, as you’ve probably surmised (“sophisticated methods”).

Such as your IP address hehehe. Super sophisticated.

Most IPs don’t change that much.

Browse on Tor if you really want to avoid tracking.

Re: Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?

#7
post #5

There are plenty of ways to fingerprint you aside from cookies, as you’ve probably surmised (“sophisticated methods”).

Such as your IP address hehehe. Super sophisticated. Most IPs don’t change that much. Browse on Tor if you really want to avoid tracking.

With Comcast, I can change my IP address on-demand by spoofing my router's MAC address.

Re: Ask HN: Refusing all cookies, still targeted by ads. How?

#9
Use a vpn and disposable VMs and then you can even allow cookies. If that isn't practical you will have to disable js to prevent fingerprinting.

Although, while fingerprinting is a thing, most people get targeted because they use their home IP. This is one good reason why a good vpn provider is better than wireguard on a vps.

Post reply on HN