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Verizon revives "zombie cookie" device tracking on AOL's ad network

propublica.org

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Re: Verizon revives "zombie cookie" device tracking on AOL's ad network

#91

Post by clort »

shawkinaw wrote: post #36
on_ wrote: post #2

The article just below it indicates users can opt-out but mobile tracking is such a big business I sm sure that if it actually is possible, it is not easy. Anyone have good privacy resources for mobile/iOS. My phone security is nowhere near where it should be.

I use http://lessonslearned.org/sniff . I check it reflexively every so often, as Verizon has at least once re-enabled the super cookie after I had disabled it. That site checks for cookies from other carriers as well.

I find myself cynically wondering, if such a site becomes bothersome to those placing tracking cookies (and the site mentions articles in Wired), how long it would take before they would disable adding them for destinations known to be revealing it?

I guess it could be automated in a small way too, such that if the cookie was detected as being returned to the browser then the site gets flagged and it won't get it again.

Alternatively, only add the cookie when requesting pages from partner sites known to be tracking it.

Re: Verizon revives "zombie cookie" device tracking on AOL's ad network

#92

Post by yclept »

clort wrote: post #89
andymurd wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It occurs to me that a mischievous person could easily write a Firefox plugin to (over)write that header with random garbage. If enough people used the plugin, it would render Verizon's data useless.

except that the ISP is adding this header. They could (or do already?) just replace your header with their own..

Yep, and Verizon does. They will overwrite your header.

Re: Verizon revives "zombie cookie" device tracking on AOL's ad network

#93

Post by rnovak »

manigandham wrote: post #70
ChrisLTD wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Please, publish your browser history on Pastebin and let's see what we can figure out about you.

Ok, I get it. But then what? How is this being used against you? Better (so called) ads? Is it just a innate feeling of not wanting it tracked?

It's 2015 and you've never heard of Social Engineering?

It takes a small attack surface and multiplies it exponentially, making you more vulnerable to any criminal out there.

Is not wanting your identity stolen enough of a reason?

Re: Verizon revives "zombie cookie" device tracking on AOL's ad network

#94

Post by unprepare »

manigandham wrote: post #72
xyzzy123 wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're making the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothing_to_hide_argument except for corporate surveillance instead of state surveillance.

Not making an argument - I'm trying to get real examples of everyone's argument of what they're losing, in terms of actual effect against them. I get that most people have uninteresting data but don't want it collected anyway, but what happens if it is? (Because it is right now). What is it doing to them today? More targeted ads? More spam? More...? That's what I'd like to know.

Anytime you are questioning privacy, you can simply make it about clothing to immediately show how ridiculous anti-privacy statements really sound.

>I get that most people have uninteresting genitals but don't want it seen anyway, but what happens if it is? (Because it is right now). What is it doing to them today? More targeted ads? More spam? More...? That's what I'd like to know.

>What exactly is the big aversion to nudity? The vast majority has shown (via actions, not internet noise) that they don't care so what exactly is the big downside? Not arguing for/against, just want to know reasons beyond "i just dont like it".

I'm not saying you're taking a stance against privacy by any means, but changing only a single word in your statements makes them laughable. Would you tell someone embarassed about a wardrobe malfunction in public that you just couldn't understand why they would feel uncomfortable? How about someone who is the victim of identity theft? Now extend that to someone who's entire internet browsing history was made available to corporate and governmental institutions.

I don't want my privacy violated because it makes me feel violated - why should anyone need a better reason than that?

lastly, think about what we would classify as 'creepy facebook stalking' by a person - why should corporations and governemntal institutions be immune to that creepy classification?

Re: Verizon revives "zombie cookie" device tracking on AOL's ad network

#96

Post by manigandham »

rnovak wrote: post #93
manigandham wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ok, I get it. But then what? How is this being used against you? Better (so called) ads? Is it just a innate feeling of not wanting it tracked?

It's 2015 and you've never heard of Social Engineering? It takes a small attack surface and multiplies it exponentially, making you more vulnerable to any criminal out there. Is not wanting your identity stolen enough of a reason?

What does social engineering have to do with this? What about Facebook/Twitter then - considering how much information people willing share?

Social eng. is more of an issue in dealing with people and public information, not private analytics.

Re: Verizon revives "zombie cookie" device tracking on AOL's ad network

#97

Post by [deleted] »

manigandham wrote: post #96
rnovak wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's 2015 and you've never heard of Social Engineering? It takes a small attack surface and multiplies it exponentially, making you more vulnerable to any criminal out there. Is not wanting your identity stolen enough of a reason?

What does social engineering have to do with this? What about Facebook/Twitter then - considering how much information people willing share? Social eng. is more of an issue in dealing with people and public information, not private analytics.

[deleted]

Re: Verizon revives "zombie cookie" device tracking on AOL's ad network

#98

Post by rnovak »

manigandham wrote: post #96
rnovak wrote: post #93

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's 2015 and you've never heard of Social Engineering? It takes a small attack surface and multiplies it exponentially, making you more vulnerable to any criminal out there. Is not wanting your identity stolen enough of a reason?

What does social engineering have to do with this? What about Facebook/Twitter then - considering how much information people willing share? Social eng. is more of an issue in dealing with people and public information, not private analytics.

Again, you're making the argument that because someone doesn't understand how something can affect them negatively that you should be allowed to take advantage of that.

That is literally called FRAUD in the US: "the deception of someone for the purpose of financial gain".

and stop calling it private, it wont be fucking private when (not if, but when) your network gets breached.

All the big tech companies have had data breaches, but suddenly your network is going to out-shine them all? God that's laughable.

Oh, and when that happens, you will be sanctioned by every consumer protection agency, and bankrupted by class-action suits. Have fun!!!

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