Connecting to Google Analytics

[djg05]

Not sure if this is the right place for this.

I was using Opera this morning to purchase on a site and I noticed that Opera was connecting to Google Analytics. I suppose nothing can be done about this but are there any issues to worry about here?

[GlobalForce]

Confirmed, post's 74 and 85. Aboard FF? Post 75.
"... are there any issues to worry about here? Ask there. One of the best "privacy" thread's around!

GF

[djg05]

Thanks for the pointer.

[ccsito]

Seems that a lot of programs are tied to this Google octopus.

[djg05]

I did notice that Opera did get stuck connecting to GA and I pressed the stop button which then took me onto the payment process. So not sure if that was a glitch or if Opera is doing something.

[Mrkvonic]

Hello,
If you don't like it, you could:
Disable javascript (for google analytics).
Use Firefox + Customize Google extension.
Mrk

[djg05]

Originally Posted by Mrkvonic

Hello,
If you don't like it, you could:
Disable javascript (for google analytics).
Use Firefox + Customize Google extension.
Mrk

Thanks - I will try that

[dogma]

Hi - I use google analytics on my site for statistical purposes (reports). Unless someone advises me otherwise, I don't think you should be too worried.

btw were you using google checkout?

[djg05]

Originally Posted by dogma

Hi - I use google analytics on my site for statistical purposes (reports). Unless someone advises me otherwise, I don't think you should be too worried.

btw were you using google checkout?

No it was straight from their site www.bodykind.co.uk

Here is an extract from their privacy page

About the information we collect

We gather 2 types of information from our customers and visitors, the first is information passed to our server when you visit the site and browse the pages, this is of a non-personal nature and only provides statistical data, such as pages visited etc. The 2nd type is information passed to us through the completion and submission of web based forms, such as your personal details.

How we use the information we collect

Specific customer information submitted via web forms is collected for the purpose of fulfilling information requests and orders. We never pass your details on to third parties. We do not share personal information supplied by our customers with anyone without their consent.

[Durad]

Maybe the site that you visited has code for Google Analytics.
If web site has this code it is at the bottom of the Index page.

That way site admin can monitor web site visits and statistics.

[djg05]

Cannot see anything there but it was when I went to the payment processor that I noticed Opera trying to connect to it, so maybe it is part of that orgnisation. Cannot now remember who it was.

[bellgamin]

Originally Posted by djg05

Not sure if this is the right place for this.

I was using Opera this morning to purchase on a site and I noticed that Opera was connecting to Google Analytics. I suppose nothing can be done about this but are there any issues to worry about here?

In brief, Google Analytics (GA) is a free service offered by Google that generates detailed statistics about the visitors to a website. Those statistics are for the convenience of webmasters -- NOT for your convenience. In fact, compiling those statistics INconveniences users by slowing things down. But many webmasters don't actually give a rip about inconveniencing YOU, and neither does Google.

For more details on Google Analytics (a dastardly first cousin of the nefarious urchinTracker), check Wikipedia

Google Analytics (as well as several other Google intrusions into your daily surfing) can definitely slow down your internet connections, for the simple reason that those free Google services are getting busier & busier all the time. To be blunt, Google has its nose into gathering information about almost every aspect of your web surfing.

If you are using a HOSTS file, you can defeat the Google Analytics nonsense by adding the following entry...

0.0.0.0 www.google-analytics.com #[Google Analytics]

If you use the MVPS HOSTS file you can defeat ALL of the main Google nonsense, plus lots of other crapola. If you decide to go that route...

# Be sure to sign up for MVPS email notice of updates. Their HOSTS file is stringently maintained, & updates often.

# Be aware that MVPS diverts useless & bad stuff to 127.0.0.1. I prefer to divert the bad stuff to 0.0.0.0, which works faster for me. Your mileage may vary.

# There are several excellent HOSTS file softwares that can help you maintain your computer's HOSTS file. I suggest you do a serch here at Wilders to read about some of the better ones.

[innerpeace]

I didn't know that about the MVPS hosts file which I use with HostXpert. I've been blocking it all along. It's always blocked with Firefox and NoScript, but I have never allowed it. I guess that is another example of layered protection .

[djg05]

Thanks bellgamin

I used to use a host file some years ago and then it dropped off for some reason and never got around to looking into it. I will get it sorted again

[MikeNash]

Originally Posted by djg05

Thanks bellgamin

I used to use a host file some years ago and then it dropped off for some reason and never got around to looking into it. I will get it sorted again

Hi David,

You use Online Armor - you could just put www.google-analytics.com as a blocked site in "My Websites".

Cheers

Mike

[djg05]

Originally Posted by MikeNash

Hi David,

You use Online Armor - you could just put www.google-analytics.com as a blocked site in "My Websites".

Cheers

Mike

I would do Mike, but until you are able to sort the auto scrolling in Opera (I don't know if there are enough who are having problems with this to put it on your agenda) I am stuck using anothe f/w. I keep trying OA but this just bugs me.

Just wonder what happens if you do block it? Does the browser hang because it cannot access the site. I only noticed it when I went to the payment page and it hung trying to access Google Analytics. Only by pressing the stop button could I then proceed to the payment page.

[MikeNash]

Originally Posted by djg05

I would do Mike, but until you are able to sort the auto scrolling in Opera (I don't know if there are enough who are having problems with this to put it on your agenda) I am stuck using anothe f/w. I keep trying OA but this just bugs me.

Just wonder what happens if you do block it? Does the browser hang because it cannot access the site. I only noticed it when I went to the payment page and it hung trying to access Google Analytics. Only by pressing the stop button could I then proceed to the payment page.

It's on the agenda Just a few other issues there as well. I think I will get the guys to use opera as their primary browser... that should fix it

If you do block it, OA will return a 404-Notfound to the browser - no timeout issues.


Mike

[Ocky]

To block google analytics, I use Proxomitron. In the URL Killfile.txt just add
this entry: [^/]++google.com/analytics/ (Without the smilie )

[djg05]

Originally Posted by MikeNash

It's on the agenda Just a few other issues there as well. I think I will get the guys to use opera as their primary browser... that should fix it

If you do block it, OA will return a 404-Notfound to the browser - no timeout issues.


Mike

Thanks Mike

I will put this up in the beta group for some queries

[djg05]

Originally Posted by Ocky

To block google analytics, I use Proxomitron. In the URL Killfile.txt just add
this entry: [^/]++google.com/analytics/ (Without the smilie )

Thanks Ocky

I use proxo off and on - can never really fully understand how to configure it correctly. I do find when I use it that it keeps coming up with out of date certificate warnings.

[072707]

I prefer to divert the bad stuff to 0.0.0.0, which works faster for me. Your mileage may vary.

What is better about diverting to 0.0.0.0.0? Is the 127 divert slower? Does it slow down my Internet use?

I have just started using MVPS.

Can I just open the hosts file from MVPS in notepad, replace 127.0.0.1 with 0.0.0.0 and, then, put it back in place or is it not quite that simple?

[innerpeace]

Hi, I don't know if it will make anything faster or not. I guess everyones system is different. I don't use the 0.0.0.0 so I couldn't tell you either way. I use HostXpert and it allows for the change or swap of localhosts so you don't have to do it manually. MVPS has links to HostXpert on their site and gives very brief instructions on using it. Scroll towards the bottom. I'm not sure if the other similar programs offer the same feature or not. http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

bellgamin does state this however:

# Be aware that MVPS diverts useless & bad stuff to 127.0.0.1. I prefer to divert the bad stuff to 0.0.0.0, which works faster for me. Your mileage may vary.

I bolded the important statement . You can always try either if you like.

[tlu]

Originally Posted by djg05

Thanks - I will try that

It can be most easily done by using Firefox with Noscript and adding googleanalytics.com to the untrusted sites. Moreover, that site is also blocked by most Adblock Plus subscriptions.

[djg05]

I have noticed that since putting in the hosts file that sponsored links at the top of the search page can no longer be accessed by clicking on them, such as here. Not a problem if I need to go to that page but are Google colledting their click through money or collecting surfing info - I suspect both.

I seem to remember a program called something like eDexter used to do a similar job.

[Ocky]

Originally Posted by djg05

I have noticed that since putting in the hosts file that sponsored links at the top of the search page can no longer be accessed by clicking on them, such as ....

To get the sponsored links, I think you would need to unblock/remove these
from the hosts file:

googleadservices.com
googlesyndication.com
google.com/adfetch

As I am not interested in the sponsored links I have used Proxomitron to kill
said connections.

Regards.