TrackerBlock browser add-on blocks tracking cookies

[MrBrian]

Tracking companies use "cookies" (small files stored through your browser) to recognize your computer across different websites. TrackerBlock stops tracking by blocking those specific companies from reading or writing cookies through Firefox. TrackerBlock also deletes other files, like Flash cookies, that tracking companies may leave on your computer.

For Firefox: http://www.privacychoice.org/trackerblock/firefox
For Internet Explorer: http://www.privacychoice.org/trackerblock/ie

Effectiveness study (from creator of TrackerBlock) of AdBlock Plus, Ghostery, Abine, and TrackerBlock

[funkydude]

The IE version is basically the IE TPL offered on the MS site.

[m00nbl00d]

Is it me, or both lists "Block ad companies without oversight" and "Block all ad companies" are the same? They added the same list to the second one by mistake.

[J_L]

Nice to see that it got AMO approved instead of hosting the add-on on their site.

[acuariano]

interesting,how often does it update?

[m00nbl00d]

Originally Posted by acuariano

interesting,how often does it update?

I don't know about all lists, but the one for IE (which are only domains), I'd say no less than a month (maybe a shorter period). Tracking/Cookies domains don't change that often.

Sadly, their FAQ doesn't mention the updating interval.

[privacychoice]

Hi folks, Jim Brock from PrivacyChoice here to answer any questions and take your input (which is extremely valuable to us).

On updating, the TrackerBlock addon is constantly updated -- it gets a JSON file from our server for each session which includes the current list of tracking company domains (in some weeks we add 5+ new ones). It also updates if the "oversight" status of any company changes.
http://www.privacychoice.org/trackerblock/firefox

For our IE9 implementation, those update every 3 days.
http://www.privacychoice.org/trackerblock/ie9

For our IE7 and IE8 cookie block lists, unfortunately there's no means to automatically update, so you need to come retrieve it periodically.
http://www.privacychoice.org/trackerblock/ie

There was mention of an error in the lists (being duplicates), which I'd love to follow up on. Which version are you referring to?

Thanks!

[m00nbl00d]

Originally Posted by privacychoice

Hi folks, Jim Brock from PrivacyChoice here to answer any questions and take your input (which is extremely valuable to us).

On updating, the TrackerBlock addon is constantly updated -- it gets a JSON file from our server for each session which includes the current list of tracking company domains (in some weeks we add 5+ new ones). It also updates if the "oversight" status of any company changes.
http://www.privacychoice.org/trackerblock/firefox

For our IE9 implementation, those update every 3 days.
http://www.privacychoice.org/trackerblock/ie9

For our IE7 and IE8 cookie block lists, unfortunately there's no means to automatically update, so you need to come retrieve it periodically.
http://www.privacychoice.org/trackerblock/ie

There was mention of an error in the lists (being duplicates), which I'd love to follow up on. Which version are you referring to?

Thanks!

Thank you for the feedback, as it for sure brings some light on a few doubts I was having.

I believe you're referring to one of my comments. I'm referring to this specific version http://www.privacychoice.org/trackerblock/ie

The downloaded file is the same for both links "Block ad companies without oversight" and "Block all ad companies". I haven't checked for other versions.

[privacychoice]

You're absolutely right -- there's a problem here and we are fixing now.

I'm grateful that you found this.

[acuariano]

thanks for the information.
-also can this be used along with simple adblock [adblocker for IE]
can this be used with hosts files?

[privacychoice]

Have not cconsidered or tested that (sorry), but would be interested to know.

[m00nbl00d]

Originally Posted by acuariano

thanks for the information.
-also can this be used along with simple adblock [adblocker for IE]
can this be used with hosts files?

Not sure about simple adblock, but you can use for hosts file. All you got to do is convert to hosts file format, by adding either 127.0.0.1 or 0.0.0.0 before each entry (You also need to delete -d placed before each domain)

I'm talking about the file for IE9. The one for IE7/8 would actually need to be converted to simple text, using some script, because all those entries in the XML file are contained in one single line, unlike the one for IE9.

Maybe something PrivacyChoice could work out? Provide a hosts file format for those wishing it instead?

[acuariano]

also how you undo changes if you decide not to use it any longer.

[Indicium]

Originally Posted by acuariano

also how you undo changes if you decide not to use it any longer.

Originally Posted by PrivacyChoice LLC

How do I uninstall browser features?

(...)

To uninstall or disable PrivacyChoice browser features, please follow these instructions:

TrackerBlock for Internet Explorer 9

1. Click the TOOLS button, point to SAFETY, and then click TRACKING PROTECTION
2. Find and click on the PRIVACYCHOICE list and either click REMOVE (to remove it completely) or DISABLE (to disable it temporarily)

TrackerBlock for Internet Explorer 7 or 8

1. Click on the TOOLS menu
2. Select INTERNET OPTIONS
3. Click on the PRIVACY tab
4. Click on the DEFAULT button

Add-ons for Firefox 4.0 (TrackerBlock, TrackerScan or PrivacyChoice Opt-out)

1. Click the FIREFOX button (upper left corner) and select ADD-ONS
2. Find the add-on you want to uninstall on the EXTENSIONS list
3. Click REMOVE (to remove completely) or DISABLE (to disable temporarily)
4. Restart your browser if necessary to complete the change

Add-ons for Firefox 3.6 (TrackerBlock, TrackerScan or PrivacyChoice Opt-out)

1. Pull down the TOOLS menu and select ADD-ONS
2. Find the add-on you want to uninstall on the list
3. Click REMOVE (to remove completely) or DISABLE (to disable temporarily)
4. Restart your browser if necessary to complete the change

Add-on for Chrome (Keep More Opt Outs)

1. Click the WRENCH icon (upper right) and select TOOLS then select EXTENSIONS
2. Find the add-on you want to uninstall on the list
3. Click REMOVE (to remove completely) or DISABLE (to disable temporarily)

Source: How do I uninstall browser features?

[Dude111]

This is why its so important to ALWAYS DELETE COOKIES if you dont use something like this!

[Spooony]

Why not just disable them?

That takes care of the cookies and biscuits.
What about the refer info?

[lordraiden]

@privacychoice

I have seen that in the latest update of TrackerBlock

Changelog:
"This version fixes compatibility issues with Ghostery."

Since Ghostery is quite similar to TrackerBlock, there is any advantage of TrackerBlock over Ghostery? or any advantage of using both at the same time?

I have seen that TrackerBlock is able to block around 423 companies bugs and cookies I guess
While Ghostery is able to block 560 bugs & 351 cookies

[privacychoice]

Hey there, it's Jim from PrivacyChoice with a couple of answers for questions on this thread:

1/ We do offer an XML file for IE7 and IE8 to enable blocking. Same database as our other TrackerBlock tools:

http://privacychoice.org/trackerblock/ie

2/ In terms of TrackerBlock versus Ghostery, they both are very helpful, but our focus is a little different:

a/ we block cookie interactions based on what we think is the largest database of tracking domains, which we curate:

http://www.privacychoice.org/companies/all

There's overlap of course in our databases, but we believe curation is the best approach because we don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, if you know what I mean. We think if someone doesn't want any scripts or cookies at all, there are plenty of tools for that.

b/ we provide HTML5 visibility and protection, since that's the new frontier for tracking. TrackerBlock lets you see HTML5 objects (not sure any other addon does that) and deletes HTML5 objects from the domains in our index.

[lordraiden]

Originally Posted by privacychoice

Hey there, it's Jim from PrivacyChoice with a couple of answers for questions on this thread:

1/ We do offer an XML file for IE7 and IE8 to enable blocking. Same database as our other TrackerBlock tools:

http://privacychoice.org/trackerblock/ie

2/ In terms of TrackerBlock versus Ghostery, they both are very helpful, but our focus is a little different:

a/ we block cookie interactions based on what we think is the largest database of tracking domains, which we curate:

http://www.privacychoice.org/companies/all

There's overlap of course in our databases, but we believe curation is the best approach because we don't throw out the baby with the bathwater, if you know what I mean. We think if someone doesn't want any scripts or cookies at all, there are plenty of tools for that.

b/ we provide HTML5 visibility and protection, since that's the new frontier for tracking. TrackerBlock lets you see HTML5 objects (not sure any other addon does that) and deletes HTML5 objects from the domains in our index.

So let me see if I understood you well, ghostery blocks the entire cookie and TrackerBlock block just the tracking part?

And there is something else that I don't understand very well, what is the difference btw the "opt-out cookies" list and the "tracker blocking" list, I though that the trackers can only use the cookies to track you.
What is exactly TrackerBlock blocking in each case?

Thanks in advance

[caspian]

I currently use adblock plus, noscript, and better privacy. Will I get any additional benefits from using TarckerBlock?

[DasFox]

Also an explanation please, about the differences between this and TrackMeNot;

http://cs.nyu.edu/trackmenot/

THANKS

[J_L]

@caspian: Not much if you use EasyPrivacy filter or something similar.

@DasFox: I don't think so.

[Indicium]

Originally Posted by DasFox

Also an explanation please, about the differences between this and TrackMeNot;

TrackMeNot (...) helps protect web searchers from surveillance and data-profiling by search engines.

It does so not by means of concealment or encryption (i.e. covering one's tracks), but instead, paradoxically, by the opposite strategy: noise and obfuscation.

Source: TrackMeNot

PrivacyChoice offers tools to help you understand and make choices about your online privacy:

You can see how online tracking works (TrackerScan), see your tracking profile, decide whether companies can collect information about what you do across websites (TrackerBlock), or opt-out of seeing targeted ads (PrivacyMark). To protect privacy on social networks, you can remove your email address from use by dataminers (Disconnect), and confirm the Facebook privacy settings of your loved ones (PrivacyCheck).

Source: PrivacyChoice - Frequently Asked Questions

[J_L]

We're talking about, TrackerBlock not TrackerScan.

[Spooony]

here you go

The Paranoid kit

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/fir...adox/paranoia/