Facebook tracking me?

Discussion in 'privacy problems' started by Tarnak, Oct 23, 2011.

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  1. Tarnak

    Tarnak Registered Member

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    It seems Facebook is tracking me, even though am logged out.

    I go to bitsum.net as per Opera history:

    ScreenShot_FaceBook _tracking cookie_01.jpg

    Should I be concerned?
     
  2. CasperFace

    CasperFace Registered Member

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    Yes, definitely. Here are a couple of recent postings on the issue:

    Blogger claims that Facebook keeps tracking users after they have logged out

    and

    Facebook accused of violating US wiretap law

    Fortunately, there's a few things you can do to mitigate the problem:
    • Purge cookies after logging out of FB
    • Block all 3rd party cookies in your browser
    • Use NoScript
    • Use Adblock Plus with Adversity Antisocial list (blocks all social integration)
    • Write your own ABP rule(s) such as:
      Code:
      facebook.com^$third-party
    Edited to add: some of these suggestions may not be applicable in Opera... but most importantly is that you purge/block those 3rd party cookies.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2011
  3. Tarnak

    Tarnak Registered Member

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    Thanks CasperFace, for your informative advice.

    I will definitely check that 3rd party cookies are purged. ;)

    I don't think AdBlock Plus is really suitable for Opera, but I may be wrong.

    In the meantime I found an extension for Opera that is perhaps suitable.

    ScreenShot_Facebook_tracking cookie_02.jpg
     
  4. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    Thanks, does it break anything such as Facebook Connect?
     
  5. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    With a line like that as a filter, I imagine it'll break a lot more than Connect. I keep finding sites that, if Facebook is integrated in any way will not function correctly with ABP enabled, and I don't even use an explicit line like that, simply just pre-made filters.
     
  6. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    Which lists do you have?
     
  7. dw426

    dw426 Registered Member

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    The only ones I have right now are Fanboy's regular list, the tracking/stat blocking and the international tracking/stat blocking.
     
  8. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    I use EasyPrivacy+EasyList, Malware Domains, Adversity Adult List, and Fanboy's Annoyances. Never had any Facebook issues.
     
  9. Noob

    Noob Registered Member

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    I'll try not to jump into conclusions before having some solid evidence of this, if it turns out true then Facebook is getting over the top. Luckily no FB here!! :D
     
  10. siljaline

    siljaline Registered Member

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    A very long and older thread from elsewhere that would be worth a read.
     
  11. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    Great thread with lots of info, thanks.
     
  12. Fly

    Fly Registered Member

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    Since I don't have a Facebook account, the issue of Facebook tracking me when I'm 'logged out' is moot.

    But I see more and more Facebook links on various websites. It's like an epidemic.

    To what extent does Facebook and its allies track me ?
    Admittedly, I'm lazy for asking this without doing my own research.

    I recently added a few lines to my hosts file, but I doubt that will do much.
     
  13. x942

    x942 Guest

    I use the above methods plus add facebook to my Hosts on my DD-wrt router.
     
  14. xxJackxx

    xxJackxx Registered Member

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    I don't have an account either but they are tracking all of us, members or not. I see even Bing now links to facebook. I am tempted to put all of their hostnames into my hosts file to eliminate them from my internet experience.
     
  15. Warlockz

    Warlockz Registered Member

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    Here is Ghostery for Opera!

    FaceBook isn't the only one tracking you online their are loads of trackers, As for FB I just use a separate browser and sandbox for FaceCrack then delete the sandbox when I'm done.

    Use different Browsers for Different activities! and you should also take CasperFace good advice too. Like defiantly uncheck 3rd party cookies

    In Opera you can do this by going to preferences, Advance, Cookies, and select "Accept cookies only from the site I visit."

    I also have all the 3rd party apps/games Disabled/Blocked in my FaceCrack settings. and If anything use a free VPN for facecrack if your a paranoid lol
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2011
  16. HKEY1952

    HKEY1952 Registered Member

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    Very Well stated.....

    I consider Flash to be the largest invador on the www regarding ones online privacy and anonymity followed by Facebook.


    HKEY1952
     
  17. CasperFace

    CasperFace Registered Member

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    I agree, but IMHO the Facebook tracker is the worst offender because it's so blatantly tied to your REAL identity (i.e., your full name)... whereas other trackers are typically based on your IP address only (which may or may not be the real "you"). :p
     
  18. Tarnak

    Tarnak Registered Member

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  19. mantra

    mantra Registered Member

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    if you use firefox and adblock , with adblock plus you can add filter

    url ->
    Code:
    https://adversity.googlecode.com/hg/Antisocial.txt
    it should stop it
     
  20. Tarnak

    Tarnak Registered Member

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    Thanks!...but I don't use Firefox. :)
     
  21. tlu

    tlu Guest

    Yes, and add the ABE rule mentioned here.
     
  22. korben

    korben Registered Member

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    As for Facebook blocker...
    isn't Ghostery enough of a safety measure?
     
  23. cm1971

    cm1971 Registered Member

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    I don't have FB either but I have wondered myself what effect all these FB links everywhere will have. It is becoming like Google. You can't get away from it. o_O
     
  24. mantra

    mantra Registered Member

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    but about ghostery , everytime i have to select to block tracking sites
    doesn't it automatically?
    i installed on opera , firefox and chrome
    but everytime it does not block every tracking site
    i have to block them always at least once
     
  25. korben

    korben Registered Member

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    isn't adding fb.com to your HOST file enough anyway?
     
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2011
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