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How to stop Browser Tracking

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Maybe you don’t mind the ads for that bicycle rack following you around in cyberspace after you visited a site for all things bike, but browser trackers (“cookies”) also create a profile of you that gets sold to other advertisers and third parties.

2PAre you doomed to be stalked forever by bike ads? This is caused by third-party cookies. You can use third party software such as CCleaner, which can identify third-party cookies and clean out the cookies in your hard drive. It’s the third-party cookies that are the enemy. The first-party cookies come from the site you visit so that your subsequent visits to that site are easier.

After you rid the third-party cookies, you’ll have to alter your browser settings.

Google Chrome

  • In the upper right corner click the little lined box.
  • Select Settings, click Show advanced settings.
  • At Privacy click Content Settings.
  • Under Cookies check “Block third-party cookies and site data.” Hit Done.

Internet Explorer

  • In the top right corner, click on the gear.
  • Select Internet Options.
  • At the Privacy tab click Advanced.
  • Check “Override automatic cookie handling.”
  • Set the Third-party Cookies to Block. Hit Okay.

Firefox

  • Click the lined icon in the upper right corner.
  • Click Options or Preferences for PC or Mac, respectively.
  • At Privacy, under History, change “Firefox will” to “Use custom settings for history.”
  • Change “Accept third-party cookies” to Never.

Safari

  • Safari automatically has third-party cookies turned off, but to be sure:
  • Go to Privacy and select the option that blocks third-party cookies.

Additional Ways to Stop Cookies from Tracking You

Here are things you can do, courtesy of an article on the Electronic Frontier Foundation site. These steps should take you about 10 minutes to complete.

You need not worry that these tactics will negatively impact the ease at which you navigate the vast majority of websites. For websites that get testy about these changes, you can temporarily use a private browsing mode that has disabled settings.

  • Install AdBlock Plus. After installation, change filter preference so you can add EasyPrivacy. You’ll need to visit AdBlock Plus’s website.
  • Change Cookie Settings. Go into Chrome’s settings under Settings, then Show Advanced Settings. Under Privacy click on Content Settings. Hit “Keep local data only until I quit my browser / for current session.” Check “Block third-party cookies and site data.” This will force cookies to expire after you exit the browser and prevent third-party cookies from activating.
  • Install the extension “HTTPS Everywhere.” This will prevent websites from snooping in on you and will help shield you from third parties.

Turn off referers. Install an extension called Referer Control. Scroll down, locate “default referer for all other sites” and hit Block.

Robert Siciliano is an Identity Theft Expert to Hotspot Shield. He is the author of 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Your Identity Was Stolen See him discussing internet and wireless security on Good Morning America. Disclosures.

What is a Cache?

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Perhaps someone has told you that you need to “clear your cache,” but what does this mean and why should you do it? A cache is a folder of recently visited webpages, which is stored on your computer’s hard drive, and maintained by your Internet browser.

1DThe purpose of a cache is to speed up the loading of webpages. Your computer’s hard drive collects data from websites that you visit, so that when you visit them again, certain aspects of the previously visited pages (such as graphics) don’t have to be reloaded the next time, and this makes the loading time a little bit shorter.

But the space your cache has on your hard drive is limited, and over time, it can get congested. Data that hasn’t been accessed for a while gets tossed out to make room for new data from the new pages that you visit.

And sometimes, the cache process doesn’t work properly. The result is an incompletely loaded page, or a page that looks odd because it’s supposed to load new content but it’s showing old content. (Sometimes, page loading problems aren’t caused by a faulty cache, but this is such a common cause that you’ve probably heard people say, “You need to clear your browser’s cache.”)

So, now you know what a cache is, here are some specific steps to clear it on different browsers:

How to clear your cache in Chrome:

  • In the upper right of the browser click the little icon that says “Customize and control Google Chrome” when you hover over it with your cursor
  • Click History
  • Click “Clear browsing data”

How to clear your cache in Internet Explorer:

  • In the upper right of Internet Explorer, click the gear icon or “Tools”
  • Click Internet Options
  • Under “Browsing History” you’ll see a delete button; click that.

If you use another browser, and there are a few, search online for instructions on how to clear your cache.

Another option you have is to use software (free or paid) designed to clean the clutter from your computer and devices. These programs often work well, but sometimes they work too well and clean more than they are supposed to. It’s always a good idea to backup your information before cleaning your computer.

Robert Siciliano is an Online Safety Expert to Intel Security. He is the author of 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Your Mobile was Hacked!

What is Browser Hijacking?

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Imagine it. You sit down at your computer about to do your daily perusal of Buzzfeed  or check out The Financial Times but your homepage is now some weird search engine you’ve never seen before. Guess what? You’ve been hijacked.

IEBrowser hijacking is when your Internet browser (eg. Chrome, FireFox, Internet Explorer) settings are modified. Your default home or search page might get changed or you might get a lot of advertisements popping up on your computer. This is done through malicious software (malware) called hijackware. A browser hijacker is usually installed as a part of freeware, but it can also be installed on your computer if you click on an attachment in  an  email, visit an infected site (also known as a drive-by download), or download something from a file-sharing site.

Once your browser has been hijacked, the cybercriminal can do a lot of damage. The program can change your home page to a malicious website, crash your browser, or install spyware. Browser hijackers impede your ability to surf the web as you please.

Why do criminals use browser hijackers?
Like other malware and scams,  hijacked browsers can bring in a good chunk of money for the hacker. For example, one browser hijacker, CoolWebSearch, redirects your homepage to their search page and the  search results go  to links that the hijacker wants you to see. As you click on these links, the cybercriminal gets paid. They can also use information on your browsing habits to sell to third parties for marketing purposes.

Browser hijackers are annoying and sometimes they can be tough to get rid of. Here are some ways to prevent your browser from getting hijacked:

  • Carefully read end user license agreement (EULA)documents when installing software. Often times, mentions of browser hijackware are hidden in the EULA, so when you accept the user agreements, you might be unknowingly accepting malware.
  • Be cautious if you download software from free sites. As the old saying goes, free is not always free—you may be getting additional items with your free download.
  • Keep your browser software up-to-date.
  • Use comprehensive security software, like the McAfee LiveSafe™ service, to keep all your devices protected.

For other security tips and advice, follow McAfee_Consumer on Twitter or like the McAfee Facebook page.

Robert Siciliano is an Online Security Expert to McAfee. He is the author of 99 Things You Wish You Knew Before Your Mobile was Hacked!  Disclosures.

Ransomware demands Dollars for Data

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“Ransomware” is what holds data hostage by invading one’s computer when the user clicks on a malicious link in an e-mail or downloads an infected attachment. Visiting a fraudulent web site can also trigger an attack.

CRYRansomware then goes to work at putting your files on lockdown so you can’t access them—but the hacker sure can. The crook will then have full access to your computer and all of your private information stored in it.

Ransomware in some cases masquerades as “Anti-Adware” or “Browser Security” claiming that the security product license has expired. Ransomware on Windows shows as a full-screen “error alert” like message. Though ransomware is uncommon, it’s a rising star in the world of malware.

How can you protect your computer from an infection?

  • Ensure your computer is running the most up-to-date version of your chosen operating system.
  • Use updated antivirus software.
  • Never click links in e-mails. Always go to the source or use your password manager.
  • Never go to unfamiliar web sites, as they can initiate the virus cascade.

Keep in mind that although malware and ransomware usually affect PCs running on Windows, malware can be created for any operating system and for mobiles. In fact, Android malware has been picking up steam. But Mac users should not breathe easy; they too, should be on the alert, says the McAfee Threat Report.

The best way to implement protection of your computer and devices is to install a comprehensive measure of security—in addition to sticking to that never-repeated-too-often rule of never click a link in an e-mail.

Robert Siciliano is an identity theft expert to BestIDTheftCompanys.com discussing  identity theft prevention. For Roberts FREE ebook text- SECURE Your@emailaddress -to 411247. Disclosures.