Who is tracking me online

For perspective, here are few more reasons websites track us:. Websites can track us in many ways, and the list has only gotten lengthier with time. But cookies remain among the most commonly used data tracking methods today, with more than 40 percent of websites using some type of cookie. You might think of tracking cookies like notetakers. Traditional tracking cookies store their notes about you directly on a website, whereas third-party cookies store your user data in a separate location that might be accessible to, as the name indicates, third parties like advertisers.

More than 80 percent of web traffic contains third-party cookies. Here are a few other commonly used data tracking methods today, including what user data they collect:. Rather, they are categorized into a cohort of like-minded online users that is collectively tracked. There are indeed a few causes for concern when it comes to data tracking, most of which regard our data privacy and security and transparency surrounding where user data is stored and who has access to it.

At its best, internet tracking results in trailer-made digital worlds for online users, with the most relevant of advertisement and content delivered right to our homepages.

At its worse, however, internet tracking can result in user data being shared with third parties and stored in databases susceptible to cyber threats.

It also can open up a can of internet privacy issues. At the end of the day, every individual values their online privacy differently which means some individuals might be more worried about data tracking than others. Nowadays, our activity can be tracked from the moment we login into our internet-connected devices. Just consider the following places and platforms you visit every day, the potential cyber threats website tracking poses on them, and quick tips to throw internet trackers off your tracks.

Google and other search engines could be considered the primary source of internet tracking. By some counts, Google tracks almost 80 percent of all web traffic. And while their data tracking means are changing, replacing third-party cookies with FLoC, Google and other search engines can harness other internet tracking methods such as fingerprinting and web beacons to deliver a personalized browsing experience.

Of course, that answer is entirely subjective. In any event, you might be interested to know Facebook tracks 18 percent of all web traffic and Twitter tracks 7 percent of all traffic, harnessing the powers of account tracking, web beacons, and tracking cookies to help do it. This is also known as malvertising. Ever added a few items to your cart at an e-commerce site and perhaps accidentally closed out of the window, just to find that once you revisit the site all of your items are still saved in your cart?

These are just a few of the ways shopping sites track us online, with Amazon accounting for 17 percent of web traffic tracked. This information could be compromised in the event of a data breach. Put yourself on the right track to protect your data privacy and security with these simple tweaks to your browsing habits, plus tips to avoid being tracked from the start.

Protecting your online privacy begins with adjusting your privacy settings across these common devices. For their pocket-size reputation, mobile devices pack a bunch of options to adjust their privacy settings:. As internet-connected devices, smart TVs can also study our activity. Tracker blockers are browser plug-ins meant to stop internet trackers from collecting information about you.

Another browser plug-in, ad blockers do just that — block ads. Browsing in an incognito window means no cookies should be saved to your browser. Want peace of mind that your data is being handled by a secure site? A VPN anonymizes your browsing activity through encryption , even down to throwing off the geolocation of your IP address.

Consider using one to throw internet trackers off your tail, too. Some browsers are built on the premise of protecting your private information and swear off data tracking to do it — but you may have to pay to use these private search engines. The add-on keeps you updated periodically regarding any changes. Especially after Facebook scandal in , internet tracking is becoming more and more of a major online privacy issue.

While tracking might seem harmless sometimes, it has proven to be disastrous in several occasions. There are tools like Tor browser, PixelBlock, NoScript, Ublock Origin and many more that help you stop these trackers from following you on various online websites. Review of the best budget smartphones choices you can have in as we help you pick a replacement for the old phone with a new budget smartphone with great specs.

Learn the difference between single, dual, and tri-band routers in price and performance, discover which router is more suitable to buy for you and your needs.

We have seen wireless internet become a standard for homes and businesses in recent years. With many choices of routers, there are also other devices like range extenders and wireless access points. But should you really care about getting an access point? How to choose an access point? Here we give you the complete answer. Best online tools to find out who tracks you online Disconnect Disconnect is a great tool to find online trackers.

Panopticlick Panopticlick is one tool that helps you follow your online tracks. This way, it can measure how many trackers are tracking your browser sessions. Trackography Trackography is another smart tool that lets you learn more about internet tracking and trackers that follow you all around the internet. The open source tool gives you some advanced information on these trackers like: Who tracks you. Countries of the tracking companies.

Companies behind websites that use these tracking tools and where their servers are located. How these companies handle your data. Lightbeam Lightbeam is a visual online tool that lets you add your favourite websites, then visualise their relations with other websites you visit with time. Rob Pegoraro is a tech writer based out of Washington, D. To submit a tech question, e-mail Rob at rob robpegoraro. Follow him on Twitter: robpegoraro.

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