Programs that track browsing history, location, and product searches are relatively common, but browsers are now beginning to act against such entities.
DuckDuckGo, the privacy-focussed web browser, has quietly been compiling a list of web trackers – programs that let operators or websites collect, store and share information about a particular user's activity.
On Thursday, DuckDuckGo announced that it would share the data set publicly, as well as open-source the code that generates and updates the list in real time. The web browser and search engine company calls this product the Tracker Radar.
Tracker Radar has on its roster common cross-site trackers and additional information including ownership, violation of privacy policy, and unusual cookie behaviour. The data set contains information on 5,326 domains used by 1,727 entities to monitor users’ online activity.
DuckDuckGo intends for the open-source tool to become a publicly-edited database that will thwart illegal instances of web tracking and give researchers new resources to better understand online tracking.
DuckDuckGo announced that it would share the data set publicly. Tracker Radar comes inbuilt with DuckDuckGo’s Privacy Browser mobile app and the DuckDuckGo Privacy Essentials desktop browser extensions available for Safari, Firefox, and Chrome. The aforementioned tools block programs that are on the Tracker Radar list.
ADVERTISEMENT
Web trackers essentially provide a wealth of information to companies, which then monetize this data by selling it to advertisers. Programs that track browsing history, location, and product searches are relatively common, but browsers are now beginning to act against such entities.
Google Chrome allows users to block cross-site tracking and has set its sights on nixing third-party cookies on its browser by 2022. This could also serve to strengthen Google’s dominant position in the age of surveillance capitalism.
Firefox blocks web trackers that are crypto-mining programs. Microsoft is testing similar features in its Edge browser.
Password Manager, Authentic Apps & Webcam Cover: 9 Steps To Ensure Data Security Every Day
1/10
2019 was the year of serious data breaches. Each made headlines that jolted users into reality and the importance of protecting personal data. A recent survey indicates that 52 per cent of users polled believe they need to strengthen their data policies, 45 per cent expect advertising and marketing regulation to become 'more strict', while 88 per cent agree, or strongly agree, that digital privacy will become increasingly important this year.
While, January 28 is observed as the Data Privacy Day in India, the US, Canada and 47 European countries each day, Sunil Sharma, managing director sales, India & SAARC, Sophos advises you to treat every day as Data Privacy Day and apply these simple tips to secure your data.
2019 was the year of serious data breaches. Each made headlines that jolted users into reality and the importance of protecting personal data. A recent survey indicates that 52 per cent of users poll..
Read More
Password managers will create and remember complex passwords for you, making it easy for you to keep different passwords for every website. All you need to do is remember one super long and complicated password for the manager itself.
Password managers will create and remember complex passwords for you, making it easy for you to keep different passwords for every website. All you need to do is remember one super long and complicat..
Read More
Always check the permissions an app is asking for before you download it to your personal device. It’s also important to delete any apps that you don’t use anymore.
Always check the permissions an app is asking for before you download it to your personal device. It’s also important to delete any apps that you don’t use anymore.
Information such as your date of birth or address gives cybercriminals usable information about you. Equally, sharing when you’re going on a trip can alert local criminals that your home will be empty.
Information such as your date of birth or address gives cybercriminals usable information about you. Equally, sharing when you’re going on a trip can alert local criminals that your home will be empt..
Read More
You can do this with an app such as Google Authenticator, or from SMS codes sent directly to your phone. If you want to be super secure you can do it with a hardware key that you plug straight into your computer or laptop.
You can do this with an app such as Google Authenticator, or from SMS codes sent directly to your phone. If you want to be super secure you can do it with a hardware key that you plug straight into y..
Read More
It’s not impossible for hackers to access your webcam. Keep yourself protected and have peace of mind by using a webcam cover.
It’s not impossible for hackers to access your webcam. Keep yourself protected and have peace of mind by using a webcam cover.
If you’re having connection troubles, resist the temptation to “turn off the firewall” or “bypass the router” to see if that solves the problem. That’s a bit like disconnecting your car’s brakes and then going for a ride to see if performance improves.
If you’re having connection troubles, resist the temptation to “turn off the firewall” or “bypass the router” to see if that solves the problem. That’s a bit like disconnecting your car’s brakes and ..
Read More
Tools can detect and block the disk-scrambling part of a ransomware attack. This offers you protection even if the malware file itself, and its running process, is out there on someone else’s computer that you can’t control.
Tools can detect and block the disk-scrambling part of a ransomware attack. This offers you protection even if the malware file itself, and its running process, is out there on someone else’s compute..
Read More
There are millions of computers still at risk from WannaCry – this means they haven’t been patched for more than two and a half years! Don’t be one of those people. The best way to stay up to date is have auto-updates on so you know you’re running the latest software.
There are millions of computers still at risk from WannaCry – this means they haven’t been patched for more than two and a half years! Don’t be one of those people. The best way to stay up to date is..
Read More
And keep at least one recent copy offline, so you can access your precious data even if you’re locked out of your own computer, your own network or your own accounts. By the way, encrypt your backups so that you don’t spend the rest of your life wondering what might show up if any of your backup devices go missing.
And keep at least one recent copy offline, so you can access your precious data even if you’re locked out of your own computer, your own network or your own accounts. By the way, encrypt your backups..
