You're being Watched

Is Privacy no longer a term for the internet?

What Happens with just One Click?

1. You visit websites and tracking files record your online activity
2. Tracking companies use these records to build your profile based on your internet search
3. These tracking companies sell your information to advertisers
4. Your data is also available on exchange networks where anyone can purchase your profile.
5. Your personal profile can also be linked to other sources of your personal data
6. Once again, this is sold to advertisers looking for consumers with your interests
7. Advertisers buy ad space from websites at auctions
8. Real-time automated bidding starts as you surf the web

How you are Tracked

Cookies

A small piece of data is sent from a website and stored in a users web browser.

Types of Cookies

• Absolutely Necessary Cookies: Required for a website to work
• Functional Cookies: Social sharing and behavioral
• Targeting Cookies: Full user tracking

Pixel Trackers

Small 1*1 images are placed on specific pages so site owners know when the specific page is loaded

Deep Packet Inspection

Enables advanced network management, user service, and security functions as well, along with internet data mining, eavesdropping, and internet censorship

Supercookie

It can create user profile even after regular cookies have been deleted

Device Fingerprinting

The Cookie(less) Monster
Information is collected from properties without depending on cookies from all your devices like PC, Smartphones and Tablets to identify and track even if "Do Not Track" is enabled.

How?

1. When a device is turned on, these characteristics in the browser make it unique
2. Screen Dimension
3. Browser version
4. List of Plugins(Flash, Java, etc)
5. List of Installed Apps
6. Clock
7. What the browser talks to

Is it Legal?
Unfortunately, Yes!!!
This category falls under supercookies, meaning they are outside the traditional restrictions on tracking cookies.

5 Steps to Maintain your Privacy.

1. Install a browser plugin like Collusion to check how many companies are tracking you every day.
2. Use a Virtual Private Network to add another layer to your internet usage. My personal favorite is Tor Brower which comes with a built-in VPN and other security features to prevent you from being Tracked.
3. Disable Javascript and Flash and change your computer settings frequently.
4. Install Plugins like Ghostery, Disconnect or Peer Block to block trackers.
5. Turn off cookies and stick to regular font stack.

Sources:
http://online.wsj.com
http://phys.com
http://webmonkey.com
http://arstechnica.com
http://wikipedia.com
http://w3techs.com
https://techgenie.org/