OT: Pipe it to /dev/null

[Kirk Wood]

On Fri, 9 Mar 2001, Ari Moisio wrote:
>   I have never considered cookies a big security or privacy
> risk. Basically they are only data your browser will receive from server
> and submit back to same server vhen requested. They don't transmit any
> extra data from your computer to the internet and they do not make
> browser to send any extra data either.

Actually, cookies do more then you realize. While directly they are as
inocious as you have noted, they can (and have) been used for much more
then simple data storage. The method is rather simple (and proven). A
company such as doubleclick.com contracts with many sites for
advertising. When you visit the site it includes html to grab the banner
from doubleclick.com's servers. The particular html code identifies where
you currently are. The doubleclick.com drops a cookie that is then related
to the visit.

Now you go to another site with ads. And again your browser converses with
doubleclick.com. This time the cookie is sent back to the company
servers. And guess what? They remember who you are. They loged your IP
address and where you were last. Now the upfront explaination (and it
would be fine if this were the only thing done) is that they want to send
you the most effective advertising they can. They don't want to send
"midol" ads to an all guy dorm. They would rather advertise power
tools. (Bear with the me on the generalization.)

But they have admitted that it goes a little further. They discovered that
some companies will pay money for the data of where you visited. They can
detirmine what your habits are and what ISP(s) you use. (That nasty IP
address with reverse DNS is a killer.) They know which ads you have
clicked on.

Now if I believed it would stop at their desire to sell me a better saw
all would be fine. But invasion of privacy never has stopped at
marketing. Next, it is used by the police. (Yes, some countries care where
you go.) Perhaps you may find one day you are being observed by the
FBI. While I sound like a paranoid freak, it has happened. Not too many
years ago it leaked out that the FBI has files on many fine citizens from
the communist witch hunt of the 60s. I will deal with my black
helicopters, but when you find you are under investigation for being a
subversive person don't say you weren't warned.

=======
Kirk Wood
Cpt.Kirk at 1tree.net

Nothing is hard if you know the answer or are used to doing it.