Skip to comments.
‘Super Cookies’ Track Your Private Web Browsing — Apple Users Can't Get Rid Of Them
Business Insider ^
| JAN. 8, 2015, 8:30 AM
| ROB PRICE
Posted on 01/08/2015 3:04:25 PM PST by Swordmaker
click here to read article
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-46 next last
Technically, this is NOT a "security flaw" but rather a choice of security over privacy. The issue is that when one switches to private browsing, the so-called "Super Cookie" remains and allows you to connect to a website still in a secure, locked down mode. However, if you erase the Super Cookie, no encryption to that website will be sent when you connect to it on return visits. This could be logging in to your BANK, and or a secure site for a purchase. . . and credit cards will be sent un-encrypted in clear text, because the Super Cookie that was set for an HTTPS Secure connection site has been deleted, and you are now connected only as a standard HTTP. You have effectively traded security for privacy . . . not a good trade. The only way this can effectively be fixed is to re-write the entire HTTP language.
As one knowledgeable commentor puts it:
"Apple products (in this case) are both safer and more secure, but (in some very unique circumstances) can still be tracked. They are trading security (against hackers) for a very minor amount of privacy (against a threat that hasn't been seen in the wild)."
The real method to avoid this issue is to NOT go to secure websites such as your Banking institution or Financial institution when you are using Private Browsing. Problem solved.
To: ~Kim4VRWC's~; 1234; Abundy; Action-America; acoulterfan; AFreeBird; Airwinger; Aliska; altair; ...
Business Insider is reporting claims of an Internet flaw that allows tracking of Private Browsing using a Super Cookie that Apple iOS Safari users cannot delete. . . which other browsers CAN delete. . . but deleting this Super Cookie is a two edged sword that can bite users that do delete it. PING!
Apple iOS Security Awareness Ping!
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
2
posted on
01/08/2015 3:07:56 PM PST
by
Swordmaker
(This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users contnue...)
To: Swordmaker
Interesting.
I am constantly at war with the cookies on my computer. Some of them really mess things up until I delete them. I am not an expert in these matters so I can’t tell you why. I just know that deleting them helps.
3
posted on
01/08/2015 3:16:58 PM PST
by
The Ghost of FReepers Past
(Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
To: Swordmaker
Has anyone noticed that hackers have really ratcheted their activities since Obama started pushing “net neutrality” (which has absolutely nothing to do with neutrality but rather gaining more control of it).
To: Vendome
5
posted on
01/08/2015 3:23:27 PM PST
by
Vendome
(Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
To: martin_fierro; Ernest_at_the_Beach
6
posted on
01/08/2015 3:25:20 PM PST
by
SunkenCiv
(Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
To: Swordmaker
7
posted on
01/08/2015 3:25:27 PM PST
by
Candor7
(Obama fascism article:(http://www.americanthinker.com/2009/05/barack_obama_the_quintessentia_1.html))
To: Swordmaker
Switch to Microsoft, no Super Cookies. =) Sorry, just had to do it.
To: Swordmaker
Along with my security programs, I use HTTPS Everywhere, and Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit free, Disconnect, and Adblock Plus.
Where does that put me, in regards to the issue you just described?
9
posted on
01/08/2015 3:34:37 PM PST
by
ansel12
(Civilization, Crusade against the Mohammedan Death Cult.)
To: Swordmaker
I’m an apple eater, not an Apple user
10
posted on
01/08/2015 3:36:43 PM PST
by
nuconvert
( Khomeini promised change too // Hail, Chairman O)
To: nuconvert
11
posted on
01/08/2015 3:49:48 PM PST
by
gasport
(Immigration reform means arriving in air-conditioned comfort.)
To: The Ghost of FReepers Past
I am constantly at war with the cookies on my computer. Some of them really mess things up until I delete them. I am not an expert in these matters so I cant tell you why. I just know that deleting them helps. Some cookies are good to delete. Some cookies are good to keep. Some of these keep track of what is important. Trying to decide which is which is a mystery, the whichness of the which is often inscrutable.
12
posted on
01/08/2015 3:50:19 PM PST
by
Swordmaker
(This tag line is a Microsoft insult free zone... but if the insults to Mac users contnue...)
To: Swordmaker
This could be logging in to your BANK, and or a secure site for a purchase Not unless the bank allows unsecured connections in the first place. What bank does that?
The feature in question forces an encrypted HTTPS connection when you attempt an unencrypted HTTP connection, thus sparing you an error message. But the absence of that cookie will not get you an unencrypted connection if the server does not allow it.
13
posted on
01/08/2015 3:58:17 PM PST
by
SeeSharp
To: Swordmaker
I use CCleaner (CrapCleaner) ... have for years. One nice feature is that it allows you to select which cookies are good and those don’t get deleted when you clean. Also has a good registry cleaner. Both free and paid versions.
14
posted on
01/08/2015 4:05:03 PM PST
by
RainMan
(It's mourning in America.)
To: Swordmaker
For anyone not using an Apple , I use Ghostery . One site I use every day had 54 cookies , mostly advertizing cookies, running on it. Not any more.
https://www.ghostery.com/en/
15
posted on
01/08/2015 4:14:15 PM PST
by
Snowyman
To: softwarecreator
“Switch to Microsoft, no Super Cookies. =) Sorry, just had to do it.”
****************************************************************************************************
Oh yuk, I’ve been there and done that for too many years. I’m NEVER going back. But thanks anyhow.
To: Swordmaker
A few I know to keep. The rest I figure if they are important they will return.
17
posted on
01/08/2015 4:44:45 PM PST
by
The Ghost of FReepers Past
(Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light..... Isaiah 5:20)
To: Candor7
Don’t know that I want to download an executable piece of software from a Romanian website.
18
posted on
01/08/2015 4:46:14 PM PST
by
Windflier
(To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
To: Candor7
19
posted on
01/08/2015 4:46:25 PM PST
by
Salamander
(No more nights of blood and fire..)
To: Snowyman
I use Ghostery Same here. I've gotten into the habit of checking the list of trackers of every site I visit for the first time.
And Ghostery kills not just trackers, but widgets, advertising bots, and all sorts of little nasties.
20
posted on
01/08/2015 4:49:18 PM PST
by
Windflier
(To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-46 next last
Disclaimer:
Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual
posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its
management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the
exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson