Posted on 01/05/2009 8:15:04 AM PST by brytlea
I have had emails to 2 of my lists recently posting the same thing about Yahoo using web beacons. It makes it sound pretty concerning, saying they are tracking you where ever you go on the internet if you use any yahoo groups. I did a search, but couldn't find anything recent even on snopes. Anyone know what these are? Are they something to be concerned about? I tend to be skeptical, but still, I'd like to make sure. In part it says:
Do you belong to any Yahoo groups because Yahoo is Tracking Group Members
If you belong to ANY Yahoo Groups - be aware that Yahoo is now using "Web Beacons" to track every Yahoo Group user. It's similar to cookies, but allows Yahoo to record every website and every group you visit, even when you're not connected to Yahoo.
Thanks for any info!
Isn’t there an unofficial FreeRepublic Yahoo backup site? Seems to me that I have visited it in the past when this site would be offline...
Nothing new, I would bet we could find dozens, if not hundreds of these types of programs on your computer now. These Web Beacons are just robust cookies.
Info:
http://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/webbeacons/details.html
Oh my goodness! ;)
You can opt out of the web beacon from your Yahoo account.
I hate Yahoo. Typical RAT company, along with Google and Microsoft.
I have no idea.
Are they something my web bot software will take care of?
Unfortunately I run a dog related email list via Yahoo.
Specifically for Yahoo! and some of the other big names, probably not, but you can opt out here:
http://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/preferences/
Some software will take care of simple tracking cookies, but complex ones like this and what Google uses require you manually change your preferences for each app like the Google toolbar or Google desktop if you use it.
OK thanks. I just suspect I will get some questions from my list members now that someone has sent an email to the list about it. I hate to be a dummy!
It is something you should expect on any group type service from one of the big companies like Yahoo. The way around it is to use a service that hosts its own forums (like FR does) or create a site where you can imbed your own forum software and create your own mailing lists.
That sounds like I would have to know something. The list was originally with some other service (topica?) and then they closed and we went, I think, with Geocities, which was eventually bought out by yahoo. I like the fact that it’s free and easy to use. If it gets to be otherwise, I would just close down the list.
I think there is a price to free internet goodies, and part of that is some loss of privacy. I’m fairly sure I will bore anyone who looks into my browsing habits to death!
All of your history are belonging to us.
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BOrg
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Everything is being monitored on the Web. There is a special module in ‘Eschalon’ that tracks those that visit the FreeRepublic. The first priority is identification of FreeRepublic visitor which is done with cooperation of ISP’s (there is special software installed). Once the user is identified all of his or her traffic is tied back to thier account in order to monitor thier subversive behavior. These users are kept in a special list and in the event of any subversive movement or other Homeland Security triggers they will be detained at a priority zero ring.
well... just damn. I had just been wondering if I should be switching to Opera get something like greasemonkey so I could block out all google cookies (I don’t even use them for search). Looks like I’m already screwed. I didn’t think you could do that unless you had access to the server that the people are visiting.
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