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Stop Web Trackers and Protect Your Privacy with This New Free Browser Add-On
Going on the Internet these days means having a horde of advertisers chasing after you to find out what you do on the web. Those who wish to protect their privacy have various options and many are discussed at TSA. Here is a new one to consider. It is called “Do Not Track Plus” and is a browser add-on. It was just announced in this PR release from the online privacy company Abine Inc and I have been trying it out.
The download page is here and it will detect which browser you are using. First, an installer is downloaded; click it and the browser add-on is installed. I tried it with IE9, Firefox 10, and Chrome 17 and installation went smoothly. Safari is also supported.
After installation, cookies from a list of ad agencies and others will be automatically blocked. The list is maintained by Abine. A button is placed in the upper right of the browser and the number of cookies being blocked is shown in the button. The button is normally green but if it is red or orange that means you are being tracked in ways that have not been blocked. To see more information about what is being blocked, click the button and a box like the one shown in Figure 1 will be displayed.
Figure 1. Do Not Track Plus browser add-on
If a particular site does not seem to work properly because cookies are blocked, the extension can be disabled by clicking the “On” button outlined in the upper left of Figure 1. The button turns to Off and the box shown in Figure 2 appears. There is also a “Settings” link (shown outlined in white) that will open the window displayed in Figure 3. As Figure 3 shows, a list of the blocked cookie sources is given in this new window. This window also has a link “View Do Not Track Settings” (shown outlined in white) for additional configuration in the Firefox browser but not in IE or Chrome.
Figure 2. Disable Do Not Track Plus
Figure 3. List of blocked cookie sources
There is a FAQ at this link for more information. According to the FAQ, this add-on can be used along with AdBlock Plus but not with the similar Ghostery.
One thing that was not clear to me at first was whether Flash cookies or other super cookies are blocked as well as the conventional type. So I asked on the company chat line and was told that you need a paid version for that.
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This tips section is maintained by Vic Laurie. Vic runs several websites with Windows how-to's and tutorials, including a computer education website and a site for learning about the command line.
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Comments
hi laurie,
i wanna ask something, please give me your suggestion and generally explained.
if i install this add-on, its mean i dont need adblock plus and scriptno anymore for my chrome ? ( or firefox )
thank you laurie.
I've had some problems on Win XP with IE 8. The browser slows down and eventually won't respond to any clicks on any links or buttons. After searching around, I updated my Java to the latest version and everything is working much better on two machines. I'm still having issues on the 3rd computer and haven't had a chance to get into it.
Just a word to the wise - This puppy is Java-based, so if you're having problems, take a look at Java.com and see if you've got the latest version.
Additional comment:
I finally uninstalled DNT+ from both machines (both are Windows XP SP3 using IE8). For that combination, I found that DNT+ slowed down the browser and in some cases disabled buttons on the web pages (rare, but it happened!). Each web page displayed, then re-displayed and no action could be taken until the redisplay finished. This got to be annoying, particularly when I was in a hurry. As much as I like the software and what it does, I just got frustrated and fed up. I'm hoping your mileage varies from mine!
Good luck...
Installed DNT+ w/o difficulty. Seems to work well. One issue: I'm using IE8 and since installing DNT+ there are multiple copies of IE open at the same time. I understand that this is not unusual however there are more copies open now (3 or 4) and several do not ever close. This means that IE Privacy Keeper, which is set to delete cookies and temp files when the last browser window closes, never runs. I uninstalled DNT+ and now all browser windows close normally. Too bad. I liked not being tracked. Any suggestions (other than switching browsers)?
I don't use IE8 anymore and I have no suggestions. Try asking at the DNT+ site. They have a chat line.
since i installed Do Not Track Plus my Superantispyware is showing 50,60 70 malware and cookies everytime it comes on, as before always had some but no more than 2 or 3,could the author explain this why it is so. don't believe me try it for yourself
DNT+ handles a lot of trackers by creating opt out cookies. If you're deleting them when you clean up (CCleaner, etc.) then they will probably get recreated next time you start your browser. Details are in one of the two FAQs on the website.
The download link is bad and redirects to the postinstall page, not the download page.
Thank you. Correction has been made.
Fine in both Chrome and Firefox, for me.
Wow. Finally got rid of Netflix on Snopes.
Greetings,
Adblock Plus should also eliminate the banner ads at the Snopes site, and it is fully compatible with Ghostery.
Regards,
AJN
Here is a website where you can learn how to update your HOSTS file and block companies trying to track you on the web.
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
Be sure you read the special instructions for Vista or Windows 7!
For Opera users there is an excellent extension with similar functionality. It's Ghostery, and can be found here:
https://addons.opera.com/en/addons/extensions/details/ghostery/0.9.5/?di...
It works nicely. If you inatall some ad blocking extension, the combo speeds up Opera a bit.
I wanted to say that I am a newcomer in this place. There are so many good stuff to read, I am really taking my time digging around. Many thanks to authors for the articles and users for commnets
Little orange flag about Ghostery (not quite a red flag): they're owned by an advertising company, and they don't block tracking by default. There's a interesting ITWorld article on this here: http://www.itworld.com/node/249964
DNT+ blocks tracking by default, but the downside is it isn't available for Opera yet.
yes that is an interesting article
Ghostery is available as an add-on for Firefox as well and works wonderfully. I've been using it for about 6 months and it is updated regularly with nary a glitch.
Sorry if this is a stupidy question but do this and noscript do different things? Or is this redundant? I use noscript and have a similar extension for chrome. I now feel that using a browser without a script blocker is like walking into a battle naked (minus the laughter). So I cringe if someone doesnt have one installed. So, I am guessing scripts and cookies are two different things? I thought I was blocking tracking by using noscript. Any edification and guidance is much appreciated!
You guessed right- scripts and cookies are different things.
thank you. I assume its more important to block scripts as they can actually harm, damage your computer whereas cookies are only a privacy issue? Not to suggest privacy isnt a concern but rather that its less of a concern than malware. does this sound accurate?
You are basically correct. How someone feels about tracking cookies is a matter of personal beliefs about privacy. Some people do not mind them or even think that they help get more relevant and interesting ads to look at. Others feel they are a major invasion of privacy.
Although malware is often distributed via scripts, it is also true that there are useful scripts. JavaScript is used all over the web these days. In fact, if you use NoScript (as I do), you will find many legitimate sites that are broken unless you allow scripts. Security almost always involves a trade-off with convenience.
Loaded and working.
How very interesting: delivered from Gizmo to me by Google and it blocked Google from tracking me~!!
Justice!!!!!
It actually blocks two companies from tracking me while on this techsupportalert webpage :-)
Hi Vic,
Actually, this is quite interesting.
Aren't you recommending a product which blocks companies that have paid Gizmo to track our surfing habits?
Great for someone like me who hates people doing anything without my total knowledge and consent but counterproductive to the advertising revenue you get from these companies?
Or am I confused about what has been blocked etc. I think one was Google analytics? and another Quantcast.
Just interested not angry or anything :-)
Cheers,
Paul
You are right that blocking cookies affects the ad revenue for many sites. It is a conundrum for a site like this. The solution, of course, is to allow cookies for sites that you want to support. As you note, some cookies are not for tracking you individually but for counting traffic for a site. For example, Google Analytics keeps track of traffic and is important in determining ad revenue. It costs money to run a site. That money has to come from somewhere. If you get benefit from a site it is up to your conscience whether you use ad and cookie blockers on that site.
So what for Opera users ?................
To Opera users can install the extension 'Opera AdBlock', that works very well. Also can install the extension 'Ghostery'. 'AdFender' is also a alternative.
I use 'Opera AdBlock' only, that is enought to me.
i installed this via the Abine website--products--DNT+ on IE8, Chrome, Firefox and SRWare's Iron browsers. The new Avant browser does not support it yet. otherwise all was smooth download. The IE7 did not let me but changed to IE8 up on top menu during download - just worked smooth.
thanks for a great find and a grand work as always- simsan
Contrary to what is stated DNT+ is not free. I installed it and immediately it told me my license was expired and directed me to a web page where I could purchase a monthly license. I removed it and sent a support message to Abine but no response.
I don't know what you saw, but it's definitely free. Try going to http://abine.com/dntdetail.php; that's what I did, got it for Chrome & Firefox; no issues at all.
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