Internet tracking isn’t as scary as it sounds. Mainly, it’s used to collect data on internet users to improve their browsing experience. For example, sites like YouTube and Netflix can utilize internet tracking to suggest an episode of a show you may like or a movie based on your search history. Furthermore, retail sites can use internet tracking to recommend products that you may be interested in. And sites like Google can use it to recommend related websites.
On occasion, though, internet tracking is meant for more than user experience. Sites may be utilizing internet tracking to:
Yet, not everyone feels comfortable with internet tracking. And while it can be – for the most part – harmless, many internet users would prefer to keep their data private.
Before knowing how to stop the internet from tracking you, it’s important to know how exactly the internet tracks you. Over the years, the methods of internet tracking have been growing and growing. However, here are four ways the internet may collect, analyze, and track your activity.
Cookies are one of the most popular methods of internet tracking — more than 40 percent of websites use some type of cookie to track online activity. Cookies are essentially a storage file about how individual users interact with a website. Translation: They help the site remember what was added into your shopping cart, what news articles you’ve clicked on, and even the sort of website preferences you’ve selected. Because cookies are specific to websites, you’re always asked to either “accept” or “decline” cookies every time you enter a new site.
Whenever you make an account on a certain website, they’re probably using account tracking to their advantage. With this method, sites can monitor your online activity as you’re logged into your account. Typically, users are asked for their permission to be tracked in this way, but it’s important to note that certain sites might be sneakier about asking for permission.
Web beacons (or web bugs) are used to see how users interact with the specific actions of a website. This can be anything from the content you click on or the articles you open and read. Commonly, web beacons are used in email exchanges to mark if messages have been received or opened.
Browser fingerprinting takes all of the information about your device – its operating system, language preferences, time zone, etc. – to create a unique and specific online experience. This is called your “online fingerprint” and it can be used to personalize your time on the internet. Your fingerprint can then be traced back to you across the internet and different browsing sessions, making the internet as a whole more appealing for you, your interests, and your preferences.
Although there are many pros to internet tracking, it’s important to remember it can have its downsides as well. For instance, your data may be stolen or corrupted by cybercriminals and hackers, resulting in your personal and valuable information becoming vulnerable to identity theft or credit card fraud.
For these reasons, many internet users may opt out of internet tracking. But how can you get websites to stop tracking you? Here are a few ways to stop internet tracking in its tracks:
Internet tracking isn’t as scary as it may sound, and it’s not as malicious as many of us think it is. However, since it’s your data, it’s up to you to decide how comfortable you feel when it comes to internet privacy.
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