Privacy question

maryfrench

I bought a fridgefreezer from Argos a couple of weeks ago and since then almost every web site I go on including US sites advertise the exact same fridgefreezer. Now this wasn't happening previous to the purchase. I am using Firefox and Google search. Is this a coincidence or not, anyone any ideas. Thanks.

closed

run ccleaner to wipe your cookies, and block adverts and tracking with a hosts file

http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download/portable

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

If you want to block all ads, try http://adblockplus.org/en/

aliEnRIK

Download HostsXpert
http://download.softpedia.com/dl/a688cad746f64494e3ba8aee103f97e4/4b3ceb67/100027041/software/system/HostsXpert.zip
and then follow the below steps.
* Unzip HostsXpert.zip
* It will create a folder named HostsXpert in whatever folder you extract it to.
* Run HostsXpert.exe by double clicking on it.
* click the Make Writeable? button.
* click Restore Microsoft's Hosts File and then click OK.
* Click the X to exit the program

closed

Not following your logic there Rik? Adverts don't necessarily mean a host file infection.

aliEnRIK

Seems to me that if all adverts are now seemingly of this new freezer (Which I find very odd by the way) then somethings put a redirect into the hosts file
A single cookie wouldnt be able to do that (Certainly not that im aware of anyways)

Be interesting to see what does cure it though

maryfrench

Just sorted this out. Apparently when you go on Comet's website to view something, not Argos, it automates a retargeting service called Criteo, which follows you as it has a cookie that is installed, anyway it allows you to opt out which is what I have done now. So its not as bad as I thought but still its not good.
Thanks anyway for all your advice.

closed

If you don't want to be tracked, it's safer to wipe all your cookies at boot, disable third party cookies in your browser, and use a blocking host file.

Opt out cookies still track, just don't display the ad.

Mse uses google analytics.

Chomeur

Yes, this is really annoying. I looked at an advert for Splendia Hotels, decided I didn't want to make a booking, and now I'm followed around by Splendia Hotels adverts everywhere I go. It reminds me of a Rag Week thing we use to have at University where you could pay someone to dress up as a gnome and follow someone you wanted to annoy around all day. I hope that disabling the banners works.

tronator

closed wrote: »

... and use a blocking host file.

Shouldn't the hosts file only be writable by an Administrator? Oh, I forgot, in Windows the first user has automatically Administrator rights. Thanks Bill

Strider590

This could be because of "Phorm", a targeted advertising system now being used my a number of ISPs.

Mr_Oink

I suspect it's some form of nefarious abuse, but the stupid thing is this - if you've *already* bought it - what's the point of advertising it to you? Artificial intelligence at it's dumbest ;-)