Looking Up Symptoms Online? These Companies Are Tracking You

As in, by invictusvoyd · 2015-02-23 09:16 · Score: 1

217.34.56.44 --> common cold
118.36.78.88 ---> headache
46.37.47.88 ----> slashdot beta
?

Re:As in, by MobSwatter · 2015-02-23 09:35 · Score: 1

https://www.google.com/#q=corp...

Ebola, measles, flu, CRE... by Ken+D · 2015-02-23 09:17 · Score: 1

surprised I'm not dead yet.

Mine must look horrible by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 09:18 · Score: 3, Funny

Man mine must look horrible. I've looked up things from House, Grey's Anatomy, Breaking Bad (meth), things I've read about on slashdot, CNN, pretty much anything I ever was curious about.

They either think I'm a hypochondriac or that I'm a druggie with dozens of diseases and ailments.

Re:Mine must look horrible by Kekke · 2015-02-23 09:26 · Score: 1

Well, as the time passes by and this gets outta hand the same pace it has thus far....
With that list @ year 2030 you will be considered as a "public" risk, or something similar.
And be terminated.
Re:Mine must look horrible by roc97007 · 2015-02-23 10:06 · Score: 1

Yeah, same here. When I hear a term or a disease or a disorder I hadn't heard of, I usually google it, as computer or phone are usually nearby. That must have created a really eclectic list of ailments and behaviors.
A few days ago I got a letter that my doctor had retired effective immediately. Maybe she saw the list...

--
Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
Re:Mine must look horrible by MobSwatter · 2015-02-23 10:51 · Score: 1

Now worries, you will be replaced by an artificially intelligent bot that will be programmed to use more and buy more to in general be a better consumer.
Re:Mine must look horrible by AdamThor · 2015-02-23 12:36 · Score: 1

Perhaps eventually we'll all run bots which search / click online randomly in order to disguise our actual movements with unusable SNR...

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-- "Oh. This guy again."
Re:Mine must look horrible by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 15:57 · Score: 0

"Fin and tail rot".
"Ich"
"gray or white fluffy patches"
It's all for a pet fish hobby but insurance may think I've turned into a zombe !
Re:Mine must look horrible by Neil+Boekend · 2015-02-23 20:29 · Score: 1

Curiosity killed the credit rating.

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Well, I might have a way, but it only works on a semi spherical planet in a vacuum.
Re:Mine must look horrible by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-24 02:02 · Score: 0

imagine the search profile compiled for a work-at-home medical coder or transcriptionist.

Sensational headline by mi · 2015-02-23 09:24 · Score: 4, Insightful

Companies are tracking you. Period. Whatever you do, on whatever site. That site and its partners are tracking you — as much as you can be identified, that is. And before you blame "KKKorporations", ask yourself, why a page like this has elements from AddThis and Google Analytics...

AdBlock to the rescue. Sort of.

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In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.

Re:Sensational headline by BoRegardless · 2015-02-23 09:48 · Score: 2

Fix: use library computers for sensitive searches.
Re:Sensational headline by Alrescha · 2015-02-23 09:51 · Score: 1

"AdBlock to the rescue"
I'd also suggest something like StartPage.com, and make use of their proxied results.
A.

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...bringing you cynical quips since 1998
Re:Sensational headline by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 09:51 · Score: 0

You forgot the block third party cookies by default and delete first party cookies on exit.
Re:Sensational headline by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 09:53 · Score: 0

I use StartPage.com to mask my searches. Saves that creepy feeling. No cookies, no IP address.
Re:Sensational headline by LessThanObvious · 2015-02-23 10:47 · Score: 1

Yes, everything is being tracked everywhere, to the greatest degree the consumer allows it to occur. The credit reporting agencies behavior overall is really a cause for concern. I think the central job these companies do should be firewalled off from all other commercial interests and activities. There is a risk of non-financial data creeping into financial evaluation of borrowers and job seekers and that has a lot of potential for harm. The credit reporting agencies are also guilty of sharing personal info in some very inappropriate ways. The Experian incident being a fine example: http://krebsonsecurity.com/201... . It's basically impossible to have a normal existence in the U.S. without allowing these companies to have your personal information. If we can't trust them to safeguard our data and use data appropriately, then none of us can be safe from fraud and unreasonable discrimination, no matter how careful we are in our own lives.
Re:Sensational headline by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 10:47 · Score: 0

but not ones for which you must enter your library card number to log on.
Re:Sensational headline by retroworks · 2015-02-23 11:01 · Score: 1

Also the article is so general that perfectly innocent tracking can't be distinguished from malevolent tracking. Do I realize that part of Google's search ranking involves tracking visits to a page, and to eliminate spoofing will keep a pageranking from being driven by a single IP address clicker? Yes. I want and expect that.
If they are selling particular information about MY search to insurance companies, I'll be as furious as anyone else here on /. But the description of tracking in the article is so general that I can't tell how concerned to be, which is equally annoying. I hate false positives.

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Gently reply
Re:Sensational headline by mi · 2015-02-23 11:08 · Score: 2

There is a risk of non-financial data creeping into financial evaluation of borrowers and job seekers and that has a lot of potential for harm.
What "harm"? If a syphilis-infection, for example, increases one's danger of bankruptcy, his credit score should reflect that. And if it does not have such an effect, nobody would care for that particular attribute of a profile, and thus the information brokers will not be paid for it.

It's basically impossible to have a normal existence in the U.S. without allowing these companies to have your personal information.
That's only because our understanding of "normal" is so high. And we've achieved that thanks to (in part) it being easy for creditors to check, whether a debtor is credit-worthy.

none of us can be safe from fraud and unreasonable discrimination
Fraud is an evil to be fought — to the point of chopping-off arms of the repeat offenders.
But what "unreasonable discrimination" are you talking about?

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In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
Re:Sensational headline by sjames · 2015-02-23 11:52 · Score: 1

What happens when they decide being a minority carries a higher risk? (even if it doesn't)
Many corporations have an unhealthy interest in people's personal lives whether the information is objectively relevant or not.
Re:Sensational headline by Sir_Substance · 2015-02-23 12:00 · Score: 1

My internet privacy and security suite consists of:
AdBlock Edge
Self Destructing Cookies
No Script
HTTPS Everywhere
Privacy Badger
Ghostery
Don't ride the information superhighway without them kiddies!
Re:Sensational headline by LessThanObvious · 2015-02-23 12:17 · Score: 1

| Re:--> What "harm"? If a syphilis-infection, for example, increases one's danger of bankruptcy, his credit score should reflect that.
I have no doubt serious medical problems, or any number of very private factors in an individuals personal life increase their risk of default. It doesn't mean there shouldn't be a curtain that that creditors should not be able to look behind. What a person shares unwittingly may not be covered by HIPPA, but protecting people from medical discrimination is in the spirit of why HIPPA exists. In this case we are talking about search history. There is no reliable way to know that the person doing the searching is the subject of the search, or that multiple financially unrelated people aren't sharing a computer. You can't legally discriminate in hiring based on medical info, creditors shouldn't ever be allowed to use that data either, especially not unsubstantiated data collected without the individual's knowledge.
Re:Sensational headline by mi · 2015-02-23 12:23 · Score: 1

What happens when they decide being a minority carries a higher risk? (even if it doesn't)
Well, that very much depends on whether it does or does not, does not it? The very item you chose to put into parentheses as an afterthought...

Many corporations have an unhealthy interest in people's personal lives whether the information is objectively relevant or not.
You aren't offering any citations, so it is safe to presume, you don't have any.
And for a good reason — corporations are about making money. They aren't going to pay for irrelevant information and, consequently, no one will be collecting the irrelevant information, which they would not be able to sell.

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In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
Re:Sensational headline by mi · 2015-02-23 12:35 · Score: 1

protecting people from medical discrimination is in the spirit of why HIPPA exists
No, it is not. HIPPA is about privacy, not discrimination.

There is no reliable way to know that the person doing the searching is the subject of the search
In that case, no would-be lender will be basing a decision on such flimsy item.

You can't legally discriminate in hiring based on medical info
I'm going to guess, you are referring to the Americans With Disabilities Act here (ADA), but, contrary to your understanding, it does allow "discrimination". One can, for example, reject a quadriplegic's application for a ballerina's position... An employer has to provide "reasonable accommodations" to a disabled employee, but if that's not sufficient, the employee is leaving (or not getting hired in the first place).

creditors shouldn't ever be allowed to use that data either, especially not unsubstantiated data collected without the individual's knowledge.
Why? Suppose for a second, the knowledge of one's medical problem is established beyond reasonable doubt — why are you against this information being used in estimation of his creditworthiness even in this case of absolute certainty?

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In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
Re:Sensational headline by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 13:02 · Score: 0

I'll blame corporations all day, because they're the ones doing this.
As to your question about why the cdc page has said elements--did you read the article? It's likely because whoever did that page used a free tool because it was free and because the developer was familiar with it. I mean, God forbid anybody who does things on the web these days ever learn how anything works, right? Of course, if whoever did the cdc page had done that, then right-wingers would be all up at arms because why would the government write software when private industry can do it "better" (and by "better" they mean corporations profiting off of government activities)
So, nice try in attempting to divert blame from where it belongs, but this belongs squarely with private enterprise and is yet another epic fail of under-regulated capitalism as practiced in the US.
Re:Sensational headline by sjames · 2015-02-23 13:12 · Score: 2

I'm pretty sure all those "whites only" and "Irish need not apply" signs were hung by businesses.
I understand some business today aren't that fond of people who are gay or use birth control.
Re:Sensational headline by RabidReindeer · 2015-02-23 13:43 · Score: 1

You aren't offering any citations, so it is safe to presume, you don't have any.
Companies vetting candidates via FaceBook, et. al.?
Re:Sensational headline by LessThanObvious · 2015-02-23 13:59 · Score: 1

I'd still say one primary benefit of said HIPPA privacy is that the personal information can't be used against you. I'll admit I am disappointed to find discrimination in hiring due to medical status can be legal if it doesn't qualify under ADA, GINA or Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA). I'd always thought all medical info was off limits for employment screening, but I guess that is just HR keeping us from asking questions that might expose an issue in a protected category. As far as creditors being able to deny you a loan for medical reasons, I'd really hate to see people who need to take out a home equity line in order to deal with a medical crisis potentially get denied because they have a medical crisis. There are cases where lenders will get burned because of something they don't know, but allowing medical info into the mix with traditional financial info is an ethical rabbit hole that I feel is best avoided.
Re:Sensational headline by penguinoid · 2015-02-23 14:23 · Score: 1

Companies are tracking you. Period. Whatever you do, on whatever site.

True but not everyone immediately makes the connection from "companies are tracking everything I do on the web" to "looking up the strange symptoms my friend has could result in my health insurance company raising my premiums".

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Don't waste your vote! Vote for whoever you want, unless you live in a swing state it won't matter anyways
Re:Sensational headline by ultranova · 2015-02-23 16:04 · Score: 1

If a syphilis-infection, for example, increases one's danger of bankruptcy, his credit score should reflect that.

If syphilis increases one's danger of bankruptcy, then creditors can earn higher profits by having your credit scores reflect your syphilis status. But why should those potential profits trump your privacy?

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Forget magic. Any technology distinguishable from divine power is insufficiently advanced.
Re:Sensational headline by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 17:32 · Score: 0

Fix: use library computers for sensitive searches.
I just use my neighbor's wifi. As far as the ad companies can tell he's got AIDs, Ebola, and Cancer. Not to mention it appears he's a chronic masturbator.
Re:Sensational headline by mi · 2015-02-23 18:30 · Score: 1

I'm pretty sure all those "whites only" and "Irish need not apply" signs were hung by businesses.
For better or worse such thoughtcrimes are currently illegal — we certainly aren't as free as we like to think of ourselves.
But most of other discrimination remains perfectly legal — especially based on increased risk of a disease. Ever heard of "quarantine"? Of unvaccinated children barred from schools?..
So, if kids, who are — in somebody's opinion — higher-risk, may be left without education — or forcibly vaccinated against their parents' will — why can't a carrier of actual debilitating disease of some kind be asked for a higher mortgage downpayment (or some other risk-mitigating measure)?

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In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
Re:Sensational headline by sjames · 2015-02-23 20:46 · Score: 1

Beyond the obvious don't you think they have enough trouble, there's the little brother/stalking aspect, the lack of evidence the person looking up the disease actually has it (perhaps a friend or relative), etc.
Health information is considered significant enough to pass HIPAA. Looking at this data looks more than a little like an attempt to end run HIPAA. While not actually illegal, it is certainly questionable.
Meanwhile, note that your link about unvaccinated children applies DURING OUTBREAKS. Otherwise exemptions for medical reasons and for religious and philosophical objection are the norm. In the case of religious objection, it's unlikely to change.
Re: Sensational headline by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-24 00:55 · Score: 0

Does AdBlock collect data on
Re:Sensational headline by tehcyder · 2015-02-24 04:29 · Score: 1

Fix: use library computers for sensitive searches.
As these are presumably run by The Government somehow, you're really not being paranoid enough.
My solution is only to browse in secondhand book shops for sensitive information. Then burn the shop down after you leave.

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To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it

So what's the worst case infectious disease? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 09:27 · Score: 0

Organize a group from a small area in Las Vegas or DC to look up the symptoms of ebola simultaneously.

Re:So what's the worst case infectious disease? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 09:31 · Score: 0

Funny, in more ways than one. DC would probably start $hitting their panties.

confidentially, we assume by WillgasM · 2015-02-23 09:29 · Score: 1

we did?

To quote Adam Savage by sbrown7792 · 2015-02-23 09:32 · Score: 2

confidentially, we assume

Well there's your problem!
Are you paying these companies for access to their information database? If you're not paying, YOU'RE THE PRODUCT.

Re:To quote Adam Savage by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 10:00 · Score: 0

If you ARE paying...are you paying ENOUGH?
If X makes you $A dollars and Y makes you $B dollars and X/Y aren't mutually exclusive YOU DO BOTH - regardless of the relative values of A and B.
X is downstream subscription revenues. Y is upstream partner revenues.
In this case the only exclusion occurs because of public opinion and soft, squishy issues like "people not liking the tracking thing". e.g. the risk is that you find out, but there's enough bad-will in the industry now that we expect everyone to be assholes by default. The really big problem is that we don't know the body of people that make up "Y" and we don't get a choice in that. Your information passes to an entity and they decide, with sole-discretion, who gets to see your data. Best business practice decrees this is "the person throwing the most $$$s at you" and the problem is those people are often the least trustworthy. They didn't get rich offering out cotton candy y'know...
Re:To quote Adam Savage by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 10:41 · Score: 0

You know pharmacies do the same thing as these websites?
Nothing stops them from taking your money and then selling your information on top too.
Re:To quote Adam Savage by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 11:56 · Score: 0

"You're the product."
*face palm*
If people don't get it by now, they never will–no matter how many times you drag out that tired, old retort.

Stupid assumptions by taustin · 2015-02-23 09:38 · Score: 1

. . . confidentially, we assume . . .

Why would anyone assume that? How clueless does someone have to be in 2015 to not understand that nothing on the internet is private, ever, in any way. It is a public place. Do not do anything on the internet you would not do in your front lawn.

Re:Stupid assumptions by Actually,+I+do+RTFA · 2015-02-23 09:55 · Score: 4, Funny

. Do not do anything on the internet you would not do in your front lawn.
There's lots of stuff I feel fine doing on my front lawn, but not on the internet. Well... felt fine. Fucking invasive Google cars show up at the most inopportune times.

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Your ad here. Ask me how!
Re:Stupid assumptions by epine · 2015-02-23 11:48 · Score: 1

Do not do anything on the internet you would not do in your front lawn.
Unimpeachable advice, if you've satisfied with having 100% of your brain devoted to the problem of what idiots with power might possibly think.
There's a name for what happens when people draw false conclusions from information they've obtained by skulking around that was never intended for their ears in the first place: it's called situation comedy.
Your advice is a prescription for madness on a global scale.
Re:Stupid assumptions by taustin · 2015-02-23 11:54 · Score: 1

Your sincere desire to be able to do whatever you want without fear of consequences does not change the fact that the internet is a public place, and inherently so. It cannot be made otherwise.
Re:Stupid assumptions by WaffleMonster · 2015-02-23 12:08 · Score: 1

Why would anyone assume that? How clueless does someone have to be in 2015 to not understand that nothing on the internet is private, ever, in any way. It is a public place. Do not do anything on the internet you would not do in your front lawn.
Even in public stalking is still illegal.

mess with their data by pinkfalcon · 2015-02-23 09:45 · Score: 5, Funny

okay - everyone within 10 miles of a nuclear reactor start searching for symptoms of hallucinations of aliens and swelling in only the right pinky toe. Maybe throw in random deafness every 10 minutes lasting for 30 seconds.

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Real SUV's don't have cupholders
It's 5:42 A.M., do you know where your stack pointer is?

Re:mess with their data by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 09:51 · Score: 0

...and then, at exactly 3:26 PM, everybody switches off the main circuit breaker in their building at the same time.
Re:mess with their data by hattable · 2015-02-23 10:05 · Score: 1

Use it to your advantage too. Search for: "I feel too healthy" or "Why do I never get sick?"

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OMG facts!
Re:mess with their data by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 10:45 · Score: 0

We need an app or browser plugin that just periodically, in the background, sends a search string from a (large) list of interesting possibilities to various companies and search engines. Raise the noise level.
For bonus points, it could tweak the user agent string, route via Tor or StartPage.com, etc.
To make it really hard to filter noise from real queries, maybe have a "theme of the day". Today we're going to search for hallucinations of aliens, tomorrow its sting-ray technology, the day after it's cribs and baby blankets....
Re: mess with their data by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 14:22 · Score: 0

Actually, the one and only solution is to use encryption. ALL calls, and emails - encrypted both ends EVERY time. For casual surfing I use Tor. For sites that essentially break, your only recourse is a hosts file as well as browser security plugins and a good firewall. Public browsing such as with a phone via data OR via wifi won't be very secure at all by default. Again, tor, unless the site breaks, is the only way.
What we need is a national campaign to install encryption based aps on phones and to actively reject phones encapable of encryted communications by default. Surfing I'm only slightly concerned with. My calls and emails are a critical concern however.
Re:mess with their data by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 16:30 · Score: 0

I started complaining about symptoms of coins falling out of my ass and got audited the next day.
Re:mess with their data by knorthern+knight · 2015-02-23 18:11 · Score: 2

> I started complaining about symptoms of coins falling
> out of my ass and got audited the next day.
That's a new type of currency. Maybe we should call it butt-coin.

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I'm not repeating myself
I'm an X window user; I'm an ex-Windows user

Re:As in, Lung Cancer? by BoRegardless · 2015-02-23 09:46 · Score: 1

So you wondered, as a long time smoker, why you were denied a Life Insurance policy or maybe a job?

Re:As in, Lung Cancer? by Penguinisto · 2015-02-23 09:49 · Score: 3, Informative

Replace "smoker" with "diabetic", "downs syndrome parent", "thyroid issue" (obesity), etc etc...

Once that box is opened, all bets are off as to what can be denied. ;)

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Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?

as a health care provider... by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 09:54 · Score: 1

I'm a chiropractor. I often look up conditions patients report they, and not limited to musculo-skeletal conditions that I treat. (Did you know that syphilis can cause "brittle bone disease?" Something that's good for me to know).
Anyway, if they assign my searches to my personal profile it's probably rather confusing: I'm a 72 year old man with possible Alzheimers's, Paget's disease, acne, whiplash, maybe a victim of child abuse, Guillan Barre, fibromyalgia, who fell off a horse and dislocated my coccyx, but this was before the onset of my first menses a few weeks ago right after I gave birth to my second child.
I'm probably black listed from everything!

Re:as a health care provider... by gnasher719 · 2015-02-23 10:07 · Score: 1

Anyway, if they assign my searches to my personal profile it's probably rather confusing: I'm a 72 year old man with possible Alzheimers's, Paget's disease, ...

They are not confused. But your credit score is around minus a gazillion :-)
Re:as a health care provider... by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 12:11 · Score: 0

I feel like listing all these obscure conditions that you've performed searches on is likely to give the algorithms enough data to lead back to your practice.

Well fuck by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 09:59 · Score: 0

I was going to try to say,

confidentially, we assume

First mistake.

But a million other people beat me to the punch. There is one simple truth about networked and probably some stand alone machines. Confidentiality is as real a the unicorn, and the Christian/Muslim god. Get over it. The key is now to take away their confidentiality. Allow them no secrets. Not until then will you ever see respect for how things are used.

Oh, and stop reelecting corrupt politicians... Fuck you whiners about lack of choice!

Re:Well fuck by MobSwatter · 2015-02-23 11:04 · Score: 1

Not really about electing, one can only go along with the installation. The choices are always owned before being placed on the ballet.
Re:Well fuck by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 17:36 · Score: 0

That is complete bullshit, and besides, you shouldn't reelect them then. The people that work the system work it every day. The lazy voter, on the other hand, shows up once every two years, if at all. Every representative government is a perfect reflection of the voting public, at worst it is a slightly exaggerated caricature. It does nothing without the public's full consent.

Ghostery by swell · 2015-02-23 10:02 · Score: 1

Ordinary cookies are rarely a problem but web bugs can be. These can be found at slashdot. Some sites have 20 of 'em. Ghostery seems to stop them.

Google AdWords Conversion: Advertising
Google Dynamic Remarketing: Advertising
ScoreCard Research Beacon: Beacons, Analytics
WebTrends: Beacons

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...omphaloskepsis often...

Re:Ghostery by Jeremy+Erwin · 2015-02-23 11:24 · Score: 1

Ghostery seems good at blocking the comments at Gawker media sites. Now, I know that the vast majority of Kinja comments aren't up to the standards of /., but it would be nice to read comments some of the time...

Under the GOP system anything can get you blacklis by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 10:03 · Score: 1

Under the GOP system anything can get you blacklisted and the ER only covers so much

I wonder... by roc97007 · 2015-02-23 10:08 · Score: 1

It doesn't seem like there's any way to know whether I'm googling afflictions of mine or had by family members or friends. (Many of which obviously apply to the other sex.) How is that supposed to work?

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Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.

HIPPA violation? by KlomDark · 2015-02-23 10:13 · Score: 1

Since this is related to personal health issues, could they possibly be in violation of HIPPA privacy requirements?

Re:HIPPA violation? by Khashishi · 2015-02-23 10:27 · Score: 1

Doesn't webMD say something to the extent of, "This website is not intended to provide medical advice." after each page of medical advice?
Re:HIPPA violation? by Richard_at_work · 2015-02-23 10:27 · Score: 1

No, HIPPA doesn't cover you plastering your own information all over the internet.
Re:HIPPA violation? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 11:53 · Score: 0

Are you a lawyer? I have doubts. In any case this is the typical interpretation:
1. Entities or persons that provide data transmission services to a covered entity and require routine access to protected health information (PHI)
2. Subcontractors that create, receive, maintain, or transmit PHI on behalf of a business associate
3. Vendors that offer personal health records to one or more individuals on behalf of a covered entity
Any Healthcare provider and anyone who puts healthcare information into any standardized format are required to abide by HIPPA.THese sites are probably a stretch to be called Healthcare Providers so it's still the wild west as far as your data is concerned!
On the other hand if any of your healthcare network access this information EVER - then HIPPA definitely applies!
Re:HIPPA violation? by SecurityGuy · 2015-02-23 14:30 · Score: 1

If you don't know that it's HIPAA, not "HIPPA", you are probably not qualified to say when it applies.

Trackers on Slashdot by duckintheface · 2015-02-23 10:18 · Score: 2

When I clicked on this story, I checked my Privacy Badger listing. It showed 3 trackers operating on Slashdot:
b.scorecardresearch.com
cdn.taboola.com
googlea....doubleclick.net

I'm using Privacy Badger (from the Free Software Foundation) to block all three.

--
"He took a duck in the face at 250 knots." -- William Gibson, Pattern Recognition

Re:Trackers on Slashdot by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 11:44 · Score: 3, Interesting

Using Ghostery. I see on Slashdot:
DoubleClick Advertising
Google AdWords Conversion Advertising
Google Analytics Analytics, Analytics
Janrain Widgets
ScoreCard Research Beacon Beacons, Analytics
Taboola Widgets, Video Player
Zedo Advertising
I block all trackers on all sites. That way nobody knows about mt STDs

Say again ? by lippydude · 2015-02-23 10:20 · Score: 1

Why does my browser visit these websites when I only want to visit slashdot?

dice.com, fonts.googleapis.com, fsdn.com, google-analytics.com, googletagservices.com, janrain.com, ooyala.com, rpxnow.com, scorecardresearch.com, taboola.com, zedo.com ...

Re:Say again ? by dafdaf · 2015-02-24 00:06 · Score: 1

That might be because you don't have Ghostery installed.
Btw. a really nice plugin to visualize all those background connections is Lightbeam: https://addons.mozilla.org/En-...

--
To error is human, to forgive, beyond the scope of the OS.
Re:Say again ? by jafiwam · 2015-02-24 04:42 · Score: 1

Why does my browser visit these websites when I only want to visit slashdot?
dice.com, fonts.googleapis.com, fsdn.com, google-analytics.com, googletagservices.com, janrain.com, ooyala.com, rpxnow.com, scorecardresearch.com, taboola.com, zedo.com ...
Whew. At least it doesn't have zombo.com on that list.

IP address? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 10:21 · Score: 0

So the third party has my internet protocol address. They cannot personally identify me or my street address. Are they going to take the time to contact my internet service provider and ask the ISP for my name, address and phone number? I have set my browser to delete cookies on exit and to disallow third party cookies.

Re:IP address? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 10:50 · Score: 0

Ever ordered anything on the internet for delivery to your street address?
Are you sure they (for various sets of "they") can't personally identify you or your address?
Re:IP address? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 10:56 · Score: 0

Clarifying:
Every place on the internet where you've ever entered personal information -- or confirmed your identity by logging in -- can (unless they threw the info away) tie you to a particular IP (or small set of IPs).
Now, even if you're not worried about just one of those sites selling that info, consider that it includes your insurance company if you've ever checked something about your account via their web site. All they'd have to do is buy lists of queries by IP and correlate that with their own customer data.
Re:IP address? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 11:46 · Score: 0

I have set my browser to delete cookies on exit and to disallow third party cookies.
That might have done some good 10 years ago.
Do you also change up your computer's monitor resolution and color depth on a regular basis? Have you disabled canvas elements in your browser? STUN requests? What browser plugins do you run, and which plugins does your browser say are there when it's queried for that information? What fonts are installed on your computer? It goes on. And when you start configuring your system to mask this information, you become identifiable because of what your browser doesn't say.
Panopticlick is something you should look at. Don't rely on that alone.
Re:IP address? by tehcyder · 2015-02-24 04:41 · Score: 1

Do you also change up your computer's monitor resolution and color depth on a regular basis?
Er no, does anyone?

--
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it

Use a browser that default blocks the trackers by schwit1 · 2015-02-23 10:31 · Score: 1

Here is one https://epicbrowser.com/

Clickbait headline by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 10:38 · Score: 0

I would like to submit that "These companies are tracking you" is just as worthless as "one weird trick." I feel like I'm reading buzzfeed or upworthy or something.

Library computers even worse by mi · 2015-02-23 10:44 · Score: 2

I, for one, find web-browsing without AdBlock to be suffocating nowadays. Upon coming to an unfamiliar site I usually spend a few minutes to add its stable of 1x1 "images", anal ytics, and new relics to the black list. I then remove the elements (divs, headers, footers, and sections), of cruft, as well as the site's own spelling of "social sharebar".

Once only the article's text and, possibly, article-specific illustrations remain, can I get down to reading it — a luxury rarely obtained on a government-provided computer.

Besides, whatever you may think of corporate efforts to pierce through your anonymity online, you are certainly not anonymous to the nice librarian ladies — without any efforts on their part.

--
In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.

Re:Library computers even worse by tlhIngan · 2015-02-23 11:16 · Score: 4, Interesting

Besides, whatever you may think of corporate efforts to pierce through your anonymity online, you are certainly not anonymous to the nice librarian ladies â" without any efforts on their part.
Except librarians typically are of the freedom loving kind - they see the government intrusions are doing what they can to stop them.
Your signing In on the library computers is likely destroyed by the librarians as soon as you leave, if not by the end of the day - by not having the records, it means the librarian can honestly answer that they have no idea who used it yesterday.
It's happened with book lending records - after a bunch of government requests on lender history, libraries started routinely destroying the record after the book is returned.
Re:Library computers even worse by mi · 2015-02-23 12:10 · Score: 1

Except librarians typically are of the freedom loving kind
Except researching symptoms of syphilis will totally destroy your chances with the cutest among them, whereas the worst a KKKorporation can do with the information is try to sell you a treatment.

- they see the government intrusions are doing what they can to stop them.
They work for the government. If they are instructed to retain records tomorrow, they'll start retaining them.

after a bunch of government requests on lender history, libraries started routinely destroying the record after the book is returned.
That was an excellent opportunity for you to offer citations, but, even if you have any, it may be smoke up your (and mine) eyes to make us believe, library computers are saf — because of the heroic librarians. I'd just use tor.

--
In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
Re:Library computers even worse by HiThere · 2015-02-23 14:00 · Score: 1

It's even simpler than that. Usually the computers are already running, and you don't need to tell anyone what you are searching for. and the next user will cover your browsing history just like you covered the history of the prior user. And there's no sign-up log. (The librarians are too busy to bother with such things.)
The only problem is you need to use a computer with MSWind installed. And usually an old browser.

--

I think we've pushed this "anyone can grow up to be president" thing too far.
Re:Library computers even worse by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 14:34 · Score: 0

> They work for the government. If they are instructed to retain records tomorrow, they'll start retaining them.
That was an excellent opportunity for you to offer citations, but, even if you have any, it may be smoke up your (and mine) eyes to make us believe, library computers are unsafe — because of the pernicious librarians.
Re:Library computers even worse by Devoidoid · 2015-02-24 02:38 · Score: 2

Librarians do not work for the government. That's slander, that is.

after a bunch of government requests on lender history, libraries started routinely destroying the record after the book is returned.
That was an excellent opportunity for you to offer citations, but, even if you have any, it may be smoke up your (and mine) eyes to make us believe, library computers are saf — because of the heroic librarians. I'd just use tor.
"RESOLVED, That the American Library Association urges all libraries to adopt and implement patron privacy and record retention policies that affirm that "the collection of personally identifiable information should only be a matter of routine or policy when necessary for the fulfillment of the mission of the library" (ALA Privacy: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights); and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the American Library Association considers sections of the USA PATRIOT Act are a present danger to the constitutional rights and privacy rights of library users and urges the United States Congress to:
provide active oversight of the implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act and other related measures, and the revised Attorney General Guidelines to the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
hold hearings to determine the extent of the surveillance on library users and their communities; and amend or change the sections of these laws and the guidelines that threaten or abridge the rights of inquiry and free expression..."
(http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=ifresolutions&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=11891)
"The library will do its utmost to uphold the privacy and confidentiality of patrons’ free access to information. The library follows the laws and library policies to control behavior that involves public safety or criminal behavior.
Does the “Patriot Act” Change Things?
Yes, and this is a dilemma for the North Adams Public Library. The library has the responsibility of protecting the privacy of its patrons while responding to national security concerns.
Should library records be requested under the USA Patriot Act, the law states that in certain circumstances, library staff cannot inform the person about whom the information is requested, cannot speak to co-workers, the media or other government officials about the inquiry. Such requests, should they occur, may only be reported to the appropriate higher authority within the library. Under the USA PATRIOT Act, failure to comply with the search warrant, or of other applicable terms of those acts, is a felony.
...
The NAPL Procedures Regarding Information Access and Confidentiality
...
Once a search has been conducted, the software does not retain a copy of the search, and therefore no record of the search will exist.
...
Patrons use their library card to check out a computer but the record of this use is cleared when the next person logs on to the computer. When the patron logs off the Gates computers the software erases all history of their research and activity. The Dell computers keep the history for 24 hours after a patron has logged off.
...
When a hold is placed on a patron’s account, by the patron or a library staff member, the system creates a link to that item. No long-term record of the hold is retained by C/WMARS beyond the point of the circulation transaction.
...
Interlibrary Loan Records: These transactions are for requested items that do not appear in the C/W MARS network libraries. The NAPL tracks these items until they are returned to the owning library then all paper records are destroyed.
(http://www.naplibrary.com/policies/patriotact/)
"In protecting the privacy rights and the confidentiality rights of library us

Environment by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 10:51 · Score: 0

Humans, more than most animals, have the ability to shape their own environment. What interests me is the fundamental sickness of the environment we've built for ourselves. We are suffering from advertising pollution. It saturates everything - the web, the airwaves, the streets, the sporting grounds, and even the clothes you wear. To what end? What do we get out of it? It seems we get a junk economy premised on artificial needs. Let's end advertising pollution. Let's build ourselves a better environment.

Maybe NoScript? by s.petry · 2015-02-23 10:52 · Score: 1

Not perfect, nothing is... but NoScript blocks tons of these. Also double check your cookie settings, and remove anything you don't know. In fact I'm looking currently at Slashdot having 7 other sites want to give me content. I have allowed 3/8 because that is the minimum to post, and I can guarantee that every remaining connection would attempt to dump a tracking cookie in my browser.

If you want to be really bothered, try looking at CNN or Fox News with no script on. nearly 30 other sites are trying to track your activities on those.

--

-The wise argue that there are few absolutes, the fool argues that there are no probabilities.

Re:Maybe NoScript? by LessThanObvious · 2015-02-23 11:17 · Score: 1

For me it's NoScript, Adblock, Ghostery, BetterPrivacy and Refcontrol, on every computer, every time. Only Startpage for search. I'd love to support DuckDuckGo, but the search results aren't as effective at this point. I blackhole over 300 domains in DNS just for good measure. Google's Advertising Cookie Opt-Out plugin is useless because I clear all cookies and temp files every time I shut down. Without using TOR, that's about as good as I know how to get it. I also null route over 100 foreign /8 IP address blocks, but that is about security rather than tracking.

Gurgle is the government by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 11:11 · Score: 0

Easiest explanation.

The joke is that the Vice website has 12 trackers. by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 11:17 · Score: 0

Everyone does it, even the people denouncing it.

Solomon by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 11:28 · Score: 0

This is why I do not use Chrome. I can not be 100% sure that I can switch everything off and have no time to dissect trafic after each new version.

Incognito mode by hawguy · 2015-02-23 11:36 · Score: 2

I always use Chrome's Incognito Mode when looking up symptoms from myself, and regular mode when I look up symptoms for someone else (or something I saw on TV). So WebMD might think I have an ectopic pregnancy, but they would be wrong.

Re:Incognito mode by Technician · 2015-02-23 13:02 · Score: 1

A Raspberry Pi with a fresh install works great for searching stuff. Use a public hotspot with a WiFi game adapter. Leaves no traces that can be identified. Wipe and repeat. They can set all the trackers they want. Not much globally unique on a Pi besides the Mac.

--
The truth shall set you free!
Re:Incognito mode by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 14:37 · Score: 2, Informative

Incognito doesn't stop them from recording your IP address. Especially if they don't have any other information about you they are going to zero in on your IP address and use it to integrate the data from your previous (and future) browsing records,
Re:Incognito mode by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 21:32 · Score: 0

Sandbox your browser, use a VPN. I use Sandboxie (free for home use); It wipes any and all traces of browser activity when you close the browser.
Re:Incognito mode by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 22:39 · Score: 0

Does it mask your IP? No.
Re:Incognito mode by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-24 03:32 · Score: 0

Chrome is the brainchild of Google.
Based on that alone, I trust Chrome even less than I do the other mainstream browsers.
The same can be said for Android based phones. I do not add any apps to the phone,
cull the majority that come with it, nor use it for purposes such as online banking, or
email accounts other than throwaway ones.
Then again, their trust level is no better or worse than the rest, ( Apple, BigTelco, etc )
so the same rules apply to them as well.
Captcha: Illusion
Re:Incognito mode by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-24 06:15 · Score: 0

Why would anyone who values privacy in any facet use chrome? Anyway, what I do for looking up things like this is use ixquick, aka startpage, and in the results click the proxy option. ixquick will proxy the page to you with no javascript. A lot of pages will return an error telling you that you can't view the page through a proxy, so I just move on to the next search result.
I do run adblock and noscript, but the above method requires neither for privacy.

Adblock Already Sold Out by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 12:07 · Score: 0

Recently reported that Google, MS, Bing, Yahoo, Apple all have paid Adblock to whitelist their adservers. That's right. They just paid Adblock 30 million to be whitelisted (google it).

It's the reason I use a very strict Hosts File (even in Windows) along with NoScript configured to "DENY ALL" by default (I'll whitelist those sites I need). I also am not bothering with updating firefox - there's only 1 unpatched vulnerability in my version and it still hasn't been fixed in 2 years.

Adblock Edge, or Pale Moon with Adblock Latitude. by Futurepower(R) · 2015-02-23 12:57 · Score: 3, Informative

Use Adblock Edge. By hiding what it was doing, Adblock Plus has killed itself.

By hiding what it was doing when it sneakily adopted Microsoft Bing search, calling it Yahoo search, Mozilla Foundation has done irreparable harm to Firefox. Mozilla Foundation seems to be driving users to the Pale Moon 64-bit version of Firefox with Adblock Latitude.

Re:As in, Lung Cancer? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 13:05 · Score: 1

Replace "smoker" with "diabetic", "downs syndrome parent", "thyroid issue" (obesity), etc etc...

Or good ol' curiosity. Whether you (the general you, not you personally) are ok with this or not when it comes to.. for lack of a better word.. dealing with people with such conditions, I think we can all agree that there is no way to tell if the person doing the searching has such conditions, or is simply curious.

Easy Fix by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 13:05 · Score: 1

Use Ixquick. Simply go to Ixquick and search for, say, "WebMD blisters" and once results paint, click Proxy. No tracking...

Re:As in, Lung Cancer? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 13:41 · Score: 1

Well, why should the NSA be the only ones who get to have any fun?

Re:As in, Lung Cancer? by dpilot · 2015-02-23 13:53 · Score: 2

Wish I had mod points. This has been one of my problems with the whole NSA scandal - it has taken eyes off of the bigger problem. Even as people think of protecting themselves from the various Three Letter Agencies, they forget about the ones that end in ".com".

--
The living have better things to do than to continue hating the dead.

How do they know it's for you? by cascadingstylesheet · 2015-02-23 14:12 · Score: 1

Seriously, how many things do you look up out of curiosity, or for a relative or friend, or because your favorite TV character supposedly contracted it, or ...

Re:As in, Lung Cancer? by SecurityGuy · 2015-02-23 14:27 · Score: 2

Or is researching something a family member, friend, acquantance, etc has.

I'm fortunate to be healthy as the proverbial horse, but people I know have come down with some nasties lately, and I've done some research to try to understand their conditions.

Assuming people only read about ailments they have is rather stupid.

AdBlock = Inferior + 'Souled-Out'... apk by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 14:44 · Score: 0

APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ SR-1 32/64-bit:

http://start64.com/index.php?o...

FREE & adds speed, security, + reliability, doing more with less, more efficiently vs. addons + fixes DNS' redirect security issues:

---

A.) Hosts do more than:

1.) AdBlock ("souled-out" 2 Google/Crippled by default http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/... & ABP too http://finance.yahoo.com/news/... )
2.) Ghostery (Advertiser owned) - "Fox guards henhouse" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G...
3.) Request Policy -> http://yro.slashdot.org/commen...

B.) Hosts add reliability vs. downed/redirected dns (& overcome site redirects e.g. /. beta).

C.) Hosts secure vs. malicious domains too -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme... w/ less "moving parts" complexity

D.) Hosts files yield more:

1.) Speed (adblock & hardcodes fav sites - faster than remote dns)
2.) Security (vs. malicious domains serving malcontent + block spam/phish & trackers)
3.) Reliability (vs. downed, Kaminsky redirected (99% ISP DNS' = unpatched vs. it), DGA, Fastflux, & dynDNS botnets)
4.) Anonymity (vs. dns request logs + dnsbl's).

---

* Hosts do more w/ less (1 file) @ faster levels (ring 0) vs redundant inefficient addons (slowing slower ring 3 browsers) via filtering 4 the IP stack (coded in C, loads w/ os, & 1st net resolver queried w\ 45++ yrs.of optimization).

* Addons = more complex + slow browsers in messagepassing (use a few concurrently & see) & are nullified by native browser methods - It's how Clarityray's destroying Adblock.

* Addons slowup slower usermode browsers layering on more - & bloat RAM consumption + excessive cpu use too (4++gb extra in FireFox https://blog.mozilla.org/nneth...)

(Instead, work w/ a more capable native kernelmode part you already have - hosts (An integrated part of the ip stack))

APK

P.S.=> "The premise is quite simple: Take something designed by nature & reprogram it to make it work for the body rather than against it..." - Dr. Alice Krippen: "I am legend"

...apk

Ask yourselves these questions... apk by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 15:04 · Score: 0

Can adblock do 16 things hosts do for speed, security, & reliability:

1.) Protect vs. malicious sites/servers (beyond malicious ads: See 2-10 next)
2.) Protect vs. fastflux botnets + stop communication to C&C servers
3.) Protect vs. dynamic dns botnets + stop communication to C&C servers
4.) Protect vs. DGA botnets + stop communication to C&C servers
5.) Protect vs. downed DNS (adds reliability)
6.) Protect vs. DNS redirect poisoned dns
7.) Protect vs. trackers
8.) Protect vs. spam
9.) Protect vs. phishing
10.) Protect vs. bandwidth caps
11.) Get you past a dnsbl
12.) Keep you off dns request logs
13.) Speed up websurfing by adblocks & hardcoded fav. sites
14.) Work on ANY webbound app (think stand-alone email programs) multiplatform.
15.) Give you easily texteditor controlled data for the above
16.) Do all that & block ads (better than addons) more efficiently in cpu cycles + memory usage

* ANSWER ="NO" to each above on AdBlock doing it as well or at all!

APK

P.S.=> AdBlock does FAR less than hosts do & FAR less efficiently - hosts by way of comparison, do MORE w/ less + Hosts start w/ the IP stack before REDUNDANT inefficient addons BEGIN to operate (as 1st resolver queried):

AdBlock's 4++gb & 100% CPU usage flooring inefficiency -> https://blog.mozilla.org/nneth... + ClarityRay defeats it + it 'souled-out' & is crippled by default paid off to not do its job http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/... & ABP too http://finance.yahoo.com/news/...

AdBlock adds complexity/room for breakdown/exploit + from a slower mode of operations (usermode = more messagepassing overheads vs. hosts in kernelmode).

For the BEST hosts file?

APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ SR-1 32/64-bit -> http://start64.com/index.php?o...

MalwareBytes' hpHosts Admin (MalwareBytes employee) hosts & recommends it -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Downl... & MalwareBytes = BEST antivirus http://www.av-test.org/en/news...

... apk

how to make the internet not suck (as much) by Paul+Fernhout · 2015-02-23 15:42 · Score: 1

http://someonewhocares.org/hos...

--
A 21st century issue: the irony of technologies of abundance in the hands of those still thinking in terms of scarcity.

Re:As in, Lung Cancer? by pepty · 2015-02-23 16:17 · Score: 1

Replace "smoker" with "assembling search terms for patent searches for drugs for different diseases every week" I

I asked AdBlock's creator those questions... apk by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 16:59 · Score: 0

Result? W. Palant RAN after he wrote me by email 1st saying "hosts are a shitty solution" to which I replied:

"Show us adblock can do more for added speed, security, reliability, & anonymity than hosts can, + that adblock does it more efficiently than hosts"

Which on my latter 'point-in-challenge' on efficiency AdBlock's proven by research to be MASSIVELY inefficient -> https://blog.mozilla.org/nneth... & adblock does FAR less than hosts (especially crippled by default).

I sent Wladimir Palant that challenge in response to his statement from 2 different email addresses I use!

Result = Still no answer from him in regard to my challenge put to him to this very day MONTHS later - that tell you anything? It did me!

He knows his addon is less efficient & features laden by FAR vs. hosts - Wladimir Palant RAN like a scared rabbit!

ClarityRay's also DESTROYING AdBlock - via native browser methods to DUMP what addons you use (it can't DO THAT to hosts files).

I only tell it how it is on hosts' superiority vs. AdBlock - Funny part is, Wladimir Palant running does too!

Especially considering "Almost ALL Ads Blocked" has 'souled-out' -> Google & Others Pay Adblock Plus To Show You Ads Anyway: http://news.slashdot.org/comme... & ABP too http://finance.yahoo.com/news/...

APK

P.S.=> Bottom-Line: Hosts = a superior solution that also fixes DNS redirect security issues (vs. browser addons & their inefficiencies + messagepassing overheads as well as myriad lack of abilities hosts have from 1 file that's part of the IP stack itself - faster, more efficient, & less redundant as well, since TCP/IP has 45++ yrs. of refinement & optimization in it, & runs in a higher CPU serviced ring of privelege & operations in kernelmode vs. slower usermode layering over browsers slowing them more, & hosts = 1st resolver queried by the OS itself also)... apk

In defense of discrimination by mi · 2015-02-23 18:37 · Score: 1

I'll admit I am disappointed to find discrimination in hiring due to medical status can be legal

Why are you "disappointed"? Would you like for it to be illegal for you to prefer an able-bodied babysitter for your child over someone, for whom you'd have to install wheelchair railings and lifts throughout your house?

There are cases where lenders will get burned because of something they don't know

A lender getting "burned" will have to recoup his losses by charging the rest of us slightly more. If you want to help others dealing with a financial crisis, you are welcome to spend your own money on this charity. But instead you argue for the power of government to be used to that end. Talk about ethics...

an ethical rabbit hole that I feel is best avoided

So much for "information wants to be free"...

--
In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.

..They do indeed by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 19:15 · Score: 0

I recently had a cataract op. Still getting eye-related ads up and down the page on various sites.

Facebook is the only cookie I allow on my machine.

Tor by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-23 23:41 · Score: 0

Use Tor, folks. Ir was created specifically to combat this kind of problems.

Spamming via repetition? by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-24 00:41 · Score: 0

Why keep pasting the same text in multiple times? Spamming here isn't welcome.

Re:Ask yourselves these questions... apk by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-24 00:44 · Score: 0

Where is the source for the information used in the host file? Is this list somewhere?

National Health Service by tehcyder · 2015-02-24 01:20 · Score: 1

Here in the UK, if I have a medical problem or question I ring up my local doctor's surgery and make an appointment if there seems to be anything potentially wrong. All for free (and, yes, I know I pay taxes).

Using the internet for checking health problems is just guaranteeing a self-diagnosis of cancer, in my experience.

--
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it

Re:National Health Service by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-25 02:03 · Score: 0

They never have an appointment within two weeks. And its not free you pay a hell of a lot of money for it and get no choice in your treatment.
The reception at my private dentist asks "when would you like your appointment to be?" I have never heard that in the NHS.

Re:As in, Lung Cancer? by tehcyder · 2015-02-24 01:35 · Score: 1

So you wondered, as a long time smoker, why you were denied a Life Insurance policy or maybe a job?

Insurance companies don't care whether you're a smoker. Their actuarial tables enable them to calculate the additional premium to ensure they still make a profit in the long run.

It's all based on statistics, not individuals.

--
To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it

Flood them with crap by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-24 02:27 · Score: 0

We need to have generators that will look up every possible ailment on the internet...

Re:As in, Lung Cancer? by MooseTick · 2015-02-24 03:18 · Score: 1

That's true. If a friend or nephew committed suicide or has brain cancer, there is a good chance you may google info about those items. Someone looking at your searches could easily incorrectly assume you are contemplating suicide or have been diagnosed with some disease. Perhaps people need a startup file that does 10,000 random searches on diseases, terrorism, health foods, travel to Neptune, etc. That could hide any real searches and bury legitimate results.

--
Ninjas don't carry tic tacs

AdBlock = Inferior + 'Souled-Out'... apk by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-24 03:39 · Score: 0

APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ SR-1 32/64-bit:

http://start64.com/index.php?o...

FREE & adds speed, security, + reliability, doing more with less, more efficiently vs. addons + fixes DNS' redirect security issues:

---

A.) Hosts do more than:

1.) AdBlock ("souled-out" 2 Google/Crippled by default http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/... & ABP too http://finance.yahoo.com/news/... )
2.) Ghostery (Advertiser owned) - "Fox guards henhouse" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G...
3.) Request Policy -> http://yro.slashdot.org/commen...

B.) Hosts add reliability vs. downed/redirected dns (& overcome site redirects e.g. /. beta).

C.) Hosts secure vs. malicious domains too -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comme... w/ less "moving parts" complexity

D.) Hosts files yield more:

1.) Speed (adblock & hardcodes fav sites - faster than remote dns)
2.) Security (vs. malicious domains serving malcontent + block spam/phish & trackers)
3.) Reliability (vs. downed, Kaminsky redirected (99% ISP DNS' = unpatched vs. it), DGA, Fastflux, & dynDNS botnets)
4.) Anonymity (vs. dns request logs + dnsbl's).

---

* Hosts do more w/ less (1 file) @ faster levels (ring 0) vs redundant inefficient addons (slowing slower ring 3 browsers) via filtering 4 the IP stack (coded in C, loads w/ os, & 1st net resolver queried w\ 45++ yrs.of optimization).

* Addons = more complex + slow browsers in messagepassing (use a few concurrently & see) & are nullified by native browser methods - It's how Clarityray's destroying Adblock.

* Addons slowup slower usermode browsers layering on more - & bloat RAM consumption + excessive cpu use too (4++gb extra in FireFox https://blog.mozilla.org/nneth...)

(Instead, work w/ a more capable native kernelmode part you already have - hosts (An integrated part of the ip stack))

APK

P.S.=> "The premise is quite simple: Take something designed by nature & reprogram it to make it work for the body rather than against it..." - Dr. Alice Krippen: "I am legend"

...apk

So much for the 'age of information' by kheldan · 2015-02-24 03:40 · Score: 1

Bullshit like this is ruining the internet. When shit like this is going on how can anyone feel safe doing any sort of research on any subject at all?

--
Are YOU using the TOOL, or is the TOOL using YOU? Think about it!

Ask yourselves these questions... apk by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-24 03:41 · Score: 0

Can adblock do 16 things hosts do for speed, security, & reliability:

1.) Protect vs. malicious sites/servers (beyond malicious ads: See 2-10 next)
2.) Protect vs. fastflux botnets + stop communication to C&C servers
3.) Protect vs. dynamic dns botnets + stop communication to C&C servers
4.) Protect vs. DGA botnets + stop communication to C&C servers
5.) Protect vs. downed DNS (adds reliability)
6.) Protect vs. DNS redirect poisoned dns
7.) Protect vs. trackers
8.) Protect vs. spam
9.) Protect vs. phishing
10.) Protect vs. bandwidth caps
11.) Get you past a dnsbl
12.) Keep you off dns request logs
13.) Speed up websurfing by adblocks & hardcoded fav. sites
14.) Work on ANY webbound app (think stand-alone email programs) multiplatform.
15.) Give you easily texteditor controlled data for the above
16.) Do all that & block ads (better than addons) more efficiently in cpu cycles + memory usage

* ANSWER ="NO" to each above on AdBlock doing it as well or at all!

APK

P.S.=> AdBlock does FAR less than hosts do & FAR less efficiently - hosts by way of comparison, do MORE w/ less + Hosts start w/ the IP stack before REDUNDANT inefficient addons BEGIN to operate (as 1st resolver queried):

AdBlock's 4++gb & 100% CPU usage flooring inefficiency -> https://blog.mozilla.org/nneth... + ClarityRay defeats it + it 'souled-out' & is crippled by default paid off to not do its job http://techcrunch.com/2013/07/... & ABP too http://finance.yahoo.com/news/...

AdBlock adds complexity/room for breakdown/exploit + from a slower mode of operations (usermode = more messagepassing overheads vs. hosts in kernelmode).

For the BEST hosts file?

APK Hosts File Engine 9.0++ SR-1 32/64-bit -> http://start64.com/index.php?o...

MalwareBytes' hpHosts Admin (MalwareBytes employee) hosts & recommends it -> http://hosts-file.net/?s=Downl... & MalwareBytes = BEST antivirus http://www.av-test.org/en/news...

... apk

I asked AdBlock's creator those questions... apk by Anonymous Coward · 2015-02-24 03:43 · Score: 0