Web-tracking and Adware

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Web-tracking and Adware
Muihrienne
Hannah
Chris
Julie
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Levels of Familiarity
Number of Indiv. In Class
3
Definitions

• Cookies are small text files downloaded to a
  users computer that preserves preferences on
  specific websites
• First Party Cookies Used by site host domain
• Third Party Cookies Used by domains other than
  one currently viewing
• 1st party www.example1.org
• 3rd party www.example1.net

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Definitions

• Adware is a software package that displays
  advertising materials on to an individuals
  computer
• Spyware are commercially produced for the
  purpose of gathering information about computer
  users

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Why Created?

• Cookies remember customer preferences.
• Adware increase company profits.
• Piggybacks on cookies to target customers
• Spyware is a type of adware
• Designed to aggregate data across websites

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Benefits of Cookies

• Convenient for users who arent computer savvy.
• Remembers User Names and Passwords
• Allows for searches and shopping carts to be
  saved over multiple visits.

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Benefits of Cookies

• Data collection is made possible.
• Online sellers lack the ability to see their
  customers like the owner of a physical store.
  Data collection allows them to gain a better
  understanding of their customers and market their
  product in order to effectively compete with the
  physical stores.

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Using Cookies

• Use allows marketers to know their target
  customers with advertisements.
• Makes online shopping experience more personal.
• Example Similar to VIC Cards
• Example Gmail
• Relationship between Adware and Cookies

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Drawbacks

• Unwanted Effects
• Popups
• Slow down/Degradation of system
• Adware Attack

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Drawbacks

• Adware commercially produced at users expense
• Often bundled with free software
• Costs arise through pop-ups/system slow-downs
• Many users unintentionally download adware
• Because they dont read EULA

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Drawbacks

• Security
• Third party access to information.
• Hackers
• AOL example

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Users Privacy Is Invaded By These Programs
Number of Indiv. In Class
13
Do Users Have the Right to Privacy?

• Invasion of Privacy
• Not aware when information is being stored.
• Dont know how long information is stored.
• Example Gmail
• Users agree to privacy agreements.
• The information is there, but users rarely read it

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Government Should Be Allowed to Collect
Information
Number of Indiv. In Class
15
Should the Government Have Access to Information?
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Should the Government Have Access to Information?

• Several weeks worth of search queries were
  subpoenaed by the Justice Department
• Test a filtering system to limit childrens
  exposure to pornography
• New statutes now require ISPs to keep
  information
• Help fight global terrorism
• Limit childrens exposure to online pornography

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Solutions

• Do-Not-Track-Me List
• Opt-in settings
• Educating users

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Group Activity

• Break up into groups and discuss criticisms of
  these solutions.
• Do you think they will work? Why or why not?
• Can you think of other possible solutions?

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Guide to Protection

• Protection video

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Web-tracking and Adware
Muihrienne
Hannah
Chris
Julie