Nowadays it doesnt involve more than a bit of code and a few mouse clicks.
you might think of cookies a bit like an event wristband.
While cookies have gotten a notorious reputation over the years, they can actually be quite helpful.
Some cookies also allow you to remain logged into a site until you deliberately bail out.
you might think of cookies a bit like an event wristband.
Where things get a bit tricky are with third-party cookies.
These are cookies placed on your machine by ad-servicing companies that are parked on websites that arent their own.
Chief among these are flash cookies, also known as locally stored objects or LSOs.
Fortunately, deleting your cookies as described in the links above will also delete your LSOs.
Fingerprinting
Cookies arent the only way in which advertisers can track you online.
A technique known as canvas fingerprinting can get the job done as well.
So thats how trackers can exploit the visual component of your system to track you.
What about the audio?
It does this through another JavaScript known as AudioContext.
Still, if youre worried about these methods of fingerprinting, you might disable JavaScript in your browsers.
Its up to you whether the trade-off is worth it.
Still another form of fingerprinting can take place by trackers that monitor the battery on your gadget.
In such circumstances, users will agree to pay more for a service.
To control how you interact with Facebook ads,this pagewill do the trick.
Thats because the search giant is very very good at tracking you and using algorithms to anticipate your needs.
Some call that useful; others call it creepy.
It most cases, its as easy as toggling a switch to the off position.
Dont want the company to track your movements?
Toggle the switch next to Location History.
Would rather not have events automatically fill in on your calendar?
Turn off the switch next to gear Information.
One of the more interesting areas to explore on the Activity Controls page is the Voice and Audio tweaks.
Equally fascinating is GooglesTimeline featurethat shows you where youve been on the planet.
(These are all detailed in our article abouthow to surf the internet without leaving a trace.)
