You're Being Watched

If you're starting to feel like you're constantly being watched while surfing the web, you're not alone. While browsing online lately, I've noticed more and more ads for websites I have visited on other sites.    For instance, one evening, I was shopping on Old Navy's website. The next day, when I visited some unrelated websites, I spotted ads for Old Navy on many of them.  This was no coincidence.  It is obvious my web browsing was being tracked, and those targeted ads are designed to entice me back to the sites I visit while shopping online.

I also notice when I use a search engine, it isn't long before spam for products and services  related to my search start cluttering my e-mail inbox.  For example, well over a year ago, I had searched online for area assisted living facilities for my mother-in-law, who has since passed away. As of today, I am still receiving information about assisted living facilities, as well as other products and services for the elderly. At first, I wondered how these people were able get my e-mail address, name and other personal information.  I know I didn't sign up for anything related to my online search. After doing a bit of research, it appears to have been done using third party tracking cookies.

All the unwanted spam and targeted ads have made me determined to protect my privacy online.  I already use a program that removes tracking cookies, which I run once a week, but that doesn't seem to be enough. Today, I was excited to stumble upon a browser extension available for Chrome, Firefox and Safari that blocks online tracking by major third parties and search engines.  It's called Disconnect, and it's free.  You can download it at http://disconnect.me. I just  installed it on my computer in both Google Chrome and Firefox.  I'm more than ready to say goodbye to targeted ads and search engine generated spam.


Thanks for stopping by!