anandtech has spyware. here's my test

TranceNation

Platinum Member
Jan 6, 2001
2,041
0
0


What I did was use ad-adware 6.0. First I closed everything down and ran Ad-Aware to clear out any spyware i might have. Then I started up my browser (it defaults to a blank page) then I went to the hot deals forums on anandtech (had it bookmarked). Then I shut it down and ran ad-aware again, it detected 2 cookie entries:
C:\documents and settings\administrator\cookies\administrator@z1.adserver[1].txt
C:\documents and settings\administrator\cookies\administrator@atdmt[1].txt


 

wnied

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
4,206
0
76
Wow. You went through all that effort and all you really had to do was ask.

~wnied~
 

minendo

Elite Member
Aug 31, 2001
35,560
22
81
Originally posted by: TranceNation
What I did was use ad-adware 6.0. First I closed everything down and ran Ad-Aware to clear out any spyware i might have. Then I started up my browser (it defaults to a blank page) then I went to the hot deals forums on anandtech (had it bookmarked). Then I shut it down and ran ad-aware again, it detected 2 cookie entries:
C:\documents and settings\administrator\cookies\administrator@z1.adserver[1].txt
C:\documents and settings\administrator\cookies\administrator@atdmt[1].txt
Go figure. They have ads and the ad companies leave cookies.

 

Pastore

Diamond Member
Feb 9, 2000
9,728
0
76
You think cookies are spyware? Better not go to buy.com or amazon.com, because they use spyware!!!!
 
Jan 31, 2002
40,819
2
0
And now for my real post.

Is either of those cookies from Anandtech? No.
Can they easily be nerfed by notching up your privacy settings, installing an adblocker, or editing your HOSTS file? Yes.
Is this nothing but pure FUD? Yes.

K. Thx. Pwned.

- M4H
 

911paramedic

Diamond Member
Jan 7, 2002
9,448
1
76
Originally posted by: hdeck
set your browser to block 3rd party cookies...
LOL, set your browser to ask before accepting cookies. You will shut that setting back where it was in about 10 minutes.

 

civad

Golden Member
May 30, 2001
1,397
0
0
Dunno about IE (dont use it anymore) but in Mozilla one can delete the cookies with the option "do not removed cookies to be reaccepted later"

Goodbye doubleclick.net/ servedby.advertising.com/ fastclick.net.....

 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
102,402
8,574
126
OMG, and that always logged in thing i have set, thats a cookie too!
 

LeeTJ

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2003
4,899
0
0
Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
And now for my real post.

Is either of those cookies from Anandtech? No.
Can they easily be nerfed by notching up your privacy settings, installing an adblocker, or editing your HOSTS file? Yes.
Is this nothing but pure FUD? Yes.

K. Thx. Pwned.

- M4H

WTF is PWNED?? are you trying to say you pawned this fella??

why not just speak plain english, it's not like your saving yourself and keystrokes or anything. just say owned like a normal human being.