Google Cookie in Firefox

[TheGardener]

I run Firefox (v 34.0) as my default browser. My goal is to have a decently high level of privacy, though I understand that there are reasons not to expect very much.

My Privacy Option is set to accept all cookies, including 3rd party, and to delete all cookies on closing the browser. I also always start in Privacy mode. I have duckduckgo as my default search engine, not Google. But I have left Google as a secondary option. I have chosen to tell sites that I don't want to be tracked. Firefox uses custom settings for history, whatever that means.

Whenever I start up Firefox, I see there is a cookie from Google with the name PREF. Again this is in start up, even if I have not visited any Google related site. The cookie appears to be built into Firefox, though I can delete it.

Is there anyway to rid myself of this cookie other than manual deleting it every session?

 

[Berryracer]

Install these 2 addons:

https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout?hl=en

and

https://www.google.com/settings/u/0/ads/plugin

 

[ninaholic37]

Mine shows the same thing in FF34: a cookie from Google.com with the name PREF. The only way I was able to get rid of it was to hit Show Cookies -> Remove ALL Cookies then click on "Exceptions..." and type "google.com" and press Block. Not sure what that's all about.

 

[johnllc]

Download google chrome and open private browsing in chrome Ctrl+shift+N same time, Chrome no save cookie and all type of history.

 

[ninaholic37]

Download google chrome and open private browsing in chrome Ctrl+shift+N same time, Chrome no save cookie and all type of history.

So the cookie from google.com is to encourage people to switch to Google Chrome because it doesn't have a cookie to google.com? :sneaky:

 

[TheGardener]

Thank you for the suggestions and comments. I had an opportunity to use Chrome when I upgraded my hard drive to a SSD. I didn't like Chrome, as I was unfamiliar with the privacy settings (couldn't find them) and how to install add ons. So I deleted it, in favor of Firefox which I have used for a very long time.

If I install berryracer's recommended add ons from Google, don't they have to track me in order to know not to track me. How do these add ons work?

I cannot block cookies from Google, as I do use gmail and youtube. I prefer accepting them, then delete them after ending my session and not have them reappear until I need to connect to a Google site. No reason for them to track me across the Internet, or so I say. I just want to handle Google cookies the same why I do others. But Firefox thinks differently.

Here is what happens when I tried to get in my gmail account, having blocked google.com cookies.

Oops! Your browser seems to have cookies disabled. Make sure cookies are enabled or try opening a new browser window. [?]

So this solution is not optimal for me. But thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Berryracer]

Thank you for the suggestions and comments. I had an opportunity to use Chrome when I upgraded my hard drive to a SSD. I didn't like Chrome, as I was unfamiliar with the privacy settings (couldn't find them) and how to install add ons. So I deleted it, in favor of Firefox which I have used for a very long time.

If I install berryracer's recommended add ons from Google, don't they have to track me in order to know not to track me. How do these add ons work?

I cannot block cookies from Google, as I do use gmail and youtube. I prefer accepting them, then delete them after ending my session and not have them reappear until I need to connect to a Google site. No reason for them to track me across the Internet, or so I say. I just want to handle Google cookies the same why I do others. But Firefox thinks differently.

Here is what happens when I tried to get in my gmail account, having blocked google.com cookies.

Oops! Your browser seems to have cookies disabled. Make sure cookies are enabled or try opening a new browser window. [?]

So this solution is not optimal for me. But thank you for the suggestion.

For YouTube, I didn't notice any issues with that addon installed.

As for GMAIL, you can do what I do:

1) Install IETAB

2) click on Addons, then go to the IETAB options, and enter this URL in the bottom URL field: https://mail.google.com/

3) now visit https://mail.google.com/

It will automatically render the page in IE mode and all your Firefox protection addons or whatnot will not come into play, thus, enabling you to use Gmail from your Firefox whilst having the google cookie optout plugin installed

think outside the box

 

[TheGardener]

Are you suggesting that I should disable adblocker plus and better privacy which are 2 of 4 add ons I am currently using? Or am I not understanding?

 

[Ketchup]

... I cannot block cookies from Google, as I do use gmail and youtube. I prefer accepting them, then delete them after ending my session and not have them reappear until I need to connect to a Google site. No reason for them to track me across the Internet, or so I say.....

I am not sure I follow. The cookie is already there. It would have been used and forwarded on, by the time you deleted it.

IMO you have two options:
1. Get rid of Gmail.
2. Use an email program to check gmail (this is what I do, and there are full instructions on their site on how to do this).

 

[TheGardener]

Decided to do a little research on the PREF cookie. If using Chrome you might want to check if you have this cookie. Sounds like it is not a Firefox only cookie. Hard coded into many browsers?

The source is the Washington Post. Seems to be well researched and hopefully fact checked.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...oogle-cookies-to-pinpoint-targets-for-hacking

 

[ninaholic37]

Decided to do a little research on the PREF cookie. If using Chrome you might want to check if you have this cookie. Sounds like it is not a Firefox only cookie. Hard coded into many browsers?

The source is the Washington Post. Seems to be well researched and hopefully fact checked.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs...oogle-cookies-to-pinpoint-targets-for-hacking

Wow, that's a lot crazier than I thought. People need to revolt and hack the NSA in return I think, time to get countries together and start a cyberwar vs. America :hmm:

 

[John Connor]

I don't think it has anything to do with the NSA. If you have the options block reported attack sites and block reported web forgeries on in the options this is more than likely the source of the cookie.

Logic dictates that these nice little features are Google based.