invisible web

[kema_u]

Hello! There are many trackers on the web. I decided to use extensions to block them as possible i can. First i saw "Beef Taco (Targeted Advertising Cookie Opt-Out)" ( https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/180650/ ) but i see that the developer use also "ghostery" ( https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/9609/ ). Can someone please explain me if we have to use both of them ? or one of them is enought ? i mean i didn't understand if the extensions are doing the same thing.

Thanks!

[patrickjdempsey]

- Better Privacy will block and delete so-called "Flash Cookies" not covered by traditional cookie cleaners:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6623/

- AdBlock Plus + Easy List + Easy Privacy list blocks many many common tracking methods:
http://easylist.adblockplus.org/

- Lastly, Firefox can easily be setup through Tools > Options > Privacy to erase all cookies (with exceptions) on exit, which takes care of some tracking without the need for an extension.

I've never used Taco or Beef or Ghostery. I do know that Ghostery was bought out by a firm using tracking software to track tracking. Unless you want to be part of their research I wouldn't use it. Also, I don't think Ghostery actually blocks anything, it just alerts you to activity, something that the average user would probably find annoying or even anxiety-causing.

[kema_u]

patrickjdempsey first thank for your interest. I know that every extension on Firefox official site is open source ?! Thats why i trust Ghostery, and i think they cant have any research for his users ... am i right ? and ghostery from the last versions starts to block the trackers.

[patrickjdempsey]

I know that every extension on Firefox official site is open source ?! Thats why i trust Ghostery, and i think they cant have any research for his users ... am i right ?

Two very very wrong assumptions. Free does not equal open source. Extensions, with the exception of very very few experiments created by Mozilla Labs are not made BY Mozilla. They are made by user-developers and in some cases by corporations and businesses. You have to pay attention to the License and the User Agreement (if there is one). While many extensions are open source under the Mozilla Public License or the GNU Public License, many do have a closed custom license. And unless you actually know how to read source code, just because something is open source doesn't mean it won't be doing something you don't like. It's a good idea to always read through the full Reviews (click "See all x reviews of this add-on") to get an idea of whether or not an add-on may be doing something you may not like. Just a word of caution.

[kema_u]

patrickjdempsey i did not know that some one them are not open source. So, im not going to use anymore Ghostery. But i looked for Beef Taco, it is open-source. I read also Reviews but i did not understand what you mean with "X Reviews" , you mean with one star reviews?

[patrickjdempsey]

No mean at the corner of the Reviews section there is a link that says "See all 34 reviews of this add-on" (or whatever number there are). If you click on that you can see old reviews and get a better idea of what people are saying about it.

[Ghostery]

Hey guys,

This thread just popped up on my Google Alerts... Wanted to clear a few things up!

1) Ghostery does anonymously aggregate data provided by users, but only if they opt-in (GhostRank). This is not set by default, and you can choose whether or not to volunteer for it.

2) We are not an advertising network or data collection service. We do not collect any data (behavioral or otherwise) for ad targeting, either by ourselves or by third parties. Currently, the data we collect is used to report on script trends across the web, for instance like this:

3) Eventually we'll be using the opt-in data to power technology to make data-collecting industries more transparent with consumers, regulatory agencies, and each other.

4) We are a very powerful blocking and educational tool. We have a rapidly growing database of more than 270 scripts that is updated daily, with profiles of each scripts, by our dedicated team. The Ghostery experience is also completely customizable; you can turn off the information bubbles at your own behest.

5) Our code is not open source for proprietary reasons, but anyone may view it if they choose to, and we are as helpful as can be when it comes to this

Patrick, the alternatives you offered Kema are probably suitable alternatives to our extension... I just wanted to make sure there were no misperceptions!

Feel free to ping me anytime.

Thanks,

Adam
*******@*****.***

P.S. Kema - thanks for checking out Ghostery.

[Ghostery]

err... Link omitted. Like this: link removed by LN

[LoudNoise]

Removed the email address. Please mind the rules. faq.php?mode=rules#f4r4 . I also removed the link since it looks more like marketing then anything else.

[patrickjdempsey]

Thank you for directly clearing that up Adam. It's always good to have an official response!

[kema_u]

patrickjdempsey now i understand about "reviews". Thank you!

I think someone has saw my message about open source on the Ghostery support

Anyway Ghostery we know already you don't get datas from users if we don't want. But the problem was your license. Anyway thank you for your answer here.

I get want i want ! ...