ChatGPT, find me customers: Use AI to find out what people are saying online so you can better target your company’s ads. Take a lesson from Shake Shack: They used a bot to scan 80,000 Reddit threads about chicken sandwiches, narrowed it down to the 30 most active and ran ads for their new sandwich. It worked — sales were 31% higher.
Hidden trackers invade your browser – How to delete them
Internet cookies have been around for the last 30 years. Blame them on a programmer at Netscape who figured out a way for websites to “remember” users. Today, there are a few different types of cookies.
A first-party cookie is stored in your browser when you visit a website. It keeps things like your account or login info and shopping cart so you don’t have to fill them in each time. We like those kinds of cookies.
But what about cookies companies use to track where you go and what you do online? Some track you on websites other than the one you’re visiting. These are called third-party cookies. (I’d rather have a snickerdoodle, thanks.)
Blocking third-party cookies and tracking is one thing, but how about not being subjected to tracking methods to begin with? That’s where AdChoices and WebChoices come in. You’re gonna love this!
Secret to blocking tracking cookies
AdChoices is from the Digital Advertising Alliance, a group of advertising and marketing companies that self-regulates their targeted advertising. They do this so no one else like the government steps in to do it, of course.
The next time you see an ad online, look for the small AdChoices icon. It’s a blue triangle with a lowercase “i” in the middle. Click that to get details about the ad and block it.
AdChoices offers a nifty but virtually unknown tool called WebChoices. You can use this sweet thing to opt out of receiving ads from many companies in one step.
I kicked out 106 different cookies
- Go to https://optout.aboutads.info. WebChoices will scan your browser settings and computer to find out whether first-party and third-party cookies are enabled, along with a list of companies creating targeted ads for you.
- Click Continue. At the bottom of the page, you’ll see an option to Opt out of All. Click that.
- After the site processes your selection, click View Updated Results to see how it turned out.
The WebChoices tool works in whatever browser you have open at the time, so be sure to run it for each browser you use. Wow, where else can you get these practical, useful tech tips for free?
🍪 Speaking of … One time, I ate too much cookie dough and got sick. I guess you could call it an overdoughs. (I had to, sorry.)
Search engine comparison: Google vs. Startpage vs. DuckDuckGo vs. Bing
Spiders, also known as web crawlers, search the internet to find results that match your query. If you’ve ever researched the same topic on different search engines, you’ll notice the results can be drastically different.
Opt-out Tuesday: How to remove yourself from BeenVerified
There is a scary amount of personal information on the internet. You don’t need a degree in information technology or network administration to find someone’s email address, telephone number or where they live.
Whether you consider them shady or not, people search websites have a lot of information on all of us. The worst part is that most don’t even know their details are publically available.
How to prevent cross-site tracking on your iPhone, iPad and Mac
As long as you’re online, your privacy is exposed. The good news is you can erase search history, visited websites, cookies and form data using private browsing mode. This means that anyone who uses the same computer as you won’t see your activity. Tap or click here for instructions on erasing your digital tracks.
Opt-out Tuesday: How to remove yourself from PeopleByName
Like it or not, your information is all over the internet. Government records reveal private information, including your full legal name and arrest records. On top of that, security breaches leak highly critical data, like your address and Social Security number.
How NOT to sound dumb online: Common mistakes and grammar fixes
The early days of social media were a place to keep in touch with classmates, friends and family. It’s devolved into a frenzy of privacy invasion, targeted advertising, trolls and fake news. Surprisingly, these are still the most popular digital platforms worldwide.
One tool to keep your online activity PRIVATE and opt out of intrusive cookies
It’s a given that people are watching your online activity. Various entities collect your data when you’re on a phone, tablet or PC. Aside from hackers and scammers seeking to steal personal and financial information, companies learn about you and use this data to hit you with targeted ads. Even worse, they can sell this data to others.
Facebook watches your every move - Here's the proof
It shouldn’t surprise you that social media networks know a lot about you. After all, giants like Facebook know where you go, which TV shows and films you enjoy and who your friends are. That’s because you willingly gave up that information.
Don't want to get any more ads for weight loss or dating? Here's how to opt out
As you search the internet for products or services, companies like Google and Facebook build up a profile of your habits. They use this information to serve you ads that the company thinks will interest you.
While it might be accurate for the most part, there could be some topics that you would rather not see advertised. For example, a vegan or vegetarian wouldn’t want to see ads about meat.
Report says Alexa voice data used to send you targeted ads - How to stop it now
Have you ever wondered why Amazon often offers such great deals on its Echo smart speakers and displays? It’s easy — those gadgets are cheap because your data is far more valuable.
It’s no secret that devices powered by Alexa and other smart assistants have been known to listen in, even when they’re not supposed to be. And Amazon knows so much about you, it’s scary. Tap or click here to see what we mean.
Why you might start seeing ads over what you're watching on Roku
At this point, seeing targeted ads on sites like Facebook is no surprise. The good news is you don’t have to live with them. Tap or click here for ways to stop ad tracking on Facebook.
But the last place you’d expect to see targeted ads is through your television. If you have a Roku TV, don’t be shocked when ads start popping up while you’re streaming your favorite show.
Use Firefox? Mozilla wants your help to see how nosy Facebook really is
Social media has been around long enough to see children grow into adults and young people enter middle age. Facebook launched in 2004 and has become the largest social network in the world, with billions of active users.
If you use a Roku, get ready for more ads
There is no doubt that streaming services have exploded over the last few years. More people have flocked to Netflix, Hulu or Disney+ than ever before to get their viewing fix. For the most part, basic access to these services is relatively affordable. Yes, your smart TV is spying on you – Here’s how to stop it.
List: The 10 most invasive sites on the internet
We all know that our online browsing habits are being tracked. Unless you take steps to prevent it, most websites see where you come from, what you are searching for and what you like. Tap or click here for 8 hidden maps and trackers you need to switch off.
Mozilla warns: Avoid these 3 messaging apps if you care about privacy
Chatting online isn’t anything new, but the pandemic has fueled the use of video calling and messaging apps. As social distancing began around the country, these apps saw a surge in popularity. Tap or click here to find out which browser is best for your privacy.
Big Tech companies have profiles on you - Here's how to see them
It should be no surprise to anybody that social media and tech companies gather a lot of information about you. In most cases, you supply the data willingly (or sometimes begrudgingly) so that you can access their services. Tap or click here for 10 Facebook privacy and security settings you need to change right now.
Worst companies for data privacy? You've got to see this list
At Komando.com, we’re always on the lookout for new information that will help you protect your online privacy. The digital world is constantly changing, and making informed decisions about where you share your data is critical in this day and age. With so many platforms to socialize and do business with, knowing safe places from unsafe ones can mean the difference between browsing in peace versus facing down hackers, targeted advertising, or worse.
Smart' coolers at Walgreens are watching you
Targeted advertising is becoming more prevalent and noticeable within our society. We see it all the time online and on social media, but what about in the ice cream aisle? Well, that’s exactly what is happening at some Walgreens stores in Chicago and New York. Are we ready for this kind of advertising?