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I was searching for answers but hmmm...got stuck (help) on
Tracking cookies such as Advertising.com, Fastclick and all that....
are said that they're supposed to send back information, but if a firewall is
installed.
Does the firewall in this case intercepts these cookies when they're connecting
to the internet to send back the stolen info?
Cheers,
:D
The cookies them selves don't contact the sites..
Other websites do.. and then th cookies do their task (deliver data)..
So no. Most firewalls won't know the difference between your AO login cookie and a tracking cookie (for example)..
You should setup your browsers cookie acceptation propperties if you are concerned about them..
You can however block all traffic coming from the offending web servers. If they can't talk to your box they cannot place any cookies there. I blacklist the ad monkeys that try to put cookies on my box.
For those who do not feel quite so confident:
http:// www.winpatrol.com
This general purpose security tool has excellent cookie control...........you only have to put part words into it, and they will be blocked ;)
It basically does what Juridian is suggesting.
:)
Your talking about cookie managment, which really has little to do with a firewall. Most web browsers allow you to control how internet sites can interact with your computer. Cookie managment allows you to control which web sites have permission to set and retrieve cookies on your system. A cookie is nothing more then a small piece of information a web site can store on your computer. This information can be user preferences, authentication credentials, or anything else that the site needs to maintain state over (Because HTTP is a stateless protocol, google for HTTP RFC to learn more)
If your using Internet Explorer, then you can control cookies by:
1. Click Tools
2. Click Internet Options
3. Click the Privacy tab
Just use Help under the program menu's and read about cookies, im sure that would give you enough information to get started.
Another way to do what Juridian said..
Add the urls to your HOSTS file with 127.0.0.1 in front of them..
example:The hosts file can be found in the foloing locations..
Windows XP = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC\HOSTS
Windows 2K = C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC\HOSTS
Win 98/ME = C:\WINDOWS\HOSTS
Linux/Unix = /etc/hosts
Thanks guys that's a lot of usefull info, but the cookie concept is still a little blury
so let me give you an example and correct me if I'm wrong.
So for example If I surf www.wacker.com and this website infects me with a cookie,Quote:
The cookies dosen't contcat the sites, other websites do
this cookie does not attempt to contact www.wacker.com but another site it's host: de.sitestat.com
tries to connect to it to get the info, hope I got this one right.
Then as Jurdanian was saying to block all traffic, that means that I have to block all traffic from www.wacker.com ?
and to do so I have to get Nihil's www.winpatrol.com and enter the word wacker?
Because I tried this one and opened the C:\Windows\Host
and I added both www.wacker.com and de.sitestat.com but it didn't
make any effect.
As for now I have browse blocked all cookies like Neptunoz says
till I properly figure this thing out.
Cheers,
B.B
By blocking all cookies you will find yourself restricted from a lot of web sites. Some sites need cookies to be able to comunicate with you (need or demand, demand more than need).
Excite and I think Yahoo demand you have cookies enabled to be able to get to and view their sites.
I say old chap..................you are not using "BillyWindoze"
Neither do I :D
Sorry for not mentioning that
:)
That's proppably because it is hosts instead of host.. Also the C:\Windows\Hosts location is only for Win 9x/Me and won't do zip on other versions..Quote:
Originally posted here by Broomiebar
Because I tried this one and opened the C:\Windows\Host
and I added both www.wacker.com and de.sitestat.com but it didn't make any effect.
Also you proppably don't want to block the entire www.wacker.com site .. do you ??
Because aliassing a site to 127.0.0.1 will block any form of access to that domain..
Here is a copy of my hosts file may be of some use to some one
I just use the feature in IE. Open IE, go to tools, Internet options, privacy tab. Click on the Advanced button below place a check in "Override automatic cookie handling"
Under First-party Cookies
Select 'Accept'
Under Third-party Cookies
select 'Block'
Leave "Always allow session cookies unchecked."
It's all in how much administration you want to do. You can manage the cookie blocking behavior via the web browser itself, via the hosts file, via a 3rd party proxy (client or server such as squid), or at the firewall level. I usually stick to doing it at a fw or squid proxy so I don't have to worry about the manual tweaks on each individual machine.
Each method has it's tradeoffs. Doing it on the browser itself isn't going to carry over to your other browsers or you'll have to re-build the list if you have to wipe our box. Hosts file carrys over between browsers, but you'd better back it up in case you have to reinstall. If you can I'd look into setting up squid as a web proxy and having it bock the traffic for you.
I use the proxomitron myself. It works very well.
IESPYAD This will help you when you do the surfing.
There are a number of HOSTS file managers available:
Microsoft Antispyware Beta
MVPS HOSTS This site also includes 2 HOST file managers Hoster/Hostsman.
The Highjack this application can help with a HOSTS file manager as well.HJT
Also Spybot S & D has it's own HOSTS file manager Spybot :p
Good little piece of info, thanks!
As long as Firefox's options with cookies remains to be working ok, and along with a hosts file as suggested by many of you for these cookiemonster websites, I won't have to jam my ram with a cookie control.
Otherwise will have to take tougher action to win the war on cookies.
Cheers,
:D