New Browser Add-On Stops Unauthorized Tracking
The Electronic Freedom Foundation takes on the spy economy with new Privacy Badger extension.
The Electronic Freedom Foundation (EFF) has created a browser extension for the Firefox and Chrome browsers that automatically detects and blocks spy ads. According to the EFF, Privacy Badger "analyzes sites to detect and disallow content that tracks you in an objectionable, non-consensual manner." If a website attempts to track you without permission, or attempts to install tracking images, scripts, or other information on your system, Privacy Badger will automatically disallow the content.
Cookie-blocking settings and features have been around for years, but tracking techniques have become much more sophisticated. Trackers now have spying techniques that go well beyond what you can catch by merely blocking cookies. Privacy Badger can stop the cookies, but it also detects and stops other, more sophisticated ploys.
Interestingly, the EFF says Privacy Badger will unlock advertisers and other third-party domains that make a strong commitment to support the Do Not Track option. Do Not Track (DNT) is an optional browser setting that notifies the website that the user does not want to be tracked. The DNT concept only works if websites respect it. The EFF asks that vendors post the Do Not Track Compliance policy and commit to respecting DNT in order for the site to be unblocked.
Privacy Badger is still at the alpha release stage, and the EFF is actively seeking feedback from testers.
Issue 269/2023
Buy this issue as a PDF
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
MNT Seeks Financial Backing for New Seven-Inch Linux Laptop
MNT Pocket Reform is a tiny laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and ships with Debian Linux.
-
Ubuntu Flatpak Remix Adds Flatpak Support Preinstalled
If you're looking for a version of Ubuntu that includes Flatpak support out of the box, there's one clear option.
-
Gnome 44 Release Candidate Now Available
The Gnome 44 release candidate has officially arrived and adds a few changes into the mix.
-
Flathub Vying to Become the Standard Linux App Store
If the Flathub team has any say in the matter, their product will become the default tool for installing Linux apps in 2023.
-
Debian 12 to Ship with KDE Plasma 5.27
The Debian development team has shifted to the latest version of KDE for their testing branch.
-
Planet Computers Launches ARM-based Linux Desktop PCs
The firm that originally released a line of mobile keyboards has taken a different direction and has developed a new line of out-of-the-box mini Linux desktop computers.
-
Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak
In a move that probably won’t come as a shock to many, Ubuntu and all of its official spins will no longer ship with Flatpak installed.
-
openSUSE Leap 15.5 Beta Now Available
The final version of the Leap 15 series of openSUSE is available for beta testing and offers only new software versions.
-
Linux Kernel 6.2 Released with New Hardware Support
Find out what's new in the most recent release from Linus Torvalds and the Linux kernel team.
-
Kubuntu Focus Team Releases New Mini Desktop
The team behind Kubuntu Focus has released a new NX GEN 2 mini desktop PC powered by Linux.