Tracking Cookies

[raydeon]

My Norton I/S 2008 is detecting the following tracking cookies:

cookie:[my name]@msnportal.com
cookie:[my name]@counter.hitslink.com
cookie:[my name]@media.adrevolver.com

I am able to delete them using the fix function of Norton, but the next time i run Norton, they come back. I can also do that by going to Tools, Delete cookies

This only started a couple of weeks ago. I am not getting into any hardcore porn. I am logging in to TERB, The Redzone, Craig list, checking v arious SP sites and occasionally in video chat such as Jasmin or Live private etc. I have been doing that for years, but only had the above mentionned cookies recently detected by Norton.

I can find the sites that cause those cookies.

Norton detects them, but does not prevent them from acceeding my system.
There are other programs such as Spyware, Adware, etc....but I understand that one must not run more than one A/V program. During installation of Norton, it tells you to uninstall any other such program. Norton I/S 2008 which I have, is supposed to be Antivirus, Firewall, Anttispyware,Antiphishing etc...It does not seem to be doing the job.

How do I stop this from happening?

 

[raydeon]

RE: Tracking cookies

More info:
I am using windows xp, I/E 6.0.

I have tried blocking all cookies, but the everytime I try to access any site, I am bombarded with multiple requests to allow cookies. Some sites will not let you in unless you agree. How do you decide which site you should allow cookies?

Another question is related to Active-x. When is it safe to install it? As with cookies, some programs will not work without it.

 

[cypherpunk]

Another question is related to Active-x. When is it safe to install it? As with cookies, some programs will not work without it.

It's safe when you trust it. And there's generally no reason to delete cookies from Microsoft, hitslink, or adrevolver.

 

[raydeon]

It's safe when you trust it. And there's generally no reason to delete cookies from Microsoft, hitslink, or adrevolver.

If it is so, why does Norton I/S flags them as low threat tracking cookies and offers to "FIX" by deleting them?

Why is Microsoft installing those cookies in the first place?

 

[cypherpunk]

If it is so, why does Norton I/S flags them as low threat tracking cookies and offers to "FIX" by deleting them?

Why is Microsoft installing those cookies in the first place?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie#Purpose

Norton just wants you to buy their product. If they were honest, they'd call them a minimal threat. It would be incorrect to call anything categorically no threat.

 

[dreamblade]

Websites install tracking cookies for several reasons. Some to save info for when next time you visit that same site, some for marketing purposes. If you are worried about data being collected about your surfing habits, you can disable cookies in your browser settings. That, however, might cause you not have access to certain sites. Best clear them periodically.

 

[raydeon]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_cookie#Purpose

Norton just wants you to buy their product. If they were honest, they'd call them a minimal threat. It would be incorrect to call anything categorically no threat.

Thanks for info cypherpunk. I thought I was fairly computer literate, having played with computer since the early age of DoS PC's in 1981, and prior to that with the TRS 80 and other home built computers, but its getting more and more complicated. I may get back to you for further advice.

 

[raydeon]

Cookies cntd.

Websites install tracking cookies for several reasons. Some to save info for when next time you visit that same site, some for marketing purposes. If you are worried about data being collected about your surfing habits, you can disable cookies in your browser settings. That, however, might cause you not have access to certain sites. Best clear them periodically.

I do that dreamblade (clearing the cookies periodically), but sometimes the scheduled time for my Norton I/S scan happens prior to me clearing cookies.

The real issue here is that until abt 2 weeks ago my Norton I/S never detected those particular cookies (see above in my initial thread) with an assigned LOW threat warning. I have not changed anything in my system, visit the same sites that I have for months, no hard core porn....

It's safe when you trust it. And there's generally no reason to delete cookies from Microsoft, hitslink, or adrevolver.

If those specific cookies (and I still don't know their origin) are harmless, why are they flagged as threats?

I am paranoid about computer infections of any kind, and I periodically clean all the garbage that gets in the registry or other places by reformatting my OS drive and reinstalling my OS (xp). I have just done that recently.

I am using IE 6, after having tried IE 7 which I din't like too much.
Would IE 7 offer a better protection to that problem? Should I consider switchung to Mozilla Firefox?

Thanks all for your help.