I recently signed up to People Per Hour and now nearly every site I visit has people per hour banners all over it. I knew to some extent my browsing history is logged but I find that a little troublesome. Also I didn't realise the scale in which data is sold between companies. Looking at the source of sites displaying ads these are all different ad networks. I am not naive I know how it works but I have never seen anything this targeted before. Even to the point google adsense ads are full picture PPH ads as well.

Rant over

I've forgotten what they call it but isn't there now a shared cookie of some description that a lot of the ad networks use? It will be interesting to see what happens in a year or so when websites have to ask you to opt-in to cookies.

I'm not sure cynic, but if there is I should be able to opt out. If I am honest I would sooner it was a shared cookie than the fact my IP and browsing history are been sold between companies.

There it is again. PPH ads in the top corner of SF now!!!!

I know it's really nothing, I just find it a bit annoying!! It's basically assuming that since I recently visited PPH I am not interested in anything else when actually I quite often click through ads that catch my eye.

There it is again. PPH ads in the top corner of SF now!!!!

I know it's really nothing, I just find it a bit annoying!! It's basically assuming that since I recently visited PPH I am not interested in anything else when actually I quite often click through ads that catch my eye.

You can choose not to accept third party cookies. In Firefox it's Options>Privacy then untick the box which says 'accept third party cookies' next to it. If you're using Firefox you can also add-on Ad Block Plus then you won't see any adverts at all.

I don't wanna stop the ads, They are after all what keep most sites free. Also blocking cookies would generally affect web browsing experience would it not? ie tracking login to sites etc.

I don't wanna stop the ads, They are after all what keep most sites free. Also blocking cookies would generally affect web browsing experience would it not? ie tracking login to sites etc.

That's why you block 3rd party cookies only. You still get the cookies from the sites you visit but the ones from the ad networks get blocked.

Blocking 3rd party cookies does have some unexpected effects and some websites won't run properly without them. However it's the minority which misbehave and I have Internet Explorer that I use if I have problems by blocking 3rd party cookers on my default browser which is Firefox.

It will be interesting to see what happens in a year or so when websites have to ask you to opt-in to cookies.

Does anyone know more about this? I think it's a great idea as I resent sites gathering information about my surfing habits for their own financial gain.

I'd rather be secure and retain my privacy than worry about whether or not sites can survive without my ad revenue.

Anyway, blocking third party cookies will help you - and it wont affect your general browsing.

It won't stop you getting ads either, just not targetted ones.

Blocking 3rd party cookies does have some unexpected effects and some websites won't run properly without them. However it's the minority which misbehave and I have Internet Explorer that I use if I have problems by blocking 3rd party cookers on my default browser which is Firefox.



Does anyone know more about this? I think it's a great idea as I resent sites gathering information about my surfing habits for their own financial gain.


There is some more information about the new opt-in cookie laws here - http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2011/04/15/246364/UK-enforces-EU-opt-in-cookie-law.htm

It doesn't give much detail though and I think it has been delayed for a year when they realised most websites wouldn't work without cookies and in tests most users rejected the cookies when give a choice.

I'm not sure cynic, but if there is I should be able to opt out.

You already can. You can configure your browser to block whichever cookies and whichever advert frames you want.


If you use Firefox, there are innumerable add-ons that make this ridiculously easy. I don't know if similiar things are available for other browsers (since I do use Firefox).

It happens to me all the time, for example, I looked at Sofas from DFS the other week, now every site has a DFS advert

B&Q on SF now, as I looked at wallpaper colours yesterday, It'll be DFS if I refresh

To block tracking cookies

Chrome : Spanner > Options > Under The Bonnet > Content Settings > Cookies > TICK Ignore exceptions and block third-party cookies from being set

Firefox : Options > Options > Privacy > Firefox Will 'Use Custom Settings..' UNTICK Accept Third Party Cookies.

I'd rather be secure and retain my privacy than worry about whether or not sites can survive without my ad revenue.

Anyway, blocking third party cookies will help you - and it wont affect your general browsing.

It won't stop you getting ads either, just not targetted ones.

I get your point but if everyone thought the same way the Internet would be a far worse place. I would say maybe 1 site out of 10 is a hobby site that someone creates for the love of it. If everyone blocked ads what would happen to the other 9 out of 10.

I maybe a little biased as I have run websites in the past.

I don't wanna stop the ads, They are after all what keep most sites free. Also blocking cookies would generally affect web browsing experience would it not? ie tracking login to sites etc.

I though that stopping ads did just that and also that websites only get money when the ads are clicked on. For someone who doesn't click on ads it cant make much difference to the sites revenue by blocking them, or am I missing something here?

I don't normally block ads but do use flashblock as flash stuff can be annoying.

I get your point but if everyone thought the same way the Internet would be a far worse place. I would say maybe 1 site out of 10 is a hobby site that someone creates for the love of it. If everyone blocked ads what would happen to the other 9 out of 10.

I maybe a little biased as I have run websites in the past.

There's loads of good independent sites that don't depend on advertising revenue to generate income and consequently are totally free to say what they want.

I recently signed up to People Per Hour and now nearly every site I visit has people per hour banners all over it. I knew to some extent my browsing history is logged but I find that a little troublesome. Also I didn't realise the scale in which data is sold between companies.Yes very much so!!!

Make sure to delete ALL COOKIES this will help as this is how they track you......

Block 3rd party cookies!!

I get your point but if everyone thought the same way the Internet would be a far worse place. I would say maybe 1 site out of 10 is a hobby site that someone creates for the love of it. If everyone blocked ads what would happen to the other 9 out of 10.

I maybe a little biased as I have run websites in the past.

The problem for me is that if you dont block ads you are opening yourself to malware and loss of privacy.

Is it also an issue of trust. You have already established that online ads are tracking your online activity, and that you have little control over that.

How can you be sure they aren't taking more of your data than you expect?

Furthermore, this means that sites are effectively SELLING your browsing history in order to target ads at you, all without your knowledge or specific consent.

I'd suggest installing the 'Ghostery' Extension in either FF or Chrome - you can set it so that it doesn't block anything, but it alerts you every time a 'web bug' or tracker is found. Visit your normal sites and you'll soon discover just how many sites your data is being sold to.

This to me is unacceptable, so I advise everyone to AT LEAST turn off tracking cookies.