Interesting People mailing list archives
IP: "Bugnosis" [seems to work djf]
From: David Farber <dave () farber net>
Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2001 11:04:32 -0400
A privacy software package has been launched that specifically targets a new form of Internet tracking. The Privacy Foundation has unveiled Bugnosis, a special program to detect webbugs. Webbugs are tiny image files which are being used increasingly to identify and track computer users. Bugnosis, which can be downloaded through the World Wide Web, is installed as a plug-in to existing Internet browsers, causes individual computers to say "uh-oh" when a webbug is encountered. It also logs the URL associated with a given webbug as well as further details as to the intruder's properties (such as whether the bug is connected to other digital identification files, including cookies). Moreover, Bugnosis places marks a viewed site so that the user can actually see the exact location of a particular webbug on the page. If the program discovers that a webbug is associated with certain well-known companies (such as Internet advertising giant DoubleClick), it allows the user to send an email message directly to the webbug owner for further queries or outright complaints. The Foundation hopes that this program will increase public awareness and openness about these tracking devices. For example, the organization argues that "Web site privacy policies should disclose the use of Web bugs. In fact, the general practice of online profiling by third-party ad networks should be disclosed in privacy policies, but is rarely mentioned." To download Bugnosis, click http://www.bugnosis.org
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- IP: "Bugnosis" [seems to work djf] David Farber (Aug 11)