Web browsers get on board with do not track functions

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The three bigs of the web browsing world either have or are installing a ‘do not track’ function on their browsers.

Firefox is the only with the capability up and running right now. If you have the Firefox browser on your computer, visit Mozilla.org for details on how to activate the do not track capability. They also offer a private browsing function for sensitive surfing.

Meanwhile, Microsoft’s latest version of Internet Explorer will come pre-installed automatically with the do not track function already activated. It will be built right into the browser.

Finally, after dragging its feet on the issue, Google has agreed to add a do not track function over the next several months.

But understand this well. Even though the browsers will have these do not track functions, it’s up in the air as to if marketers and others will actually honor your wishes for privacy. They’re supposed to do so voluntarily to avoid heavy handed government regulation, but it’s anybody’s guess as to how this all plays out.

It’s important to understand how the info that spybots and cookies rountinely collect on you is used. Basically, they’re looking at you so they can serve relevant ads that you would be interested in.

As for me, I won’t use the do not track function on Google’s Chrome browser when it becomes available. Because of the work I do, I want to see what you’re seeing when you surf. So I actually want to see how sophisticated the tracking software and ad delivery systems really are!

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