Cookies and similar ...

Edited By Frances IoM on 28/01/2021 16:15:35

Ref earlier posting " On top of this, it is worth knowing that almost every user on the internet is uniquely identified by your IP, browser, operating system, and other information that is sent by default to every website on the internet. If 'they' want to know who you are, it's not a problem for them. "

Does the "almost" above mean all those who don't use a VPN? Seems unlikely as in 2020 (quote) "If you use a VPN, you're among around 31% of internet users".
**LINK**

Using a good VPN provides a whole manner of safeguards and benefits since you're not identifiable to the websites visited.

A VPN removes exactly one of the identifying attributes I mentioned: your IP. If you want to obfuscate the other pieces of information, you have to use a VPN service that does so automatically or you have to configure it yourself.

> If you use a VPN, you're among around 31% of internet users

While that's probably a fair reflection of total internet traffic, I doubt it reflects the average internet user in the West.

At the end of the day, almost every website of interest requires you to identify yourself to it and re-identify when you visit again, so there is only so much that paranoia can save you from.

Interesting News item : **LINK**

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/google-chrome-cookies-third-party-ads

MichaelG.

" don't worry Neil will be along in a minute to explain that the the google + facebook cookies added by this site are not trackers but merely benign helps to improve the site design "

According to "Ghostery" which always runs alongside Firefox Focus, this is what we get.
4 trackers = not bad for a 'public site' and it still works fine when they're blocked.