FTC - Online tracking – more than cookies

June 23, 2016

by  Lisa Weintraub Schifferle               

Attorney, FTC, Division of Consumer & Business Education

Wondering why you keep getting online ads targeted to you? Then, check out the FTC’s updated guidance on online tracking. It describes different methods of tracking, how they work, and how you can control them.   

How do websites remember you? For years, the answer has been by using “cookies” – pieces of information saved by your web browser, then used to remember you and customize your browsing experience.
Now, it’s about more than cookies. Without using cookies, companies can use “device fingerprinting” to track you, based on your browser’s unique configurations and settings. Plus, mobile app developers can use “device identifiers” to monitor different applications used on your device. Tracking can also occur on smart devices, like smart TVs.
How can you control online tracking? Here are some ways to get started:

• Delete or limit cookies. Check your browser’s settings for tools under Help, Tools, Options or Privacy.
• Reset identifiers on your mobile devices. That makes it harder to associate your device with your past activity. iOS users can do this by following Settings > Privacy > Advertising > Reset Advertising Identifier. For Android, the path is Google settings > Ads > Reset advertising ID. Remember that this will only prevent tracking based on past activity – it won’t prevent tracking going forward.
• Learn about tracker blockers. There are tools that allow you to block ads called tracker blockers. They prevent companies from using cookies or fingerprinting to track your internet behavior. To find tracker blocking plug-ins, type “tracker blocker” in your search engine. Then, compare features to decide which tracker blocker is best for you.  

Want to learn more about safeguarding your information online? Check out the FTC’s advice on computer security, protecting your personal information, and limiting unwanted calls, mail and email.

FTC Alert: June 14, 2016 - Scammers say “Help Wanted”

June 14, 2016, Bridget Small ,Consumer Education Specialist, FTC    

          

Criminals don’t like getting caught. So, when they want to send and receive stolen money, they get someone else to do the dirty work. Some scammers develop online relationships and ask their new sweetheart or friend to accept a deposit and transfer funds for them. Other cons recruit victims with job ads that seem like they’re for legit jobs, but they’re not. Law enforcement calls the victims ’money mules.’ If you get involved with one of these schemes, you could lose money and personal information, and you could get into legal trouble.
Scammers post ads for imaginary job openings for payment-processing agents, finance support clerks, mystery shoppers, interns, money transfer agents or administrative assistants. They search job sites, online classifieds and social media to hunt for potential money mules.  For example, if you post your resume on a job site, they might send you an email saying, ‘We saw your resume online and want to hire you.’
 The ads often say:

• the company is outside the U.S.
• all work is done online
• you’ll get great pay for little work

If you respond, the scammer may interview you or send an online application. He does that to collect your personal information and make the job offer seem legitimate. At some point, the scammer will ask for your bank account number, or tell you to open a new account, and then send you instructions about transferring money.
If you think you’re involved with a money transfer scam:

• stop transferring money
• close your bank account
• notify your bank and the wire transfer service about the scam
• report it to the FTC

If you’re looking for work, check out the FTC’s tips about jobs and making money and warning signs of a job scam.