So what is this forum software looking at.

[BobR]

Using Google I have been searching for information on a product that I have never shown inerest in before - non woodworking. The first time I start up the forum software after this , there on the bottom of the page is a link to a site related to the product I was earlier searching for. Is this software looking at my Google searches and any other sites I may visit.

[Big Shed]

That is not a forum function but Google at work, same thing happens in my GMail.

The concept of privacy is foreign to Google

[Groggy]

Google uses your IP address and records what you look at. Later on when it detects your IP address and has an opportunity to push an ad it tries to make the ad relevant to you.

In coming years there will be proximity ads based on your credit cards, phone or wifi, as you walk down the street advertisements will change to match your interests. This could prove to be acutely embarrassing for people who have searched for adult entertainment or haemorrhoid creams

[BobL]

. . . . In coming years there will be proximity ads based on your credit cards, phone or wifi, as you walk down the street advertisements will change to match your interests. This could prove to be acutely embarrassing for people who have searched for adult entertainment or haemorrhoid creams

A few years ago, in front of a class of a couple of hundred students, I fired up a browser to show them something educational I had been looking at on the web just before class
Unfortunately I forgot to bookmark the links but knowing it would be in the History I opened that up and also listed were some suspect links to, what I realized a few minutes later, was the cause of considerable laughter from the rabble up the back. AFter that I always cleared the history before using a web browser in class.

[lesmeyer]

I use Google in a big way - but I am surprised at how ruthless they are when attempting to gather info from your PC etc. I have a router and firewall that blocks them and many other nasties as well. It also block governments trying to sniff my home network. After all - it is MY network.

Les

[Master Splinter]

There are ads on the internet????

[BobR]

I have found that I can opt out of these ads. Suspect that Google will keep monitoring my activity though.

[jimbur]

In coming years there will be proximity ads based on your credit cards, phone or wifi, as you walk down the street advertisements will change to match your interests. This could prove to be acutely embarrassing for people who have searched for adult entertainment or haemorrhoid creams

Sounds an excellent idea to me and one that should be tested in our parliaments, churches and courts of law.
Cheers,
Jim

[Chris Parks]

I am reading a book at the moment which is basically a biography of Google and narrates how they go about things and how it all developed. As far as they are concerned it is their god given right to assemble every bit of information from everyone and they justify this by asserting that this benefits you the user which it does. It is extremely interesting and I would recommend anyone who has the slightest interest in how the net or Google works to take the time to read it.

In the Plex by Steve Levy In The Plex: How Google Thinks,Works,and Shapes Our Lives: Steven Levy: 9781416596585: Amazon.com: Books

You can buy the Kindle version and DL the reader for free if that is more convenient.

[Groggy]

These things can be paradoxical. Suppose there was a way to generate cheap, clean energy with virtually zero waste by-product. The only risk being that if the facility were destroyed it would create a black hole and suck us all in. Some would argue the risk is worth it because they would benefit from it financially and could say it benefits humanity. Others would say the inherent risk outweighs the benefits.

The people with the money go ahead anyway - what do you do?

[Master Splinter]

I block google tracking links and flush cookies as I can't get results that are tailored enough. I'd be happier if there was a master page where I could, well, tick things like this:

[ ] No, I don't want to see ads promoting installation of 1.5kw worth of solar panels for $15,000
[ ] In fact, I don't want to see any ads that take me as a fool
[ ] I never want ads that mention Facebook or Twitter
[ ] When I'm in the market for a car or a dating site, I'll let you know. Promise.
[ ] My classification for 'unrepeatable red hot bargains' is where the retail and wholesale importer's margins are 10% or less
[ ] Please categorise me as 'profoundly deaf' so no ad is ever temped to make a noise to get my attention
[ ] Six ads on one page all saying 'Remove stale pet odours' is overkill for someone without a pet
[ ] If I want to see animated Flash ads that block the page underneath till I dismiss them, I'll write you a note. On paper. With quill and ink. Signed in blood. Your blood.

[wheelinround]

Bob worst of all in all of this is its is using your paid usage download quota. So in variably they are using your computer FREE for their advertising yet they PAY those whom this advertising is brought to you by. It even happens when I go on to OS web sites advertising appears for local market streamed video ads which load faster than things I may click on to watch even on Youtube.

[Chris Parks]

I never notice and have never clicked on the ads on the right hand side, I just had to do a sample search before I wrote this to see what others were on about. I don't see streaming videos either so I must be lucky there. What bugs me is I do a search and the top of the search always has Ebay or something in the main search results which is a pain. They have also taken away the advance search function for the first search but it appears after the initial search is completed. I suppose I should eliminate ebay from my initial search but I always forget.

[jchappo]

I use a Firefox Addon called Ghostery.
It allows you to block any tracking software, and also tells you what is being blocked.
For instance, it is blocking Google Adsense and Google Analytics when I browse these forums.
Interesting to note that when I visit the Google site (on which I have opted out of tracking in my Google prefences), there is nothing to block. This suggests that Google are respecting my wishes.

[jimbur]

MS your chances with the second item are slim to non-existent. How can you tell a fool that you don't want to be taken as one?
Cheers,
Jim