bitflipper
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Something else to be paranoid about: zombie cookies
Recent discussions about cookies and speculation as to why some Firefox users have trouble automatically logging in to this forum spurred me to check my own cookie policies and current cookie collection. In the process, I found cookies from domains that I had previously banned via FF's cookie filter feature. Somehow, those creeps had sneaked past my defenses! A little research led me to the topic of "super-cookies", also known as "zombie cookies" because they can rise from the dead. No kidding. Turns out it's Flash that's providing the back door. It drops its own brand of cookies on your hard drive, called LSO's (Local Shared Objects). But unlike normal cookies, these are beyond the control of your browser - and they can hold a whole lot more information than standard cookies. Your browser can't block them, and it's very hard to delete them. And even though it's hard for you to see them, it turns out damn near anybody else in the world can. The solution - at least, it purports to be a solution, I'm testing it now - is a Firefox add-on called "BetterPrivacy". You can download it here.
 All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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dlogan
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Re:Something else to be paranoid about: zombie cookies
2010/08/09 15:51:47
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I first I thought these were cookies for zombies. My initial thought was this was a good thing - if zombies had some delicious cookies just for them, maybe they would be less interested in eating our brains. Then I thought about monster cookies - remember those? They each had a fake bite taken out of them, because before you bought the cookies, some monsters had apparently taken the cookies and taken one bite out of each one. I used to love them things. Then I read your post, which is above my head. But I did bring back some fond memories of cookies from my youth, so thank you. 
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bapu
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Re:Something else to be paranoid about: zombie cookies
2010/08/09 16:26:03
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Rob's been eating cookies in my computer again?
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Jonbouy
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Re:Something else to be paranoid about: zombie cookies
2010/08/09 19:25:14
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Yeah, I flagged this one up quite awhile back after picking up an indelible LSO from Toontracks site. Turns out it was the video player they are using and their web-man wasn't even aware of it at the time I'm pretty sure they've fixed the issue now. It seemed innocuous but I just don't like the idea having something from a 3rd party put on my machine that I can't get rid of. I got rid of it eventually as Windows couldn't using this software that Doc Holliday from the guitar tracks forum tipped me off about. http://eraser.heidi.ie/ I always keep the Macromedia flash caches empty since. CCleaner always shows them up under 'Options/Cookies' if there is anything left in there after running a clean up, which there will be if you pick one of these things up.
post edited by Jonbouy - 2010/08/09 19:28:43
"We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves" - Banksy
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alexoosthoek
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Re:Something else to be paranoid about: zombie cookies
2010/08/09 19:54:04
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bitflipper
Recent discussions about cookies and speculation as to why some Firefox users have trouble automatically logging in to this forum spurred me to check my own cookie policies and current cookie collection. In the process, I found cookies from domains that I had previously banned via FF's cookie filter feature. Somehow, those creeps had sneaked past my defenses!
A little research led me to the topic of "super-cookies", also known as "zombie cookies" because they can rise from the dead. No kidding.
Turns out it's Flash that's providing the back door. It drops its own brand of cookies on your hard drive, called LSO's (Local Shared Objects). But unlike normal cookies, these are beyond the control of your browser - and they can hold a whole lot more information than standard cookies. Your browser can't block them, and it's very hard to delete them. And even though it's hard for you to see them, it turns out damn near anybody else in the world can.
The solution - at least, it purports to be a solution, I'm testing it now - is a Firefox add-on called "BetterPrivacy". You can download it here.
Thanks Bit!
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johnnyV
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Re:Something else to be paranoid about: zombie cookies
2010/08/09 20:07:24
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It would be cool to figure out how to make a cookie that showed as " chocolate chip" in the folder.
I also found dozens of cookies that I never bought in my cookie jar. Things like "ad spewer" " we know what you need"
" large jugs and software bugs" Makes you want to unplug the cord.
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bitflipper
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Re:Something else to be paranoid about: zombie cookies
2010/08/09 21:38:12
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That's an idea: edit those cookies and replace your name, address and blood type with "EAT SH*T AND DIE, YOU NOSEY SLIMEBALLS!"
All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. My Stuff
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Mooch4056
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Re:Something else to be paranoid about: zombie cookies
2010/08/09 22:29:20
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I did the same research bit .......my solution came to to the BetterPrivacy add on as well.
Just as I suspected ......
wait a sec.....
I am on Chrome -
oh never mind
From Now On Call Me Conquistador!
Donate to the cure Bapu Foundation Email: mooch4056@gmail.com for more info
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bapu
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Re:Something else to be paranoid about: zombie cookies
2010/08/10 00:47:39
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Mooch, You just wanted this ahead of my post, huh? I'll get you yet, Paulie. 
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