Vista - Adobe Flash: The Silent Privacy Killer

Flash Cookies: The Silent Privacy Killer

There are hundreds of applications out there from spyware cleaners to built-in browser features that eliminate cookies on the spot, and even let you set cookie policies on your computer regarding what can be stored in your machine, and for how long. I’m assuming that if you’re here reading this post, you already know all of the dangers of cookies on your computer. In all honesty, I don’t seriously believe that they’re the most dangerous form of movement or web tracking, but they can definitely be used to monitor more movements than a person should feel comfortable with.
What if there was a type of cookie that could:

• Stay on your computer for an unlimited amount of time
• Store 100 kb of data by default, with an unlimited max
• Couldn’t be deleted by your browser
• Send previous visit information and history, by default, without your permission

Okay… That’s a pretty scary cookie. As it is right now, the cookies we’re so deadly afraid of can store a maximum of 4 kb of information, are manage by your browser, and by default have reasonable defaults and restrictions.
This type of cookie exists on 98% of global computers, across all operating systems. it’s the Adobe Flash Player.

The Adobe Flash Player maintains proprietary cookies called Local Shared Objects or LSO’s. LSO’s are capable of storing 100 kb’s of information for an indefinite amount of time by default. When you clear your browser history in Internet Explorer, Firefox or Opera on Windows, Linux, or OS X LSO’s are not cleared from Adobe’s local repository.
In fact, all the information in those cookies will remain indefinitely until they’re removed by the issuing website, or by you via a cumbersome and ridiculous process.
Unfortunately, I haven’t even explained the worst of it.
There’s no easy way to tell what sites are using flash cookies to track your movements. There’s no list, and there doesn’t have to be a flash GUI or visible application for flash cookies to be present. In fact, most websites using flash for user tracking don’t create GUI’s, toolbars, or applications that you can actually see in your browser while browsing the site.
Many times a tiny flash module, 2 kb in size or less is loaded into your browser on every page visit in the same way a gif, jpg or other image is. The whole purpose of this tiny, invisible flash module might be to simply record the page request, and your username or other session variables.
Alright, so now you’re sufficiently convinced that this is creepy stuff. Let’s talk about how to get rid of it?
Lame as it might be, the Flash Player has no ability to delete cookies. And as I’ve already said, your browser can’t help you out. It doesn’t even know these cookies exist! Most of the privacy settings for Adobe Flash have be accessed via a flash application on Adobe’s website called the Adobe Flash Player Settings Manager.
If you want to access the Settings Manager, you can do so here. In fact, open it up now and let’s take a look.
If you’ve clicked the link above, then you’re looking at the Flash Player Settings Manager, and a list of all the sites currently storing information on the cookies stored on your computer.
Looking at my list, I see over 100 websites that have been accessing the same cookie for the last year (the last time I formatted my computer). Some of them are storing only 1kb of information, some are storing the full 100 kb’s. On my own computer, I see that my bank is storing flash information despite the fact that there isn’t a single flash application visible when I log in to check my balance. I see Youtube, CNN, Microsoft, Rotten Tomatoes and a ton more!
To delete all the Flash Cookies currently being stored on your machine:

1. Go to the Settings Manager (Website Storage Settings)
2. Go to the far-right tab
3. Click “Delete all sites”

To prevent websites from storing any more information on your computer:

1. Go to Settings Manager
2. Click the Second Tab from the left (Global Storage Settings)
3. Set the Storage Settings slider to None
4. Uncheck “Allow Third Party Flash Content to store data on your computer

There are several other “privacy” settings on the other tabs, but don’t be persuaded. Most of those privacy settings have to do with whether or not websites can access your microphone and webcam. There isn’t a single cookie option on any of the privacy tabs on the Settings Manager.
Adobe, as a global leader in browser technology (a 98% computer market share), has a responsibility to make Privacy Options easily accessible from within the Player application itself. They also have a responsibility to set reasonble default limitations. It’s ridiculous that they would enable websites to store cookies indefinitely, and in such large sizes.


I’m A Super.com » Flash Cookies: The Silent Privacy Killer

What do you think about making this post a sticky, that way it will always stay in view rather than disappear from the page in time as other posts take it's place.?

Thanks for this heads up echrada. Had loads of them, now they are gone, thanks.

Agree this needs to be a sticky.

echrada many thanks mate great nice post.

Great post, echrada. Thanks.

G'Day echrada,

What a brilliant article, and I agree 100% with Joan's sentiments in having this informative gem cemented in place as a Sticky Post.....great idea.

Sneaky little s

All the very best for 2009 to you Joan, and also you, echrada

Edit;

Pleased to see that this Thread has had a lift in its profile with 'Sticky Thread' status. Deserved.

either that or a tutorial...

but then again...

but thanks for the heads up echandra....

is this global or browser relevant???

It is pretty much global, as I found this with every browser that I have used. Just make sure that you use the tools.

ok thanks as i looked and it said global setting
i was thinking of that....

yeah i set it up so that everything gets denied....

i only used it to watch youtube videos once in a while so i dont need a cookie to stay there....lol

Thanks for this echrada. Yet another room in the house to keep clean!