Spammers use them all the time, but have you ever heard of web bugs? Sure, we all know what cookies are, but what about web bugs? Well, these are a type of spyware that allows a spammer to know when an e-mail he sent was viewed. They are also used to confirm the validity of the e-mail address.
Advertisers are also using these web bugs to see which sites people are visiting and how often they visit. By using this information, the advertisers are able to generate reports on Internet users so that related ads can be placed on each particular user’s browser.
Browsers can either accept or reject cookies, but web bugs are a different story. They are usually formatted as a GIF (Graphic Interchange Format), which is commonly used on the Internet. This is why a browser will normally accept the web bugs. Even though it’s a GIF (which people associate with pictures), the web bug will go unnoticed in a spammer’s e-mail. This is because the image is very small; usually no bigger than 1 X 1 pixel. The image will also blend into whatever background it’s on; if the background is white, the web bug will be white. As for advertisers, they are very clever, too. They can hide a web bug in a site’s logo, so even though it is right in front of you, you will never see it.
If you’ve ever received an e-greeting card, you have encountered web bugs. When a card is sent, the sender will be given an option to be e-mailed when the card is received and viewed. This is a prime example of web bugs at work.
Because spammers are one of the main users of web bugs, concerns about privacy are high. With the use of web bugs, a spammer will have access to an incredible amount of information about the recipients of his e-mails. The web bugs will tell the spammer the IP Address of the computer receiving the web bug, it identifies the URL the web bug came from, it identifies the URL of the page it was viewed on and it can identify the exact time the web bug was viewed. These web bugs are like tiny little stalkers, keeping track of your movements.
Privacy concerns also arise when a web bug is placed on a particular website. The main concern is that an individual’s Internet browsing is being tracked without that individual’s knowledge or consent. To make matters worse, this tracking isn’t going against any website’s privacy policy since the bugs are generally placed by third parties. Third parties aren’t required to adhere to the privacy policy terms and conditions.
Whether they come from a spammer’s e-mail or a website, these web bugs are putting everyone’s privacy in jeopardy. Personal information is being gathered, yet there’s nothing you can do to stop it. One thing you can do to help guard against the web bugs is to turn off your browser cookies. A safer option would be to use a proxy server. With a proxy server, you and your activities can’t be tracked by web bugs because it’s not your IP Address that is being tracked; it’s the IP Address of the proxy server.
You can also keep your privacy secure by using the proxy servers of Privacy Partners. They offer a FREE trial so that you may see firsthand how using a proxy server can work to your advantage. Besides changing your IP Address, each connection is encrypted and NEVER monitored, so you can be sure that your information will be safe.
