Ghostery sneaks in new promotional messaging system

[Batu69]

Ghostery is a rather controversial privacy add-on for various web browsers including Firefox and Google Chrome.

The extension has been designed to improve online privacy by blocking trackers. Apart from that, it also informs you about trackers used on sites if you want it to, or, if you prefer that, it will block these automatically without notifying you about occurrences.

Ghostery ships with lists that you can subscribe to which block certain types of trackers, for instance advertising, privacy or widgets.

While it may not block ads on the web, it reduces tracking by blocking certain kinds of trackers on sites you visit.

The most recent update to Ghostery 5.4.6 for Chrome, Safari, Opera and Firefox introduces two new options to the browser extension that add to the controversial nature of Ghostery.

The first introduces a messaging tool, Ghostery calls it Consumer Messaging Platform, which allows the company to message users directly in the web browser.

According to Ghostery, it will be used for product announcements and promotions. What makes this problematic is that it is enabled by default.

If you have updated to the new Ghostery version already you are automatically opted-in, and if you install Ghostery anew in a browser, you are opted-in as well.

To disable this feature, do the following:

• Open the Ghostery options in the browser you are using. In Chrome, you right-click on the icon and select options, in Firefox you open about:addons and click on options next to the Ghostery entry there.
• Switch to the Advanced tab on the options page and uncheck "Allow Ghostery to show messages in my browser related to product features, updates, and promotions".
• Make sure you click save at the bottom of the screen as the modification won't stick otherwise.

The second new feature is a survey that is automatically opened when Ghostery is installed. Existing users find a survey link at the top of the options page.

This survey asks for personal information such as employment status, location, age or gender.

Closing Words

Ghostery does not seem to have used the feature yet to notify users but it is probably only a matter of time until the first message is sent out to users who have the extension installed.

The main issue here is that this feature is opt-out meaning it is enabled for all users of the extension. Since users are not informed about this when they run the extension, the only way they can find out about the new feature is by stumbling upon it in the options, reading the blog post on the Ghostery website, or reading about it on third-party websites.

Source

[bonbonboi]

Not bad since developers of freewares cant effort their software to be free for ever and with no any single income. I think most software developers if someone paid 'em any amount of money they would customize a special version for that one. Any way, on Internet ads makes money for a lot of websites, thus would keep them up and running as usual, ads blockers most of the time fight against the flow, most of them cant make it, others can but with difficulties and of course with some threats from here and there.

[steven36]

Not bad since developers of freewares cant effort their software to be free for ever and with no any single income. I think most software developers if someone paid 'em any amount of money they would customize a special version for that one. Any way, on Internet ads makes money for a lot of websites, thus would keep them up and running as usual, ads blockers most of the time fight against the flow, most of them cant make it, others can but with difficulties and of course with some threats from here and there.

Ghostery is owned by Evidon, a company that collects and provides data to advertising companies. It has a feature called GhostRank that you can check to "support" them. The problem is, Ghostery blocks sites from gathering personal information on you—but Ghostrank will take note the ads you encounter and which ones you block, and sends that information back to advertisers so they can better formulate their ads to avoid being blocked. The data is anonymous, and Ghostery still does everything it promises to do to protect your privacy.

http://lifehacker.com/ad-blocking-extension-ghostery-actually-sells-data-to-a-514417864

Also they updated there privacy policy with this CMP that this article in op talks about they even collect more data now days,

The big addition with 5.4.6 was the launch of the Customer Messaging Platform (CMP). The CMP lets us message our users directly in their browser with product announcements, promotions, and other appropriate notifications.

The CMP evaluates your IP address, browser, operating system, and Ghostrank status to figure out where you are located and what technology you are using so can we do logical things like serve you messages in the correct language or inform you of new product features for your browser of choice. As described in the release notes, you can turn the CMP off at any time by accessing the advanced tab of the options menu.

https://www.ghostery.com/en/articles/updates-to-our-ghostery-browser-extension-privacy-statement/

I stopped using it along time ago I just use policeman and ublock to block trackers ;)

[sternog]

Currently trying out uBlock Origin + Privacy Badger combo.

[snf]

uBlock Origin + Disconnect : is good ?

(Exist for chrome and firefox)

https://disconnect.me/

[dcs18]

I am sure sure that Advanced Users would manage to find a way out of the promotional implementation from Ghostery — just as Users of Adblock Plus did.

[Batu69]

uBlock Origin + Disconnect : is good ?

(Exist for chrome and firefox)

https://disconnect.me/

I think no need Disconnect because uBlock Origin(3rd-party filters) already have Malvertising filter list & Malware filter list by Disconnect‎.

[snf]

I think no need Disconnect because uBlock Origin(3rd-party filters) already have Malvertising filter list & Malware filter list by Disconnect‎.

Okay . Stay use Ghostery.

With Tip of Noruas (member of this place )

if you want to block sending information, add "0.0.0.0 betrad.com" in your host file

[DKT27]

Currently trying out uBlock Origin + Privacy Badger combo.

Reading some reviews on Privacy Badger. Some people are complaining of sites breaking. Any such instances you have seen. Also, does it have a whitelisting feature for sites.

I think no need Disconnect because uBlock Origin(3rd-party filters) already have Malvertising filter list & Malware filter list by Disconnect‎.

Okay . Stay use Ghostery.

With Tip of Noruas (member of this place )

if you want to block sending information, add "0.0.0.0 betrad.com" in your host file

I think this would be required even if one unchecks all the questionable options in it.

[steven36]

I think no need Disconnect because uBlock Origin(3rd-party filters) already have Malvertising filter list & Malware filter list by Disconnect‎.

Okay . Stay use Ghostery.

With Tip of Noruas (member of this place )

if you want to block sending information, add "0.0.0.0 betrad.com" in your host file

Fanboy Ultimate List in Ublock (This includes Easylist, Easyprivacy, Enhanced Trackers List and Annoyances List)

This includes anti tracking in much more also I use Basic tracking list by Disconnect‎ Plus + Malvertising filter list & Malware filter list by Disconnect‎

There's no need to install 15 add ons and if it blocks any site you use you can easy whitelist it . :P

I also use uMatrix in palemoon and chrome and policeman in cyberfox these add-ons block trackers better than using 10 anti-tracking add-ons can :P