Flash Cookies and Privacy

This post was written by admin on November 26, 2009
Posted Under: Free Tools, PC Security, Technology

Flash Cookies, Local Shared Objects (LSO's), are 'super cookies' which never expire and are a threat to users privacy as well as pc security, and reside in central system folders which protects them from deletion.

Unlike traditional browser cookies, Flash cookies are relatively unknown to most users, and they are not controlled through the cookie privacy controls in a browser.

So, even if you use a program such as CCleaner to remove cookies after surfing or manually empty your Temp files the Flash Cookies remain....indefinitely, unless you have opened the Applications Tab in CCleaner and ticked Adobe Flash Player.

Adobe’s Flash software is installed on an estimated 98 percent of personal computers, and has been a major part in the explosion of online video, powering video players for sites such as YouTube.

Several services even use this data storage to reinstate traditional cookies that a user has deleted. So even if a user removes tracking cookies, that cookie’s unique ID will be assigned back to a new cookie again using the Flash data as the "backup". Sneaky or what?

By default websites can store up to 100K of information in the plug-in, 25 times what a browser cookie can hold and also use the storage capability to pre-load portions of songs or videos to ensure smooth playback.

Flash Cookies are not temporary files. Users can opt-out of them on a per-site basis by right-clicking the Flash player and selecting 'Settings', or can opt-out globally by using the Global Storage Settings panel of the online Settings Manager at Adobe's website.

Just like JavaScript, which many people do not allow to run due to security concerns, it is up to the user to make the choice to get the most out of their browsing experience, or to put security as a top priority.

Browsers are not aware of those cookies and via Flash they can access and store highly specific personal and technical information which is shared across domains without users knowledge or consent and track your movements.

Without your knowledge some of these Flash Cookies can also access your webcam and/or microphone if you have them.