Cookies, Browsers, and Keeping Them Separate

September 14, 2016

The following article is an excerpt from my recent nonfiction release How Do Private Eyes Do That?

Tips for Keeping the Cookie Monster Out of Your Browser

Not all cookies are bad, be they edible or data dropped into your browser (Image copyrighted by Colleen Collins)

What's a Cookie?

Cookies are small amounts of data that websites drop into your browser so they can monitor your internet browsing activity. As they are text, they cannot install anything on your computer. And they are not necessarily evil little creatures as some clue in your browser about preferences you have established for certain sites (such as reading newest comments first or ensuring secure logins).

And then there are the cookies that surreptitiously monitor your internet comings and goings, then feed that data to advertisers and others. If you don’t want your personal internet browsing to be stored in their databases, below are three tips for taking a byte out of those cookies.

Tip #1: Cookie Notices on Websites

Many websites have a symbol, icon or notice that by your visiting the site, you agree to its cookie-gathering policy. Such notices say something like “We use cookies to improve your experience. By your continued use, you accept such use. To change your settings, please see our policy.”

If you don’t want to agree to a site’s cookie-gathering, simply leave the site.

Tip # 2: Do Not Track Options

Do Not Track options block approximately 70% of web-tracking sites (image is in public domain)

Fortunately, browsers offer Do Not Track options so users can opt-out of advertising services and other analytics on websites. Unfortunately, the Do Not Track option is similar to the Do Not Call registry—selecting the option doesn’t necessary mean that the website is going to respect your request.

Nevertheless, based on a recent report from the Information Commissioner’s Office, Do Not Track options block approximately 70% of third-party web tracking, so view it as a basic protective step. Here is a list of advertisers who claim to honor Do Not Track requests: Do Not Track: Implementations

Below are the steps for how to do this for Chrome & Safari (the Do Not Track option is on by default for Mozilla):

Chrome: Preferences/Settings->Advanced Settings–>(Select appropriate boxes)

Safari: Preferences–>Privacy–>(Select appropriate boxes)

For other browsers, check what security or privacy options are available under Preferences.

Tip #3: Add-Ons/Extensions

A second line of defense are add-ons and extensions that you download to your browser. These are not 100% remedies, but another, tougher layer of cookie-protection on top of Do Not Track settings.

The below services are free, with most offering more additional, comprehensive services for a monthly fee:

Please do not copy/distribute any articles without written permission from Colleen Collins. Do not copy/distribute or otherwise use any mages noted as copyrighted or licensed.

Click on book cover to go to Amazon page.

"A must-have for any writer serious about crafting authentic private eyes. Collins knows her stuff."
~Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author

"If you're looking for the lowdown on private investigations, this is it."
~Bill Crider, author of the Truman Smith mystery series

Cover Reveal: HOW DO PRIVATE EYES DO THAT? by Colleen Collins, Second Edition

September 21, 2015

Coming Soon: Second Edition of How Do Private Eyes Do That? Featuring additional resources, links, tips and case studies!

Book Excerpt: SECRETS OF A REAL-LIFE FEMALE PRIVATE EYE

July 12, 2013

“This book is a great source of information for those wishing to become a PI. However, authors can pick up a lot of tips to make their sleuthing characters more believable and pick up tips about the work of a PI. How it is done and why it matters, Colleen’s book has it all.”

— Alice de Sturler, former human rights defender, author, owner Defrosting Cold Cases blog

“As an experienced private detective and a skilled storyteller, Colleen Collins is the perfect person to offer a glimpse into the lives of real female P.I.s”
~Kim Green, managing editor of Pursuit Magazine: The Magazine of Professional Investigators

“SECRETS OF A REAL-LIFE FEMALE PRIVATE EYE is a great resource for anyone writing a female P.I. character, or any P.I. character. Filled with great tips and real-life examples, it helps clarify how things are really done. But it's particularly interesting how the book shows that a female P.I. can have a distinct advantage over a male P.I. in many situations, something for writers to think about.”
~Paul D. Marks, author of the 2013 Shamus winning noir-mystery, White Heat

Book Topics

Secrets of a Real-Life Female Private Eye kicks off with a history of the first female P.I. in the U.S., followed by the advantages and dangers of being a woman in this profession; various tools of the trade; investigative tips; case stories; links to P.I. blogs, online magazines and popular private-eye and crime fiction sites; excerpts from How Do Private Eyes Do That? and How to Write a Dick: A Guide for Writing Fictional Sleuths; and much more.

Book Excerpt

Some Favorite Sites

Below are a few of my favorite blogs, websites and online magazines, authored by real-life P.I.s or people in associated fields. I’ve added a few private-eye genre sites as well for those interested in reading about gumshoe writers and stories.

Defrosting Cold Cases: A blog by Alice de Sturler to explore why some homicide cases remain unsolved. Through blogging and innovative use of existing technology, she has been able to get those cases renewed media attention. Excellent resource for articles, interviews, news and cold case investigations.

Diligentia Group: Run by private investigator Brian Willingham, CFE, who specializes in due diligence, background and legal investigations. He writes informative articles about the art and business of private investigations.

Handcuffed to the Ocean: One of our favorite real-life private investigators, also a fiction writer, is Steven Kerry Brown who is one of the writers for this blog. To read Steve’s blogs, click on the “Crime” category. Also check out his nonfiction book The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Private Investigating.

PInow.com news: News and articles about private investigations.

PIBuzz.com: Authored by Tamara Thompson, a highly respected California private investigator known for her expertise in Internet data gathering, genealogical and adoption research, witness background development and locating people.

Professional Investigator Magazine: Owned by the P.I. team Jimmie and Rosemarie Mesis, two nationally recognized private investigators, this magazine offers articles, resources and products for professional private investigators. In both print and digital, subscribers can order only one magazine or a full subscription. Also check out their investigative products site PIGEAR and their books on investigations at PIstore.com

Pam Beason: Private investigator and writer. From her website: “My books include strong women characters, quirky sidekicks, animals, a dash of humor and big dose of suspense. I love the wilderness, so many of my stories feature wildlife and outdoor adventures.”

Private Eye digital comic book: Artist Marcos Martin and writer Brian K. Vaughan call this a “forward-looking mystery” featuring a private detective in a futuristic world where privacy is considered a sacred right and everyone has a secret identity. The price is pay-what-you-can, and they’re planning on publishing 10 issues total.

Pursuit Magazine: What began as an informal e-zine for professional investigators, bail bondsmen, process servers, attorneys, and other security and legal professionals has morphed this past year into “a clearinghouse of information for truth seekers of all stripes, from detectives to journalists.” Check it out.

The Rap Sheet: A crime-fiction blog with news about conferences, books, events and more.

Rick Johnson & Associates: Based in Denver, Colorado, Rick Johnson is a seasoned private investigator with decades of experience in the field. He’s also the founder and president of The Private Investigators Academy of the Rockies.

Sequence inc: Tracy L Coenen, CPA and CFF, specializes in forensic accounting and writes informative articles in her blog “The Fraud Files.”

Shaun Kaufman Law: Shaun is a former Colorado private investigator and current lawyer, who has nearly 30 years experience in the justice system trying cases from jaywalking to first-degree murder. He writes about current legal issues on his blog.

Spencer Elrod Services, Inc. Mike Spencer, one of the principals of the Spencer Elrod Services agency based in Walnut Creek, California, is @SpencerPI on Twitter. How can anyone resist a P.I. named Spencer? Although Robert Parker would’ve preferred it spelled with an “s”

StillTheySpeak.com: Virginia Braden, a licensed private investigator based in northern Kentucky, investigates violent crimes and works tirelessly to speak on behalf of victims and to bring their families answers.

The Cold Case Squad: NYPD veteran detective Joe Giacalone’s blog with articles about cold cases, investigations and other related topics. Giacalone is the author of The Criminal Investigative Function: A Guide for New Investigators.

Thrilling Detective website: Kevin Burton Smith if the founder and editor of the most comprehensive website dedicated to the private eye genre on the Internet.