Spybot is warning that DoubleClick is a known threat --- what should I do?
This warning is cookie related, NOT spyware related and as a rule nothing to worry about. DoubleClick is nothing more than an ad server used by many large companies to deliever their banner ads. Like almost all ad servers, it logs your ip address and other data. Companies use this information to determine what part of the world you are from, and to count things --- like how many times you have seen a particular ad.
For that end it is usually disadvantageous to block or remove cookies, as this could cause a user to see MORE ads, because they keep resetting the count to 0.
A DoubleClick based ad server CAN collect other non-identifiable data, to try and determine surfing habits in an effort to target more ads effectively, but it doesn’t have to. This ability gives DoubleClick a bad rap in some circles. However, they also are the only ones who offer a permanent OptOut cookie. If you would like to install that and read their privacy policy, GO HERE
So why do companies call cookies spyware. Technically they don’t, they are just sort of lumped into the mix. Many of the anti-trackware products count cookies because the use the criteria “Does it log something”. Since cookies do indeed log data (Typically IP address) they are targeted. But to call them spyware/malware or anything else is a misnomer.
The inclusion of cookies with these types of applications has caused a lot of confusion. We hope this clears it up a little for you.
For that end it is usually disadvantageous to block or remove cookies, as this could cause a user to see MORE ads, because they keep resetting the count to 0.
A DoubleClick based ad server CAN collect other non-identifiable data, to try and determine surfing habits in an effort to target more ads effectively, but it doesn’t have to. This ability gives DoubleClick a bad rap in some circles. However, they also are the only ones who offer a permanent OptOut cookie. If you would like to install that and read their privacy policy, GO HERE
So why do companies call cookies spyware. Technically they don’t, they are just sort of lumped into the mix. Many of the anti-trackware products count cookies because the use the criteria “Does it log something”. Since cookies do indeed log data (Typically IP address) they are targeted. But to call them spyware/malware or anything else is a misnomer.
The inclusion of cookies with these types of applications has caused a lot of confusion. We hope this clears it up a little for you.
