Different Quick Scan results re: Tracking Cookies between two machines with same settings

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1

I presently run NIS 18.6.0.29 on two pc's. One runs XP and the other Windows7 (both have identical settings on all categories). Note, I use Firefox on both devices and have set the setting to not allow tracking cookies - which does not seem to help on the W7 pc).

 

I notice that Quick Scans on the Windows7 pc finds and resolves tracking cookies on a fairly regular basis (as opposed to the XP pc - which is fairly rare in identifying them).

 

After running a test by  visiting the exact same sites (down the level of pages), with both pc's, the XP pc does not discover and resolve any tracking cookie but the Windows7 pc does.

 

I tried to do search on this forum on something like this, but was unsuccessful. The closest thing I found was this (but was really of no assistance): http://community.norton.com/t5/Norton-360/so-many-tracking-cookies/m-p/200851/highlight/true#M26624

 

Appreciate any insight and advice on this matter.

 

Thanks in advance

2

Hi,

 

is Firefox closed on both machines when you are doing the scan? Because during a browsing session Firefox still can download cookies to interact better with the internet sites, but should remove them after you close it.

3

How many cookies?  I'm sure there are other variables involved that would account for the difference between the two PCs.  Flash setting is one that comes to mind.

4

During the tests described above, I made sure Firefox was closed. In fact I made sure no other application was running.

 

As for the type of cookies: Post Process; Quantserve; etc...

 

Not being overly technical, I running out of ideas and areas to check. I understand tracking cookies can be low-risk a the best of times, but I'd like to be able to correctly attribute the difference between the two devices and possible have consistent scans.

 

Appreciate any advice.

 

 

5

^SendofJive

 

The number of cookies discovered on the Windows7 pc can be anything between 3 -  6 on most scans.

 

Not being technical, can the flash settings be altered? If so, how?

6

Hi seoulman:

 

I believe that the Flash settings can be altered via the Flash Settings Manager:

 

http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager.html

 

Hope this helps.

 

Atomic_Blast :)

 

P.S. How come you are having problems excluding cookies on the Win 7 box? Firefox bug?

 

 

7

^Atomic_Blast,

 

Thank you. As usual, I found that same link immediately after I posted my last reply :P

 

I just check the both pc's flash settings and they look identical with the exception of the ActiveX & Plugin Versions:

 

W7:

ActiveX Version:  Not installed

Plugin Version:  10.3.183.7

 

XP

ActiveX Version:  10.3.183.7

Plugin Version:   10.3.181.34

 

Would this matter?

8

In the Flash Player Settings Manager, you need to go through the various panes and make sure that third-party content is blocked, that sites are not allowed to store Flash content, and that you delete any previously visited sites that might already have content stored.  This will eliminate so-called Flash Cookies which can regenerate HTTP cookies after you delete them,

9

@ seoulman:

 

Hmm... Two different operating systems...

 

The ActiveX on the Win 7 System should not be marked as "not installed," I would think. Have you tried re-installing it?

 

Atomic_Blast :)

10

@SendofJive

 

Strangely enough, that same setting on the XP device is to "Allow sites to save information on this computer".

I will try your suggested settings on the Win7 device and see how my browesing works out. Thank you.

 

 

 

@Atomic_Blast

 

I'll try both your suggestion and SendofJive's suggestions on discrete & separate tests on the Win7 device and monitor for the results. Thank you.

 

I'll report back :)

 

 

11

I think the setting Flash Setting changes may have curbed all those low-risk cookies from making their way on the Win7 PC.

 

While the XP PC seemed OK, I made sure the same Flash settings were implemented.

 

Here's hoping it will all be stable. Thank you again for all your assistance.