what is a third party?
my norton anti virus reports i got a tracking cookie and it says that a file tracks my computer activities and reports them to a third party.
i got rid of of it but im curious what it actually means?
2007-09-07 08:23:16 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
Don't worry it is something most websites use - even google so if you go to their page a lot they can remember you and aim their adverts to things you have clicked on.
Its not a virus or anything bad, but it is ok if you want to delete it. You will probably pick one up daily - nothing to worry about :o)
2007-09-07 08:26:52 · answer #1 · answered by =^. .^= 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Here's what I found:
Tracking cookies track your web browsing habits. They can collect information about pages and advertisements you have seen or any other activity during browsing. Different websites can share tracking cookies, and each website with the same tracking cookie can read the information and write new information into it.
Websites that use tracking cookies continue to recreate cookies in your browser's cache each time you visit.
Normal cookies are used to remember the user whom is visiting the website in order to show the appropriate content. Without them, some websites would cease to function. If you use a password on a website, then the cookie is used to note that you have signed on.
In general, a tracking cookie is not dangerous. They may potentially infringe upon your privacy and may be removed. A tracking cookie cannot cause any system instability. Current versions of popular web browsers include options to empty the browser cache folder when the application is closed.
Hope this helps.
2007-09-07 15:32:55 · answer #2 · answered by Dick 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The third party means it's not reporting to you, and it's not reporting to Norton. The cookie is reporting information to another group that is not involved with the anti-virus scan process.
2007-09-07 15:31:32 · answer #3 · answered by David 19 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your computer and the person using it is one party.
The tracking cookie is a second party.
The tracking cookie reports your use of the computer to someone, or more likely some organisation, that is the third party.
That is why it is a risk, it tells another computer probabvly which websites you visit, perhaps to send you specific advertising.
I apparently have tracking cookies, but they are not communicating, so they are no risk
2007-09-07 17:03:43 · answer #4 · answered by Sprinkle 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I Know you already got a load of answers but here is another. I get the same thing every time my Norton security scans my system. just 1 tracking cookie that needs attention. bugs me but I think its some site I have been to or my provider IE BT who have put a tracker on to prevent crimes being committed. or to produce evidence at a later date. its nothing to worry about. you are not being hacked or your ID being stolen. Hope this helps . you could always send a message to Norton if your still worried.
2007-09-07 15:42:36 · answer #5 · answered by proc 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a 3rd party is "someone else"
it means norton found a cookie which tracks where you been and what you did, that info can be sent to a sales or marketing company. a tracking cookie or 3rd party cookie is usually done with banner ads across mulitple websites
2007-09-07 15:34:23 · answer #6 · answered by Z 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
dont worry it is nothing like a virus or spyware. basically websites use these "cookies" as ways to track who has been on their site and such. also, some websites use cookies to remember some of your history for when you return to the website. mainly for speed so the cookie does not have to be loaded again each time.
you can get rid of the cookies yourself if you choose by going into the tools menu of your browser and look for a security tab or something along those lines. you can choose to have the browser erase them
2007-09-07 15:28:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's the same as 1st person vs 3rd person. It's a party outside your network. It would be like if I was tracking you visiting your friends online I'd be a third party
2007-09-07 15:28:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anson W 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In this scenario the Third Party is someone who is not related to you or Norton Antivirus in any way.
Hope this helps you
Richard (giloi2007)
2007-09-07 15:29:10 · answer #9 · answered by giloi2008 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
the third party is the one thats not you or the party your communicating with (first and second party) in your case a different website tracks what you (the first party) websites you go to (the websites being the second party). common practice to see what pop ups and spam to send you.
2007-09-07 15:29:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋