Privacy products and cookies

urb · 2004-06-04, 12:00 PM

I read that Symantec is now a market leader in software security products, and their products are currently being shipped with a very large percentage of new PCs.

Norton Internet Security's installed settings do the following:-

1) Block banners, banner rotators, Adsense links and some affiliate link codes.
2) Won't display anything which is behind a hotlink .htaccess.

Norton ships with 2 settings enabled, non-savvy surfers are never gonna touch these settings:-

1) Privacy Control
2) Ad Blocking

So, imagine for a minute that you are Joe Surfer, passing by a link list or search engine to find exactly the kind of gallery or free site you have been looking for.... but oh dear, the images are not there.... and all that is left is the placeholder where the banner should be and maybe some text to click on.

What will he do? Back up his browser or click on your text link cold without seeing any pics to warm him up?

What percentage of surfers do you suspect are using Norton and not questioning the Privacy settings?

How many 3rd party cookies are being blocked?

Our industry is in danger of getting caught up in the same drag net as the spyware/adware business.

I keep telling people about this... but I guess you all think I'm crazy.

2004-06-04, 12:00 PM	#2
urb All the way from Room 101 Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 3,557	I read that Symantec is now a market leader in software security products, and their products are currently being shipped with a very large percentage of new PCs. Norton Internet Security's installed settings do the following:- 1) Block banners, banner rotators, Adsense links and some affiliate link codes. 2) Won't display anything which is behind a hotlink .htaccess. Norton ships with 2 settings enabled, non-savvy surfers are never gonna touch these settings:- 1) Privacy Control 2) Ad Blocking So, imagine for a minute that you are Joe Surfer, passing by a link list or search engine to find exactly the kind of gallery or free site you have been looking for.... but oh dear, the images are not there.... and all that is left is the placeholder where the banner should be and maybe some text to click on. What will he do? Back up his browser or click on your text link cold without seeing any pics to warm him up? What percentage of surfers do you suspect are using Norton and not questioning the Privacy settings? How many 3rd party cookies are being blocked? Our industry is in danger of getting caught up in the same drag net as the spyware/adware business. I keep telling people about this... but I guess you all think I'm crazy. __________________