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Tracking Scripts
Tracking Scripts are small pieces of code embedded in websites that collect data on user behaviour. These
scripts can track interactions like clicks, scroll depth, form submissions, and even mouse movements,
providing in-depth insights into how users engage with a site.
User Agents
A User Agent is a string of text sent by your browser to a web server that provides information about
your browser type, operating system, and device. Websites can use this information to customise content
or track users across devices. Websites track users using User Agents for device and browser info, while
Private Browsing keeps activity local, and Anonymous Browsing hides identity and activity using tools like
VPNs and Tor.
Private Browsing ensures that no browsing history, cookies, or temporary files are saved on the device
after the session ends. It helps keep activity private on shared or public devices, but it doesn’t hide your
identity from websites or prevent tracking by third parties.
Anonymous Browsing goes further by hiding your identity and Internet activity from websites and online
services. Tools like VPNs mask your IP address, and Tor routes your traffic through multiple servers,
making it harder to trace your location and activity. It provides a higher level of privacy compared to
private browsing.
Incognito Browsing (or Private Browsing in some browsers) is a feature that prevents your browser from
saving your browsing history, cookies, and temporary files. This ensures that after the session ends, there’s
no trace of the websites you visited on the device. It’s useful for maintaining privacy on shared or public
devices.
Proxy servers act as intermediaries between the user and the Internet, masking the user’s IP address and
location. While proxies can offer some level of anonymity, they don’t encrypt data, making them less
secure than VPNs.
VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts Internet traffic and routes it through a remote server, hiding the
user’s IP address and securing data from hackers and third parties. VPNs provide a higher level of privacy
compared to proxies and are widely used for anonymous browsing.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY?
To protect your privacy online in the UK, it’s important to clear cookies regularly or use incognito mode
to ensure your browsing activity isn’t saved on your device. You can also use privacy-focused browsers or
install plugins that block tracking scripts and prevent third-party data collection. Additionally, consider
using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to hide your IP address and encrypt your internet traffic, providing
an extra layer of security and anonymity. Enabling browser settings that limit or block third-party cookies
can further prevent websites from tracking your activity across different sites. While tracking methods
help websites analyse user behaviour and enhance the user experience, being aware of them allows you
to take proactive steps in safeguarding your personal data.
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