What Is Doubleclick Spyware?
DoubleClick is an Internet advertising firm owned by Google. Some consider their business practices to be spyware in nature because they can track the sites that a user visits. DoubleClick is just one of many advertising agencies who create online ads, and their business practices (in terms of cookies) is not unique.
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Function
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DoubleClick creates web ads that are commonly seen on many websites. When a user visits a website that has a DoubleClick ad on it, a special file is installed on their computer. This file, called a "tracking cookie," sends information to DoubleClick whenever the user clicks on one of the ads or goes to another site that has DoubleClick ads on it.
Controversy
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While the information that DoubleClick collects is only used for advertising purposes, some claim that this is still a violation of privacy. Publications such as "PC Magazine," "Slate" and "USA Today" have all dubbed DoubleClick spyware. Many popular antispyware programs such as Ad-Aware flag DoubleClick cookies as spyware and remove them during system scans.
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DoubleClick Response
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DoubleClick refutes the claim that they distribute spyware or violate personal privacy. On their website, DoubleClick asserts that their cookies only track "non personally identifiable information" and that they cannot be used to obtain a user's credit card information or any other kind of personal details. Nothing DoubleClick does is illegal, and they do not install pop-ups on a user's computer, track personal user information or attempt to steal any information off of a user's computer. Security sites such as McAfee's SiteAdvisor do not consider DoubleClick to be spyware or adware.
Prevention/Solution
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DoubleClick cookies, like all cookies, can be blocked by users. All browsers have settings to disable and delete cookies. Users can flag DoubleClick cookies and block them from being installed. DoubleClick also offers a service at their site to opt out of advertising cookies. However, this system doesn't entirely remove the DoubleClick cookie from a computer. Even after opting out, DoubleClick cookies will still log a user's IP address and operating system. It also does not remove ads from a user's browsing experience.
Other Tracking Cookies
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DoubleClick's business practices are not unique; they are one of many advertising firms who use tracking cookies. Other advertising companies such as InterCLICK, AdBrite and Adify Media all use tracking cookies in a similar fashion. Large non-advertising companies will also install tracking cookies. Microsoft, Fox and RealMedia all have tracking cookies. Much like DoubleClick, they also have opt-out services to remove the tracking functions of the cookies.
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References
Resources
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