Community Forums

RetiredSKP · 07-18-2011, 11:23 AM

To whom it may concern,

IRV2 is one of my favorite websites. I am a fulltimer and love to read about this lifestyle.

Today, I was assisting my brother-in-law to install a program on his Macbook. I was using my Windows computer to access the website for this software for instructions. I went to a webpage for this particular product. I do not have this product on my computer nor would I ever need to have it. I have nothing associated with it in any way on my computer.

Just after we finished, I accessed IRV2. To my surprise, an advertisement for this product, and an upgrade to it, appeared on the login page of IRV2. This product has absolutely nothing to do with the RV world.

I therefore conclude that the IRV2 website, without my permission, accessed the browsing history on my computer and discovered my apparent interest in this product. To me, this is no different than if you stood outside my home and took my mail from my mailbox, opened it and read it, to discover what I was interested in.

I am not upset with IRV2 in particular. I know that almost all websites to this. I just think that the procedure is intrusive. Think if this is happening to your teenage or younger daughter.

RetiredSKP

Luv2go · 07-18-2011, 11:32 AM

I have one possible answer. Google. If you googled the website for the software, Google would know that, then if iRV2.com uses a Google product to advertize (most sites do, an admin here would know for sure) then Google would know you were visiting there, too (cookies set by Google keep track of all this).

Google then connects the two together and presents the ad.

Wayne M · 07-18-2011, 11:38 AM

I've been deleting all my cookies every couple of days. It still does it. One way to try and achieve anonymity is to block the advertising agencies in your security settings. Be careful, as sometimes they are required to load the page. That, to me, is very intrusive.

Billieg · 07-18-2011, 11:51 AM

Install this: Ghostery and forget about it. Right now I see 8 different tracking programs it's blocking here on this site.

Route 66 · 07-18-2011, 12:00 PM

There's no privacy violation and it's not that iRV2 is snooping but it's the way the internet works.

It's not just iRV2, just about every website you visit and your browser places cookies and tracking cookies on your computer.

Every website you visit that records your favorites and saves your login does it via cookies.

As noted above, you can block cookies, restrict them, increase your security level, but your frustration will increase as web sites will become difficult to navigate and your personal saved info regarding web sites will be lost.

99.99% of us just don't worry about it as no harm is being done for the most part.

There are programs that will find any nefarious cookies on your computer for you to delete.

texnet · 07-18-2011, 12:02 PM

IRV2 is provided free of charge and they help pay for their expenses via Google Ads...

At the top of the IRV2 website, just above the Mission Statement, you will find the Google Ad section. Click on the ADChoices button and you can turn off ads that are targeted to you based on your preferences. Once you have clicked on the ADChoices button click on the Ads Preferences Manager and OPT-OUT of all ads... don't remember what the specific steps are but I opted out and all I get now are RV related ads... based on the fact that I am on a RV website :-)

Senior Chief · 07-18-2011, 12:08 PM

Although it won't preclude the use of cookies and their use/misuse to target ads to you, you can eliminate the ads entirely if using Firefox browser by downloading the latest edition of the add-on called Ad-block Plus

texnet · 07-18-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senior Chief

Although it won't preclude the use of cookies and their use/misuse to target ads to you, you can eliminate the ads entirely if using Firefox browser by downloading the latest edition of the add-on called Ad-block Plus

Are you stating that will eliminate the Google Ad box that is located above the threads? If so that would be great. I find when I am using my 10.1 inch laptop or the iPad to access IRV2 the photo at the top and the Google Ad takes up a great amount of my screen

Wayne M · 07-18-2011, 12:55 PM

Oh well!

I don't have any google ads. I am using the latest HOSTS file from MVPS.

No tricks, just a file that has been on Windows computers since WIN-95, and maybe even before that on Windows for Workgroups.

If you use the HOSTS file, be sure to read the instructions on the web page.

Senior Chief · 07-18-2011, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texnet

Are you stating that will eliminate the Google Ad box that is located above the threads? If so that would be great. I find when I am using my 10.1 inch laptop or the iPad to access IRV2 the photo at the top and the Google Ad takes up a great amount of my screen

Correct, you will see no popup or banner ads...NO ADS... or parts of ads on any website.

I find it distressing to use Internet Explorer, just for that reason (although there are plenty more reasons than ads)

docj · 07-18-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senior Chief

Although it won't preclude the use of cookies and their use/misuse to target ads to you, you can eliminate the ads entirely if using Firefox browser by downloading the latest edition of the add-on called Ad-block Plus

X2 Usually when people on forums like this complain about ads I don't know what they're talking about because I don't see any of them!

bdpreece · 07-18-2011, 02:38 PM

I installed Ghostery per the recommendations here. I have it set up for the pop up box to show what it is blocking and it shows I am blocking 7 problems on this site. The most I have seen on any other site was 3 and that includes the Affinity Group web sites which only show 2.

TechWriter · 07-18-2011, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66

It's not just iRV2, just about every website you visit and your browser places cookies and tracking cookies on your computer.

After installing Ghostery (BTW, tx Billieg), these are the numbers for the following RV web sites:
- Escapees = 0 tracking programs
- FMCA = 2
- Motorhome = 2
- iRV2 = 7

SteveLevin · 07-18-2011, 07:49 PM

I've been a happy user of AdBlock Plus for years... wouldn't browse without it!

I also have third party cookies disabled and aside from not being able to comment on some news sites that allow commenting (through a third party provider), but I can live with that.

Steve