Windows Security Tutorials - Herong's Tutorial Examples - v3.01, by Dr. Herong Yang
What Is AdRevolver Tracking Cookie
This section provides a quick description of the AdRevolver tracking cookie and how to view Firefox persistent cookies.
In order to understand spyware problems report generated by Spybot, I used the first problem "AdRevolver: Tracking cookie" in my report as an example, and did the following:
1. Search on the Internet with "AdRevolver". - I got its Website with the following description: AdRevolver, the next generation ad-serving technology company, is pioneering the way advertising is delivered on the Internet. With several scientists in its develop arm, specializing in linguistic analysis, artificial intelligence and behavioral patterns, AdRevolver is becoming a leader in ad-serving solutions worldwide. With a successful launch in Europe, AdRevolver clients include MTV Latin America, MSN International, as well as various other prominent International websites. Learn how we can help you connect with your customers today!
2. Find out why "AdRevolver is a tracking cookie?" - paretologic.com has a good explanation on this: Adrevolver cookies store information about a PC user's interaction with a specific website. Standard Cookies are not inherently dangerous, but they can be misused and exploited and may allow a distinct and apparently unrelated website to access the same information. If more than one website can access a cookie that has been placed on the user's PC, that cookie poses a security and privacy risk. Tracking cookies can allow vendors to analyze browsing behaviour for marketing purposes.
3. Click on AdRevolver in the Spybot report. It shows that AdRevolver was found in an Firefox persistent cookie.
4. Run Firefox, and click "Tools > Options... > Privacy > Show Cookies...". The Cookies dialog box shows up.
5. Find and open the cookie folder media.adrevolver.com. Click on the cookie name "uid". Details of "uid" will be displayed near the bottom of the dialog box as show below:
I don't see anything strange about this cookie. Nothing tells me that this cookie allows more than one Website to access it. This needs further review.
Those notes above were taken in 2006. There seems to be no more AdRevolver tracking cookies now.
Table of Contents
About This Windows Security Book
Windows 8: System Security Review
Windows 8: System Security Protection
Windows 8 Defender for Real-Time Protection
Windows 7: System Security Review
Windows 7: System Security Protection
Windows 7 Forefront Client Security
Norton Power Eraser - Anti-Virus Scan Tool
McAfee Virus and Malware Protection Tools
►Spybot - Spyware Blocker, Detection and Removal
What Is Spybot - Search and Destroy?
Installing Spybot - Search and Destroy 1.6.2
On-Demand Scanning of Spyware Infections
►What Is AdRevolver Tracking Cookie
Removing Reported Tracking Cookies
Deleting MyWay MySearch Registry Key
Enabling IE Browser Helper SDHelper.dll
Keeping IE (Internet Explorer) Secure
Malware (Adware, Spyware, Trojan, Worm, and Virus)
HijackThis - Browser Hijacker Diagnosis Tool
IE Add-on Program Listing and Removal
"Conduit Search" - Malware Detection and Removal
"Tube Dimmer", "Scorpion Saver" or "Adpeak" Malware
Malware Manual Removal Experience
Vundo (VirtuMonde/VirtuMundo) - vtsts.dll Removal
Trojan and Malware "Puper" Description and Removal
VSToolbar (VSAdd-in.dll) - Description and Removal
PWS (Password Stealer) Trojan Infection Removal