No scripts please

[andrewducker]

I downloaded the NoScript extension for Firefox. This turns off all scripts, and then re-enables them for selected websites. So Livejournal, for instance, got turned back on again.

What I've since found fascinating is the number of websites that use Javascript to track my every move. Going to Comics.com, for instance, showed up scripts for comics.com, google-analystics.com, sageanalyst.com and scripps.com. All of which had been happily running away without my knowledge before I installed the extension.

Should you care about whether sites are tracking you (or worried about popups and other malicious scripting events) I recommend you give it a go.

Comments

[cheekbones3.livejournal.com]

Yep, had it for a while. I find it interesting that it's often one of the unexpected proxies that controls a key part of the page too.

[andrewducker]

I was worried about using it when I first saw it, but being able to re-enable scripts for a domain (either temporarily or permanently) means I can still get to stuff I want to, and let it casually block things other than that.

[slammerkinbabe.livejournal.com]

Considering I just got a trojan from a MySpace popup (seriously, MySpace, TROJANS?!) that mightn't be a bad idea. 'Course I'd have to switch to Firefox, too, but that mightn't be a bad idea either.

[andrewducker]

Off you go to download Firefox. And the AdBlock extension. Then you'll never have to see another ad ever again!

[cairmen.livejournal.com]

A lot of people are using Google Analytics to track traffic these days, because it's very good. I'm one of them.

Javascript tracking isn't necessarily - indeed, I'd say "isn't particularly" evil.

[andrewducker]

Aaah, but now the tables are turned. Would I have downloaded an extension to block people analysing my web traffic? Nope - I'm not that bothered. Now I've got something that happens to block it as a side-effect, do I actively want to turn it back on so that my every move can be tracked? Not a chance.

[azalemeth.livejournal.com]

I used it for a while - and it's installed on my windows boxen, although they're linux boxen for most of the time. The only trouble is the slight frustration in browsing new, random sites that use a *lot* of Javascript. I do normally reject most cookies however...

[cx650.livejournal.com]

Thanks mate! Downloaded and installed, all working well.