Online Tracking: How Companies Follow Your Every Move

How Online Tracking Works

Companies use multiple methods to track your online behavior.

TL;DR: Tracking happens through cookies, fingerprinting, IP address, and cross-site tracking. Understanding these helps you protect yourself.

Tracking Methods

1. Cookies

Small files stored in browser

Track sessions and preferences

First-party vs third-party

Can be cleared but reappear

2. Browser Fingerprinting

Device and browser characteristics

Unique identifier without cookies

Hard to prevent completely

See our fingerprinting guide

3. IP Address Tracking

Geographic location

ISP information

Session correlation

Blocked with proxies/VPNs

4. Cross-Site Tracking

Third-party scripts on multiple sites

Advertising networks

Social media buttons

Analytics services

5. Local Storage

More persistent than cookies

IndexedDB, localStorage

Often overlooked

Who's Tracking You

Advertising networks (Google, Facebook)

Data brokers

Analytics companies

Social media platforms

Your own ISP

Protection Measures

1. Use proxies for business activities 2. Clear cookies regularly 3. Use private browsing when appropriate 4. Block trackers with extensions 5. Minimize social logins across sites

Proxies help hide your IP but aren't complete tracking protection. Combine with other measures for comprehensive privacy.