Delete Flash Cookies: Stop Website Tracking - Privacy Guide
Protecting Your Online Privacy: Understanding and Removing Flash Cookies
If you prioritize online privacy, routinely clearing your browsing history and cookies is a good start. However, your digital footprint isn't entirely erased with these methods. Another type of tracking file, known as Flash Cookies or Local Shared Objects (LSOs), also requires attention. This article details how to eliminate these files and enhance your privacy.
What are Flash Cookies (LSOs)?
Flash Cookies, technically LSOs, are files utilized by Adobe Flash Player. They are designed to save your settings and preferences while interacting with video content on websites, ensuring smoother playback.
Beyond playback improvements, LSOs can also store unique identifiers. These identifiers track the websites you visit, and in some instances, are employed to rebuild standard tracking cookies, even after you’ve already deleted them.
Managing Flash Cookie Settings Manually
Adjusting Flash settings through the Adobe website can be somewhat complex, so careful attention is advised.
One approach is to prevent LSOs from being stored on your device initially. This is achieved by navigating to the Global Storage Settings panel on the Adobe website (link provided at the end) and modifying the relevant settings.
The Settings Manager on the Adobe site provides a direct interface for controlling how Flash behaves within your browser. Adjusting the slider to "None" means that any Flash application requesting storage space (and thus, a Flash Cookie) will require your explicit permission.
For example, setting local storage to "None" will prompt a request for permission when attempting to play a song on a site like MySpace.
You can also disable LSOs entirely by moving the slider to the lowest setting and selecting the "Never Ask Again" checkbox.
However, be aware that disabling LSOs completely, and blocking third-party content storage, may render many Flash applications unusable.
Deleting Existing Flash Cookies
To remove existing Flash Cookies, access the "Website Storage Settings" tab (located on the far right of the screen) and click the Delete all sites button.
Alternatively, you can right-click on a Flash application on a specific webpage to modify its settings. Keep in mind that this change will only affect that particular application on that page and won't alter the global settings.
While effective, this manual method can be time-consuming. Let's explore alternative solutions.
Removing LSOs in Firefox with BetterPrivacy
Firefox users can benefit from the "BetterPrivacy" add-on, which automates the deletion of Flash cookies after each browsing session.
Upon initial installation of BetterPrivacy, accessing the Options menu reveals a list of currently stored LSOs.
The add-on allows for granular control, including options to delete LSOs upon exit, application start, or on a scheduled timer. You can also create a shortcut key for quick LSO deletion.
A particularly useful feature is the ability to integrate LSO deletion into Firefox's "Clear History" dialog, which isn't available without the add-on.
Utilizing CCleaner for LSO Removal
For users of Internet Explorer or other browsers, CCleaner provides another effective method for removing LSOs.
By default, CCleaner is configured to remove Flash Cookies, but it's prudent to verify this setting. Within the Cleaner section, select the "Applications" tab, then scroll down to "Multimedia" and ensure that "Adobe Flash Player" is checked.
Running an analysis will display the results, and double-clicking "Multimedia – Adobe Flash Player" will reveal the specific LSOs detected.
Clicking "Run Cleaner" will then eliminate these files.
When downloading CCleaner, opt for the "Slim" version to avoid the installation of unwanted toolbars. Alternatively, download it from ninite.com, which automatically prevents the installation of bundled software.
For automated cleaning, explore these resources from The Geek on running CCleaner silently via a hotkey and scheduling automatic nightly runs on Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7:
- Setup CCleaner to Automatically Run Each Night in Windows 7, Vista, and XP
- Create a Shortcut or Hotkey to Run CCleaner Silently
Conclusion
The methods discussed in this tutorial are applicable to Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. While LSOs are sometimes necessary for the functionality of certain Flash applications, they aren't required once you've finished using those applications.
Flash Cookies are employed by websites to monitor your browsing activity, and some even attempt to recreate standard cookies after they've been deleted. Removing Flash Cookies (LSOs) is a crucial step in safeguarding your online privacy. Combined with regular history deletion, these practices will contribute to a more secure and private online experience.
Links
Adobe Flash Player Global Settings Panel
BetterPrivacy Firefox Addon
CCleaner Slim No Toolbar
Flush for OS X