This is an exerpt from an article I read at http://www.gnashdev.org/?q=node/62 It contains this and a lot more information: <quote> What if there was a type of cookie that could: * Stay on your computer for an unlimited amount of time * Store 100 kb of data by default, with an unlimited max * Couldn’t be deleted by your browser * Send previous visit information and history, by default, without your permission Okay… That’s a pretty scary cookie. As it is right now, the cookies we’re so deadly afraid of can store a maximum of 4 kb of information, are manage by your browser, and by default have reasonable defaults and restrictions. This type of cookie exists on 98% of global computers, across all operating systems. it’s the Adobe Flash Player. </quote> I always knew the Adobe player had some security issues but installed it anyhow on my system in order to play YouTube and other flash oriented sites. I had no idea that when I cleared 'cookies', so much was being left behind. I found 'flash cookies' from a bunch of places I know never had 'videos' and some I don't ever remember visiting. A partial list I found on my machine included: ~/.macromedia/Flash_Player/#SharedObjects/5TQ5UR76> ll total 36 drwxrwx--- 3 ricreig root 4096 2009-07-21 22:36 bankofamerica.com drwxrwx--- 3 ricreig root 4096 2009-09-02 10:49 cfl.brighthouse.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 login.yahoo.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-10-25 12:23 mail.google.com drwxrwx--- 3 ricreig root 4096 2009-07-21 22:36 static.howstuffworks.com drwxrwx--- 3 ricreig root 4096 2009-07-21 22:36 wunderground.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-09-01 20:33 www1.va.gov drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-10-19 20:42 www.paypal.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-09-19 09:17 www.weather.com ricreig@athelon:~/.macromedia/Flash_Player/#SharedObjects/5TQ5UR76> Most of these don't even have videos that I am aware of so they seem to be using the 'super cookie' feature of flash without having to show a video. I moved a bunch more to another directory for further exploration: /.macromedia/Flash_Player/#SharedObjects/crap> ll total 116 drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 bin.clearspring.com drwx------ 2 ricreig users 4096 2009-10-12 12:43 cdn.taboolasyndication.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 cdn.widgetserver.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 chatango.com drwxrwx--- 3 ricreig root 4096 2009-09-10 13:35 e.blip.tv drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 flash.quantserve.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-09-10 13:37 load.tubemogul.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 media.scanscout.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 msnbcmedia.msn.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 pub.widgetbox.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 pub.widgetserver.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 quantumcache.rr.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 quantumprofile.rr.com drwx------ 2 ricreig users 4096 2009-10-12 12:40 redir.adap.tv drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 serve.a-widget.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 s.mcstatic.com drwxrwx--- 3 ricreig root 4096 2009-07-21 22:36 ssl-images-amazon.com drwxrwx--- 3 ricreig root 4096 2009-07-21 22:36 static.twitter.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 swf.redlasso.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-10-31 23:32 s.ytimg.com drwxrwx--- 3 ricreig root 4096 2009-07-21 22:36 us.etrade.com drwx------ 2 ricreig users 4096 2009-09-26 23:35 us.mg4.mail.yahoo.com drwxrwx--- 3 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 video.google.com drwxrwx--- 3 ricreig root 4096 2009-07-21 22:36 vortex.accuweather.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 webmessenger.yahoo.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 www22.verizon.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 www.rr.com drwxrwx--- 2 ricreig root 4096 2009-08-20 10:22 www.youtube.com ricreig@athelon:~/.macromedia/Flash_Player/#SharedObjects/crap> Many of these I have never been to, don't know where they came from and some of them seem like tracker sites. In any event, Adobe Flash Macromedia is banned from my system because it puts things on it that I didn't authorize, want, or are being used against my wishes in ways I do not sanction. Still, there are YouTube, etc, sites that do have things I would like to see and I need a secure (as possible) flash player. What recommendations are given? Gnash? Any in the OSS repos any good? Again, this URL is a great starting place for information about this garbage and privacy invasion that is so well hidden, 95% of the people probably don't have a clue... http://www.gnashdev.org/?q=node/62 Richard -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org