How to disable third-party local shared objects
Macromedia's goal is to always put users in control of their own data and computers. This TechNote explains how you can change your settings in Macromedia Flash Player to prohibit third parties from using Flash local shared objects to track you across websites you visit.
- What are local shared objects & third-party local shared objects?
- Disabling local shared objects from third-party content
- Why is the checkbox unavailable on my browser?
- View the demonstration
- Additional Information
What are local shared objects & third-party local shared objects?
A local shared object, sometimes referred to as a "Flash cookie," is a small data file that can be created on your computer by the websites that you visit. Shared objects are most often used to enhance your web-browsing experience, for example, by allowing you to personalize the look and feel of a website that you frequently visit. Shared objects, by themselves, can't do anything to or with the data on your computer. More important, shared objects can never access or remember your e-mail address or other personal information?unless you willingly provide such information.
A third-party local shared object, sometimes referred to as a "third-party Flash cookie," is a shared object created by third-party content, or content that is not actually located on the site you are currently viewing. Third-party local shared objects may be important for privacy discussions because they can be used to track your preferences or your website usage across different websites that you visit.
Disabling local shared objects from third-party content
The Settings Manager lets you manage many settings related to your Flash Player, including the option to allow or disallow third-party shared objects on your computer. Follow the steps below to disallow local shared objects from third-party content.
- Go to the Global Storage Settings panel of the Settings Manager (Figure 1.) Click the tabs at the top of the Settings Manager to select the second panel if you do not see the Global Storage Settings.
Figure 1. The Global Storage Settings panel is the second panel in the Settings Manager - Deselect the checkbox labeled Allow Third-Party Flash Content to Store Information On Your Computer. (Figure 1)
- Close the Settings Manager. Flash Player remembers the new setting, and you can continue viewing websites. With the third-party storage setting disabled, Flash Player checks if the content you are viewing is from a third-party and prevents it from creating local shared objects.
Why is the checkbox unavailable on my browser?
- You may not be using the latest Flash Player version. The third-party storage setting was introduced in Flash Player 8 and is not available in earlier versions of the Player. Click here to get Flash Player 8 now to take advantage of the latest security and privacy features.
- You may be using an older web browser. Flash Player depends on the web browser to tell it where the content is coming from. Flash Player uses this information to determine if the content is coming from a third party. Because this information is not available, Flash Player cannot disable third-party shared objects. We recommend you use the latest version of your browser that is available.
Demonstration
Watch the demonstration below for the steps to disallow local shared objects from third-party content.
Additional Information
For additional information regarding security please visit theFlash Player Privacy and Security Center.
For more detailed information on what a local shared object is please see What Is a Local Shared Object?. To learn how to disable Flash Player's Local Shared Objects please see How to manage and disable local shared objects (TechNote 52697ee8).
Macromedia takes consumers' privacy seriously and is committed to protecting the security of individuals' personal information on the web. We are dedicated to helping you maintain a secure browsing experience by providing and continuously improving Flash Player privacy controls.
TechNote Details
| Last Update: | 09-09-2005 |
| ID: | 4c68e546 |
| Permanent Link: | http://www.adobe.com/go/4c68e546 |
| Products Affected: |
http://kb.adobe.com/selfservice/viewContent.do?externalId=4c68e546&sliceId=2
How to manage and disable Local Shared Objects
Macromedia's goal is to put users in control of their own data and computers. Macromedia Flash Player can provide you with the same control of local shared objects that web browsers give you for cookies. This TechNote explains how to manage the settings for and delete local shared objects through the Settings Manager.
- What is a local shared object?
- Where can I change the settings for disabling, or deleting local shared objects?
- View the demonstration
- Additional Information
What is a local shared object?
A local shared object, sometimes referred to as a "Flash cookie," is a data file that can be created on your computer by the sites that you visit. Shared objects are most often used to enhance your web-browsing experience, for example, by allowing you to personalize the look and feel of a website that you frequently visit. Shared objects, by themselves, can't do anything to or with the data on your computer. More important, shared objects can never access or remember your e-mail address or other personal information?unless you willingly provide such information.
To understand more about local shared objects, see What Is a Local Shared Object?.
Where can I change the settings for disabling, or deleting local shared objects?
Flash Player provides a number of ways you can manage a website?s ability to store information in local shared objects. You can control storage by individual websites or for all websites.
Changing storage settings for individual sites, deleting individual site data, or deleting all stored data
To adjust settings or delete data for individual websites you have visited, use the Website Storage Settings panel (Figure 1) in the Settings Manager. You can change the storage limit of individual websites by selecting the website from the list and moving the slider bar. You can also delete data from a specific website by selecting a website and clicking Delete. Finally, you can delete all data currently stored on your system in local shared objects by clicking Delete All Sites. This is similar to the function in your web browser that lets you delete cookies.
Figure 1. The Website Storage Settings panel of the Settings Manager lets you configure individual website storage and delete stored data.
Configuring storage for the site you are currently viewing
- On the site you are viewing, right-click Flash content to display the context menu.
- Select Settings to bring up the Settings dialog (Figure 2.)
Figure 2. Right-click Flash content to access the Settings option in the context menu. - Click the second tab on the bottom of the dialog (the folder icon) to open the Local Storage panel (Figure 3.) This panel indicates the amount of storage currently in use for the current website and lets you change the default amount of storage for the current website by moving the slider bar.
Figure 3. The Local Storage tab shows theamount of space currently used by the website and lets you change the setting. - When you have finished changing the settings, click Close. Flash Player remembers your local storage settings for the current website.
If you are unsure how much space you should allow for the website, but would like to be prompted when the site is trying to store data or needs you to increase the storage limit, you can move the slider bar to 0 KB. Selecting the Never Ask Again option prevents the Local Storage pop-up dialog from appearing within the Flash content; however, this might cause certain sites that rely on some amount of local storage to stop working without any warning.
Changing the default storage setting for all websites
By default, Flash Player allows each site to store 100 KB of data in a local shared object on your computer. You can change the default storage behavior for all sites you visit in the future, using the Global Storage settings panel (Figure 4) in the Flash Player Settings Manager.
- Go to the Global Storage settings panel (Figure 4) in the Flash Player Settings Manager.
Figure 4. The Global Storage Settings panel of the Settings Manager lets you change the default amount of storage to be applied to all websites you visit. - Use the slider bar to change the default amount of storage you want to allow for sites you visit in the future.
- When you have finished changing the settings, close the Settings Manager. Flash Player remembers your global storage settings and uses it for any websites you visit in the future.
If you are unsure how much space you should allow for websites, but would like to be prompted when a site is trying to store data or needs you to increase the storage limit, you can move the slider bar to 0 KB. Selecting the Never Ask Again option prevents the Local Storage pop-up dialog from appearing within the Flash content; however, this might cause certain sites that rely on some amount of local storage to stop working without any warning.
Demonstration
Watch the demonstration below for the steps to use the Flash Player Settings Manager to manage and delete local shared objects.
Additional Information
For additional information regarding security please visit theFlash Player Privacy and Security Center.
For more detailed information on what a local shared object is please see What Is a Local Shared Object?. For information about Third Party Local Shared Objects please see What Is a Third-Party Local Shared Object?. To learn how to disable Flash Player's Local Shared Objects please see How to disable third-party local shared objects (TechNote 4c68e546).
Macromedia takes consumers' privacy seriously and is committed to protecting the security of individuals' personal information on the web. We are dedicated to helping you maintain a secure browsing experience by providing and continuously improving Flash Player privacy controls.
TechNote Details
| Last Update: | 09-09-2005 |
| ID: | 52697ee8 |
| Permanent Link: | http://www.adobe.com/go/52697ee8 |
| Products Affected: |
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