The browser plug-in WOT (Web of Trust) is supposed to warn users about unsafe web pages. But now it turns out that it puts users privacy at serious risk.
From the WOT web page “Secure a simple and safe browsing experience. Our add-on doesn’t slow your browser, it’s easy to use and free.”
As per usual when something is free, it is likely to turn out that you are the product.
WOT collects data from your web sessions (like your surf history) and sends it – allegedly anonymized – to their server. Then this data is sold to e.g. the advertising industry.
Today, German media have more or less exploded with reports of such data for sale not being properly anonymized.
Investigative reporters have gained access to a WOT database where individual users can be identified. In the reports, there are mentions of police officers, judges, journalists, business leaders, and others – and their surf history e.g. when it comes to medical matters, prostitutes, drugs and esoteric erotic pleasures.
On Chrome alone, WOT has some 1.5 million users.
NDR: Nackt im Netz: Millionen Nutzer ausgespäht »
/ HAX
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