More than half of the internet’s top websites use a little known capability of Adobe’s Flash plug-in to track users and store information about them, but only four of them mention the so-called Flash Cookies in their privacy policies, UC Berkeley researchers reported Monday.

Unlike traditional browser cookies, Flash cookies are relatively unknown to web users, and they are not controlled through the cookie privacy controls in a browser. That means even if a user thinks they have cleared their computer of tracking objects, they most likely have not.

- You Deleted Your Cookies? Think Again
by Ryan Singel for Wired.com

Ironically, Wired.com revised the article when it came to light that it uses Flash cookies, too…

Thanks to the ever-interesting Bruce Schneier for yesterday’s Flash Cookies article – my only disappointment with Bruce and Wired.com’s articles is that they neglect to direct users to the Adobe Macromedia site for access to the tools which allow Flash cookies to be deleted and disabled (as they should be).

If you are interested in learning how to change all aspects of your Flash configuration, check out the Flash Player Documentation – if you just want to banish the specter of hidden tracking cookies from your life forever, use the settings controls:

1. Go to Global Storage Settings
   • Move the slider to None
   • Check the box for Never Ask Again
   • Uncheck the Allow… and Store… boxes
2. Go to the Website Storage Settings
   • Click Delete All Sites
   • Move the slider to None
   • Check the box for Never Ask Again