If those ads you get when you’re browsing creep you out a little bit and seem a little too personal then a recent discovery on Internet Explorer 10 could leave you ready to go off the grid.
According to Spider.io, those ads are even tracking your mouse movements and a Javascript hole in Internet Explorer 6 through 10 allows outside intruders to follow along with what you’re doing, even if the browser isn’t the active app.
No ad to show here.
As Engadget points out, that’s a massive security risk, especially for people running virtual keyboards — on their tablets for instance.
Microsoft is reportedly investigating the issue, although it also has a problem with Spider.io focusing in on it and pointing out that there are two ad analytics companies using the technology.
It points out that other browsers have similar capabilities and argues that Spider.io, an ad analytics company itself, is trying to discredit its competitors.
It is interesting however that people can track movements on Internet Explorer, when Microsoft promised that the browser would keep “do not track” on as a default, indicating that it didn’t feel bound by the need to please advertisers.
That said, the exploit does require intimate knowledge of the target PC. So don’t lock yourself in your safe room just yet.
