How Companies Track Your Online Activity

— Posted inPrivacy — 1 min read

Have you ever wondered how online advertising companies can track your moves on the internet?

New research confirms: You can be tracked through In-App Ads, even when you are not sharing personal data.

I’m referring to the article “Everyone Knows Your Location: Tracking Myself Down Through In-App Ads”, which dives deep into this issue. The study demonstrates how the researcher successfully tracked their own geographic location using ads displayed in mobile games—even without directly sharing location data with the app.

The findings reveal that advertisers can still collect location information through indirect means, such as your device’s IP address or third-party location data, even if you haven’t explicitly granted permission.

This discovery raises serious concerns about user privacy online, as advertisers may be gathering data on browsing habits and location without users’ knowledge or consent.

Read the full article to learn more.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure

— Posted inSustainability, Technology — 2 min read

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m far from satisfied with the direction certain features are taking in the world’s most widely used operating system. In response, I recently purchased a refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad—one of those models dismissed as no longer meeting even the most basic performance standards.

I installed Fedora Workstation Linux, using LUKS (Linux Unified Key Setup) to encrypt the entire disk effortlessly during installation—at no additional cost. This ensures my data remains secure, even if the device is lost or stolen. On Windows 11, full-disk encryption is only natively available in professional editions and requires specific hardware, such as TPM 2.0 and UEFI Secure Boot. The home version offers automatic encryption, but only if you log in with a Microsoft account.

I won’t pretend there aren’t challenges to using my “new” laptop as a daily driver. But these are choices we should make—consciously and for the greater good—whenever feasible.

This is more than just a personal reflection; it’s a call to action. The environmental impact of discarding so-called “obsolete” technology is undeniable. The tech industry increasingly promotes rapid obsolescence, pushing consumers to upgrade constantly. We must prioritize common sense and our responsibility to the planet. When it comes to technology, we should always opt for refurbished devices unless new equipment is absolutely essential.

Reusing electronics extends their lifespan, reduces the demand for rare raw materials, and significantly decreases the volume of e-waste—one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.

The circular economy is more than just a buzzword; it’s a necessity. We need to foster business models that emphasize regeneration, maintenance, and sharing, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability. And, of course, there’s the added benefit of saving a substantial amount of money.