I’ve noticed the marketing tracker, b.scorecardresearch.com, appear when opening some sites, such as Google.mail. I’ve tried “opting out” of the tracker, but it reappears. Is there a way to block this spyware with Avast? Sneaky little devil. Where could it be hiding internally that it continues to pop-up? I use Firefox.
Thanks, BAB
Personally with firefox, I would use NoScript and AdBlockPlus add-ons.
Whilst you can use the opt-out mechanism not all obey your wishes. Not sure which opt-out you are using firefox, Options, Privacy, ‘Tell web sites I do not want to be tracked’ (see image) same problem not all obey. As matter of course I would block third party cookies.
All as you suggested already, except No Script, which I’ll add later today. Also have several anti-malware programs, but none can clear this sneaky spyware.
Thanks for the advice,
BAB
Does anyone know how to block b.scorecardresearch.com using Avast? Thanks in advance, BAB
It is a third party cookie downloaded with some free software… Mainly performance type ones
Go to their site here http://www.scorecardresearch.com/about.aspx?action=cookieTest&trackid=-1&sitegroup=20&siteid=10300&languageid=1
Where there are opt out options.
But the best bet would be to clear cookies when you close the browser
Thank you. I had not unchecked third-party cookies, which I now have. I’ll opt out of scorecardresearch again, and see what happens now that I’ve asked Firefox to block third-party cookies.
BAB
Hi bbartrug,
WOT also alerts to it: http://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/b.scorecardresearch.com?utm_source=addon&utm_content=warn-viewsc
Interesting read here: http://epiac1216.wordpress.com/2010/12/03/how-to-crush-the-b-scorecard-research-com-bug/ (link article author = Omar Upegui R.)
I use Web Bug Detector 1.0 extension in Google Chrome that will alert me to these webbugs (web beacons),
polonus
You’re welcome, let us know how you get on with that.
Well nothing I’ve tried has failed to stop b.scorecardresearch from loading. The site appears briefly just before Firefox opens.
Suggestions?
BAB
If it is loading before firefox opens then there is likely an add-on that may be loading it.
What happens if you start firefox in safe mode, Firefox, Help, Restart with add-ons disabled. If that works you know it is an add-on responsible, then the next problem is finding the guilty add-on.
I suspect it might be Flickr, which I visit often. See here: http://www.flickr.com/help/forum/en-us/72157628947867599/. I also managed to block it on Firefox by going to Tools>Options>Exceptions, then typing in b.scorecardresearch.com and pushing the Block button.
This didn’t, however, solve the original problem I was researching: the first time I try to access Gmail using Firefox, it can take up to 2 minutes to load. After that, it loads quickly. This doesn’t happen if I open Firefox in safe mode (everything disabled), but I’ve removed all the add-ons and the theme I use and it still doesn’t fix the problem. Therefore I started watching for oddball downloads. Scorecardresearch seemed to fit the bill for a delay upon loading, but apparently it’s something else, maybe something with Gmail itself. No Scripts doesn’t routinely block anything from Gmail, so I’ll scratch my head and see what I can find. Perhaps the best thing to do is just return Firefox to default mode, then start adding extensions and plug-ins until the problem returns. But I’m not certain it’s worth the time and effort.
Thanks to all, BAB
You’re welcome, happy hunting if you go down that route.
Ghostery is good at blocking tracking cookies.
Hi try this website
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
I use it, it is good for blocking websites of things that you dont want to load. mainly this blocks ads and much more
Try it and tell me what you think 
Anthony
There is little point in using a tool to block tracking cookies, by not allowing third party cookies in your browser settings, gets rid of the greatest majority of so called tracking cookies. You can also only allow session cookies and or delete all cookies when you close the browser.
Try www.OpenDNS.org
Its free. You can add in a custom blacklist. I have it blocking tons of ad servers and other useless bandwidth abusers.
Again stumbled on that script to-day on a page here: htxp://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/
Blocked as Pingdom and ScoreCard Research → code → http://jsfiddle.net/r3WtM/
Read on Tracking these Trackers here: http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2012/apr/23/scorecardresearch-tracking-trackers-cookies-web-monitoring
Good I have it blocked, this
etc. etc. -dailymail&mo_logged_in=0" height=“1” width=“1” alt=“*”
polonus