What Is Cross-site Tracking and How to Prevent It?

Technology has eased our lives in many ways, from bringing everything at a click to 'reminding' of what the world has to offer on every other page you visit.

Has it ever happened that you browse or end up with a product in your e-commerce cart, and every social platform shows you the targeted advertisements of that same product? Is it a mere coincidence, or is something big building on the other side of the screen without your knowledge?

Well, many businesses track your online activity and monitor browsing activities to collect your data and personalize your experience with targeted advertisements. Such cross-site trackers violate your privacy, and you may find yourself helpless to deal with them. But thankfully, you can prevent cross-site tracking by employing suitable methods on your end.

In this post, AWZware mentions and explores the ways by which you can prevent site tracking in a few clicks on iPhone in multiple browsers. So let's get started without further delays, but first, understand what cross-site tracking actually is.

What Is Cross-site Tracking?

Typically, advertisers, businesses, and other entities track you across different websites and monitor your browsing habits to analyze your online activity. This practice is known as cross-site tracking.

Companies do so to include product improvement, create targeted advertising and personalize user experience. Regardless of the reason, the practice is considered by many as a breach of privacy as it doesn't even include user consent.

However, few companies make it clear how they will use the collected user data. So unless you go through the privacy policies of every visited site, you might not know where your data might end up.

How Does Site Tracking Work?

Cross-site tracking works by planting a small file known as a cookie in your computer browser. The file remains on your device to monitor the activity and relays data back to the company that placed it. It stays on the system until removed. Generally, third-party cookies are common tracking tools, but other methods also exist.

For instance, companies use social media features viz., like, share and comment to track users across any websites using those features. So if any person is logged into any of its social media handles, these platforms can connect the browsing habits to users' profiles. Cross website tracking takes place without user consent or knowledge.

Who Tracks Me Online?

Generally, websites use tracking tools like cookies and scripts and collect user data on browsing activity. Typically, companies implant cookies into the computer browser, but invisible scripts can run in the backend of visited pages, logging your IP address, device specs, and other identifying information.

How to Prevent Cross-site Tracking

Nowadays, online privacy is as essential as offline one. For this reason, even developers are devising ways to give users significant control over their private data and prevent cross-site tracking practices.

As modern browsers have tools to help stop trackers from monitoring or logging your activity without your consent, here's a list of practical ways to help prevent cross website tracking on different desktop browsers and mobile apps like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari in a few clicks. So let's look at the quick procedure to turn off the site tracking on multiple browsers - desktop and mobile apps.

1. Prevent Cross-Site Tracking in the Chrome Desktop App

Step 1: Tap the More button at the upper-right corner and choose Settings;

Step 2: Visit Security and Privacy and select Cookies and other site data;

Step 3: Toggle the option Send a "Do Not Track" request ... On.

2. Prevent Cross-Site Tracking in the Chrome Mobile App

Step 1: Hit the More options button at the upper right corner and choose Settings;

Step 2: Click Privacy and Security;

Step 3: Select 'Do Not Track';

Step 4: Toggle the setting On.

3. Prevent Cross-Site Tracking in the Firefox Desktop App

Step 1: Hit the More Options button at the screen's top right corner and click Settings;

Step 2: Choose Privacy and Security;

Step 3: Ensure Standard, Strict, or Custom tracking protection is enabled;

Step 4: Ensure Send websites a "Do Not Track" signal that you don't want to be tracked is switched On.

4. Prevent Cross-Site Tracking in the Firefox Mobile App

Step 1: Click the More option in the bottom right corner and choose Settings;

Step 2: Click Tracking Protection and tap Enhanced Tracking Protection;

Step 3: Ensure the Standard (default), Strict, or Custom tracking protection is enabled.

5. Prevent Cross-Site Tracking in the Safari Desktop App

Step 1: Visit Safari;

Step 2: Go to Preferences and choose Privacy;

Step 3: Check the option of Prevent cross-site tracking.

6. Prevent Cross-Site Tracking in the Safari Mobile App

Step 1: Move to Settings and choose Safari.

Step 2: Turn on Prevent Cross-Site Tracking.

How to Stop Cross-site Tracking on iPhone

The best way to stop the Cross-site tracking on the iPhone is to disable it using the Settings menu. On the other hand, you can also opt to change the current location on your iPhone and explore the world from your comfort. So let's find the working of both the suitable options.

Method 1: Turn Off Cross-site Tracking

With these steps, you can easily disable cross-site tracking in Safari on your iPhone in a few clicks. Here's how.

Step 1: Open the Settings app;

Step 2: Click Safari;

Step 3: Toggle the Prevent Cross-Site Tracking under Privacy & Security;

Step 4: Click the Hide IP Address option;

Step 5: Select From Trackers.

Method 2: Change the Location on iPhone

Changing the location on the iPhone is another way to prevent cross website tracking easily without hassle. For instance, AWZ AnyPorter is an excellent location spoofer that fakes your GPS location in one click on an iPhone without jailbreak and lets your phone travel anywhere in the world.

It gives you access to move along a customized route and explore new places. The tool is compatible with all iOS devices like iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch and supports iOS 16 as well.

You can hide your location to prevent site tracking or fake your location on an iOS device to a new destination to explore the unique features of AR games, dating apps, and social handles. In addition, you can simulate real movement on your iOS devices and choose to use any of the three modes: Single-Stop, Multi-Stop, and Jump Teleport mode.

Here's a quick guide to using AnyPorter to your advantage in a few clicks.

Step 1: Download and launch AWZ AnyPorter software

Download and start the location spoofer on your iPhone. Then press Get Started.

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Step 2: Connect to your PC

Now connect your iPhone and PC together with a USB cable. Unlock your device and tap Trust to continue.

Step 3: Choose a new destination

After the map loads on the main screen, your current location will display, and you are in Flight Mode by default. So you can select a new spot and change your location hassle-free.

Pinpoint any place of your choice on the map or enter an address/GPS coordinate in the Search box at the upper left corner. Click the Go button.

Step 4: Change your GPS location in a single click

A sidebar will pop up to show detailed information about your current location and destination. Click Move in the sidebar.

That's it. Your GPS location will change successfully on your iPhone, and all the geo-based apps will also remember the fake GPS location.

The Final Thoughts

Cross-site tracking is a common method by which advertisers track your online activities across different sites and know your browsing behavior. Though it is not illegal in many cases, it involves the risk of losing online privacy, selling personal data to third parties, targeted advertising, and more.

The best way to prevent cross website tracking is to disable it and use private browsing mode. You can also use VPN or go for plugins and browser extensions that block site tracking. Using AnyPorter is also a smart way to spoof your location to prevent cross-site tracking and take control of your privacy.

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