Definition
Web beacons are small code snippets or transparent images embedded in an email, webpage, or online advertisement. They collect information about website visitors and track their behavior, such as page views and the links they click.
When a web beacon is executed on an email or a website, it sends data back to the website owner or third-party companies. Web beacons can also collect the visitor’s IP address, timestamps, and the specific page or email where it loads.
Subsequently, web beacons pose several privacy risks, such as collecting personal data, privacy infringing on user privacy, enabling unsolicited advertising, and introducing security vulnerabilities.
Web Beacon Purposes
- Displays targeted ads to users
- Monitor website traffic and user behavior
- Track the user’s click-through
- Personalize user experience
- Verify online ad display and performance
- Support website security measures
Minimizing Web Beacon Tracking
- Install anti-tracking software
- Activate ‘Do not track’ in your browser
- Use privacy-focused browsers
- Be careful about the websites you visit
- Clear cookies regularly
- Install a virtual private network (VPN)
- Deactivate the auto-loading image in your browser
Difference Between Web Beacons and Cookies
Although both monitor user behavior, cookies are stored locally on the user’s browser, while web beacons are embedded within the HTML or email content.
Cookies also track user login sessions and preferences, while web beacons focus on real-time tracking across different devices and platforms.