Apparently STO-Forums are leaking online information to infamous and unreliable third parties either knowingly or unknowingly.
<script type="text/javascript">
var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "
https://ssl." : "
http://www.");
document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E"));
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-992936-6");
pageTracker._initData();
pageTracker._trackPageview();
</script>
<!-- Closed Loop -->
<IMG SRC="
https://ad.adlegend.com/ping?spacedesc=1099367_1061349_1x1_1061349_1061349&db_afcr=1074e2-0-1074e2&group=Star_Trek_Online&event=Community_Forum" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=1 ALT=" " BORDER=0>
</body>
</html>
- found and the end of the forums source-code, you can see yourself. This 1-pixel-sized image notifies an infamous data collecting site that your are online wtaching the STO-forums. Though this may seem a minor glitch there is no way knowing what other accessible information (like OS, browser et c) is leaked along and more important: what this information is used for.
I wouldn't go so far to accuse Cryptic, Atari or Namco Bondai for anything for this may be a simple mistake or standard procedure but personally I find it quite annoying to find myself spied on - in any way.
If this bothers you as well, I would recommend to add the URI of adlegend.com to your blocking list or redirect any traffic aimed at adlegend.com to your own machine by adding the entry
127.0.0.1 ad.adlegend.com
to your HOST file (located in ./DRIVERS/ETC/ directory of your windows installation). This would ensure that no information is transmitted.
Comments
Actually it appears that it is going to Cryptics own Google Analytics account which is used by them to monitor traffic for particular pages accessed. Anyone can have a Google Analytics account and Google does not share that info with anyone but the owner of that account.
Also Ad Legend is a resource for monitoring and suggesting ads to use based on users. Its info only comes from what you type in, and used that to generate a list of ads relevent to the user base. They use a tool called Trueffect. They also do not send any info to outside parties. I use both of these at my work for many clients.
After all, this was an advice, no accuse. As stated.
Dude, this sort of thing is done all the time, on just about every web site you go too. Have you ever noticed that when you visit any web site with ads on them, the ads seem to be selling you something you were already looking for on the internet, thats how they do it, they track every search you do.
But dont get your tinfoil hats out, its not going to hurt you, you can relax.
Just found this myself, that little 1 pixel gif. I noticed CO has the same thing after checking it. I did a internet search, and half the replys are spyware lol. Theres more reputable services for webhit/tracking ;(
Id like to know as well. its blocked now though on my side with adblock.
Not everything is a conspiracy, not everyone is out to get you.
However, if you can't help but freak out then use Firefox with ABP (adblock plus) and forget about it.
You should be using firefox anyway.