So, I know that when we have tossed around the word "Sitemeter" before, those who are less tech savvy/ or have never had a Myspace page, are like...whhhhat? Here is a quick lesson so (1) You know no matter how anonymous you think the web is, it's really not and (2) So you stay safe.
Quick Lesson 1: Most blogs have embedded an HTML code (I apologize for Geek speak) in their websites which tell them who has been visiting their website and how they are getting there. Example: A sitemeter will tell the blog host if X person is coming to the website by googling something like "Do You Fancy Us" or "How To Decode a Drunk Dial" etc. The Sitemeter also will let the know blog host know if the visitor is getting to the website through a link from another site OR if if the visitor is merely typing the website name into their browser.
Quick Lesson 2: Each router/modem is characterized by an individual IP address (AKA, they don't repeat. This is often how cops find individuals who have child porn on their computer. Seriously). So, if you were sitting in a coffee shop, you and the guy across the store from you would be sharing the same IP address. Same thing goes if you are accessing internet from a school or an office which has registered their IP. The IP will read a bunch of numbers and often be followed by something like (university.edu) or (Partner and Partner LLC). Scary right?
Quick Lesson 3: Often IP's also tell you the general location where the internet is coming from and the longitude and latitude. Example: it will list the city, state and country like Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Sometimes, however, the IP address won't register a location. Don't be too excited. There are lots of websites like this one where all you have to do is copy and paste an IP address and it will spit out more information than the sitemeter did in the first place. If you don't believe me, click the link and it will tell your IP and everything else you want to know about your IP identity.
Quick Lesson 4: Lastly, each IP visit is individually time stamped and lets the blog host know how long you have been there as well as what links you have clicked on the page. So, for example, if you make a comment one someone's website, the blog host will probably (unless the volume of visitors is over 1,000 and hour) know (1) Your IP, (2) Where you live (3) What operating system you use (aka do you have a MAC or a PC, do you use Safari/Google Chrome/Fire Fox/Internet Explorer) (4) and maybe even what law firm/office or school you are accessing the site from.
Bottom line: Be safe and careful, and remember that everything is not as anonymous as it seems.
2 comments:
i always wondered how that sort of thing worked, but never took the time to figure it out. does it factor in visits/etc via RSS too, or is that tracked a different way?
I'm pretty sure that when you read something through RSS or google reader that it does not show up on the site meter...or at least I have never seen it pop up as an entry page to our blog. However, if you read something from google reader and you click on the page to actually access the webpage, the site meter does track that as the "entry page". Or at least that's how I think it works....haha, no telling if I'm absolutely correct! :)
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