alt-ad.mail.ru: How Mail.ru Tracks You for Ads

Mail.ru’s tracker, alt-ad.mail.ru, monitors your online behavior to serve targeted advertisements across its network. This invasive data collection undermines your privacy. Here’s what it does.

What Is alt-ad.mail.ru?

This domain is part of Mail.ru’s advertising system, tracking your activity to tailor ads based on your interests. It gathers extensive data about your browsing, posing a serious privacy risk. As Privacy Auditors, we’re concerned about this level of intrusion.

Data It Collects

When you’re online, it captures:

• IP Address: Tracks your location via your connection.
• Browsing History: Logs sites and pages you visit.
• Ad Interactions: Records clicks and views on ads.
• Cookie IDs: Uses identifiers for ongoing tracking.
• Device Type: Identifies your phone or laptop.
• Browser Type: Notes specifics like Chrome 120.0.

This data builds a profile for ad targeting.

Who Gets Your Data?

Your information is shared with:

• Advertiser: Companies using Mail.ru’s ad platform.
• Third-Party Adtech Partner: Processes data for campaigns.
• Government Entity: If legally required, per Mail.ru’s terms.

How to Protect Yourself

At Privacy Auditors, we’re here to protect your privacy. Here’s how to block this tracker:

• Use Ad Blockers: Privacy Auditor’s paid service stops alt-ad.mail.ru scripts.
• Mask with a VPN: Hide your IP using a VPN like Mullvad.
• Switch Browsers: Use Firefox with tracking protection or Tor Browser.
• Clear Cookies: Delete tracking cookies regularly.

Combine these steps to reduce tracking risks.

Sources

• Mail.ru Privacy Policy: https://help.mail.ru/legal/privacy

This is a legal disclaimer. All information is provided for educational purposes only.