When you connect to the Internet, you not only receive information, you release information. Your computer has identifiable data that is displayed for others to see (mostly advertisers and tracking counters such as Google Analytics or StatCounter). Some information is necessary, such as the web browser you use. This information helps the website properly load the website for your browser. Your time that you visited is also logged. You can check out Kim Komando’s privacy check website to see exactly what data is gathered when you surf online.
Some of the data is extraneous, and is harvested by advertisers to monitor your surfing habits. This way, you are more easily targeted with ads to which you are more likely to respond. For example, I rarely see ads for baby diapers and strollers at the sites I visit, because I have no interest in them. I am, however, targeted with a plethora of ads for gadgets, cell phones and computers. Obviously, advertisers are tracking my surfing habits.
I think this kind of monitoring is unethical. So I use browser plugins such as AdBlock Plus and NoScript to block ads and scripts on my browser. I also clear out my cookies and cache folders periodically. And I use programs such as CrapCleaner and MalwareBytes to scan and remove adware and tracking cookies.
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
It’s not rocket science, but at least I get some sleep. 
