18 replies to this topic

[coolkid]

To preface this, This is not a spew random crap and scare everyone thread. I am a fan of the Neopets toolbar but wanted people to know what it does that TNT doesn't tell us about.

What it does
Every Minute whenever you are connected to the internet the Neopets Toolbar sends a message to the Neopets Server, EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT VISIBLE!

This message includes:


* What browser you are using
* What account you are logged into/have logged into
* The session data TNT uses to keep people logged in
* A unique ID for your toolbar
* Version of your toolbar



Why should I care?
Most of that stuff seems to be OK, but why does TNT need a lot of it? Does TNT need to be updated every minute as to what accounts you are logged into? Does TNT need to track your specific toolbar, so even if you clear cookies and get a new IP address they can track you? It seems some of the information that is sent seems to be for the sole purpose of tracking users.

Also, this constant check can be used to track when a person is online and for how long. Think about how scary that is! TNT can know how long you are online, how much of that is spent on Neopets, and should they alter their software a little, what web sites you go to. What if in the future you got better Random events just based on which sponsors sites you went to! Pretty scary!

If you would like to see this check, download the firefox TamperDate extension and then let your computer sit and watch the logs it creates. At least every minute it contacts the Neopets Server

[Hydrogen]

That is a very well written and informative post you have made there. I am sure it will help those who were wondering or who did not know. Thanks mate for your awesome contribution .

[Shin]

Thanks for the heads-up. I would never download any Neopets software in the first place, but this just gives me more reasons not to.

[Silk]

Wow, thanks for the information! I've been told it was bad, but was never given actual information to back it up.

[philywilly]

Ah, nice info dude.. *goes off to uninstall toolbar*, I've been using for a year... but now I really see no use for it.

[Vitamin]

Thanks for the heads up. Who would've thought, eh?

[coolkid]

If you would like to see this check, download the firefox TamperDate extension and then let your computer sit and watch the logs it creates. At least every minute it contacts the Neopets Server

right there if you have fire fox

[Bones]

very nice post i enjoyed reading this gj

i will pass info on to ppl who ask me about the toolbar thank you.

[dez1re]

The Neopets toolbar came with premium when I bought it and I would never know what it is doing if it wasn't for this informative thread. Thanks!

[morbis]

That's all fine and dandy but I gotta hundred dubloon coin from that toolbar today. Lemme think. they see how long I'm on an I get a shinny dubloon. I care if they know I'm online why?

[coolkid]

it's just why would TNT need to know?

[Kyle]

That's all fine and dandy but I gotta hundred dubloon coin from that toolbar today. Lemme think. they see how long I'm on an I get a shinny dubloon. I care if they know I'm online why?

Because if your using a program, thats basically being logged in twice, and that will show up to tnt if they randomly look at your information. Ive heard the toolbar can be very dangerous to cheaters because it does keep really good logs on what your up to.

[Nick]

Yes, I think this has been posted before but thanks for the friendly reminder. Downloading anything, portal, toolbar, etc. is a horrible idea if you cheat.

[Harley]

Not that I care about neopets anymore, But I would suggest no-one got this as theres probably something to detect offsite programs.

[Lemonblood]

And they said no spyware!

[the_hitman]

OMG how do u tell if u have firefox? Anyway i better unistall the toolbar cuase my brother cheats.

[Solance]

No it would be illegal for them to have third party program detection, the only information they can collect is the same info they collect when you are normally playing neopets, all your allowing them to do when you use the toolbar is have access to this same information every min.

Now this could cause issues if you say Log into a account on one ip and then log into the same account with a proxy, they will know that the same computer did this due to the toolbar. but the information is limited to the same extent of normal playing information gathering

[beach3boy]

WOW...that should be illegal or something...almost like hacking but not really. haha

[Solance]

it is illegal thats what i was saying. they are not doing it. if they are you could sue them for invasion of privacy.