System and method for network administration and local administration of privacy protection criteria

摘要

Cookie files received from cookie file sources (e.g., Internet websites) are screened based upon the recommendations of a service provider which downloads privacy protection criteria in the form of a "watch list" to a subscriber's client machine. A user-friendly interface allows the subscriber to optionally modify the watch list prior to it being used at the subscriber's client machine by assigning known cookie file sources to either a "trustlist" or a "blacklist." A "composite list" is then generated and used by the client machine to screen cookie files. The subscriber receives updates from the service provider on either a periodic or "as-needed" basis using a "quick update algorithm." A "privacy scanning algorithm" runs on the client machine and has two different modes of operation. The first is a continuous mode where unwanted cookie files are blocked from being stored at the client machine. The second is a periodic mode where the client machine is "scrubbed" of unwanted cookie files according to the privacy protection criteria.