Hide and seek on the Web

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Company B, and its managers, investment bankers and corporate lawyers were regularly visiting the rival's Web site for financial information and other related data. Company B caught on by analyzing its log files after a huge spike in traffic, and then it started talking to another rival about a buyout, which instigated a bidding war. "They estimated that their acquisition cost them $15 million more than it should have," he said.

"Most people don't appreciate the dangers in the fact that someone can find out a lot about you just by you looking at them."

--Cox, private investigator

In another example, a maker of color printers might detect a traffic spike to a new product page from a rival, then later see interest in their marketing materials. That would signal that the rival could be coming to market with a new product of its own. To retaliate, the incumbent might issue an upgrade with a press release at the same time, thereby stealing some thunder from its rival.

"If you're just going to your competitor's Web site in the clear, you're really playing poker with all your cards face up," Cottrell said.

Cox uses the Anonymizer tool to ensure that his investigations online can't be traced back to his office or home, thereby tipping off the subject. He said he has been hired by companies to investigate employees who are believed to be selling stolen corporate goods online.

"Most people don't appreciate the dangers in the fact that someone can find out a lot about you just by you looking at them," Cox said.

Still, IP detection can be inaccurate, as Allen found out with his ex.

"What if someone is working from home that day, or has a remote office?" he asked.

[BillThomas3]

My company does it also

Great article Stephanie! I asked my companies IT director and we provide our competitors with "fake" web pages. I didn't realize it was so prevalent! That said, we're concerned our competitors are doing the same thing to us and watching where we go on their sites.

How much does the Anonymizer service cost?

Regards,
Ben

[tomfaster]

Nice. Thanks for the heads up. As an online retailer we can put this to good use.

Tom