When eBay asks me to sign in, it wants to run Silverlight???

jeffweico · #1 07-10-2014

Every 24 hours or so, when I click something on eBay, it asks me to log in again. No big deal, this has always happened. I am, for the record, using the Firefox browser.

For the last couple of days, when this happens, I get a little bar at the top of the screen asking me if it is OK to allow them to run "Silverlight". I don't know much about Silverlight except that it has something to do with DRM, or copy protection.

Does anyone have any idea why this is happening? Has anyone else experienced this?

And NO, my account has nothing to do with DVD's or movies.

GreenBean · #2 07-10-2014

I thought Silverlight was a Microsoft effort to outdo Adobe Flash?

Not the best of sources but...

Microsoft Silverlight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

When I saw microsoft, I recalled the divorce from Gates. Would not go near it.

APPLE is working so very well for me.

ovidiu · #3 07-10-2014

Silverlight doesn't have anything to do with DRM per se. Think of it as Microsoft's new ActiveX or a competitor to Java. Maybe eBay is using it as a flash alternative to track people who unknowingly activate it.

BiN4RY · #4 07-10-2014

I blocked it just to be safe. None of eBay's features or UI seemed to be hampered by disabling it.

jeffweico · #5 07-11-2014

Thanks everyone. I stand corrected on the DRM issue. Per Wikipedia, Silverlight DOES have a DRM component, but it is not its main purpose. I though it was, as the only time I've needed it was for Netflix and the Hallmark Movie website - so I thought that DRM was its primary purpose.

**aspkin** · #6 07-11-2014

It's primarily for audio and video playback..

Weird how eBay is using it (maybe for ad playback).. why not HTML5?

Most people don't have installed by default so it would be a bad tracking plugin.. without researching it further I doubt it's for any sort of tracking but don't quote me on that. .

GreenBean · #7 07-11-2014

Since when did ebay use something correctly?

**ilcarletto** · #8 07-11-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspkin

I
Most people don't have installed by default so it would be a bad tracking plugin

Well this is a "non-problem" for EB. Once they ask to install it most users will.

This is something I have found:

Supercookie: Tracking technologies that typically do not use HTTP, supercookies are often created by applications, such as Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight, that you might have installed on your computer. These cookies can store up to 10MB of data, whereas an HTML cookie is limited to 4K. Supercookies can also track user behavior across multiple sites.

**aspkin** · #9 07-11-2014

Hmm.. interesting.. it's old tech.

I would not suggest installing it though.. it's just not needed. HTML5 and Adobe Flash basically replace it.

ovidiu · #10 07-11-2014

The only thing I've ever seen that actually requires Silverlight is Netflix.

**aspkin** · #11 07-11-2014

Netflix on your computer?? What are you an animal?

ovidiu · #12 07-11-2014

Don't have a TV and that line is actually from That 70's Show (lol).

**ilcarletto** · #13 07-11-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by aspkin

Netflix on your computer?? What are you an animal?

...the only anlimals I am aware of that whatch streaming movies...

Spacecowboy99 · #14 08-14-2014

If I am using a different windows user for each stealth account, Do i need to worry about adobe reader or silverlight?

**SaiJin** · #15 08-14-2014

Nope. But those shouldn't even trigger... I never saw any of mine trigger

Callidus · #16 08-14-2014

Triggers it if you are using FireFox Portable though. Noticed it today. Easy enough to block it and as mentioned above doesn't hinder performance

**SaiJin** · #17 08-14-2014

Ah "portable" is the key word then.

I'm too paranoid, I stay away from non full softwares and OS and Apps.

I'd sacrifice convenience for stability and peace of mind.

Spacecowboy99 · #18 08-14-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callidus

Triggers it if you are using FireFox Portable though. Noticed it today. Easy enough to block it and as mentioned above doesn't hinder performance

Callidus - are you saying that it may affect my accounts if I am using the Firefox portable mobile app (is this what this is?)?

So, basically, as long as I am using different windows users on my computer then there is nothing to worry about with regards to adobe, silverlight, flash etc?

Hercules · #19 08-14-2014

I have Silverlight triggers somewhere in some user accts....I ignore. Never a problem

TonyAlmeida · #20 08-14-2014

On my main PC I used FireFox Portable. Don't install Flash, Java, Silverlight..........

Spacecowboy99 · #21 08-15-2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyAlmeida

On my main PC I used FireFox Portable. Don't install Flash, Java, Silverlight..........

what is the difference between firefox and firefox portable?

also, do you use different users for different stealth accounts? if so then why do you not install flash, java, silverlight etc?

Callidus · #22 08-15-2014

I think as you are learning stealth Spacecowboy999 it would be easier for you to just keep user accounts seperate, don't worry too much about portable until you have fully understood how stealth works. Using portable can be done but I would advise to stick to the basics for now, new account = new eBay / PP account