Internet question

[Chris24]

A bit of an unusual question for anyone technical minded / with internet knowledge.

Is there some new software out there that websites are using to specifically tailor the pop up ads at the top of and side panels of webpages to your specific interests ?

I ask because i went on a forum the other day and there was an advert at the top for ebay and it was showing a selection of items very similar to what i had been searching for on ebay that same week.

Just been on the national rail website to look up train times for the Sebring trip to the airport and on there there is an advert at the top and on the side for ALMS coverage on ESPN / 4 ways to watch / win an Xbox advert. I was only on that link on the ALMS website just last night.

ALMS advert on National rail ? This seems too much of a coincidence to me and if this is the case, how do they know what ads are likely to suit you, has to be invasion of privacy I would have thought.

Anyone know about this.

[Steve Pyro]

They are able to 'read' your recent internet / search history.  It's called 'tailored advertising'.

Just make sure you haven't been doing any one handed web surfing beforehand!

I use Firefox with the Adblock Plus add-in = no adverts for me 

http://adblockplus.org/en/

[Lazy B'stard]

Must just be coincidence. I've just visited a specialist motorcycle parts website and a pop up advert appeared for gaffer tape, gimp masks and KY jelly.

Not interested in any of those thing mi lud.

Unless Big H has been using my interweb again?

[Bentley boy]

Whenever I visit France Info.com at work I usually get English ads 

[Stu]

On some of the sites i go to, I get a load of foxy looking american sounding chicks that live in Newcastle and want to meet me !!! I pity them already.

Steve's hit it on the head with his answer. Delete your history and cookies and see if that helps.

[Wayne Kerr]

Use Firefox and set your options to remember history-never.

Or try using Google chrome in an Incognito window and see if your ads are random or matched to your recent history.