| Surfing the web is getting to be a little like living in a glass house – much of what you do gets noticed.
Those who run Web sites rely on things called “cookies” and “referrers” to see what we search for, where we go and what we buy. These give that information to Web sites, market researchers and ad agencies.
Most browsers let your control whether you want to accept cookies. The problem is, shutting off the cookie accepter shuts off your access to some sites, or at least limits what you can do there.
A software product from a Cambridge, Mass., company blocks cookies for you, without limiting your access to different Web sites. InterMute also lets you restrict other things, including Java applets (the bit-heavy applications that make Web site ingredients flash, scroll and move), banner ads and background music.
The program acts as a filter between your browser and the Web and works on recent versions of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer and Netscape’s browser. Once installed, the program runs when the computer starts and is compatible with Windows 95, 98 2000, XP and NT platforms, as well as UNIX.
InterMute, which can be downloaded at www.intermute.com, sells for $19.95. A 14-day trial copy is free. | 
