Iesnare
Whilst fraud prevention sounds like a good thing and any lawful user shouldn’t have anything to worry about, what is worrying is the fact that with iesnare your computer’s identity is being monitored as you use it across many different gambling websites. So for example if you use the same computer to sign up to two or more different sites that use the iesnare system, each site will know that you’ve recently signed up somewhere else and potentially earmark you as a criminal or abuser.
Also, you don't get the option to opt in or out of this, the iesnare cookie is installed secretly without your knowledge or explicit permission (as opposed to the permission you give when you agree to the T&C of most gambling sites which probably includes a clause that allows them to use companies like Iovation to track users).
Who is affected?
You might be affected if:
a) you have Macromedia Flash installed
b) you access online gambling or gaming sites regularly
The name ‘iesnare’ seems to have been used because ‘iesnare’ is the name of the website that installs the tracker files. However because it has ‘ie’ in it, it doesn’t mean you’re only affected if you use Internet Explorer (IE) or if you only use a Windows based PC. You could use Firefox on a Mac or on Linux and still be affected.
Is it installed on your computer?
In Win XP hit 'Windows-key F' to open the Search window. (press the windows key and the 'f' key at the same time).
In Windows Vista, do same as for xp but note you will probably have to go to 'advanced search' and then tick the 'include non-indexed ...' checkbox.
Type in 'mpsnare' in the Search window.
If iesnare has been used on your machine you'll find one or more of the
following folders:
mpsnare.iesnare.com
ci-mpsnare.iovation.com
mpsnare.iesnare.com
ci-mpsnare.iovation.com
Want rid of it?
There are several ways to ensure iesnare does not get installed onto your computer.
Disable iesnare cookies in your web browser
Cripple iesnare by modifying your 'hosts' file
Disabling Flash Objects / iesnare in Firefox using 'Objection'