BOSTON, Jan. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, privacy expert Abine, Inc. partnered with ZoneAlarm, the consumer division of Check Point Software Technologies, to launch Do Not Track, a new feature available in ZoneAlarm 2013 security products. The feature, built from Abine's market-leading DoNotTrackMe (DNTMe) technology, offers millions of ZoneAlarm users a simple, free, and effective way to block online tracking and control data collection as they browse the web. Do Not Track is seamlessly integrated into ZoneAlarm 2013 security products.

ZoneAlarm's Do Not Track feature is built from the same proven anti-tracking technology used to power Abine's DNTMe, which has been downloaded more than three million times and blocked more than 285 billion attempts to track its users since its February 2012 launch. DNTMe is a browser add-on that makes it easy for anyone to see when they're being tracked online and stop being profiled by social networks, advertisers, and data collection companies, including Google and Facebook. Once installed, DNTMe blocks more than 200 advertising companies and 630 tracking technologies that collect, use, and sell consumers' personal information. The tool works on all major browsers, including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari, and takes a major step toward enabling consumers to control their privacy online.

DNTMe can speed up website loading by up to four times and lets consumers see who is tracking them on each website they visit with a simple numbered icon in the corner of their browser windows. Consumers can elect to block or allow tracking at the individual website level. By doing so, consumers regain control over their information while shopping, playing games, socializing, and more, and prevent problems that can occur from profiling such as identity theft, reduced credit score ratings, and loss of employment.

DNTMe's technology is more effective than built-in browser privacy features like the Do Not Track header or private browsing mode because it more effectively stops the collection of data about users, rather than simply requesting it. The technology received a "spectacular" review of 5 stars from CNET and continues to be renowned for its powerful blocking skills while maintaining the web experience. In addition, DNTMe is the only tool on the market whose technology can effectively block tracking by Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks without disabling the ability to "like," share, or otherwise socially interact with a site's content.

"We're taking the lead on offering privacy features in our products to meet the demand of our users," said Bari Abdul, Head of Consumer Business at Check Point Software Technologies.  "Through Abine's DoNotTrackMe technology, our ZoneAlarm users now have the option to protect themselves from ad networks, social networks, and data collection companies following their every move online. The harms of online tracking are growing and real, and we're proud of our ability to secure both the computer and the computer user."

Abine expects that more than 100 million people will have taken action and started using Do Not Track tools by the end of 2013.Consumers are trapped in an escalating privacy crisis with limited control over their personal information, and even though 68 percent of people "don't like having [their] online behavior tracked and analyzed," many are unsure of how to stop online tracking (Pew, 2012). Recent decisions by advertisers and technology providers to ignore Do Not Track requests from Internet Explorer have only added to consumer confusion. The partnership between Abine and ZoneAlarm represents a growing awareness among leading security providers that privacy protection has become an essential aspect of security. Consumers must take care of both privacy and security to truly protect and control their information.