On line tracking is done with third party cookies. Disabling third party cookies will prevent most tracking, but can also prevent you from loging into some sites that use a dedicated login server whose cookies looks like third party cookies, and can adversely affect the working of several sites.
Listening can only occurs if you have a microphone connected and active. If someone somewho tap into your microphone, in most of the time, they will only get background noises. If you normaly don't use any builin microphone, you can easily disable it from the sound icon in the notification area next to the clock. You can then easily turn it back on when/if you need to use it.
Electro, May 2014
