Updated: 30 September 2006


Ensuring your cashback is credited to you


Not as daunting as it first seems, the following guidance should ensure that all your shopping transactions and daily cashback searches are tracked by the retailers and that the cashback is passed on to you.

Some cashback sites have a cashback checker/tracking tool that you can use. With one click you will be told if there are any settings on your computer that may possibly be blocking tracking of your cashback.
However, I'm not sure that these are fool-proof and so it also pays to check the following guidance. Note that carrying out these steps will not decrease the security of your computer and nor will they compromise your online privacy.

Internet security, anti-virus and personal firewall software


Internet security, anti-virus or personal firewall software installed on your computer may block the ads and/or cookies (small, harmless text files) that are necessary for your cashback to track.


How to change Norton Internet Security settings


  1. Double click the Norton Internet Security icon on your taskbar; this will open the Settings window.
  2. Choose Ad-Blocking (this is under "status and settings" or "web browsing" in newer versions) and select "turn off" from the right hand menu bar.

More information on specific versions of Norton Internet Security can be found on the Symantec website.


How to change McAfee Internet Security settings


If the procedure below does not fit with your version of McAfee software, manuals can be downloaded from http://download.mcafee.com/products/manuals/en-gb/MIS_UserGuide_2006.pdf.


  1. Right click the McAfee icon on your taskbar and select the “privacy service”.
  2. If prompted to select a User, select the user account that you want to shop under while earning cashback.
  3. Then, choose edit to change the settings for the selected user. Choose to configure privacy options.
  4. Select the Cookie blocker option and choose to "Accept all cookies".
  5. Click “Accept” and “OK”.
  6. Select the Block Ads option and de-select "block ads".
  7. Also deselect "block pop-ups".
  8. Click “Accept” and “OK”.

How to change Zone Alarm Pro settings


Note the free Zone Alarm software does not have ad blocking or cookie control features.


  1. Double click the Zone Alarm Pro icon on your taskbar; this will open the Settings window.
  2. Choose the “Privacy” section and move the sliders to the off position to turn off "Cookie Control" and "Ad Blocking".


For other such software it shouldn't be difficult to change settings to accept ads, cookies and pop-ups. Just have a look around in 'Privacy' and/or "Security" sections and see if you can find it. Otherwise, use the program's Help function or consult the vendor's website.

Pop-up blocker software and pop-up blockers in browsers


If you use pop-up blocker software or have pop-ups disabled by your browser you will need to enable pop-ups since some retailers, including some daily cashback sites, use pop-ups to allow tracking of activity or to confirm or complete an order.


How to disable the pop-up blocker in Internet Explorer


  1. Select the 'Tools' menu and choose “Internet Options”.
  2. Click the “Privacy” tab.
  3. Make sure the "Block pop-ups" box is unchecked.

How to disable the pop-up blocker in Mozilla Firefox


  1. Select the 'Tools' menu and choose “Options”.
  2. Click the “content” icon.
  3. Make sure the "Block Pop-up Windows" box is unchecked.

Advert or cookie blocker software


If you have installed these on your computer you should also disable them so that cashback can be tracked properly.

Enabling cookies to be allowed by your browser


You might be grasping by now that cookies need to be allowed to be set by retailers and affiliate networks in order for your cashback to track.

This final step concerns how to enable your browser to allow cookies. Again, it is quite simple to do. Check below for the instructions that relate to the browser you use (To check which version you use, open your browser, click the 'Help' menu and click 'About (name of browser)'


Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+


  1. Select ”Internet Options” from the 'Tools' menu.
  2. Click on the "Privacy" tab.
  3. Click the "Default" button (or manually slide the bar down to "Medium") under "Settings".
  4. Click "OK".

Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x


  1. Select "Internet Options" from the 'Tools' menu.
  2. Click on the "Security" tab.
  3. Click the "Custom Level" button.
  4. Scroll down to the "Cookies" section.
  5. To enable: Set "Allow cookies that are stored on your computer" to "Enable".
  6. Set "Allow per-session cookies" to "Enable".
  7. Click "OK".

Mozilla Firefox


  1. Go to the "Tools" menu.
  2. Select "Options".
  3. Select the "Privacy" icon (and select the “Cookies” tab if necessary).
  4. Check the box corresponding to "Allow sites to set cookies".
  5. Click "OK".

Netscape 7.1/Mozilla 5.0


  1. Select "Preferences" from the 'Edit' menu.
  2. Click on the arrow next to "Privacy & Security" in the scrolling window to expand.
  3. Under "Privacy & Security", select "Cookies."
  4. Select "Enable all cookies".
  5. Click "OK".

Opera


  1. Select "Preferences" from the 'Tools' menu.
  2. Click on the “Advanced tab” at the top of the window.
  3. Click "Cookies" in the menu on the left.
  4. Select "Accept all cookies" in both the drop-down menus.
  5. Check the “Accept cookies with incorrect paths” box.
  6. Click "OK".

If you intend getting daily cashback to boost your balance/s then you should also read the simple advice in Daily Cashback Tips.

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