This tip was printed from the MalekTips Computer and Technology Help and Tips website at http://malektips.com.

RealPlayer - Increase Your Privacy - Don't Send Your GUID

SUMMARY: Help increase your privacy when playing multimedia files with RealPlayer 10.5.

Depending on how RealPlayer 10.5 is configured, you may be sending information to other websites "to aid content providers". This information can include the quality of your connection, but can also include your GUID, or a unique RealPlayer ID to your installation.

While RealPlayer's policy states "RealNetworks cannot, and will not, associate the RealPlayer GUID with any of your personally identifiable information", many people concerned with privacy would rather not take that chance.

To disable sending this information:

1. Click "Tools" - "Preferences".

2. When the "Preferences" multi-tabbed dialog box appears, click "Connection" in the left pane to expand the tree.

3. Click "Internet / Privacy" underneath "Connection".

4. Uncheck "Send connection-quality data to RealServers".

5. Uncheck "Send RealPlayer GUID to RealServers".

6. Click "OK" to close the dialog box.

Note that, according to RealPlayer's help file, some content providers may require you to send your GUID to access certain paid content. If this is acceptable, you may need to recheck the "Send RealPlayer GUID to RealServers" before playing content from such providers.