Protect My Choices (Beta) for Internet Explorer is an extension for users seeking to help ensure that their opt-out choices are protected. In a few easy steps, this tool helps protect your choices with respect to interest-based advertising performed by companies participating in the DAA Program, and helps to prevent the accidental deletion of cookies that store your choices.
The Protect My Choices (Beta) extension is compatible with Internet Explorer version 7 (and up) on computers running Windows XP or higher. Because of this broad compatibility, as well as the security settings of your own computer, your experience with the download and installation of Protect My Choices (Beta) may differ from other users. This brief guide is intended to help you with setup and provides answers to a few common questions along the way.
In this guide:
1. The Download Process
After successfully opting out from interest-based advertising using the the Choose all companies button on the Consumer Opt-Out Page (Beta), you may see a shaded dialogue box that offers you the opportunity to download Protect My Choices (Beta):
Clicking Protect My Choices will bring about a second dialogue box with a general explanation of the extension as well as the Download button which initiates the download of Protect My Choices (Beta) for Internet Explorer. Click Download to proceed to installation.
Note 1: Depending on your security settings, Internet Explorer may ask you to verify that you want to download Protect My Choices (pmc.msi) from aboutads.info. Please click Run to start the Setup Wizard for Protect My Choices (Beta).
Note 2: Some versions of Windows may not allow you to run the installer immediately upon download. In such a case, please save Protect My Choices (Beta) to your desktop and double-click the pmc.msi file to begin the Setup Wizard.
2. Installation: There's a Wizard for That!
Now that you've begun the installation process, either by clicking Download and Run or by double-clicking the pmc.msi file saved to your desktop, the Protect My Choices (Beta) Setup Wizard will appear:
Click the Next button in the Setup Wizard and Protect My Choices (Beta) should be installed! Please note that depending on your Windows security settings, you may be asked if you want to run this program, click Continue. You should now see a message indicating that you have successfully installed Protect My Choices (Beta).
Check that Protect My Choices is enabled, restart your browser, and open a new window.
3. Is Protect My Choices (Beta) Enabled?
The following instructions will help you ensure that Protect My Choices (Beta) for Internet Explorer has been enabled. First, click on the Tools menu in Internet explorer and select Manage Add-ons. Then use your cursor to highlight Protect My Choices (Beta) under Digital Advertising Alliance. In the lower right-hand corner of the Manage Add-ons screen there are Enable and Disable buttons. Click Enable to activate the Protect My Choices (Beta) extension.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed and enabled Protect My Choices (Beta) for Internet Explorer. Please restart your browser and open a new window.
4. Updating, Uninstalling, and Other Tips
a. When and How to Update
We encourage you to visit the Consumer Opt-Out Page (Beta) periodically to check whether or not you have the newest version of Protect My Choices (Beta) for Internet Explorer. Use the Choose all companies button to revisit the download screen and identify the newest version available (the example shows that it is "v. IE 1.0").
Next, visit the Manage Add-on screen in your browser and identify which version you have (again, the example shows version 1.0).
If the version identified on the download screen is higher than what you have - for instance, it displays "v. IE 1.1" - download and install the new version of Protect My Choices (Beta) for Internet Explorer just as described in this guide.
b. Disabling and Uninstalling Protect My Choices
If you wish to turn off Protect My Choices (Beta) you can visit the Manage Add-on screen and click Disable. You can always turn the extension back on from the same screen.
Follow these four steps to remove Protect My Choices (Beta) from your computer:
- 1. Click Start and choose Control Panel;
- 2. Double-click on the Programs and Features* icon;
- 3. Locate and highlight the Protect My Choices (Beta) program;
- 4. Click Uninstall and follow the Windows prompts to completely remove Protect My Choices (Beta).
*Note: In Windows XP, double-click on the Add or Remove Programs icon instead of the Programs and Features icon.
c. Further Help
Please remember that this is an early release of Protect My Choices (Beta) for Internet Explorer. With your input and further development time we will continue to improve Protect My Choices.
If you have questions, concerns or comments please don't hesitate to email the DAA Operations staff.
