So, this article on Boing Boing talks about how Facebook's new Connect project allows third party websites to hijack your data and use it to sell you shit you don't need without yr permission or the ability to opt out of it. Sites like Gawker, CNN, and NPR have been adding applications to yr profile if you visit their website while also logged into Facebook (even if you don't have the site open). If you go to "Account -> Application Settings" on Facebook, you can see these applications and remove them. That said, there's also a solution that works (for now) to stop this behavior.
As pointed out here, you can use Adblock Plus to prevent this malware from being added to yr Facebook account (and, frankly, you should be using Adblock Plus anyway, because it's awesome). In this post, I'll talk you through installing Adblock Plus and then discuss how to configure it for maximum Facebook crushing.
Installing Adblock Plus
Visit the installation page for Adblock Plus and click "Install Adblock Plus 1.2." A little yellow band will appear at the top of your browser window saying that "Firefox prevented this site (adblockplus.org) from asking you to install software on your computer;" click the "Allow" button. A window that says "Install add-ons only from authors whom you trust" will appear. Wait for the count-down to finish and then click "Install." When it finishes installing, click the "Restart Firefox" button that will appear.
You will be asked some set up questions, but the recommended settings are usually okay. Now, you have should have a red stop sign that says "ABP" inside:
If you click the drop down next to the sign, you can control Adblock Plus from that menu. You might need the "Disable for x.com" menu item for video sites that depend on ad revenue, like Hulu. Anyway, now that you're living the ad-free lifestyle, let's install a spell to prevent Facebook's evil tentacles from accessing yr data.
Crush Facebook, See It Flee Before You, & Hear the Lamentations of Mark Zuckerburg
From the Adblock Plus menu, select "Preferences ..." Click the button that says "Add filter..." In the resulting textbox, paste the following:
|http://*.connect.facebook.*/*
This rule will block all sites that are trying to connect with yr Facebook account and get their sticky, honey-covered fingers in yr private data.
Pretty easy, right?
Enjoy. Also, keep in mind that Adblock Plus is awesome & you have just dramatically improved yr web-browsing life.