Add conclusion

conclusion.tex

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+\chapter{Conclusion}
+\label{chap:conclusion}
+
+Web tracking is an increasing concern of individual users trying to protect
+their privacy. They see themselves fighting against a conglomerate of tracking
+companies that seek to sell big amounts of personal user data. Once harmless and
+well-intentioned mechanisms such as \gls{HTTP} cookies have been repurposed over
+time to serve the interests of those companies, often times at the expense of
+individual users. Legitimate uses of tracking on the Internet such as for
+personalizing search results or offering adequate recommendations for shopping
+and entertainment have brought with themselves a myriad of other possibilities
+to use user data. Since opting-out of the collection of \gls{PII} is usually not
+possible, tools to combat privacy invasion via tracking have been and are still
+developed. These tools offer users a chance to protect themselves to a degree
+which they seem fit as long as they possess the knowledge to do so.
+
+This thesis serves as an introduction to tracking on the Internet. Various forms
+of online tracking have been discussed and their functionality explained. For
+every method its occurrence on the Web has been quantified, giving users an
+overview of which methods are more widespread and which less. Furthermore,
+an objective evaluation of each method with respect to the impact on users'
+privacy is given, allowing users to make a well-founded threat assessment for
+their individual use case and preference.
+
+In chapter~\ref{chap:defenses against tracking}, users are given the tools to
+defend themselves against the previously discussed tracking methods. The
+advantages and disadvantages of each tool are presented and common
+misconceptions are dealt with. Additionally, it becomes clear that users have to
+make tradeoffs between privacy and ease of use, where more privacy often results
+in not being able to visit certain sites (for example when disabling
+JavaScript).
+
+The arms race between tracking and advertising companies and users will continue
+for the foreseeable future. For individuals achieving full protection against
+any and all trackers is practically impossible even today. This will continue
+further as long as consumers give their privacy away for supposedly \emph{free}
+services and governments do not impose severe penalties on privacy violations
+not only on paper but by following through on them. Until then, only
+knowledgeable users will be able to defend themselves and it will get harder
+with every passing year.

thesis.tex

@@ -90,10 +90,6 @@
 \addinsotitlepage{naustrian}
 \addstatementpage
 
-\begin{acknowledgements*}
-\todo{Enter your text here.}
-\end{acknowledgements*}
-
 \begin{kurzfassung}
 \todo{Ihr Text hier.}
 \end{kurzfassung}
@@ -117,11 +113,8 @@
 % Include methods.tex
 \input{methods.tex}
 
-% Include defences.tex
-\input{defences.tex}
-
-% Include developments
-\input{developments.tex}
+% Include defenses.tex
+\input{defenses.tex}
 
 % Include conclusion
 \input{conclusion.tex}
@@ -139,8 +132,6 @@
 \listoftables % Starred version, i.e., \listoftables*, removes the toc entry.
 
 % Use an optional list of alogrithms.
-\listofalgorithms
-\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{List of Algorithms}
 
 % Add an index.
 \printindex