The information you’re REALLY giving Google
I know Google is a really useful search engine, but I have plenty of problems with the big ‘G’.
First and foremost they are a monopoly. They own the search market, the online advertising market, and just about everything else that has to do with surfing the web. Our leaders these days seem more interested in spying on their own citizens than actually upholding the laws that should keep these companies from controlling our lives.
What I am most concerned with is their ability to spy on our personal lives. Google (because they own the web) knows exactly where you search, what you shop for, and what you read on the web. They use this information to supply your personal information to the guys they really work for. No, not their stockholders or Larry Page. Its advertisers. Companies. Ad agencies. Data collectors. And they’ve been known to turn over search preferences to law enforcement, often WITHOUT search warrants.
Your information (your location, preferences, income levels, family status, and political preference) is being bought and sold hundreds of times a day. Advertisers will pay more when they know WHO you are, so Google is happy to oblige. And why not, they only made $15 billion last year handing out your info. That’s profit, not revenue, mind you.
There are a few things you can do to protect yourself, take these few simple steps to limit your exposure:
- Turn off cookies in your browser. These tiny little pieces of computer code are the primary method for tracking your preferences.
- Tell Google not to track your searches. Log into Google and then go to https://www.google.com/history, where you can set your preferences.
- Use an anonymous browser that won’t track your actions or relate personal information to websites. The best is Tor Browser Bundle, which routes your traffic through its network, so that sites and advertisers can’t track you. This may slow down browsing a little bit. Another is SRWARE Iron, which is the same software platform as Google Chrome, without the nosy Google bots tracking your every move.
Regardless of what you use or how you browse, remember that as long as the web remains the wild west, that corrupt entities like Google will be lurking in the corners to spy on you. Proceed with caution.
for those of you wanting some extra protection., you might want to check this out: he he
https://www.torproject.org/
If anyone one like to check out a creditable website for Ubuntu:
http://on-disk.com/
Very true! I am on the quest to rid myself of yahoo forever; and, need to find a safe email address connection. Thanks in advance
Since I quit YAHOO-via much travail- my computer runs much better.
I have unseen for my e-mail..There severs are in Iceland & are UN-reachable by big brother!
try reaganemail.com -they have free accounts
Search engines
duckduckgo.com
ixquick.com
What happened to your link that told us how to get rid of our Google trail?
You can also use duckduckgo.com as a search engine, they give you privacy. I use it instead of google.
He’s another secure search engine:
https://startpage.com/eng/
What is Wrong? I guess that is the only way the government can try, hear this, “TRY”, to control the Nation. Citizens Respect a Government that truly care for its People
Sadly our System is not Controlled by the USA anymore. It has sold out to Foreign Powers. GREED and WANTONS will be the demise of our Country if we do not put our act together and raise our voices as ONE.
Go one step further, go back to the days when cleaning out cookies was the norm. I am a computer technician. I have lost track of how many people I’ve helped and computers I have cleaned of infections. Running Malwarebytes at least once a month is a necessity. Full Scan. It takes hours but it is worth it. Running CCleaner is more than worth it. Same goes with Glary Utilities. Avast is the only Antivirus I trust. It cleans things Norton’s and McAfee don’t. People, protect yourselves! If you use Windows 8, find and shut down Cloud Storage. It’s on by automatic setup when you first register it. Don’t use Google Drive. You give them access to all your personal stuff on there. ALWAYS use an external drive from your computer/laptop.
I use windows 8, when I search for “clould storage,” it doesn’t come up w/any search lands….where is it so I can turn it off?
I run a Linux system – Ubuntu – is there anything I can use to keep my computer “clean”?
try clam av
I use winders 7 to play my sims
use linux for everything else
You owe it to yourself to try Ubuntu; they are making it easier to use and its like windows in appearance and function. I think its quicker and its definitely more secure. There are many versions of linux operating systems available to try- And with Ubuntu you can download plenty of software from their safe depositories for free.
Another interesting tid bit, With Ubuntu, you can use a program called WINE. In essence, it wil load and play some windows based programs. More are coming into existense.
are they any good ?
Thank you for info on google.
An even worse one to watch out for is Conduit. They pay to piggy back into your PC and then they grab all the info they can and sell it. They even ride in on downloads. and everything else. you have to keep checking your program/features list and delete it wherever you find it. Technically it’s not spyware so there are no programs to hunt it down and kill it.
I managed to get rid of conduit by using a program called SpyHunter downloaded from the web $29.95
I don’t use Google any more. i use DuckDuckGo, and I am quite pleased with it..
Annie
Same here. I just need a secure, private and safe email address that is suggested by DuckDuckGo.com. Please advise.
give ixquick.com a try-
Thank you, Frank, for all the helpful information.
Thank you for all the stuff that u guy send to me. I’m still trying to built that wind power stuff and I do have some the stuff 4 that solar power stuff ….. thank you and God Bless you tooo
byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeemitch
We usually use between 3 and 4 gb a month. Our reset date is on the 7th. Last month within a week we had gone over our limit of 5 gb so we requested 5 more thinking 10 is way more than we needed. In a couple of days we had gone beyond the 10 and ended up with nearly 12 and had to pay an huge overage. Verizon told me something was running in the back ground. I had seen several CBS ads for TV programs but I clicked them off right away. The tech said they apparently kept running in the back ground. Can you tell me how this could happen and how to prevent and stop it.
On the I phone go to settings……general…Background App refresh….And turn off Background App Refresh for all apps!
Good advice. Thnx
Sprint does not charge you if you go over your data limit. They just reduce you to a slower speed for the remainder of your month. Never had a surprise bill! So, it is worth the effort to check them out when your current contract runs out.
Will you please send me a email stating step by step how to do this, because I am computer dumb about these things thanks
everybody’s browser and system are a little different; since we’re not in the technical help business, I’m afraid to steer you wrong with your particular computer setup
Wow, seriously people. You believe this crap? Google is providing tons of web services to you for FREE! They can only track your income levels, family status, and political preferences IF YOU GIVE THEM THAT INFO. If you are worried about it, you are way too paranoid. If you don’t like what you *think* google is tracking, then don’t use their FREE services! It’s just that easy! Go use some other search engine like Yahoo or Bing…
As a computer technician I can verify that these things he’s saying is true. Not just of Google but every search engine out there. Go one step further. Microsoft automatically turns on Cloud storage on Windows 8. If you don’t turn it off, everything you store there is searchable by anyone with access to those facilities. Same goes with Google’s version. They have master passwords for every account on their servers. Cleaning out Cookies used to be the norm. Cleaning out temporary files is another huge one. You think it’s a coincidence that Microsoft defaults to saving 20 DAYS worth of them on your computer with their browser?
-There are “none” so shill
I remember when guugle was vying to take control of our medical records- and if I am not mistaken, the ceo of guugle said that he would just as soon all humans were bots of some form or another. And last but not least guugle is anti gun-
Steve. McKnight
Thank. You. Frank I will use this info
I do not fill that it is legal. For any one
To do this something should be done
To stop this from happening we should
All join together to stop this got any ideas
Am listening. Thanks. Frank
Try again, maybe my comment got lost. The enhanced by google at Startpage.com doesn’t record your IP address. Read their policy, they are into privacy. They may be offering private emails in the future, otherwise, you will have to pay to have a private off shore email for $3-7 a month.
Google gave Obama numerous fund raisers and they all cost a fortune for those “dinners.” Now he is paying them off.
I don’t mind if authentic constabulary look at what I am browsing. My concern is the loading and adding to my emails with “blocked images” which I am concerned about. How does one protect one’s reputation after whistleblowing???!!! My favourite sites are those concerned with the welfare of this planet both in a humanitarian sense and environmental sense. suspicious observers sites are grossly under-sung. Their info should have a spot on the tv.
My concern is also that whistle blowers are being silenced by the governments that may lose credibility if their errors, purposeful or not are exposed. I am passive however. I will search for info that I suspect is there and will enjoy learning from internet sources.Ditto to the comment below about the involvement in google in this questioning blog. Aren’t we all being a bit blind to the fact that governments can access any and all info on anyone that they want? I think they call this an “Orwellian ” society don’t they?End trans
Just thought I’d say I went to start page.com as suggested and it said it was enhanced by google- dosent that defeat the purpose?
Consider what the BIG G did in China— It could happen here!
FEW
FEELING
FREE
FATHOM
FREEDOM
How true, James! Well said! Wake up, America!
We are asked for our websites,: Mine are not-for-profit, but only labors of love ~for poets and for my daughter, Von, who has left for Heaven .
I have embedded notes on the site that commercial material is inappropriate. but the solicitations continue.
Good info Frank. Do you know about Comodo.com? An internet security firm that has their own free chrome browser based on Google’s model but with all of Google’s tracking code stripped out. Totally secure. Check it out.
I use Comodo; but i use Mozilla
Thank you Frank, I already new much of this because security was a high priority for the last 13 or 14 years while doing my thing I on my computers. A matter that might have slipped your mind as I’m sure you were aware of the GPS feature do not, I repeat do not allow my location on your phone or tablet that tracks you big-time. I also leave the GPS feature off unless I need to use it for some reason or another. My little two cents worth thank you again Frank
that is good to know ,frank think you
BTW… were you aware that since Google supports Obama, those who use it are indirectly supporting that crook? I’ve gone to startpage.com now, like the last poster.
thank you Frank. for making me aware of whats going on! I always thought Google was a good company, now I feel you have opened my eyes to them. I shall be aware of all I do on my web from now on. Thank you again. Patsy
I do not want Gogle to be involved with my computer.
Totally agree! You are correct. I do not want Google on this computer. What would be the perfect Adobe updater?
Thanks for the heads up, and the partial fix.
J
Audio, not working for us. That would be on my end. Thanks for your support, Franklin
Thank you for another valuable tip.
Another clue: Yahoo is bullied by Google. Also, you can not have a Duck Duck Go email address at this time. They are so busy helping us with privacy–is the reason.
4/12/2013:
Today Norton revealed a protective function having deleted cookies of a “scan: which evidently has occurred ever 7 days (from a calender notation) ever since I added Google Chrome program to my computer just last January..
Thank for the alert on Google. I always wondered why Google is “free”, and there is no annual charge for the program. I think the $15 billion explains it all!
W. Teel
William – Thank you for your explanation. I just “came to the party” with Google from these comments. . Indeed, the word “free” on any money-making subject will always be a Red Flag!
Consider yourself Hugged, Frank. Thanks for your recent email giving instruction on how to have internet privacy. I’ve done some of your suggestions but I know if there is a will there a way for corporate america and the American government to continue being invasive.
I love what you’re doing! I’m so impressed. My work as a paradigm-shifter to develop decentralized local free economies has been lonely, as its been hard to find people who have moved beyond the 19th-20th meme’. I’m beginning to lose my ability to converse lightly with anyone. HA .
http://www.peopleshareservices.com … is my first attempt to create a local (decentralized) free economy. When it became apparent that the dollar is being killed, I changed the format to a chitless (volunteer service) I think this is KEY to stabilizing local communities in good times and bad. It will be cooperative, complimentary and very competitive to collective currencies … as well as to public “government” schools in an Experiential Education for adults and teenagers.
Onward and Upward, Frank!
Linda Burkhead
Memphis, TN
I use Startpage too. I found that when gmail had all those privacy changes and with it using google results, why not use it and be that much ahead of the game?
Startpage.com is your answer. Check it out. Listen to Katherines radio program too. Its all there on startpage.com
Thank you,
I’ve been looking for a way around these snoops.
Art
Startpage.com is private search engine that uses google results but does not track ips addresses ect, started by a patriot.
You can also use Firefox and install the add on Ghostery. I also use a Linux Live DVD and connect to the Internet that way especially when I conduct my online banking, Ebay, or anything that I do not want Hacked. Linux is virtually hack proof, snoop proof etc., installed or Live. If more people would ditch Windows or Apple and switch to Linux, which is free in most cases, they would not have these problems.
Don’t get in a panic, its easier than what is written here if you like to use the chrome browser
1) add do not track plus (from Abine) to your Chrome browser
2) add Click and Clean (from hotcleaner) to your Chrome browser
These two will eliminate a vast amount of the tracking which is effecting the chrome browser, but what about Google?
Click on the three bars in the top right corner of the browser
Select Settings
Then select Advanced settings (bottom of the page)
Go to Privacy: turn off everything but “enable phising malware protection”.
Go to Search: make sure “enable instant…” is not checked
Go to background apps: un-check the box “continue running background apps…”
Other rules:
Don’t ever “Sign In” with Chrome or Chromium if you are running Linux
On Startup: “Define a specific page” Copy and paste the URL (address example; http://www.shepherdschapel.com) from your favorite page in the space provided
Now go to the left pain and select extensions and make sure that only Do not track and click and clean are the only extensions running. Google loves to turn these off for you but turn them right back on. After a few instances, they will leave them alone. Especially if you are running Linux (Ubuntu or Mint, which I highly suggest you do you must remember to turn off Zietghiest in Linux).
Now close the settings tab and you are done. Tracking will be vastly reduced (but not entirely eliminated). If you do not want to be tracked, run click and clean in “incognito mode”
The other tracking reduction feet you can under take is to access the internet through a “Proxy or VPN server” This makes it appear as if you are accessing the internet from another location. In computer speak this is called tunneling. If you really want to make yourself disappear, use an application which provides untraceable information to a port, router, address which does not actually exist or is so general it can not be traced.
Hi Frank, This is mike kirsch. When can we order the clip you had on about being off the grid..?
I sure want to send it to my son in Florida. Thanks, Mike
You could do your web browsing using a bootable CD system for some degree of protection since the CDs contain no personal information and cannot be infected or altered in any way (unless you choose to allow local storage).
Of course, if you perform any on-line transactions, such as on-line shopping, sending email, posting on Facebook, etc. you will make information available that can (will) be mined. However, when you are just browsing using a CD system you are safe.
Just search for “bootable CD iso” and you’ll get a ton of information on how to download an iso file and burn it onto a CD/DVD and you’ll find lots of bootable system choices from Linux, Windows XP, special configurations like back-up and recovery systems, etc.
Booting and running from a CD is much slower than running from a hard-drive; however, once you have a browser loaded, most of it is in memory and you won’t notice much difference from running the browser from a hard-drive. If you have an old PC or laptop that isn’t being used, you might use it.
Try Ghostery.com, a very effective track blocker for “web bugs”, small pieces of code hidden in just about every web page you visit.
What about yahoo! that is where search? r they just like google tracking your every move?