Datamining- Protect Your Privacy

[Sam the Caveman]

I just saw a video about how google and its sub companies save every input you send through them and sell your information to whoever wants it. Yes, everything you type into a google search engine, every video you watch on youtube and everything else you do through a google owned site. They also customize the ADs displayed to what they know you look at.

Could this information be used against you by leo, probably not as the sole piece of evidence, but could certainly strengthen their case against you.

I find this to be a disturbing invasion of my privacy and wondered how, if at all I could escape the google monster. A quick google search revealed a Netherlands based company that respects and values privacy with their own metasearch engine, Ixquick. They don't save or log any of your information, including IP adresses.

I use firefox and also changed the quick search box in the top right corner to use Ixquick.

I have no affiliation with this company and am open to suggestions/references to other search engines that respect privacy.

 

[johnnyla]

link to video?

 

[Sam the Caveman]

Its titled "the google conspiracy" on youtube

 

[Inkster]

oh great man, thanks something else to be paranoid aboot!.... does it work if you are running a VPN?

 

[Sam the Caveman]

VPN, hmm, whats that?

Its not a program you have to download, its just a different search engine like yahoo, bing, etc..

 

[Tony Aroma]

I find this to be a disturbing invasion of my privacy and wondered how, if at all I could escape the google monster. A quick google search...

Is that what you call irony?

 

[!!!]

a VPN is basically like adding another Internet between your PC and the primary Internet (this is as simple as I can put it). It's a Virtual Private Network, that's encrypted, and should - theoretically - be secure and run by a team that respects your privacy. For example, your queries go from your PC to a server in Russia, that does the google search and sends back the results to you, but it's all seamless and fast.

I guess it's just like a proxy, accept EVERYTHING goes through that network, as opposed to a proxy where only the data you specify goes through the proxy (i.e., your browser only, or AIM, etc).

They're safe but they aren't free, usually a service you pay for. BUT! I DO NOT recommend you use a proxy nor a VPN unless you're absolutely sure it's safe. LEO DO host their own proxies and VPNs and save everything that passes through. Usually just for child pr0n and stuff, but still - what would be the point of passing all your data through a third party if you're not 100% sure they're safe and wont sell your data?

As for Google, you can use this: http://mrl.nyu.edu/~dhowe/trackmenot/ (I never tried it)

 

[rootfingers]

Scroogle?

!!!, thanks for the information, I've never felt totally safe online. Can you recommend one that you trust? Pm if you like .