Technology

Here Are the Top Five Things You Can Do to Protect Your Privacy on Google

Five Things You Can Do to Protect Privacy on Google

(Image: Google/Good to Know)

NEW YORK (The Blaze/AP) — Like it or not, your relationship with Google has recently become a lot more intimate. According to a recent poll of favored search engines, it’s also likely to remain the one you turn toward on a daily basis.

Although there have been many concerns over Google’s expanding data collection ability from its recently combined privacy policies, there are still measures you can take to protect your privacy as much as possible.

(Related: French regulator: Google’s new privacy policy violates EU standards)

Google said combining policies for its various services was for the sake of simplicity and to improve your experience on sites such as Gmail, Picasa, Google Plus and YouTube. But there’s a business reason as well. Google gets a chance to use the data it collects to tailor ads that align more precisely with your interests, and those personalized ads are among the most lucrative for the company.

Google has long monitored its users in order to target advertisements. If you’ve been reading a lot of news articles on golf, don’t be surprised to see golf products pitched in graphical, display ads as you move across the Web. Google identifies you not by name, but by a string of characters attached to your Web browser. Google also promises not to target ads based on sensitive attributes such as sexual orientation, religion and serious health conditions.

Google also keeps logs of your searches and other activities, partly as feedback to improve services, the company says. Those logs don’t have your name, but rather a numeric Internet address associated with your computer and the same browser-based characters used for ads. That Internet address also gives Google your approximate location, so a search may return local plumbers and not those 500 miles away.

Things change when you sign into a Google account — the kind you have for Gmail. When you do that, Google will have personal attributes such as your name, address and a list of friends. The new policy gives Google more ability to combine such data from email, YouTube, search and other services, beyond the limited rights it had in the past.

Keep in mind that as much as Google makes promises to guard data about you, it’s legally bound to respond to subpoenas and other government requests. That’s no different from policies at Facebook, Yahoo and other websites. This was the case with Google’s old policy as well.

Here are five things you can do to guard your privacy:

  • Manage your sign-ins:

Remember, the new policy affects what happens when you sign in. You can avoid a deeper level of tracking and personalization simply by not signing in.

Of course, some services such as email and photo sharing on Picasa do require signing in. You can get around that by using different browsers to keep your identities separate. You could, for instance, use Google’s Chrome to sign in for email and Firefox to sign in under a different account for YouTube. You could then use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer to search the Web without signing in. That way, Google will see you as three different people and not link your activities.

If you want to stick with one browser, one approach is to use other providers such as Microsoft‘s Bing for search and Yahoo’s Flickr for photos.

Keep in mind that Google still collects data about your use when you’re not signed in, but it won’t have as much information on you.

  • Review What Google Knows:

Google makes it easier than many other services to see what it knows about you.

Start with the Dashboard. You’ll have to sign in to use it. Go through each service to make sure it’s up to date. On the right columns are links for managing your settings and profiles.

If you’ve enabled a feature called Web History, check the lists of past searches and delete any you don’t want Google to remember. You can suspend recording here.

(Related: Why you might want to delete your Google browser history before next week)

Part of what’s changing is that Google will now be allowed to use your Web history to suggest videos you might like to see on YouTube.

Next, check out Google’s Ads Preferences manager. That page reflects what Google thinks it knows about you when you’re not signed in. You can remove or edit categories of interests.

If you don’t like targeted ads, you can throw Google off by adding a bunch of fake interests. Or simply turn it off by hitting the “Opt out” link and button. You’ll still get ads, just not targeted ones. The page might give you a few chuckles, as Google’s guess of your age and gender is often wrong.

The Dashboard is tied to your Google account, while the ad manager is specific to your browser, so you’ll have to do this with each browser on each computer or mobile device you use.

  • Take Advantage of Your Browser’s Privacy Modes:

Major browsers offer a stealth mode. Typically, that means things you do aren‘t recorded in your browser’s history files, and any data files added by a website for tracking get deleted after you’re done.

On Chrome, look for “new incognito window” under the picture of the wrench. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer calls it “InPrivate Browsing” under “Safety.“ The feature is called ”Private Browsing” in Firefox and Apple’s Safari.

While you’re at it, you can delete data already recorded by the browser. Look for a menu item that says “delete,“ ”clear“ or ”reset.”

Keep in mind that some services won’t function properly in stealth mode. Netflix‘s streaming service won’t operate, and Gmail won’t store password information to automatically sign in next time.

Also, Google will still have your numeric Internet address. Stealth mode will curtail tracking but won’t make you completely anonymous.

  • Use Anonymizers:

Several services are available to help you mask your Internet address. Requests to retrieve email or get search results will get bounced through multiple servers to get to a website such as Google. That means Google would have the address of the last computer on that chain, but not yours.

A popular free option is Tor, though it requires a software download and can slow down Web surfing.

  • Stay Offline:

Even if you take all of the above steps, it won’t guarantee anonymity or track-free browsing. For starters, your Internet service provider has information on you regardless of what Google has and does with it. With a subpoena, it can link your name to nameless IDs in Google’s logs.

The products and techniques outlined here can help, but the only way to completely protect your privacy is to disconnect.

It is also possible that you may actually like some of the policy changes. Combining data allows Google to do such things as suggest spelling corrections in Google’s online word processing program for contacts you have in Gmail or chat.

Many people complained when Facebook introduced feeds of friends’ status updates to save you from having to sift through dozens of profile pages to see what your friends are up to. These days, few people can imagine Facebook without that.

Google has more of its own tips on its Good to Know page.

Comments (51)

1 2
  • deelucas6162
    Posted on March 17, 2012 at 8:35pm

    Using GoDuckGo. Not bad at all

    Report Post » deelucas6162  
  • Arshloch
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 2:45pm

    The best method of combatting this raid on personal info is DON’T USE Google. No company can stay in business if no one will use their facilities.

    Report Post » Arshloch  
  • LovinUSA
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 10:50am

    You just need one, that is don’t use the damn site.

    Report Post » LovinUSA  
  • the_truth_or_not
    Posted on March 16, 2012 at 12:03am

    I have 5 things you can do and 5 words to say to keep your privacy private from Google. It is simple. First the 5 words. Do-Not-Use-Google-products. Now the 5 things you can do.
    5. Use other map services.
    4. Remove ALL google software.
    3. Delete Gmail accounts.
    2. Dont use Google Search
    1. Use http://www.startpage.com.

    I like 1 the best. I am by no way affiliated with Startpage, and they have become my #1 search engine at home and at work. Their servers sends your search requests to Google for you. You have the power of Google with the privacy of one sever sending countless of search requests to Google for you. Your search request could be 586 out of 10,000. Your IP address is never recorded in Startpages servers and never transmitted to Google. Read their privacy policy.

    Report Post » the_truth_or_not  
    • MS-GlenNBC
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 12:31am

      I missed Glenn Beck‘s show today and yesterday and the day before that and the day before and well I don’t listen anymore……

      But I wanted to be sure…. Newt Gingrich is behind Google… Right? ”’

      Newt Gingrich is More Dangerous than Google…. Right?

      Just checking.

      Report Post » MS-GlenNBC  
  • MammalOne
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 11:09pm

    I’ve got it broken down into two, easy to follow steps:

    1. Don’t use Google
    2. Don’t use Gmail

    Enjoy!

    Report Post » MammalOne  
  • bpodlesnik
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 8:50pm

    That is way to unnecessary just to get around Google linking your activities. I have Gmail, and use Google as my primary search engine, the way I see it, it is pointless to try to do all of that for an outcome that really doesn’t change much in the end. And those other search engines like ixquick, etc, suck compared to Google. I tried it, and the results you get back just don‘t even come close to Google’s.

    All I‘ve done was op’ted out of the ad thing, and paused Web browsing, and it seemed to do better and was a whole lot easier.

    Report Post » bpodlesnik  
  • DividedWeFail
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 6:23pm

    I stopped commenting on Youtube. Google REFUSES to let people delete their Youtube accounts now though BUT you can DELETE the web history which includes youtube and then disconnect your yahoo email address from Google.

    It was fun to comment on Youtube videos but now Google tracks you. – screw that

    Like most people I have several Yahoo email accounts – have to have one to sign up to blog or to use Youtube, and some companies make you sign in with an email address before they will reveal their shipping charges, etc. etc. I use alternate email addresses in an attempt to minimize spam on my main email address.

    About 3 or 4 weeks ago, I deleted all google web history from all my yahoo email accounts including youtube history etc and then DELETED the link between my yahoo email addresses from Google. The Blaze had the link to how to do it about a month ago. Dummy me forget to delete the web history FIRST before deleting one yahoo email address from Google and Google charged me $3.00 to get it back (has to be done within a short time or permanently gone) just so I could log on delete the Google web history and then sever the link between Yahoo and Google.

    Google made this process difficult on purpose.

    Report Post »  
    • THE BECKMEISTER
      Posted on March 17, 2012 at 12:48pm

      Do you remember how to do it? Cos I’d like to remove my Yahoo address from YouTube as well. I don’t care what some of the others say, there are plenty of other good search engines besides Google. I’ve been using Yahoo for years and it works just fine for me. I refuse to give Big Brother an easier way to spy on me.

      Report Post »  
  • DividedWeFail
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 5:37pm

    I use search engines – A LOT

    http://www.goodsearch.com
    I type in (National Rifle Association to support) but you can pick from any number of charities or organizations. Every time you “search engine” the organization gets cash.

    I also use
    http://www.ixquick.com

    https://startpage.com/
    (this one lets you use GOOGLE but Google thinks startpage is the searcher NOT YOU – LOL!!!

    I search engine RESEARCH EVERYTHING before I buy something. Every single thing in my home purchased on-line except human food & some pet food. I belong to Sam’s Club & military BX & it is STILL cheaper to buy on line – most of the time. ebates & Savingswatch.com & on-line comparison pricing websites & coupon codes make it cheaper to buy on line. Even my credit card gives me cash back. I got a paper shredder (fine shredding) strong enough to shed cardboard (most can) and compost all the boxes!!!

    Search engines are VITAL to my researching what “options are available” on everything from a freezer to a baby stroller,to a GPS to a TV to furniture (everything researched from a picture of the item to the web link and pro/con reviewer comments on the item kept on an excel spreadsheet). Once I narrow down a specific item to buy – time to research the best price.

    I used to use GOOGLE but about 6 months ago they changed something and now I get REPEAT information on the same companies on the 2 front pages – wasting my research time. Also Google got creepy about tracking . I now use Goog

    Report Post »  
    • DividedWeFail
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 6:24pm

      I don’t like Bing. It it too in your face and its search engine stinks.

      Report Post »  
  • Freebird
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:54pm

    How do I get rid of google? I use firefox as my browser and I‘ve tried to get bing as a search engine but couldn’t. I’m still stuck with google. BTW,as you can tell,I’m not very computer literate,so any and all help is appreciated.

    Is bing just as bad as google?

    Report Post » Freebird  
    • Belzar
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 4:09pm

      click on start to control panel to programs and features, scroll down to google then remove.

      Report Post »  
    • DividedWeFail
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 6:09pm

      DNT+ can be downloaded free from

      http://www.abine.com/dntdetail.php.

      Most browsers are covered. If you use Firefox you might also want to get Privacy Plus and BetterPrivacy. They will delete the “super cookies” that track you also. Super cookies are not deleted with a normal ‘remove cookies’ maneuver on a browser.

      ALSO:
      How to Use Adblock Plus With Firefox
      http://www.ehow.com/how_4449837_use-adblock-plus-firefox.html

      I use DO NOT TRACK above AND

      http://www.ghostery.com/

      HOWEVER – BE WARNED – The Blaze REFUSES to let you log on so you have to “allow” the tracking to be able to log on/comment. Below are just some of the snoopers Blaze allows.

      Audience Science
      ChartBeat
      DoubleClick
      Facebook Connect
      Google +1
      Google AdWords Conversion
      Google Analytics
      Media6Degrees
      NDN Analytics
      New Relic
      Omniture
      Parse.ly
      Quantcast
      ScoreCard Research Beacon
      Twitter Button
      Vertical Acuity
      Visual Revenue
      Zedo

      With both Ghostery and DNT running, I logged onto many of the sites INCLUDING 5 banks/credit unions and over 40 blogs, etc etc. Ghostery and DNT allow me to SEE who is tracking and stop them. Only ONE credit union REFUSED to let me log on (like The Blaze) and it is my main financial institution – NONE of the other 4 financial institutions did. I sent a letter to the CEO of that credit union and got letter back last week. He agreed that one of the trackers was wrong but whined that Google Analystics was needed. I disagr

      Report Post »  
    • 30mmgunpilot
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 11:00pm

      Try Gibiru. It uses the google engine, but uses a fake ip address to screw with their tracking. I just deleted my gmail accounts prior to March 1.

      Thru an unholy alliance, Apple and Google took my notes off my ipad and transferred them to Google. When I deleted my gmail account, my notes were also deleted off my ipad. Additionally, google now has an archive of my account (can’t re-use an already used but closed account) and has a copy of my notes, but I DO NOT. Yep, I’m pissed. At least there was nothing sensitive in those notes and I learned my lesson.

      Report Post »  
  • Oncapecod
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:53pm

    Google eh? Take a look at how the Blaze is treating your privacy, right now I have twenty four (24) companies and social web sites tracing me on the Blaze, one being Google. Now most web sites do this but its usually 1-5 not 24! Practice what your preach.

    Report Post »  
    • DividedWeFail
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 5:45pm

      LOL

      I thought the SAME THING!! The Blaze is almost as bad as Google in allowing tracking . The difference is I trust Beck and I do NOT trust Google.

      My screener is telling me there are 10 companies tracking me on the blaze right now. You have to click “ALLOW” or you cannot post a comment.

      Report Post »  
    • BenInNY
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 7:12pm

      If you use “ghostery” you don’t have to allow anything.

      Report Post » BenInNY  
  • blackyb
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:51pm

    If Bill Marr has plastic surgery on his nose the US could get more sun and have less heating bills.

    If Bill Marr has his nose full of nichols he could give Obama’s campaign another million.

    If Bill Marr has aready had plastic surgery then we can all be thankful this nose is no longer blocking the sun from communist China or socials Russia. Isn’t he thoughtful?

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • Digitali
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:46pm

    I used to use Scroogle, but their servers were attached (DOS) and Google was always changing their code so it was always down. Like a few others have mentioned, Startpage (or ixquick – Bing it) is a great option for now.

    I’d also use Mozilla FF and use Private Browsing. And…as a friendly reminder, be sure you’re backing up your data to multiple external drives (don’t recommend the cloud) as you never know when your HD will fail.

    Report Post »  
  • Byrn67
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:36pm

    i still say if everyone just googled dog turd over and over and over all day long google might just get the hint . Maby just a thought .

    Report Post » Byrn67  
  • lemkete
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:31pm

    #1 way to protect your privacy with Google. DON’T USE GOOGLE!

    Report Post »  
    • txmike
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 4:00pm

      best advice ever, i stoped using google a couple of years ago.

      Report Post » txmike  
  • Joey Joe Joe
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:51pm

    Always remember – GOOGLE NEVER DELETES ANYTHING. Shutting off your Web History with Google doesn’t remove it from their servers. It just makes it so YOU can’t see it.

    Facebook does the same thing. Once you “like” something they never remove your interest in their database even after you “unlike” it. See for yourself – “like” a favorite sports team and check out the Facebook ads…you’ll start seeing targeted ads for your favorite team. Now go back and “unlike” your favorite sports team page – don’t be surprised if you still see ads for that team months later well after you “unliked” the page.

    Report Post »  
  • Digitali
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:37pm

    You don‘t know what you don’t know. Google has a many services used by web professionals to track sites, control ads, serve users and much more (just like this site). If you don’t use them and sign in to them (and don’t use Google Search), then you’ll be fine (at least from Google’s reach).

    Just know that if you’re online at all, there are ways to track your comings/goings (via your ISP, any site you register/log into/share comments, etc.). You’re being tracked at every moment, so read the disclosures/privacy policies carefully and know what you signed up for and what companies are doing with your data before you do.

    Report Post »  
    • jcldwl
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:49pm

      I got off of Google years ago when they started supporting algore and his global warming scam. Use firefox with the addon Ghostery. Oh yeah and search with DUCKDUCKGO it gives you the type of search results you used to get with Google before they got corrupted. DUCK DUCK doesn’t bubble your searches. Try it you will like it.

      Report Post » jcldwl  
    • Hunter Nole
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:04pm

      I suggest everyone use Startpage as their search engine. Here’s how Startpage works:

      Startpage offers you Web search results from Google in complete privacy!

      When you search with Startpage, we remove all identifying information from your query and submit it anonymously to Google ourselves. We get the results and return them to you in total privacy.

      Your IP address is never recorded, your visit is not logged, and no tracking cookies are placed on your browser. When it comes to protecting your privacy, Startpage runs the tightest ship on the Internet. Our outstanding privacy policy and thoughtful engineering give you great search results in total anonymity.

      Report Post » Hunter Nole  
    • old construction worker
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 8:44pm

      I use google to pull up The Blaze and WUWT just to drive google boys nuts.

      Report Post »  
  • Minonkman
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:25pm

    I use startpage for searchs

    Report Post » Minonkman  
  • cessna152
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:19pm

    What do I do with a rooted Android phone? Can I freeze “Gmail” and “Google” via Titanium backup? How will I keep my contacts? Etc?

    Report Post » cessna152  
  • ACACIA
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:13pm

    i got rid of google; because, i don’t like spies. i had a service remove all google from my computer. i now use bing as my search engine. i liked google til i found out that they were spying on me then; selling the information. what more is their to say about such crooked behaviour.

    Report Post »  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:24pm

      Bing is NO BETTER. I have used ixquick.com for over 4 years now, since its inception. It allows you to integrate them right into your browser(s). They are NOT affiliated in any way with any government agency or outsourcing, or any other party who is trying to track you.

      You may also want to install ULTRASURF, which is a free tool that allows your PC to change its IP address periodically. There are others like HIDE YOUR IP ($ subscription), etc, TOR (also free). I am an expert on security since I was in I.T. all my life. And, the very best way to be secure is to go back to NOT USING THE PC OR ANY SMART DEVICES, duh. But, if you must, KNOW HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

      ALL FREE:
      USE ixquick.com
      ULTRASURF
      JonDoFox
      Surf Anonymous Free 2.1.4.2

      There are more out there that you have to pay for, BUT NOWADAYS, IT IS WORTH IT!

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
    • Rowgue
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:45pm

      The news just focuses on google because they are the biggest and most recognizable name. All search engines do all the same stuff google does. I mean come on it’s the most convenient way ever to gather information on people, you‘d have to be an idiot to think they’re not doing this stuff.

      Report Post »  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 3:28pm

      Rowgue:
      YOU ARE WRONG. Just like there are people who want to SPY ON YOU, there are also people WHO DON’T. 2 sides to every story. There are tools you can install, a lot of them portable (no installation) that allow you to surf anonymously and NEVER BE TRACKED no matter where you go.

      So, stop being a doomsday warbler. Stand up and ENCOURAGE people to find their own best way to be secure and safe. DO YOUR HOMEWORK!

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
    • holy ghostbuster
      Posted on March 16, 2012 at 6:28am

      @ ACACIA – You don’t think Bing is tracking you?

      Report Post » holy ghostbuster  
  • dmerwin
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:08pm

    Google is a good search engine. I do think that everyone with a Gmail account should sign up with any other company to demonstrate your disapproval of their policies, who knows they might get the message. I NEVER sign in.

    Report Post » dmerwin  
    • I support God's Israel!
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:28pm

      Just stay away from Google. They are leftist progressives who will squeal on you about any words you use. THEY DO TRACK YOU, SAYS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO WORKS THERE. I am hiding behind a fake IP address, which is: (taken from http://www.whatismyipaddress.com :
      IP Information: 65.49.14.78
      ISP:Hurricane Electric
      Organization: Sophidea

      I actually use 2 IP address hiders and it changes every 60 seconds, so, G-MAN, CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.

      Report Post » I support God's Israel!  
  • lcltcc
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:04pm

    I suspended my google acct before the new policy went into affect, I hardly ever signed in anyway, but I used maps and added them to my gps, not anymore.

    Report Post »  
  • 2conservative
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:57pm

    Just don’t use google…that’s the safest way…

    Report Post »  
  • sodun
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:56pm

    The number ONE thing to protect yourself from Google – DON’T USE IT ANYMORE.

    Report Post » sodun  
  • ConservativeBrony
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:54pm

    Is common sense about security so hard to follow on the internet? The whole article seems rather unnecessary. People CAN’T be that computer illiterate nowadays, can they?

    Report Post » ConservativeBrony  
  • lukerw
    Posted on March 15, 2012 at 1:54pm

    #1) DO NOT USE IT… rather, use another Search Engine!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • Joey Joe Joe
      Posted on March 15, 2012 at 2:54pm

      That’s the only way. duckduckgo.com is the anti-google, and I hope it gets the credit it deserves. Their shortened url is ddg.gg

      Report Post »  
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