Google is the most-used search engine, with 65.02% of all searches done through its interface, according to Hitwise.com. Not only that, Google’s Gmail also ranks among the most popular email programs. Therefore, practically every Internet user will utilize one or more of Google’s sites and services. And now with the recent changes to Google’s privacy policy and security, users should be aware of what they are signing up for.
First and foremost, consumers should know that Google now tracks your movements across all of its sites if you’re signed in to Google while surfing. Most of this tracking is to help tailor ads and news items to you according to your online habits, interests, and location. However, you share more than just your browser history.
Google collects information two ways: it gets personal data from a consumer when they sign up for its services, and gets data when a consumer uses its services. Many consumers are more concerned over their personal information privacy. Does Google share that? The company says it will share that information, but only if it has your consent to do so. It will, however, share non-personal information — like data that shows trends in Google usage — with the public and Google’s partners, including advertisers and publishers.
If you are concerned about Google sharing your personal information, including your web-surfing habits, you can take the following steps to prevent sharing more than you want.
1) Control the information linked to your Google account through the Google Dashboard. The company lets consumers see what information is collected there, so you know what they are already tracking. To prevent Google from tracking your web activity, turn off the browser history.
However, be aware that turning off the search history doesn’t mean that past data is deleted from Google’s archive. Eva Galperin of the nonprofit Electronic Frontier Foundation told the Los Angeles Times, “With web history enabled, Google will keep these records indefinitely; with it disabled, they will be partially anonymized after 18 months.”
2) Edit your ad preferences through the Ads Preferences Manager program and opt out of Google advertising.
3) Verify who you share information with, control what your Google Profile looks like to other people, and tailor what you want certain individuals to see.
4) Don’t sign in to the Google account when going online, or consider using a different search engine. If you choose to leave Google, you can export personal data like emails from Gmail and files from Google Docs.
It takes a bit of legwork, but you can still safeguard your information from Google.
Google is a good browser but this information gathering bothers me so I use Mozilla Firefox for most of my on doings. I purchase items through IE8 and Zone Alarm security toolbar does a good job. Back to Google. Its a good simple browser but they do not give the user enough control over its features. They remind me a lot of the old AOL where you could not import or export anything from that program. They were a self contained world. google is the same in many ways because you can’t really control many features. I stay away as much as possible. They will be attacked soon just like IE was years ago and what is starting with Apple. Another product I am proud to say I have never owned.
Hi Bob. Google is NOT a browser.
On another note, as the article suggests, I only sign in to Google to check my mail and f I want a record kept of particular web searches. Other than that, I use http://www.duckduckgo.com for my searching needs. They have a no tracking policy and delete IP data regularly.
Hi Tom,
You say Google is not a browser but what about the google chrome browser?
Google Chrome is, indeed, a browser.
The product commonly known as Google is a search engine. The product commonly known as Chrome is a browser.
Probably what you had in mind Bob?
I’m with you on Google. I will not use their browser and I also have never owned an Apple product. I like to stay out of the heard.
Honestly, if I am going to see advertising, then I want to see relevant advertising. Hence my privacy settings are fully open to Google. I even +1 Google ads I like so I see more of the same.
I run my entire business through Google Docs, Google+ for networking, I store all my docs and videos on Gdrive, I store all my contacts on Gmail, carry an Android phone and I use Google Chrome 24/7.
When it comes to privacy you have to trust someone and I put way more trust in Google and have for years now, much more than I ever would when it comes to Facebook. Just a Google power user’s two cents. Privacy is yours to protect.
Baaaaaaah… and you’ll probably stay a sheep until you’re sheared.
Something is blocking Google Earth on my computer. This has only happened in the last two days since I downloaded the latest ZoneAlarm firewall. any comments?
Actually Google has snooped for years. They just didn’t say so. Now they are making it sound like – “Oh, we’ll watch your stuff and keep you safe.” Don’t believe it. They’re out to make a LOT of money doing this. If you want to get out of some of it, encrypt, use Firefox with No Script (all free) and you can block a lot of sites. There’s other stuff you can do, too. Read Cnet or PCWorld or similar online. They will give suggestions.
I do not trust Google with keeping any information. They have to many “Policy and Practice Errors” to suit me. While they have a great search engine, their philosophy of “Be Everything to Everyone” is disturbing.
I now use Firefox with both the Ad Block Plus & Do Not Track add-on’s. My surfing experience has greatly improved as there are no annoying ads and the hundreds of trackers don’t know where I’ve been. You will be surprised how many companies track your movements across the internet. Another great little add-on is FlagFox; it tells you where the server is located. You’re saying why does that matter. It’s very simple. If the server location does not match the country code it could be a bogus/phishing site.
I used IE9 when it first came out however I wore out the refresh button and Microsoft’s own fixes didn’t work. It was so bad that I would have to refresh multiple times just to load microsoft.com; their own website.
Zone Alarm is a great product as it lets you control what programs have access to the internet. Every program you install wants internet access whether they need it or not. Microsoft Firewall has yet to flag or block anything.
You should publish the same article for the appalling Microsoft.
I used Gmail and Google search, so I was concerned about the trade-off of being permanently logged in for convenience (Gmail) and all my searches being recorded. I already switched off (or ”paused” as Google calls it) recording of my web search history, but I am not sure if I trust that.
There are two easy solutions:
1. Use one browser (say Internet Explorer) exclusively for Gmail, so you can stay logged in permanently, while using another browser (Firefox) for everything else, including Google search but without being logged in.
2. Since I have an iPad, I find it even more convenient to use the iPad app for Gmail, and use the browser for Google search without having to log in.
My biggest issue with Google is the way they keep changing/updating their docs. I’m about to quit using it. I hate the fact that i have to redo my bills everytime I send one out because of their up dates.
What you don’t address is the problem with Android-based smartphones. They REQUIRE you have a Gmail account, and automatically sign you into Google, and keep you signed in, the entire time the phone is turned on. And trying to figure out what they’re tracking, and what they do with it, it almost impossible
The safeguards described will be effective if (and only if) Google adheres to its published privacy policy. Problem for me is the virtually limitless profit potential here for Google to not abide by those same policies.
Those very high stakes, plus the near impossibility of detection added to the zero probability of ever being punished means I remain deeply sceptical.
I no longer use Google as my search engine of first choice.
As much as possible I stay away from all things related to Google. Copernic Agent is a much better search engine, delivering more relavent “hits” because a website owner can’t buy his/her way into a top listing. Also, I lost all trust in Google years ago when the company caved in to Red China’s demands to reveal identities of suspected dissidents. Additionally, the top brass at Google is in tight with the most corrupt, anti-freedom administration in the history of the United States which aspires to take over the Internet via the FCC even though a federal court ruled that that agency has no authority do do so.
I agree completely with Pete’s comment to Chris Lang.
Eljay, I’ve got an android phone with the GMail app, but using the phone settings I’m able to turn the app off. I also turn off the wireless function, but that’s mostly to save battery. Airplane mode is the one for when I’m paranoid.
For other search engines, https://duckduckgo.com/ is one I’d recommend (as is only signing on to GMail on your PC when you’re actually reading or sending email)
Here’s what I’ve been unable to get to the bottom of: I have an email account with 1access.net. I know that a couple years ago they stopped providing their own service and “sold” accounts over to Gmail. Yet if I try accessing my xxx@1access.net account via gmail I get an account not found message. Likewise if I try to adjust settings on Google dashboard. Besides my browser (Firefox for everything except microsoft updates), the only other settings I have is the 1access settings, which is mostly just appearance, not privacy. Is there a way I can access and tighten down privacy and ad settings on the gmail ‘portal”?
I find this information VERY INTERESTING. I use Firefox with TMN and Zone Alarm and have completely avoided Google. I also disable all history tracking. But, I use Yahoo and have ran into some of these problems also. I had to have a drive completely wiped and I have tracked down a worm in my files. I have been quite pleased with the upgrades from Zone Alarm and Firefox, but was wondering if anyone, including people with Zone Alarm, could give me any info about lessening my risks with Yahoo,