Online Privacy

[verboselypithy]

I've just discovered how major search engines datamine my searches (and emails too?). I am not very tech savvy and thus my late discovery. Could somebody please help me with the following questions?

a) Which browser is the best for browsing TERB while staying anonymous? I've been using FireFox since forever, but I've heard great things about Chrome.
b) Is it ok to browse TERB while I am on GMail and Facebook? Does this mean Google and Facebook know all the reviews I've been reading here?

 

[nicho]

I've just discovered how major search engines datamine my searches (and emails too?). I am not very tech savvy and thus my late discovery. Could somebody please help me with the following questions?

a) Which browser is the best for browsing TERB while staying anonymous? I've been using FireFox since forever, but I've heard great things about Chrome.
b) Is it ok to browse TERB while I am on GMail and Facebook? Does this mean Google and Facebook know all the reviews I've been reading here?

You should have a read on what cookies are. Most sites/companies use them to make your life easier - to remember your username on a login form, settings on a page...etc But some companies use them maliciously for advertising purposes - to track your browsing to build a consumer profile of you.
To combat this you can disable third party cookies within your browser settings. You can also configure your browser to clear cookies every time you close it. (This pisses some people off, because sites that you would usually stay logged into, you have to log back into every time you reopen your browser)

If privacy is your concern - look into a VPN.

Also, have a look into some security/privacy plugins for either chrome or firefox.

Some plugins that are worth taking a look at:

• HTTPS everywhere - will automatically switch to https if the site has it configured.
• disconnect - blocks websites that track your search & browsing history
• ghostery - essentially the same as disconnect
• ublock origin - an adblocker - please keep in mind for majority of websites - ads are their main source of revenue. (I believe terb's ads are inline - shouldn't be an issue here, someone correct me if I'm wrong & I'll remove this.) If you want to support a site - disable your adblocker for that site.

To specifically answer your questions:

a) Which browser is the best for browsing TERB while staying anonymous? I've been using FireFox since forever, but I've heard great things about Chrome.

Chrome is owned/ran by google, so arguably some would say FireFox is more privacy-oriented. I personally use chrome w/ privacy & security oriented plugins. (Majority, if not all browsers support plugins).

b) Is it ok to browse TERB while I am on GMail and Facebook? Does this mean Google and Facebook know all the reviews I've been reading here?

I wouldn't go as far to say that they KNOW all the reviews you've been reading here - more likely that you've visited the site, if even that. I'm not sure that they really care to be honest. They want to serve you ads that you will be likely to click. One of the terms you accepted when signing up for GMail is that Google will read your emails. They scan them for keywords - which they use for targeted ads for you.

 

[Young_City]

NICHO gave you some solid tips, especially in regards to cookies.

I can rant about all the things you can do to ensure your privacy, such as firmware encryption, VPNs, etc. However, you really can't be 100% secure; you can only minimise the amount of information companies, like Google, store.

1. If you're extremely paranoid about someone finding out you are using Terb, I'd suggest using TOR. Again, TOR has its downsides and doesn't guarantee you'll be 100% anonymous.
2. NICHO said it best. Yes, technically when you're logged into your Gmail account, or when you're on YouTube and login to see a video that has mature content, and forget to logout then they can see what sites you've been visiting. And Gmail and other e-mail providers, such as Apple, make it clear that they can read your e-mails. I remember reading how a screenwriter sent a script via his Apple e-mail which the receipt never received. Apparently Apple saw that the screenwriter used the word "barely legal" and didn't send the e-mail.

Also, it isn't just Google that can see which sites you've visited. If you are using a public network or have weak encryption on your home network and someone gets access to it and you're browsing sites that do not use HTTPS, someone can use Wireshark and see exactly what pages you've visited.

My advice is to use common sense, and I'm not saying this to be an asshole. Google doesn't care if you visit Terb. But your SO or employer might...

 

[SkyRider]

Never use public wi-fi.

 

[Promo]

Never use public wi-fi.

Nonsense!

As long as you select 'Public Network" when prompted, don't manually turn on public file sharing afterwards and follow standard safe on-line practices, you will be fine.

Think about it, there are lots of times when using a public wifi will actually help make you more "untraceable'.

 

[SkyRider]

Maybe there are safe ways to use public wifi but I only use it for non-personal non-private stuff. Plus, there might be someone behind you looking at nude pics of your wife on your laptop.

https://www.onguardonline.gov/articles/0014-tips-using-public-wi-fi-networks

 

[basketcase]

If just hiding it from the SO then either can be fine. The incognito mode on chrome does what it says.

But yes, whoever owns the network you are using could track you so probably best not to use the work computer or wifi. Nothing on the internet is truly anonymous; just look to keep it private from whoever you don't want knowing.

 

[verboselypithy]

Thanks for all your wonderful tips.

I was concerned about GMail because my company uses GMail and I was afraid that my boss would find out what I've been doing during my break time.

I just installed all the plugins that NICHO recommended, but I am too cheap to get a VPN service (more money for hobbying).

 

[A-D-A-M]

I would to add a tip regarding smartphones and facebook.
Facebook reads your contacts and if you save SPs or MAs numbers on your smartphone (usually under johns name) he will make the link and prompt you to add them as friend as vice versa.
Hence never save numbers as contact, use a note or tasks file if needed. I personally have a hobby email we I keep all my contacts.