De-google yourself?

[tanstaafl72555]

The more I learn about google, the more attracted I am to the path a good friend of mine (a software engineer) has taken.

This seminar is sponsored by the same guy who wrote The Creature from Jekyll Island, which is THE definitive work on the Fed. I subscribe to his "Need to Know" newsletter.

He is nowhere near mainstream, so if that kind of "elitievaxiscancerbigbanksaresatantheywantokillyou" stuff triggers you (or worse, you simply swallow it down without xchecking it) then you may not like it.

However, if you are the kind of person who can look at outlandish claims and evaluate them, his updates might be helpful.

This is a seminar (with free ebook) on why google is an arm of state intelligence and why you should divorce it. My antennae are up, and I am listening, at this point.

G Edward Griffin De-Google – Privacy Academy

privacyacademy.com

 

[pinkbunny]

I'll check it out, thanks.
Before reading it, I'll write what I do, see how it compares. Im keeping in mind the usability/security seesaw:
1.) don't use Google search engine, on phone or computer
2.) use non logging dns, as well as vpn. Imo, going the step to using tails or tor is too far for everyday browsing, but can be done for special browsing. Even then, some websites break.
3.) Its too convenient to not have location on for Google maps, without it on, saved addresses in contacts don't work. But I set it to auto delete after three months, and I have(maybe misplaced) faith that enough privacy advocates and lawyers are involved in checking that, that this is probably getting deleted.
5.) use incogni to remove my information from data brokers
6.) first thing when I install or sign up for things is go in and disable selling my data
7.) California, for all its faults, has a great data privacy law. Since most things trickle from California to the rest of the US, I keep watching for when that comes to NC

 

[Mathieu18]

I'll check it out, thanks.
Before reading it, I'll write what I do, see how it compares. Im keeping in mind the usability/security seesaw:
1.) don't use Google search engine, on phone or computer
2.) use non logging dns, as well as vpn. Imo, going the step to using tails or tor is too far for everyday browsing, but can be done for special browsing. Even then, some websites break.
3.) Its too convenient to not have location on for Google maps, without it on, saved addresses in contacts don't work. But I set it to auto delete after three months, and I have(maybe misplaced) faith that enough privacy advocates and lawyers are involved in checking that, that this is probably getting deleted.
5.) use incogni to remove my information from data brokers
6.) first thing when I install or sign up for things is go in and disable selling my data
7.) California, for all its faults, has a great data privacy law. Since most things trickle from California to the rest of the US, I keep watching for when that comes to NC

How do you not use Google for search? It’s too accurate and convenient, but have any recommendations for other search engines?

Also, can you share some more information about the non-logging DNS? That piece sounds pretty interesting.

Also, if you’re on Facebook, but concerned about Google, I don’t really understand your position (not directed at anyone in particular). That said I like Mozilla‘s Firefox Facebook container, which should help with some of Facebook’s nefarious tracking.

 

[pinkbunny]

How do you not use Google for search? It’s too accurate and convenient, but have any recommendations for other search engines?

Also, can you share some more information about the non-logging DNS? That piece sounds pretty interesting.

Also, if you’re on Facebook, but concerned about Google, I don’t really understand your position (not directed at anyone in particular). That said I like Mozilla‘s Firefox Facebook container, which should help with some of Facebook’s nefarious tracking.

I usually use brave or duckduckgo, but when that doesn't turn up good results, I open up tor or a private tab in Firefox or brave(so not logged in to my Google account) and then use Google. That would allow me to use Google without my search history being retained.
I don't use Facebook, x, Instagram, Snapchat. I have a catfishing account for LinkedIn I use for most things, and a regular LinkedIn account when I need it.

 

[Mathieu18]

Makes sense, thanks. I do hate how chrome forces the profiles on you and use it less than less these days although it is handy for a couple things.

Similar to your thoughts on location data it may be misplaced, but I put more faith in Mozilla and their privacy effort so I tend to use their products.

 

[tanstaafl72555]

Just for the record, I am playing around with using a live usb stick of MX linux, which has built into the boot sequence running thru NordVPN, as well as loading privacy badger. That way the only "logs" of where I am going are with Nord (which as of today, has a pretty good policy of non-cooperation with the US Gov, especially Treasury), and on my usb stick. Nothing stored on my computer at all.

At least that is my understanding. I try to scan the stuff from EFF every once in a while just to see what the latest issues are.

 

[tanstaafl72555]

Makes sense, thanks. I do hate how chrome forces the profiles on you and use it less than less these days although it is handy for a couple things.

Similar to your thoughts on location data it may be misplaced, but I put more faith in Mozilla and their privacy effort so I tend to use their products.

I never use chrome, except for work stuff. Almost everything I need can be accomplished in brave (Chrome engine) and firefox.

 

[pinkbunny]

Looked over his book. It's basically what I do, and he has good descriptions of how and why to do it. @tanstaafl72555 thanks for the recommendation, I think it'll help a lot of people if they choose to use it!

 

[NCFubar]

The old “ … and the toaster laughed …” joke comes true in the Nest Thermostat! I remember sticking Post-It notes over the web cameras on monitors and laptops. I kinda wondered about TV manufacturers putting hidden cameras in flat screens … guess it’s time to thru a towel over that TV in the bedroom.

 

[Mathieu18]

Anyone care to share a copy of the book? I realize that’s not giving credit where it’s due, but on the other hand, you’re asking me to give my information and sign up for a mailing list while we sit here and discuss privacy…

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

The more I learn about google, the more attracted I am to the path a good friend of mine (a software engineer) has taken.

This seminar is sponsored by the same guy who wrote The Creature from Jekyll Island, which is THE definitive work on the Fed. I subscribe to his "Need to Know" newsletter.

He is nowhere near mainstream, so if that kind of "elitievaxiscancerbigbanksaresatantheywantokillyou" stuff triggers you (or worse, you simply swallow it down without xchecking it) then you may not like it.

However, if you are the kind of person who can look at outlandish claims and evaluate them, his updates might be helpful.

This is a seminar (with free ebook) on why google is an arm of state intelligence and why you should divorce it. My antennae are up, and I am listening, at this point.

G Edward Griffin De-Google – Privacy Academy

privacyacademy.com

Bought a pixel SOLELY to run GrapheneOS. Has been my daily driver for 5 years now.

 

[pinkbunny]

I'm in his video call now. He has some wrong info(he thinks people can reuse your gmail account if you don't use it awhile), and his ideas about AI are cooky, but his ideas on privacy in general is good. I asked him a question about why to spend so much time about securing phones instead of laptops(I said if you're planning on doing something that might get you introuble, do it on your laptop, much easier to secure), and he knocked it out of the park. He mentioned the risk of it passively recording you talking, which I hadn't considered.

Worth a listen.

 

[barf]

Y’all are going crazy. If you really really want to stay incognito, get a cheap chrome book. Don’t even use the ChromeOS. Boot off of a live usb Linux flash drive that is non persistent and use a VPN that does no loggies.

 

[Average Joe]

Can someone explain how to use VPN and privacy apps, and still log on this forum. Every time I have tried logging in while running my VPN the forum software won’t allow it. Please use the KISS method answering my question. I’m not a tech guru.

 

[JR-WNC]

Can someone explain how to use VPN and privacy apps, and still log on this forum. Every time I have tried logging in while running my VPN the forum software won’t allow it. Please use the KISS method answering my question. I’m not a tech guru.

For my phone, not sure what you are using, but I use Bitdefender for anti-virus/malware/vpn. I'm not a tech guru either, quite the opposite actually. On my VPN app it will let me choose where my vpn is seeming from. And anytime I pick a country other than USA, it will boot me out and keep me from entering the forum. I usually keep mine set on Atlanta georgia. Hope this helped a little.

I forgot to mention it's worth having (for me atleast) Bitdefrnder premium VPN, unlimited traffic. Click on red link for thier "free" trials. I recommend them, got on shady websites before and it takes over and instantly boots me out if there's something unsafe about the website.