Internet Privacy
 

cookies are the way companies track user activity and create profiles based on browsing history. when you visit a website, the website will deposit a cookie in your browser and use that cookie to collect data, track your browsing history in the future and create a profile. browsers can block cookies but if you set your browser to block, you will not be able to visit most websites. the best way to visit websites and protect your privacy is to set your browser to delete cookies upon closing firefox. then close and open your browser after every website visit. why firefox? there is a new cookie called LSO, local shared object that is also called a flash cookie. these are stored in your app data on your computer. LSO's evade being deleted when you delete your http cookies, but function the same way. firefox has an addon to delete LSO's called "better privacy". install better privacy then go to addons, better privacy options, options & help and uncheck "prevent firefox from treating LSO as regular cookie." this will delete your flash cookies just like http cookies on browser exit.

I also found IXquick to be the most private search engine. they are based in netherlands and do not collect user data. their sister search engine "start page" deposits a google cookie if you use it, but ixquick does not deposit cookies on usage. If you check your cookies and LSO folder everytime you visit a website, you will find out which websites are depositing cookies. I found that google and yahoo deposit cookies even when you visit other websites. so if you do not want to put an individual block, then delete upon closing firefox and close after visiting each website and use ixquick as your search engine. comments, suggestions???

Re: Internet Privacy
 

if you delete cookies upon exit of browser you will have to login to websites every time you delete cookies so be sure to save form data in your browser. you can also check "delete default lso" in better privacy options or you will receive a default flash cookie every time you open browser.

Re: Internet Privacy
 

I love these Internet tips...now, if I can only follow the instructions! Will this also work on safari browser (ipad)?

Re: Internet Privacy
 

you will have to check browser "options" to see how to handle cookies. not sure if firefox has an ipad compatible browser. the only problem is that your browser can track you independent of website cookies. I am still not sure which browser is the most private but some websites have recommended firefox because it is independent of a search engine and has addons to supplement. safari would be linked with a major corp. that is the disadvantage.

Re: Internet Privacy
 

i just checked the internet safari ipad does not support firefox. using apple puts you at the mercy of apple. check your safari options. you might be able to prevent website companies from tracking you but not apple.

Re: Internet Privacy
 

What does "save form data in your browser" mean or how do I do that also?

Re: Internet Privacy
 

"save form data" means the browser will remember your name, email, adress and passwords everytime you log in to a website so that you will not have to fill in forms everytime. firefox has this as an option under options/privacy. you will have to look for it in safari. i just discovered avant browser that states they only share info on a specific basis. everyone needs to read their browser's privacy policy. avant is the best so far. not sure if avant handles flash cookies. firefox shares ip adresses and other nonpersonal info with the websites you visit.

Re: Internet Privacy
 

I was searching for something like this - Better Privacy. Thanks, DM. :thumbsup

Re: Internet Privacy
 

startpage.com

Re: Internet Privacy
 

start page is ixquick sister page run by the same company. ixquick returns the top 10 results from several search engines and does not deposit cookies when you use it. start page returns google results when you search but it deposits a google cookie in your browser when you use. just use start page and check your cookie folder to see for yourself.

Re: Internet Privacy
 

Thanks, DM... I now have better privacy on firefox and ixquick as my search engine! Not brave enough to trade firefox for avant. :)

Re: Internet Privacy
 

good job rose. well I took the plunge within the last few minutes. firefox is nonprofit, but if you read their privacy policy it says they share "nonpersonal" info with websites. If you read avant's privacy policy, they only share a restricted list of info. you will have to read both privacy policies for yourself. the reason I made the switch to avant is because in avant you can use 3 different "rendering engines". IE, Firefox and Chrome. I use the firefox rendering engine in avant and can add all of the firefox addons. also if you go to browser options/exiting you can delete cookies upon closing just like firefox. I am not exactly sure what rendering engine signifies, but I am assuming you are using the same firefox technology or engine with avant features as your "skin". i'm not thoroughly familiar.

Re: Internet Privacy
 

important page to see just what firefox is sharing and how to reconfigure your browser. easy steps. i even did this in avant because i use firefox engine in avant.

http://www.surfbouncer.com/browser_privacy.htm

Re: Internet Privacy
 

another firefox addon supported by electronic frontier foundation

https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere

Re: Internet Privacy
 

I guess I should have read all of your first post, lol.

What about duckduckgo.com?

Re: Internet Privacy
 

I also use a VPN now. You can see the one I use at proxy.sh

It's only $40.00 a year and from what I understand it will secure your data from it's server's to your pc and your ISP only see that there is data, but will not know what the data is. It's important if you get a VPN that you get one that is headquartered where they aren't afraid of the US government and won't give into it like all the US companies we are hearing of.

I also use the TOR browser found at www.torproject.org
This browser bounces you around a bunch of relays and mixes you in with other users so no one knows who is searching or looking at what.

Then on my mobile phone along with my VPN from proxy.sh I use orbot which is from guardianproject.info this will put me in the same relay network as the tor project. Then I use the orweb browser for my phone also from guardianproject.info. You can find the mobile apps on google play, but guardianproject says the some have put up fake links in google play so that your browsing won't be secure. It's best to follow the links to google play from their website or download it direct from them.

Re: Internet Privacy
 

I know that changing the DNS on your pc can speed up your browsing and prevent your ISP from knowing everything about what you're doing, but I don't know of one that doesn't keep permanent records on your activity. I use the google public DNS's, but considering what google and the US government have been doing it's probably not the most secure.

Re: Internet Privacy
 

the only thing with duckduckgo is that they are based in US so they would be subject to nsa warrants. ixquick is based in netherlands even though they have headquarters in NY. that is the only difference i can tell. both claim to be private. both may be sharing info, just thought that ixquick was less likely.

Re: Internet Privacy
 

i will look into vpn's if my isp starts blocking torrents. filesharing through torrents and government censorship are the main reasons for vpns. torrentfreak.com has a review of about 10 vpns. i really haven't researched fully but i would trust torrentfreak's recommendations since they come from torrent community. ipredator is the pirate bay's vpn. since pirate bay is thee top torrent website and the target of governments, i would think their vpn is one of the most trustworthy. if you read the article in wiki about tor, you will see they get over 80 percent funding from US government. tor is mainly to use in china. not sure i would trust them for privacy. not familiar with others you mentioned.