What Tools Can I Use to Protect My Privacy Online?

[gravenewworld]

What are some things you can download, websites you can use, etc. that can help protect your privacy online? Obviously, nothing is 100% foolproof, but at least you can try to protect yourself online. Currently I only use startpage.com as my search engine and stay away from google as much as I can. I also use Iron web browser. I was also thinking about downloading Tor and maybe Scroogle. Does anyone have any experience with these? Does it interfere a lot with web browsing? What are some other things I can use?

 

[fss]

Tor is only an IP anonymizer. It slows your browsing speed considerably.

No search engine is better than any other. They all keep the same kind of statistics and information.

If you want to protect your identity, close all your social networking accounts. Use PGP for your e-mail. Never use your credit card or identifying information online.

Privacy on the web in the realistic sense doesn't exist. Since nothing you put on the web (as far as facebook posts, blog posts, purchases, etc) never really goes away, all you can do at this point is damage control.

 

[dr2011]

Currently I only use startpage.com as my search engine and stay away from google as much as I can.

Curious to know why you stay away from Google...?

 

[Dude111]

Yes but using something like https://ssl.scroogle.org IS AN EXCELLENT START! (No tracking of searches,etc)

 

[LudusRex]

I understand the importance of protecting privacy online. In today's digital age, our personal information is constantly at risk of being accessed by unauthorized individuals or organizations. While there is no foolproof method to ensure complete privacy online, there are several steps you can take to minimize the risk.

One of the first things you can do is to carefully choose the search engine and web browser you use. As you mentioned, startpage.com is a good alternative to Google as it does not track your searches or store your personal information. Iron web browser is also a good choice, as it is based on Google Chrome but has additional privacy features.

Another option is to use a virtual private network (VPN) when browsing the internet. A VPN encrypts your internet connection, making it more difficult for others to intercept your data. There are several VPN services available, so it is important to do your research and choose one that has a good reputation for privacy protection.

In addition to these measures, you can also consider using privacy-focused extensions or add-ons for your web browser. These can block tracking cookies, prevent ads from following you around the internet, and even mask your IP address. Some popular options include Ghostery, Privacy Badger, and uBlock Origin.

As for your question about Tor and Scroogle, both can be effective tools for protecting your privacy online. Tor is a free software that allows you to browse the internet anonymously by routing your connection through a network of volunteer-operated servers. Scroogle, on the other hand, is a search engine that does not track your searches or store your personal information. However, it is important to note that using Tor or Scroogle may slow down your browsing experience.

Overall, the best way to protect your privacy online is to be mindful of the websites you visit, the information you share, and the tools you use. It is also important to regularly update your software and use strong, unique passwords for all your online accounts. By taking these precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk of your personal information being compromised.