7 ways to keep the search history unnoticed

Are you worried that Google and other search sites know too much information about themselves, or will security officers use the data on these websites for their investigation?

The biggest threat to your privacy is not from cookies, spyware or websites that track and analyze users' surfing habits. Instead, they are search engines, with the ability to collect and store results every day. These search engines track terms, websites you visit according to the results returned, search paths and IP addresses. That's just enough to figure out who you are, what you like and what you don't like, what you usually do when you're online.

Search information may be exploited and used by State employees in a way they deem appropriate. Sometimes they are also casually spread to the general community, so that the whole world can see. For example, in August 2006, America Online unintentionally released search list history information for 650,000 users, and this data was quickly released to the Internet.

But do you always need to provide private information every time you use the search engine? Not really if you know how. Apply the following 7 tips, you can keep your own privacy every time you surf the web.

First tip: Don't log into search engines or tools

If you log in to a search engine, you will make it easier for them to build their profile (profile), because these companies know your identity when searching. You may think that you will never log into any search engine, but in fact you sometimes do that unknowingly. The search era merely launched a search engine that was long gone. Now, each search firm is an overall system of services and websites. Like Google, for example, in addition to websites that search Google.com, there are dozens of other services, like Gmail, online office software, blog services, and so on. With these services and websites, if you want to use them, make sure you log in with an account.

To be safe, do not search when logging in to any other search firm, such as email. That is, when you are logged into your Gmail account, do not search the Internet if you want a search list and your login information is private.

But this is often inconvenient, because in practice you often need to do two jobs at the same time. Another solution is to use a browser (like Firefox) for Gmail, and another browser, like Internet Explorer, for search activities on Google. With this method, it is difficult for search firms to connect identities with search information. It is safest to use an 'anonymous' service or software like Tor that supports searching in the browser.

If you don't want to use two browsers at the same time, you can try other ways such as creating two different profiles in the browser, one for mail and the other, and the other for real searches. It will be difficult for search firms to contact user identities with search information.

Firefox allows you to create several separate profiles, but Internet Explorer does not. In FireFox, create multiple profiles with Profile Manager: open a Command Prompt window and point the path to the folder where FireFox is installed. (Depending on the version, it may be in: C: Program FilesMozilla FireFox ). Type the command ' firefox.exe -ProfileManager ' and press Enter. The Profile Manager window appears, click Create Profile and follow the Wizard's instructions to create the profile. Create as many profiles as you want. Should create multiple profiles at once to use for different services such as sending and receiving email or news, etc.

Create a profile with FireFox's Profile Manager

Second tip: Keep yourself safe from Google

Like most people, you have a habit of searching on certain tools, like Google. But that also means you put yourself in danger because Google will have information of all your searches. Even if you do not log in to any of the services, Google can still track the search process using cookies according to each user's session.

Of course you can delete all cookies before entering Google. But cookies are sometimes useful. It helps you to automatically log in to the same pages, or record some references on each website you use.

The simpler solution is to remove Google only in the location where cookies are placed on the computer. To do this in multiple browser sessions, or for all browsers, for example in Internet Explorer 7, go to Tools > Internet Options , click the Privacy tab> Sites . In the ' Address of website ' box, type www.google.com and click Block . From now on, every time you visit Google, this website will not be allowed to place cookies on your hard drive, and of course cannot track search activity.

Remove the Google cookie set on your hard drive

In FireFox 2, select Tools > Options > Privacy tab> Exceptions > type www.google.com in the ' Address of Web site ' box and click Block . If you use another tool, you can do the same in order to remove the tracking activity of the cookie.

Note that because Google cannot place cookies on the hard drive, you may not be able to use some of its other services, such as Gmail. In FireFox, you can use the CustomizeFirefox extension. It will help you remain anonymous when using Google to search and not be tracked.

Google has a multitude of services that require login if you want to use it, such as an RSS reader named Google Reader and Google Groups, which allows you to read by newsgroups or groups of other topics. The more services you log into, the more Google knows about you. Besides the search process, they will know which blogs, newsgroups you read. Since then, there is nothing difficult for this giant to build a profile about you. So, it's better not to log into the service, or create your own Google accounts, so the giant can't get all your hobby information.

You should also think carefully before using Google's Search History function. Search History allows you to revisit all search results that you have previously performed, and also show what information you find each day. When using Search History, Google stores a record of all searches on its server. If you are worried that Search History may be taken advantage of by advertising agencies, or asked by government employees, there is a simple way to stop using it.

Tip 3: Change IP address frequently

Search companies can collect all search results by searching for the IP address you are using. They will then link all searches done on the website together. There is a simple way to avoid this is to change your IP address regularly.

Broadband providers usually assign only a dynamic IP address to users when using the Internet for a relatively long time. To get a new IP address, turn on the cable modem or turn off the DSL modem for a few minutes, then turn it back on. The old IP address will be deleted and replaced with a new IP address.

If there is only a static IP address, like at work, you cannot use this technique. Instead, surf the web with an anonymous software like Tor.

Tip 4: Use ixquick

This is the easiest way to make sure that the information in your searches is not used to build your personal profile: using a search engine does not save previously searched information, like ixquick. The search firm says its tool will remove user searches within 48 hours. No need to worry about other people peeking, nor are they afraid of security personnel using information for their investigations.

ixquick confirmed that the company will delete the search
Your sword within 48 hours.

Tip 5: Don't include personal information in searches

It's hard to resist the attraction from the simplicity and richness of the Google search giant. Besides, you need to search for information on the Internet every day, but changing your habits to other unpopular search companies is not easy. Applying these tips may be effective, but remember one more thing, never include personal information in searches. Like a name, address, or something like that, it makes it easy for Google to know who you are and relate exactly to what you're looking for. Worse, you will lead the way for identity thieves who are always stalking online when searching for some information such as social security codes (Social Security), bank credit card codes. Someone may also hold records of your search information. Try not to touch personal information when using search sites.

Tip 6: Perform sensitive searches from public Internet services

If you are required to search for personal information or other sensitive information, do not perform at home or work, but instead go to public Internet access points. But be sure that these public access points do not require you to use login information. Otherwise, your private data will be compromised.

Tip 7: Avoid using an Internet service provider (ISP) search engine

Internet service providers know your IP address, of course, which means they can monitor all the websites you use. Worse, if they use their search engine, there will be more than enough information for these companies to collect, contact IP addresses with searches and build a much more detailed, advanced personal profile of you. And of course, there are many people who enjoy those profiles. So don't use any ISP search engine.