Defeating Google's Perpetual Search Logging

heretic108 writes "Google's policy of storing everyone's search histories forever is causing concern amongst many, especially since Google stores a cookie on everyone's PC expiring in 2038. But at least one user is fighting back. His short and simple guide tells you how to set up any decent web browser so that it routes Google requests through an anonymous proxy, while sending everything else direct to the net for full-speed surfing. Follow these steps and get Google's nose out of your business once and for all."

Comments

Pffff...

[Five Bucks!]

Using their service gives them the right to log your search... it's in their business model. Quite simply, if you want Google to keep their nose out of your business, you should keep your nose out of theirs.

Use MSN Search instead! Ha!

Re:Pffff...

[Rob the Bold]

Using their service gives them the right to log your search... it's in their business model.

What's with the "Pffff"? Pshaw right back atcha!

Anyway, the topic really isn't Google's right (or desire) to log your searches. It's about anonymizing your Google searches. They've still logged it, just not tied back to you in any way. If they're logging for purposes of statistical analysis, it's no problem for them, is it? Where's the agreement that I have to search under my own identity?

Re:Pffff...

[shawb]

Exactly. I believe that Google is at least ATTEMPTING to minimize any evil that may come from storing that data. They have shown some backbone in dealing with warrantless requests for that information from the DHS, unlike just about any other organization.

If you believe that storing the information is in and of itself evil, then you are free to attempt to set up competing services. If you aren't using the information garnered about users to deliver targetted advertising, you are likely going to have to charge a fee as internet search (and the other goodies that Google delivers) are fairly expensive to do. Very few people would be actually willing to pay for internet search when they can get it free (or advertising supported, to be more accurate) from many other places online, so your costs would be distributed among just a few people, meaning the per user fee will be quite high. Or you can simply not use Google, MSN search, Yahoo, etc. Good luck competing in today's society that way.

I haven't seen Google do anything major to break the trust that they have earned (besides going public, which does mean that choices are in some way no longer strictly under their control.) Untill such time as they show otherwise, my experience is that they are more concerned about my privacy than any other data amalgamating corporation out there. I have decided that for me, the benefit gained from using Google is worth the risk that the data gleaned from my use presents. There are going to be people in other fields with other... shall we say interests for whom this does not hold true. I this is the case, be careful what you search for, and assume that anything you search or allow Google to search on your computer if you use Google Desktop or similar can be used against you. Anonymizing proxies and others may help to some extent as long as you are careful not to give any link to yourself through the proxy. And remember, sometimes being TOO paranoid mades you stick out and "THEY" will start watching you simply because "THEY" think you have something to hide... then you have to go VERY deep under cover, which means you no longer have a personal life, only a cause.

Re:Pffff...

[mikiN]

Simple solution: use a meta search engine. That way Google will still log what you type in the search box, but it will be linked to the IP(s) of the meta search engine server(s).

(What meta search engines are and what their URLs are is left as an exercise for the reader)

gmail?

[LiquidCoooled]

If you log into gmail then won't your search be linked anyway? (since mail.google.com would be proxied)

In the end, the simplest is to stop using google if you feel your privacy is compromised and try to find a company with a better policy.
I tend to trust google enough to keep my search history, so what that they know you search for killing your wife or drowning barbie dolls, let them assess all they want, because you cannot be found guilty of thinking about a crime.

First they came for the Jews...

[Travoltus]

and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
- Pastor Martin Niemöller

The lesson? Speak out NOW, while someone else is being persecuted in violation of your Constitutional liberties. Eventually they always get around to coming after YOU.

In Germany, your neighbor typically turned you in because they didn't like you. Not because you were a Jew, a gay, or a commie.

Right now, today, someone you don't like - perhaps someone you don't even realize - can accuse you of being a terrorist - and at the very least there'll be a file on you. Good luck with flying after that... if you're lucky.

God, I hate apathetic people.....

Re:First they came for the Jews...

[BoberFett]

Given a seemingly limitless amount of information regarding everything you have ever done or said, who will be better able to prepare a case that will sway the jury in their favor:

A) The prosecution who has a small army of attorneys, the entire local police force, and the FBI working diligently to prove you're a hardened criminal

B) Your free-of-charge public defender

Here's a hint. That public defender is already overworked and underpaid.

Given a vastly increased amount of information, unless you have pockets as deep as the prosecutor, the situation goes downhill for the defendant.

Some suggestions...

[MBC1977]

There is a real easy solution (for those who have a problem with Google's practices)

1) Use a different search engine: Google (and most businesses) I'm sure will not care what you say until a critical mass
of users using other search engines (or any other product) lose customers. Of course, since they have not changed their
business model or practices since their inception, I don't think that is really going to happen anytime soon.

2) Execute a technological workaround: However that has the drawback of if (and I say if) Google decides to become nasty,
they just ban you from their system, which they could legally do, since you are violating their company policy (which again forces
you to use another search engine, but this time not by choice).

3) Complain: Perhaps they may listen, perhaps they may not, but as a soverign business unless it affects their revenue stream
(which I don't think will happen, as they happen to be one of the best at execution of both their software and business practices)
I don't personally see their revenue slowing down anytime soon.

Last thing about this subject, it is true there is no such thing as a totally secure system, but Google does a pretty good job at what they
do, why hassle them when nothing has happened (not that it won't), but for now let Google run its ship, and just be happy with the service they
provide.

As one reader said earlier... you could use MSN Search.

Regards,

MBC1977,
(US Marine, College Student, and Good Guy!)

Cookie myth

[megaditto]

'Deleting the cookie' does nothing to remove your stored search history crosslinked to your IP address

Having a dynamic IP does not help if you use your computer regularly to check email, log in to slashdot, or visit your unique collection of news sites: anything that can link your particular IP-of-the-day to your identity.