Firefox Privacy Protection
One of the best things about the Firefox browser is the vast array of cool extensions available. Before we even begin, make sure you’re not using a Microsoft IE browser, it’s slow and filled with security holes. If you keep with the news, you’re probably aware of the Google-Viacom situation brewing. It concerns your privacy - check out Dan’s article Viacom Wants to Know What You’ve Been Watching to get updated.
Maybe you’re watching strange videos like, “Indonesian Cucumber Sex Secrets,” or “How To Steal Someone’s Identity the Easy Way,” and don’t want anyone to know…LOL. Generally speaking, if you’re logged into your Google account, everything you surf is logged and written to hard disk - permanently - where it can be studied, dissected and reanalyzed. Your entire on line life forms your secret profile. Imagine that everywhere you drove, everything you bought, everyone you talked to and so forth was recorded via outer space satellite and studied by governmental computer algorithms (they’re probably already doing that already). Well, that’s what Google and other search engines are doing. I personally don’t want Google or anyone knowing everything I do on line. It’s not so much having privacy because you’re a weirdo freak, it’s because you’re normal and Google wants to know your every move.
Here are a few Firefox extensions that can help protect your privacy:
- TrackMeNot - This is an older extension that sends randomized queries to popular search-engines. It’s easy to use, but some people have reported it slows down their browser a little. It worked fine for me.
- SquiggleSR - A newer extension that is similar to TrackMeNot, but is more customizable. I think it’s a little better at deceiving the search engines. This is the one I use, and it seems to work great.
- FoxyProxy - This extension works with the Tor Onion router which you’ll need to download and install on your PC. It offers a higher level of security for paranoid surfers. It will slow your surfing down quite a bit though. I don’t recommend this if you know nothing about proxy servers.
Other Privacy Measures
Most people are always logged into their Google accounts, and have tons of unexpired cookies. If this is you, you have no privacy at all. Here are some other unrelated tricky privacy tips from the Revellian Files:
If you have a spare computer and are using a modem with both a Ethernet and USB connection (most have both), you can plug in a spare PC into the USB internet connection. You may be unaware that you can plug two computers into a single modem. Your main PC should always go through a router before the Ethernet jack. Your extra USB connected computer can plug directly into the modem, bypassing the router.
Install Linux on the extra PC, or even better, use a live Linux CD as your operating system. With this setup, you’ll have 2 separate computers with two different IP’s. This way, you can do any clandestine surfing on your extra PC and retain total privacy. Of course, you will not be signed into any accounts on the Linux.
I personally use a hacked modem (thanks to a computer engineer buddy, that has 2 Ethernet and 2 USB connections. This gives me 4 separate IP addresses. Fortunately, my ISP has some major switching bugs which allows for this cool anomaly.
Another anonymity program that works decently is JAP. It’s similar to Tor and was once used by the U.S. Navy and Air Force. I haven’t used it in a while. It also offers a paid service which is more comprehensive.
Ghost Surf
A fantastic commercial product that provides great anonymity is Ghost Surf. I use it quite often and it is the best I’ve tried so far. It’s fast and actually works. Click the Image and check it out:
I’ll get into more covert coolness a little later…I hope this article helps you.
For additional information, read my basic Internet security - click the link and check it out!
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20 Responses to “Firefox Privacy Protection”
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Please don’t make fun of Indonesian Cucumber Sex Secrets.
Until you have watched it you just don’t know what carnal pleasures you are missing.
I’m proud to tell the world about my cucumber fetish.
What? There’s a real video about that? Hahaha…if I do watch it, I’ll wear super dark shades so I can’t actually see it
phew!
You realised I was joking (I hope!)
Personally, I prefer Mexican cactii secrets but Firefox seems to block all sites related to that
Scams last blog post..600 Million People Havent Updated Their Browser
You don’t have to have a Google account or even be logged into it for Google to track your activity. They can also do so by your IP address. If you have a static IP address, that will be enough to identify you. If you have a dynamic IP address, that still can identify you, though it is more difficult.
Of course, if you’re doing illegal activities online, that dynamic IP address isn’t going to protect you either, as your ISP’s records can likely show who that IP was assigned to at a particular time.
Then again, with Google’s profiling, they probably have enough data to make an educated guess about who is using a dynamic IP at any particular time.
Beyond using tools, perhaps the secret to privacy online is visiting a wide assortment of different sites so that you just leave the Google demi-gods scratching their heads trying to figure out what you’re really interested in!
dcrs last blog post..Recognizing Spam Comments and Junk Sites
Yes, I knew you were joking…maybe…hahaha! Check out the great video on Ethiopian sensual massage, those skinny girls are really a hoot
You can’t say that and then not give the link man!!
Oh yes, I’m aware of that. I have an extensive list of IP addresses based on my ISP’s poorly configured switched network. I change my IP often by changing the mac address on my router. On my USB computers, I use Linux, so I can change IP’s with a simple text command in the shell.
It’s so strange, different IP’s return different geographic locations. I can be from Texas, New York, Illinois and anywhere else I wish without even using a proxy. On my main windows PC, I am me. On my other computers, I am someone else altogether with totally different viewing habits and profiles. I like to be sneaky that way
I am so computer illiterate and I don’t really understand half of the things you mention. Whenever people recommend programs, I have downloaded them and have had nothing but trouble. Not saying you Bobby but I have a load of trouble accepting recommendations from others due to that fact alone.
nunyaas last blog post..A Woman’s Diary
I completely understand! I think most computer users don’t know any programming or even how to write html. These particular programs aren’t a necessity unless you’re a tech geek
There is one interesting Firefox add-on called https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6990. Ideal for those office employees who work less and surf more in office.
This add-on lets you configure a keyboard short cut or button. Pressing that button hides all the open Firefox windows. It’s a toggle key setting. Pressing that key again brings back all windows with session restored where you left
Google is a weird place- my husband was at Google in January covering the KDE Launch (that was when he was blogging somewhat regularly- before he got really busy). I was all excited and couldn’t wait for him to bring back pictures of the place. It sounded like OZ as in the wizard -not prison…
Anyway he gets back and I say where are the pictures of Google- he took a ton of pictures at the hotel and of the Linux Guru’s.
He says “no pictures- they won’t let you.”
So I am like “what’s up with Google- tell me about it.”
He goes, “well the food is great and you can bring dogs to work but no cats.”
I am like “that’s it?”
Me and my cat- Key we iz not impressed. Google haz a flavor and it tastes like dog smack.
Michelle Gartners last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Vintage Sage Advice- When You Are Really Naughty - RUN!
I haven’t heard that Viacom vs Google ordeal until now. I can’t believe they think they have a right to who watches what?! I mean, if they get that info what’re they going to do? Bust in your door and arrest you for watching something that was on the internet? I checked out that GhostSurf, I think I might look into it since I have a lot of personal information and passwords to keep track of. Thanks!
Thanks Rajeev, I had a boss one time who actually hired a computer security expert to lock me out of his computer altogether. It took me 30 seconds to crack it…hahaha. He didn’t want me having any fun at work
That figures…meanie cat haters
And no pictures? What are they trying to hide? I think it’s everything but our search profiles…haha 
Google claims that even though the information will be released to Viacom, they won’t be able to tell who the people are exactly. I really don’t watch much youtube anyway, and when I do it’s something in the comedy realm. Ghost surf allows to surf via private proxy automatically and works much faster than most of the free methods. Thanks Monavie
Mr Revellian
We hope you are most happy with your reformatted hard drive.
angola-marburg rulez!
Indonesian Cucumber Sex Secrets? I predict you will have some interesting search terms in the near future.
I had no idea how open I was by using my Google account. I don’t like how they are doing the whole mapping thing with photos and I don’t like them having so much knowledge about me even though I’m not doing anything wrong, I still feel like I’m the victim of a peeping Tom or something. I do like some of their applications though. Nuts. I need to remember to log out of my google account way more often.
Teenis last blog post..Comments Are Rewarding and Im Back!
I formatted a virtual hard drive…does that count?
That’s cheating!!!
Hi Teeni! It really doesn’t matter if you log out of Google or not. You would have to change your IP address when you logged out or use a computer at another location. One of my routers is wireless, and I just log into my neighbors router because they failed to change their password from the default, which is “admin”.
I really don’t worry too much about what Google logs, I don’t have any major spending habits on line, which is really the goal of their marketing research