The recent executive order that rolled back privacy standards for internet browsers started me thinking about this issue. Privacy settings only go so far, and on Chrome in particular, those are very limited.
I've got basic tech knowledge, but don't consider myself a techie by any stretch. I did a quick search for browsers that are rated highly for maintaining privacy and security and found several such as Epic and Tor, but I know little about them. If this is an issue that you know more about, what browser do you use? Are there disadvantages to using one of these instead of Chrome/FireFox/IE?
are you talking about this piece of legislation that has not been signed by Trump yet?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/03...
http://thehill.com/policy/technology/326145-house-votes-t...
It's NOT a law yet. It's NOT an EO.
If you're on the internet - you're being tracked one way or another.
I don't think there's any way for anyone to tell which data is for an illegal immigrant vs which is for a citizen.
It's just all tracked and then they'll dig up anything they need when ever the powers that be want to dig up info on you.
Big Brother is indeed watching all of us!
Have you ever Googled yourself?
Anyone can find pretty much anyone, know where they've lived in the past, know what schools you've attended, know where you've worked, etc.
In fact - I just found my mothers high school yearbook picture - class of 1954.
She'd be majorly pissed to know it's out there on the web.
If you have to register for anything (web site, game, nothing official) consider putting in a fake middle initial - because you'll know when it's been sold when that initial starts popping up in places/emails/etc.
I'm looking into this as well and read a good article this morning on it (I'll throw in a link below my comment for anyone who wants to see the article. For those who support those who voted for this, ignore the political content at the top of the article and focus on the "what to do" steps).
I'm really interested in router-level security that can protect anyone using a device or computer in my house as I don't want my kids' privacy compromised either. I'm looking forward to reading some knowledgeable answers on this, thank you for asking the question!
https://medium.freecodecamp.com/how-to-set-up-a-vpn-in-5-...
It isn't internet browsers, it is internet providers. Like I have Tmobile for my mobile broadband and AT&T for home. It also doesn't change anything, the law that was changed hadn't gone into effect.
I don't think people realize that no one was protected by the law. Even if your internet provider didn't log everything every site you visit did and had the right to sell the information. Facebook, Twitter, your bank, heck your grocery store, they all logged this information and sold it within the law. Yes your internet provider was selling it too. Look at those awful ads that popped up on this site, they pay for the site. Selling your date helped pay for your internet access. All goes to the bottom line. If your internet providers lost the ability to sell your data your cost of access would go up.
To me I don't have a problem with this. I never put anything on the internet I wouldn't answer for in person. Everything I put out here I consider public and really, that is the only way to protect yourself. No one makes you go online, if it is too risky for you, stay off
All incognito does is erase your cookies and browsing history when you close the tab. It does not in any way shape or form protect you online. It only protects you from nosy family members.
I am baffled at what this particular executive order has to do with illegal immigrants... but here are a few things I've found:
A great article at ARS Technica:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/03/senate-votes-...
This article is about the potential of using VPN or Tor/encryption to protect your privacy:
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/03/ho...
But this one on Wired says "no such luck, folks"
https://www.wired.com/2017/03/vpns-wont-save-congress-int...
So, a variety of sources. It is distressing that legislation meant to protect the consumer from being exploited is being rolled back rather arbitrarily. Our children's privacy is most certainly compromised, as well as our own. Even in "incognito" mode, browsing info still goes to the ISP and the sites you visit-- it just doesn't show up in one's history.
ETA: here - this is what the EO is about. https://www.huntonprivacyblog.com/2017/01/28/privacy-shie...
While the Order is primarily focused on the enforcement of immigration laws in the U.S., Section 14 declares that “Agencies shall, to the extent consistent with applicable law, ensure that their privacy policies exclude persons who are not United States citizens or lawful permanent residents from the protections of the Privacy Act regarding personally identifiable information.” This provision has sparked a firestorm of controversy in the international privacy community, raising questions regarding the Order’s impact on the Privacy Shield framework, which facilitates lawful transfers of personal data from the EU to the U.S. While political ramifications are certainly plausible from an EU-U.S. perspective, absent further action from the Trump Administration, Section 14 of the Order should not impact the legal viability of the Privacy Shield framework.
Diane,
President's have used the EO to do many things. This one that you are referring to is for people who are NOT here in the US LEGALLY.
Not sure what you believe is changing, but nothing is changing.
You want "privacy"? Stay off the internet. You can look at going "incognito" while browsing the internet....but not sure what you are looking for.
While there may be privacy apps/extensions for one browser or another, you can you whatever one you like. It isn't the browser collecting data, it is your internet service provider. Charter, AT&T, Comcast, Time-Warner, CenturyLink, etc. they have always had the ability to collect data, just not the legal right to sell it. Many ISPs have private company policies that say they will not ever sell/disclose history without a court order.
Re: Gamma's comment - using "incognito" mode in a browser makes it so your computer doesn't store search history and cookies, but it does not hide what you're looking at from the ISP. It's primary purpose is to hide what you're doing from other people in your household. It's also good for doing things like shopping around for deals, such as cheapest airfare, because the sites you visit can't track that you've already been there or what you've looked at. You see the un-targeted/un-manipulated info.
We were talking about this last topic night in the kitchen. My teens have their own computers and set things up to operate how they like it to be. The younger one said his machine is set up to make it appear as if his computer is in China. This wasn't done as a privacy move but needed to be able to access an online game server in China. Setting up a proxy/vpn doesn't hide your activity, but it makes it look like it is coming from elsewhere.
Added: Here's an article explaining what ISPs can/can't do with this.
http://www.theverge.com/2017/3/29/15115382/buy-congress-w...
The only thing I know about protecting yourself is to go online incognito but I haven't ever done it and don't know how.
