03/01/2012
Google just rolled out a streamlined privacy policy
that consolidates your personal information for use
across various Google-owned services. Despite some
criticism and accusations of an Orwellian Big
Brother scenario, the updated policy's goal, says
Google, is "to create one beautifully simple and
intuitive experience."
There's no denying that the new policy doesn't make
it any easier to stay off the digital grid, so here are
some things you can do to minimize what Google
knows about you.
1. Disable automatic log-in. If you're perpetually
logged into your Google account, you might have
enabled a password-storing feature in your browser,
or at some point selected the Google Accounts
option to stay signed in. On the Accounts
Preferences page, you can disable this feature. If you
still seem to be automatically signed in each time
you surf the web, you can go into your browser's
privacy settings and clear all cache and cookies.
2. Opt out of ads based on interests and
demographics. On Google's Ad Preferences page,
you can edit or remove the interests Google has
determined for you or opt out entirely. You can also
find mild entertainment (and, if you're an optimist,
relief) in the fact that Google's inferred demographic
information about you is often wildly incorrect.
3. Use an anonymizing tool. Companies like
Anonymizer offer a variety of services to keep your
personal information secure by routing all your
online activity through an encrypted tunnel. A yearly
subscription costs $79.99, though the company does offer a free two-week trial and a 30-day money back guarantee. There are also free alternatives like TOR.
(PHOTOS: A History of Google Doodles)
4. Enable private browsing mode. Most browsers
feature a "private" mode, where any online activity
won't be tracked. (If you haven't yet abandoned all
Google products, the company's Chrome web
browser offers "incognito mode." This means the
browser will not store search history or cookies,
which house data such as sites you visit, preferences and login information. According to Google, this method is particularly useful "if you're planning a surprise birthday present or party," but it could also help keep your information off the record.
5. Turn to resources other than Google. It's
tough to imagine, but there ARE search engines and other mobile and web services completely
unaffiliated with Google. Ixquick, for example, calls
itself "the world's most private search engine."
DuckDuckGo also vows it "does not collect or share
personal information. That is our privacy policy in a
nutshell." And if you're skeptical about Gmail, there
are always plenty of email alternatives, though your
kids or coworkers might mock you for using
outdated providers.
Above all, be aware and educate yourself. If
you're still fearful or at least a bit dubious about
Google's privacy policy, you can read the complete
text here.

time.com/details/topstories.rbml?guid=http://techland.time.com/2012/03/01/googles-new-privacy-policy-six-tips-for-minimizing-your-online-exposure/&full=1

Will all these work?