[Rachel.i]

I know guests can see our posts, which is one reason we shouldn't use our real name, but can people google these posts and find out details that we choose to disclose? Thanks, I looked around for an answer, but couldn't find it.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Rachel.i

I know guests can see our posts, which is one reason we shouldn't use our real name, but can people google these posts and find out details that we choose to disclose? Thanks, I looked around for an answer, but couldn't find it.

yes they can. Somewhere around here is a post from Doc John stating he has the website listed with google so that others can find the website. everything on the boards will show up. example I googled my user name and all my posts here on psych central came up in the search results. I guess maybe this is why when we register it says we are supposed to not use our real names and be very careful about what we post about our selves.

[FooZe]

Yes, Google does index these forums (and so do other search engines, as far as I know). Google takes you first to an archived version of a thread, like this. Note, however, the "View Full Version : Public forums" link near the top of that page.

That particular thread is where we discussed privacy issues before. DocJohn offers some suggestions here for protecting your privacy.

[DocJohn]

This is answered in our Help section ("FAQ/Help" in the blue menu bar at the top of the page, underneath the name of thread subject):

http://forums.psychcentral.com/faq.p...ain#faq_google

Thanks.

[Rachel.i]

Thanks DocJohn.

[Rachel.i]

Thanks, amandalouise. I did take care not to use my real name or post too much identifying info about myself, as it instructed when I signed up. Just wasn't sure about Google, because when I tried to Google myself I didn't find it. Probably just hadn't been archived yet.

[Rachel.i]

Thanks much for the info, FooZe. I will look at the privacy suggestions too.

[ECHOES]

Also remember that Google knows what sites you visit frequently, so if you do a search, Google will pull up PC because it is a site you evidently like. People who don't visit this site a lot will get different search results, that might or might not include PC.

[Rachel.i]

Originally Posted by ECHOES

Also remember that Google knows what sites you visit frequently, so if you do a search, Google will pull up PC because it is a site you evidently like. People who don't visit this site a lot will get different search results, that might or might not include PC.

Thanks, Echoes. I didn't realize that about Google.

[Oxidopamine]

Originally Posted by Rachel.i

Thanks, Echoes. I didn't realize that about Google.

All websites use Internet Information Service (IIS) logs that give information about each user's IP address, date, time, what they did (i.e. search queries or which links they clicked), etc... . The benefit for websites is they can track you, however, web browsers generally offer the option to not enable tracking and through other methods, you can delete IIS logs as well as tracking cookies.

If you're using Firefox, go to Firefox -> Options -> Options -> Privacy -> Tracking. Check off the box that says, "tell websites I do not want to be tracked". While you're there, you can also delete cookies and choose either "never remember history" or "custom history", whichever you prefer.

If you're using IE9, go to Tools -> Internet Options -> Privacy -> Advanced. Check off, "override automatic cookie handling" and select "block" for third party cookies (you can also do this for first-party ones if you feel the need). Depending on how you've set up your IE9 toolbar, Tools may be a gear cog.

If you're using Google Chrome, there's not much to do since they integrated this feature fairly well, however, if you want to be extra secure, download the add-on called Keep My Opt-Outs.

For your IIS logs, deleting them manually is more difficult as it depends on how they're stored. Instead, download CCleaner (or any other tool but this one is highly reputable and I use it). Simply select delete IIS logs, as well as anything else that you want. Keep in mind, these are only the logs on YOUR end, not on the server's end of a particular web page, however, it can affect the performance of a website that require authentication.

[Rachel.i]

Oxidopamine, thanks much for the thorough explanation and instructions. I use Chrome on an Android phone most of the time so guess there's nothing to be done there. But I do use Firefox on my laptop so I will investigate those settings. Also thanks for the info on IIS logs. I've used CC Cleaner for a long time, but didn't know what the delete IIS logs option was for, so this is good to know. Thanks again!

[Oxidopamine]

I use only Chrome and IE9 (I don't like IE but some of the websites at my college will only work on IE9), so I'm not as familiar with Firefox. If you want to be extra secure though, there are some nifty Firefox add-ons. One of them is Better Privacy and another is Ghostery. They each have similar functions, however, Ghostery gives more detailed information, such as it will show each tracker on a website. This can be very useful because you can selectively block each of them. Better Privacy is aimed at LSO cookies (think of them as cookies that are harder to detect).

There probably are other add-ons but those are the two that I know of.

An alternative to all of this is to just use a VPN. If you want to be extra secure, you can connect through a proxy server to the VPN, although that is probably unnecessary. A person can still track your laptop even if you use a VPN with or without a proxy, but it's not going to be easy and most websites aren't equipped with the proper coding to do this.

You can also connect to an IP server in another country but this can be a bit dangerous as you have no idea whether they store any data on you. On the other hand, VPNs will show whether they let other websites track you (btw, they don't because that's the whole purpose of them).

Unfortunately, I'm not well-versed in using Android phones but I'd imagine adjusting the settings would be similar to a laptop or desktop. I have a few friends who know more about them as well as Java ME ("form" of Java used for developing apps), so I'll ask them if they have any other tips for using Chrome on your Android.

You can also try Maxthon (different Web browser, mostly for Apple) but also works on Android. I've never used it so I cant say how it is.

[Rachel.i]

Originally Posted by Oxidopamine

I use only Chrome and IE9 (I don't like IE but some of the websites at my college will only work on IE9), so I'm not as familiar with Firefox. If you want to be extra secure though, there are some nifty Firefox add-ons. One of them is Better Privacy and another is Ghostery. They each have similar functions, however, Ghostery gives more detailed information, such as it will show each tracker on a website. This can be very useful because you can selectively block each of them. Better Privacy is aimed at LSO cookies (think of them as cookies that are harder to detect).

There probably are other add-ons but those are the two that I know of.

An alternative to all of this is to just use a VPN. If you want to be extra secure, you can connect through a proxy server to the VPN, although that is probably unnecessary. A person can still track your laptop even if you use a VPN with or without a proxy, but it's not going to be easy and most websites aren't equipped with the proper coding to do this.

You can also connect to an IP server in another country but this can be a bit dangerous as you have no idea whether they store any data on you. On the other hand, VPNs will show whether they let other websites track you (btw, they don't because that's the whole purpose of them).

Unfortunately, I'm not well-versed in using Android phones but I'd imagine adjusting the settings would be similar to a laptop or desktop. I have a few friends who know more about them as well as Java ME ("form" of Java used for developing apps), so I'll ask them if they have any other tips for using Chrome on your Android.

You can also try Maxthon (different Web browser, mostly for Apple) but also works on Android. I've never used it so I cant say how it is.

Hi Oxidopamine, thank you for all the info and sorry for the late thanks. I don't like IE either but do use Firefox on my laptop. I will check out Better Privacy and Ghostery. No, a VPN is probably not necessary. And I think you're right that connecting to an IP in another country could be dangerous.

Chrome on Android is pretty basic right now, I think it was released last June. For example, it doesn't even have a history yet. Hopefully they'll be adding more features soon. I have tried Maxthon on Android, not on Apple though. Thanks again for the info, much appreciated!