Shake internet trackers in 4 steps
Their spies are literally everywhere you look. Google, the government, and scammers are constantly tracking your online moves. They want to know what you search for, what sites you visit, who you are talking to and what you are talking about.
And it’s shockingly easy to find exactly where you’ve been on the internet for the life of your computer. Your hard drive, even if you clean it up, records everything you’ve ever done and every site you’ve ever visited.
But you can stop the spying. Just by following 4 easy steps, they’ll have no idea who you are or where you’ve been on the internet.
- Stop the spy bots. Google and government spies use ‘cookies’ to track your online movements. But all browsers give you the option of disabling cookies so that you can leave no trace. For Internet Explorer, go to Internet Options>Privacy>Sites. Block Google.com and any other site you feel might be tracking you. You can also enable InPrivacy browsing if you have Explorer 8 or higher. Also, go into Advanced Privacy Settings and click ‘Override automatic cookie handing’ and Block Cookies.
- Browse anonymously. There are services that will let you browse the web completely anonymously. Your computer has its own identity, called your IP address, that carries much of your information with it. Your IP can reveal not just your location, but your age, sex, and even income and home value information. Use services like http://www.hide-my-ip.com/ to cloak your identity and keep your information private.
- Delete Ad tracking software for free. Even when you turn off cookies shady websites can install tracking software on your computer to track your every move. I like to use Spybot Search and Destroy to erase these malicious bots and keep my information and my computer safe.
- Erase your search history. If you have a Google account then they are storing every search you have ever made. Go to https://www.google.com/history/, sign in and then click Remove All Web History.
I would suggest repeating all these steps periodically, even weekly to make sure you are safe from the internet’s prying eyes.
92 Comments
all of this is now moot since Obama has now handed over control of the internet Oct 1, 2016.
https://regated.com/2016/08/obama-hand-off-control-internet-october-1st/
Are there any private VPNs that actually work. I don’t mind paying for it but there are so many that ‘state’ they’re private, but aren’t.
Thank you so MUCH Frank. I love your emails, filled with information you don’t find everyday and hard to find, and most of all….very VALUABLE! GOD BLESS your work for helping Amercans. I just want to add this link too…it suggests first hand “WHO” is being tracked and why…I encourage all readers to please read it!! I am from AZ and its here!! Be warned and Be Prepared!! Here it is: http://nationalreport.net/femas-first-concentration-camp-officially-opens-arizona/comment-page-2/#comment-924890
Folks, my approach is a little different and should be considered: Each device, whether it is a laptop, smart phone, tablet, PC, Apple, wired, wireless, whatever; has a Network Interface Card installed. These cards are hard-coded by the manufacturer with a “serial number” called a MAC address. Every time you access a network, your MAC address is linked to the IP Address that is assigned to your device so that it can begin communicating on the network. It doesn’t matter where you go, what you do, or how you browse, your activity can be tracked because your device’s MAC address can be tracked and linked to the activity associated with it. Your best bet is to treat network access as UNSECURED at all times. Don’t go anywhere on the net that you want to keep secret and if you do, work out an encrypted way of communicating so that the snoopers have a difficult time figuring our what you are doing. Most of all, be a good guy. Criminals and such deserve what they get, but good guys aren’t going to use the network for nefarious purposes in the first place. Bottom line, they can see whatever they want. Let them see you doing good and being good. They can outlaw the truth but they can’t deny it!
I did as u suggested, nowe i cant get in MSN gmail account. They say i have to turn cookies on, i did & still cant get in gmail. What now?
Thanks 4 all you do, Frank!
Have to respond to early post about unsolicited calls from anyone saying you have computer problems. That their from Microsoft or any number of brands. These are hackers and if you let them access your computer, you have made a serious mistake. Never allow anyone to convince you to turn on your computer. If you have you’ve been hacked!! Spread the word on this one. It is very common in Northeast. A known/verified com. Sorry you need professional computer service if this has happened to you.
A lot of your information is usually very helpful. I don’t comment much but …
Thank you for your service, Frank.
Like 0bama said “We need change.” Yes we do. We need him out of the Country! No Country, Town or City in the world sets murderers free, yet 0bama set 5 or more Murderers free to roam the world at our expense. Definition of a traitor? First thing he did at the white house was to set his ass on a plane and roam the Middle East looking to stir up trouble for us and the world. What kind of a nut would do this? Who has the balls to document that he is a dangerous Psycho case? Guess who has his finger on the suit case that travels around the world with him? We know he hates America, correct!?
I GOT SO FEED UP WITH CELL-PHONES AND IPODS A WHILE BACK — I GOT RID OF ALL OF THEM AND THIS “THANKSGIVING” I’M EVEN GOING TO THE EXSTREAM — PUTTING ALL PHONES AND IPODS IN A BOX AS THEY COME IN. THESE KIDS TODAY DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THEMSELVES THEY THINK THEY HAVE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH ALL THEIR FRIENDS DAY & NIGHT…—- JUST A THOUGHT…
Agree with you Ed 200% about Obama and the kids these days. Our future is screwed thanks to this nut.
Talk about Fed Up…. If Osama Obama gets you fuming…. Check out this link where a computer programmer testifies under oath he coded computers to rig elections. You can go to You Tube and search for it too if my link doesn’t work. I am not as computer savvy as I would like to be….But one simple basic I learned the hard way after being hacked is….. ALWAYS remember to sign out or log out especially if you use Disqus, or shop online…..
http://www.activistpost.com/2016/03/watch-computer-programmer-testifies-under-oath-he-coded-computers-to-rig-elections.html
Try duckduckgo and ixquick for your browser search. Google and Monkeysoft sold you out to the gov once. Do you trust their lip service now. Personally, I would like to see their lips somewhere else.
Thanks to people like you I switched to duckduckgo awhile back and really prefer it over Google.
I never hear of ixquick…so thanks for that heads up.
I use Start Page. It is an encrypted search engine…I think it is a brother to ixquick.
Thanks Frank for the spying information. I’ve been hearing and seeing from time to time that our private info is being dug into by all kinds of spies. For example, about three years ago my computer was operating slowly and then a voice from India asked if I needed help to clear the screen. I was amazed to see the twelve hundred lines of print being removed line by line and finally the machine operated properly. I must go back to my original thought. Technology is the ruination of the world
I was told by someone that if I use the IN Private browsing, my Avast security would not work…? HUH???? LinkedIn is another site to avoid. I am deleting my acct w/them.
What about using Tor Network?
When I type a message about the “Free Mason’s or
One World Order, up comes Google & I lose my e-mail.
There’s no doubt I am being tracked but –
God has called me to be a “watchman” and warn the people – thus – I do what I can, reasonably. and leave the results with my Triune God. Jesus said, “I will be with me to the very end, but keep your eyes off man and on Me.” I have an intimate relationship with Him
Kay
Dear Frank,
My daughter (14) lives in Tennessee and has been groomed by a pedophile from Bristol England.
I am trying to track him down. Can you give me any guidance?
Worried mom,
Carol
You should be cautious about approaching dangerous criminals, even to help protect your daughter. My recommendation is to work closely with authorities on this and offer them your time and support.
thankyou for your endless effort in keeping the public informed of very valuable information. Keep up the good work.
I USE GOOGLE CHROME. I DON’T USE GOOGLE TO SEARCH. IE 8 ON WINDOWS 7 CAUSES A GLITCH IN TRYING TO VIEW PHOTOS. ALL YOU GET IS A EMPTY BOX WITH A RED X IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER. I CAN USE FIRE FOX, BUT I CANNOT GET TO MY FAVORITES UNLESS I USE IE8. I HAVE NOTHNG TO HIDE. I ALWAYS ON FACE BOOK LEAVE A LIL MESSAGE TO THE NSA, OR WHO EVER IS WATCHING ME A BIG F-U. MY ANTI SPYWARE STOPS A PAGE FROM OPENING AND ALERTS ME WHEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO HACK INTO MY PC. I JUST CLICK ON THE STOP INTRUSION BUTTON AND THERE HISTORY. MT PC IS SET UP TO DUMP COOKIES AND TEMP FILES AND MALWARE WHEN I CLOSE MY BROWSER’S.
IE8???? Why not upgrade to IE11? And FireFox will import your favorites from IE if you tell it to.
Thanks so much for this very valuable information!
There things you discussed in this article kept me from purchasing a PC. I needed this info.
i use firefox instead of internet explorer what can i do to keep people from spying on me
Thank you guys so much for the information. It’s awesome that you’re smart, and willing to help the American citizens, the ones who care, without fear of retribution. God bless you all! God bless America!
Thank Frank.
now that I have read this page of comments, I’m not sure what I should do……..
Number one… STOP USING GOOGLE! Here’s why: http://donttrack.us/
Instead start using: https://startpage.com/ -or- https://duckduckgo.com/
Number two… Stop using your ISP’s DNS server whatever it may be.
Try “Open DNS” instead: http://www.opendns.com/opendns-ip-addresses -or-
designate a DNS server in a “privacy friendly” country like Switzerland or Sweden.
More info here: http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/how-change-dns-server.htm
Number three… Don’t use Facebook or MySpace or any other social networking site.
Commissar Uncle Sam loves social networking sites, they make the job of spying on the people easy.
Right! That’s just common sense. I’ve never understood why ANYONE would use Facebook or MySpace…putting all that PERSONAL info. and photos out there for ANYONE to see and read. That’s just ASKING for trouble.
I only have Facebook account to look at family photos. I never post anything on there. We’ve warned our children and grandchildren about posting info but they don’t listen. I guess we don’t know anything since we’re over 50 years of age and are dinosaurs.
Thanks Farley for tips. I’ll be looking into them. We got hacked a few months ago and are still in password change and debit card reissue pergatory.
What would web resources do with information they gathered on us that would compromise us? The opening article didn’t say, perhaps exploring that woudl be helpful.
Hide-My-Ip.com sells for $30, yet I see http://www.mask-myip.com/ free, and I imagine that both are actaully traceable, insecure, and not private after all somehow — perhaps they are both fronts for the NSA? Who knows?
And cockies are not spybots, they are different things.
Cookies help keep us signed-in or help us keep track of our “shopping cart” at web sales sites.
Spybots watch and report our activities and information to others without our awareness or pemision, but usually just for avertising selection.
Viruses, malware, and ransomware cause damage, and ID and resource theft.
Nothing yet can act as evidence of who we are and waht we do, only what our computers are reported to be doing regardless of who is sitting at them.
Frankly, I’m happy to have a spybot infection hanging around in the wings on demand should anyone accuse me and my computer of malfeasance — I can say “the spybot did it”! ;-)
Thanks for the information. It’s unfortunate what is happening. Big Brother is definitely here!
I have been doing this since 1992, believe it or not. Even when I was in my early 20s, I never liked the idea of Big Brother tracking me. I also never, ever let my kids be photographed for school publications, etc. Too many pedophiles out there. And if I ever have to go live in a cave one day, they don’t need to know where my kids are, either
Thanks for your internet privacy tips. I’ll definitely use them.
I have been using smart page as they do not keep track of my IP address. Thanks for your tips. I will certainly use them.
well i followed the instruction. it took out everything even my e/m home page. what a mess to try to get it back. can not get on my face book page. because my browser did not allow cookies. not that i care who knows what about me, but big brother is a sneaky liar whose sole purpose its to continue to lie and steal and make false accusations and destroy the constitution. heard about google. it works hand and hand with the feds. privacy is not an isssue with google. they just refuse to allow you any privacy. i still think google is not a private enterprise. just another big brother liar. imho:) so i called a geek to see if he could restore my cookies in f/b.
WHY would you even WANT fb cookies? fb is hand-in-glove with øvømit.
Better to use Free and Open Source operating systems like Linux Mint, which is very user friendly! Version 15 will be published very soon! Check out http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/ and http://www.linuxmint.com/
Good info, I didn’t thinking of people companies tracking me.
Thank you and keep the good work
what a great idea I didn’t know that I know that people track me, but I can stop it now.
Thanks to you MR. FRANK
Thank you for this info! It’s horrible thinking there’s nothing you can do. This will help a lot!
Again, thank you Frank!
You do not need to have anything to hide to desire privacy. Spying on us is unreasonably invasive, nothing more than Big Brother fascist tactics. I fiercely oppose the invasion of my privacy as a matter of principle.
If you use Firefox there is a great ad-on called Better Privacy. It allows you to control special cookies called LSOs, long term hidden cookies that your browser’s built in cookie controls will not even show. I have a Linux system and use Ubuntu so I do not know if this or anything similar is available for Windows or Mac. Go into Firefox ad-ons and look for Better Privacy or LSO cookies to find out.
Thank you for this great information. Althought I do not have anything to hide it is importan to know about surfing the net. I did not know, You do not know what you ought to know, and that could end up hurting you, family and friends you care about. Very enlighting information, thank you
This is some of the most usefull info. that i have seen in a long time THANK YOU.
Check out this
http://www.google.com/intl/en/Zeigeist/
and
http://support.google.com/accounts/bin/topic.py?hl=en&topic=14148
and
http://www.piriform.com/Ccleaner
using the free version will permanently erase deleted files.
or click on the gear icon-rightside of toolbar.You can click on delete browsing history,or internet options.Delete what you want, or delete all.
I hope this is helpful.
Internet scammers should be caught and prosecuted.Identity theives should be sent to jail just like bank robbers.The trouble today is that there are so many of these jerks out there and they are coming up with new ways of stealing all the time.The government does not have the resources to go after them all. If you want to use the internet, you need to educate yourself about safegaurds and ways to block trackers and scammers. Purchases online made through secure places like paypal,keep your infomation safe.Do not put personal information online unless you have researched the person or company you are dealing with.Do not ask for personal loans from unrecognised sources.Use only those that have a good reputation, or at least a good rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Don’t count on the Better Business Bureau to give you accurate information. I’ve submitted complaints against a Realtor for his unsafe and invasive practices and all they did was send him a letter. He never responded to their letter, so they closed the matter. This was just a month or so ago, and of course, nothing has been done about his lousy business practices. The BBB doesn’t go around closing businesses, they just give you a place to complain.
Thanks for the information on stopping the web trackers.I understand the idea of National security
needing to track information but the rest of the trackers need to be stopped.Normal curiosity and the aquisition of information should be free of online tracking by advertisers.If they cannot get their information by normal surveys then they should not be able to bother anybody with a flood of unwanted emails,etc.
You are correct they are taking any body like criminal and as long that the technology is there,someone will use it violating privacy,I have no problem with the law if it is justify but
violating privacy is going to far and they know it,thanks for the information and I will do what
I need to do.
For the person using Google Chrome. Stop using it today. Google will keep all emails even after you delete them for “research” forever. Just look at their “privacy policy” (sic). Try Mozilla Firefox. It’s free.
Go to http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner and download Ccleaner the free version to clean up you computer. I uses it often. You can wipe the unused parts of your hard drive. This will permanently erase deleted files.
Yep, I have been using Ccleaner for years and besides being free it is a great product.
Thankyou
What suggestions for users of “GOOGLE CHROME” ?
Info for Jon,
My neighbor is an IT techy. He says Norton and McAfee are the same company. I don’t know if this is true or not. I have used both and had nothing but trouble. I would get pop ups that looked exactly like there official site that said I was infected with a viris and needed to click here. They were fake and if you did “click here” you really did get a viris.
Watch out !
Thank you for your information. I need all the help I can get. Will these 4 steps work on my apple lap top?
thanks. tools are always changing
Thanks for this information! It is great to learn of ways to cloak my internet traffic. Though most all of my online sites are Biblical based and religious in nature, though it’s good to know how to delete pop-ups. Again thank you and may God bless.
If those are your online sites, Big Brother probably already has you figured for a terrorist.
Hey Frank I use Avast the free version. Super anti spyware and Malwarebytes all free
Spybot search and destroy has fallen behind the time and I would not use Norton or McAfee if they paid me.
Info for Rick Bates
Get rid of Norton!!! I had it for several years and still had problems until I switched over to McAfee. I have not had so much as a twitch, it is on duty as long as you are on your computer. It warns you of suspicious sites and all that good stuff.
Jon
Thanks for the tips. It appears that the internet Gestapo is alive and well.
I am clueless about the internal workings of computers. My laptop is dieing and a new desktop is on the way. I live in a tiny, remote town in Alaska. My internet connection is through a hotspot on my smartphone. I have used Amazon extensively and done lots of buying online there and elsewhere. When I get my new desktop and connect to the internet through my smartphone hotspot will I be importing all of my past indiscretions into my new desktop ? Also, how secure is my mobile hotspot ? Also can my smartphone be carrying viruses, malware or spyware and if so how can I get rid of them. I did finally purchase Norton but not right away and did so on my laptop through my mobile hotspot. Is this protecting both the phone and the laptop ? I have the Norton icons on the laptop but not the phone. Do both devices share the same IP address ?
Neither Spybot nor hide my ip appear to be apple compatible. Will they work with my Macbook Pro?
Thank ytou. This is so needed in our day and time. If its ok with you I will enain this to all of my address book.
Great tool!!
Thanks Frank for your wisdom. I just bought a lap top and
I will use your guidence. I also think i need to get
Off yahoo and find another one.
I am just a novice in all this survival; as my eyes
Have just been opened. I am doing my best
On research. To your freedom
When I downloaded spybot s&d I was prompted to get a free version of aro2012 but it keeps asking me to buy the full version.
Any info about aro2012 would be appreciated. Is it recommended?
Don’t forget LSOs. Flash Player can use these large “super-cookies” to restore information deleted when you use your browser to clear regular browser cookies, and browsers aren’t even aware of “Local Shared Objects”. To disable these, certain Firefox extensions are available, and/or you can use the Flash settings panel to opt out. I also use script blockers, because incognito only affects the browser behavior, but does not disabled scipt-based tracking.
Thank you!
I WOULD APPRECIATE AN ANSWER TO THIS PLEASE. A FEW WEEKS AGO I SUBMITTED A COPY OF MY DRIVERS LICENSE AS PART OF A PACKAGE OF A JOB APPLICATION. I FOUND OUT LATER THAT THE COMPANY WAS NOT LEGIT & WAS OPERATING SCAMS, EVERYWHERE. WHAT ADVICE COULD YOU OFFER AN IDIOT ?
Step One would be to file a police report. With a police report in hand you have the ability to call the credit reporting agencies and get a free credit check to verify that nothing was done with your identity.
THAT’S A BIG JOB ,TO CLEAN EVERY WEEK! IS THERE A PROGRAM THAT CN DO IT AUTOMATICALLY! COLIN E KERDACHI.
Being a computer consultant I’m familiar with all of these methods but a couple that you forgot to mention are; HAVE A GOOD ANTIVIRUS INSTALLED on your PC. Also connect behind a hardware firewall router. If you have a wireless router don’t forget to use at least “WPA personal” security. “WPA2 personal” is better and never use WEP, it’s been hacked, or just disable the wireless (WiFi) altogether if you’re not using it.
There’s a technique called Wardriving where shady characters can download a tool such as NetStumbler on a laptop with WiFi and drive around town and it will record unsecured WiFi routers and can be coupled with mapping software like Google Maps and GPS that pinpoints the location of every WiFi router (also called an Access Point) along with it’s name, operating channel and the level of security. Later on they can come back and park in front of your house and steal your broadband connection and look at all the PC’s on your home network.
The internet is a wild and wooly place and hooking up to it unprotected is somewhat like jumping naked into shark infested waters.
Antivirus that you pay for is best. but even the free ones help. Be sure you keep it updated because there’s new attacks happening every day. A firewall keeps out everyone who will be hammering on your PC’s somewhat weak defenses. Researchers have put unprotected PC’s on the internet that have been infected inside of 20 minutes. A few hours later the PC’s were totally taken over and relaying as much SPAM as the hardware would bear.
Most if not all of the SPAM you get in your inbox is relayed by ignorant people who fail to protect their computers. Of course ALL of their sensitive information has long been copied. Don’t be one of them.
Have you ever gotten SPAM from somebody you know? Email is easy to spoof. Anyone can do it by simply changing the From: email address in the email’s header. Try to use your important email address only with people you trust. Get another Free web based email to have an address to put into all of those web pages to get info or some free download. Those websites compile those addresses and sell them and eventually those lists get into the hands of the Spammers and they not only email you junk mail they email viruses! The rule to follow is if you get an email with an attachment that you weren’t expecting then don’t open the attachment. Even if it’s from somebody you know, call them first to be sure and also try and verify that their PC is protected also.
OK. That’s more than a couple. I have 35 years of experience and I watched the internet develop and I was part of it. I’ve learned a thing or two.
Edwin
i do not reply hardly at all even to you, i read what you write and some times i pass it along to just a few friends only. The less i use the internet the better. The less the gov knows the better. and there is no safe internet, if they want they will get. But thanks for the up dates
Want to thank you for the info you provide and for keeping us informed.
Excellent advice. I would like to include this information in my beginner pc class that i help mentor. It is a free class to people who have very little or no experience with computers.
Use “Startpage.com” as your home page
Use “Paypal” so you never have to enter personal data
In any website
Use “Anonymizer Universal” as your anonymous proxy
If your security software requires frequent scans it is not secure.
The files should not be allowed on the computer to be found.
PC Tools has been around since the DOS days as Central Point. They
Have a good Internet security program that prevents the sites from leaving
Tracking cookies
Surf anonymously
Sounds like good advice. Time does not permit me to make these moves immediately; however, I hope to do so later today. Any additional advice anyone can provide for me will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
My wife and I both have new Apple I-Pads and Apple I-Phones. Are we protected from some of the things you mentioned above? We were told that the Apple or Max system had builtin protections but I’m not sure they protect us from the things you mentioned above?
Could you explain the differences?
James,
I am by no means a computer expert, but I know most of those kind of programs just protect you from viruses, not tracking.
Personally, I use startpage.com for all internet searches. From what I understand, they use Google’s search engine, but connect through their own IP addresses, so the sites you go to cannot see who you are or where you are coming from.
Blocking all cookies sounds good in theory, but a fair number of websites will not work without cookies. I usually use Firefox browser, and have it set to accept cookies from the site I am on, but reject all third-party cookies (the ones on their page, but originating elsewhere), and then clear all cookies and history when I close the browser.
I also use the Ghostery add-on from http://www.ghostery.com to identify and block trackers.
I am not really sure if this helps with privacy, but also when I see an interesting outside link on a web page and don’t want to be tracked, I will not click on it, but rather copy and paste the URL into a new browser tab.
BTW, what’s the deal with sending all of the web links in the power4patriots emails through ontraport.net? Isn’t that also a form of tracking?
If you use firefox, ghostery is also a very good ad-on to get. Not only does it block both cookies and 3pes but it then shows you what companies are trying to spy on you, and it allows you to look into them.
Gret ill pass this on… god bless American
It’s bad advice to just go disabling cookies willy-nilly. If you do, MANY web sites will not work. Most web sites and services that need a user id and password rely on cookies to know if you’ve actually logged in or not. Without them, you’d end up having to enter your userid and password over and over again for every button or link you click. The best thing to do with cookies is disable third party cookies for all sites. This means that if you visit http://www.sitea.com and the web page tries to set a google.com cookie, it will fail.
Frank,
Great information.
Everyone who has this information should share it!
George
thanks so much for the great information. putting it to work.
Thank you Frank, I will implement your suggestions immediately; I’ve been worried especially about big brother tracking my far right leanings in e-mails etc.
I found this information useful, especially the links to go to. Thanks.