What happens to the information that you send out when you use the Internet? We have to share some information when we search – otherwise, our search engine wouldn’t know what to look for. But all that data from billions of searches is valuable to companies like Google and Microsoft and you should be aware of some of its uses. You should also be careful about sharing private information like personal and financial data. We’ll look at both aspects of internet privacy in this section.
Web Browsers and Privacy
First we look at browser tracking and cookies – one of the methods that search engines use to keep track of you. Just read to the first “Continue” and then return to this page.
Understanding Browser Tracking
There are some tools built into search engines that you can use to decrease the amount of data about your search history that is saved. As usual, just read to the first “Continue” and then return here.
Browsing Privately
If you want to limit the number of ads that show up while you are browsing, you can install an ad blocker, like the one described in the link below. You should be aware that some sites will not display any data at all if you block their ads. Also, some sites that use pop-ups for features other than ads (like online training courses) may not work properly until you set your ad blocking software to accommodate them. Read the short tutorial and return here.
How to Block Ads in Your Web Browser
Protecting Your Personal Information
This short course from digitallearn.org talks about ways to protect your personal information when using the Internet. Listen to all 4 sections.
Optional: Google and Your Information
OPTIONAL: If you are concerned about ways in which Google uses search information and want to know more about how to reduce the amount of information about you that is saved, you can read through the information in this link.