Sections
 

General Summary

Note: In the World Of Computers, this article is going to be quickly outdated, but should give the reader some good ideas and guidelines.

Users of software, have always had to accept the end-user licensing agreement in order to use the software.  It did not matter if the software was paid for or if the software was free because if the user did not accept then the software would not install. The consent and acceptance of the end-user license to use the software product almost always had provisions in the legal disclosure that enabled the software to send back data to the company as long as it was not in specific areas which might include sensitive or financial data.  When the user completes a registration of ownership, which is idyllically designed to allow end-user support, upgrades or service packs, also enables the software company to gather data.   

With the Internet and cellular data access, many companies have built in ways for the software to send back data information on the use of the software along with any error reports.  Data gathering by software companies, from the use of their software, was initially explained as a method so that they can improve their software from statistical data and error reporting.

As soon as the Internet became a tool for selecting services, purchasing products and making decisions on political decisions, the intrusion and exploitation began in full force.  Initially, many people felt that there was the potential of a George Orwell Big Brother scenario developing, which was laughed at, but there cannot be any doubt that this is the case because it involves literally billions of dollars in revenue.  Amazon, FaceBook and Google are just three examples of very powerful, influential companies of many that have proven the enormous wealth and power that can be obtained by influencing people that use their products with purchases and political beliefs.

Currently, there is really no way to do anything on the internet without tracking and data gathering occurring on the users who are using Search Engines, Online Stores, Banking, Traffic Map assistance, VoIP or mobile Phone Calls made, and even the internet provider used to get access to the internet.  The question being asked by many is can anything be done to protect and limit the amount of data gathered on a person which then can be possibly used in: (1) sales marketing, (2) against the user in the future, (3) spread propaganda, (4) or result in theft of money and even property to name just a few areas of data gathering uses? 

There has been nothing in the news yet, but it is inevitable that there will be a point where thieves will use technology to find out if there is anyone at your home or business by using possibly GPS coordinates on your phone.  If there is no one at the home or at your business, then despite many alarm systems, there will be the potential of theft, kidnapping or something worse.

In considering the problems with data mining, and looking at some ideas dealing with only a small part of the vulnerabilities in technology, is there some Internet Browsers and Search Engines that are potentially or are the worst offenders in data gathering problems?  The answer is "yes" where this does not mean the companies that provide these software tools might not have other good products that should be still used.  This topic is about making a selection to discontinue use of two specific software products that may be worthy of use again in the future but in the interim, should not be used in the opinion of this author.

Is Google Chrome Internet Browser safe to use?

Read this article on Google Chrome that is stating Google Chrome is surveillance software disguised as a Internet Browser: https://www.msn.com/en- us/news/technology/google - chrome - has - become-surveillance-software-its-time-to-switch/ar-AADeAiS.  In case the link becomes unavailable then here is a PDF version of it: Google Chrome ... Stop using it?

Therefore should Christians use Google Chrome at this time?  In this author's opinion the answer is "Yes" and "No" for using Google Chrome, and also "Yes" and "No" for using the Google search engine because it knows who you are and keeps a history of all your sites, shopping, data and so much more. 

This is why you will see advertisements on sites you are visiting that are related to shopping sites you visited in the past which were links provided by Google.  Google makes money by providing "targeting" to businesses who want to know the best customers that are potentially interested in their products.  Also, it is suspect that searching through Google is causing additional emails with advertisements.

FaceBook does this also and this is why you will also see advertisements related to shopping sites you have visited in the past.  This author is personally okay with continuing to use FaceBook, at this time, but I no longer click on advertisement links on FaceBook so that my history is not used in future marketing attempts by FaceBook.

As mentioned above, Google does provide some other outstanding products that do involve some tracking but it is acceptable.  This author uses Google GMail, Google Docs and Google Map software to name three other outstanding products.

Note: This author sometimes uses Google's Search engine, to perform difficult searching.

What Browser Should Be Used?

At this point, the best Internet Browser, in this author's opinion is Mozzilla Firefox.  Yes you can still keep using Microsoft Edge and Apple Safari at this point in time.  Just stop using Chrome.

After installing FireFox, you can use it in normal mode or if you want more privacy, then right mouse click on the icon and select "New private window" which will give additional privacy and all sites will not be kept in your local computer history.  Note:

• That all Internet Browsers can keep history of the websites you have visited, where the problem is when the data is stored externally to your computer for use by a company that you did not knowingly authorize.  Unfortunately, by accepting end-user licensing, users may have inadvertently given authorization for data gathering, as much of the end-user licensing can involve legal definitions that are not understood by the general public..
• Google Chrome has a "incognito window" but at the time of this topic investigation, is may not be doing the same functionality that FireFox performs.  It is the opinion of this author that without clear proof and knowledge from independent research groups, it is better to just use FireFox than believe the incognito option is protecting the end-user from data gathering.

What Search Engine Should be Used?

The current problem with Google's Search engine is it has been exposed by many research groups as being very biased in its liberal and socialistic viewpoints.  Additionally, the search results when looking at many topics will show results that favor the Democrat Party along with only showing negative sites that are against the Republican Party.  While a Christian can have different political beliefs, is it the job of Google to try to shape opinions by being biased and not being fair in the search results?  The answer should be "no" regardless of political affiliation.  Hopefully in the future Google will fix the search biased as they have publicly said they were going to do.  Note that this bias is also very reflective in the Google News webpage, where it is this author's opinion that Google News should be additionally avoided until it is fixed.

Regarding search engines, there are a variety of Search Engines but in this author's opinion start using DuckDuckGo.  Yes, you can still use other search engines but as mentioned above in this topic, Google is keeping a history of  your searching for sale to companies.  If you feel that DuckDuckGo's search algorithm is not working the best for you in some specific cases, then simply type in www.google.com in your address link to enable interim use of Google Search.  

DuckDuckGo as Default Search Engine in FireFox

When you install FireFox, go into Options and select DuckDuckGo as your search engine.

Use Add-On Protection Besides Anti-Virus Software?

Note: This just one possible tool to consider and do not constitute an endorsement by this author or website:

Yes, one option is https://www.ghostery.com.   After installing for use with Firefox, it will show up like this when you are not in "private mode" in FireFox:

This author has seen Ghostery block as many as 1000 plus attempts by many websites in a day which appear to have nothing to do with Google. So there is more at stake in safe internet use than the Internet Browser or Search Tool.

Ghostery does allow the user to select the ability for the website to deploy tracking cookies and other cached items which may be required for the end-user's own security.

Safe Browsing Possible?

Note: These are just tools to consider and do not constitute an endorsement by this author or website:

Yes, and another "possible" tool is HitmanPro which you can read about here: https://www.hitmanpro.com/en-us/hmp.aspx   There is also MalwareBytes, to consider.  The difficulty is finding anything to install that may end up being a "Trojan Horse" software tool that does the protection while at the same time is spyware.

Something More Advanced?

If you are a more sophisticated IT person then there is the option of setting up a virtual computer that you can connect to remotely for all of your Internet usage.  The virtual computer should not contain any emails or identification information that can be linked back to you, which why this is the ultimate way to keep as much anonymity as possible.  Yes, you are having to provide personal information when purchasing something or logging into a website, but your virtual computer can be wiped out and recreated when you feel like it has been compromised.  This is not about being paranoid or over cautious.  This idea is just mentioned to be considered as another other option but this author is not doing this because it is "overkill" for my scenario.

A Final Opinion

This author has been a big fan of Google and it is my desire that Google realigns itself with core beliefs that are not involved in surveillance and political bias.  It is a possibility that most users of Google are going to reach a point that they will no longer use or trust any of Google's software products if they feel they are being used and if the company is biased in search results along with news reporting.  In the Christian Community the word of this problem is spreading like wildfire.