1

I use GMail and I like to stay logged in, so I can come back and check it once in a while. What I don't like, however, is that Google can track any web searches I do against my Google user ID. They can probably track other sites I visit using Google Analytics, too, which is extremely pervasive nowdays. What's the best way to stay logged into GMail, but effectively not be logged into any other Google site, either in Firefox or Chrome? Any addon or Greasemonkey script that might help here?

Improve this question

7 Answers 7

Reset to default
6

This one is kind of a pedestrian response, but it'll do the trick.

Start a new firefox with a different profile. Create a new profile specifically for gmail. Set it as a desktop icon for quick access.

firefox -P nameOfProfile on a shortcut will do the trick. Create a new profile with firefox -ProfileWizard

Improve this answer
1
  • 1
    In fact, I'm doing this right now! Works a treat. You might need "-no-remote" on that as well, depending on how it works for you.
    – SysAdmin1138
    Jun 24, 2010 at 5:22
3

Another way of doing this would be to use gmail via an imap client e.g. Microsoft Outlook, Mozilla Thunderbird (If you are using windows). Then you won't have google account login problems. If you are so paranoid as to be afraid of IP-time based tracking, you can try using anonymous proxies for web surfing while having gmail access via the imap client.

Consider supporting IPREDator (from Piratebay project) if you need anonymous VPN service: https://www.ipredator.se/?lang=en

Improve this answer
2

Also, this might be of interest if you are concerned about Google Analytics:

Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on (BETA) http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Improve this answer
2

Most (if not all) modern browsers provide for "private" sessions. I would consider opening one of these, and logging into GMail from there. That way you will be logged in for that session, but not logged into any other Google services in your normal browsing sessions.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    What you are describing is to have the OP use multiple sessions. It's a little unclear from your post.
    – Kevin M
    Jun 24, 2010 at 12:14
  • @Kevin: Quite correct. GMail would be in a private session, and all other Google sites in the normal session.
    – Raithlin
    Jul 14, 2010 at 6:36
2

Use Scroogle, it is made for this reason.

Scroogle is not a search engine, it just do a anonimized google search, there are many plugins, and options to use it. (SSL, language, etc...)

This will help with the search, every other problem should be solved with Adblock plus and the easyPrivacy suscription. ( easylist.adblockplus.org )

Improve this answer
0

When I'm not using a second Firefox profile for this, I deal with this by using a second browser. I generally have multiple for a reason, so I use it for this. For instance, I only use IE for sites that require it, so using it for Gmail is useful since I'm not doing anything else with it. SeaMonkey uses the Gecko rendering engine and is also a Mozilla browser if you want another alternative.

Improve this answer
0

I wrote a Chrome extension to solve this exact problem:

http://www.alma.com/chromium/hin/

John Hinsdale

Improve this answer
1
  • Please provide more details about your program, and please limit self-promotion. Thanks.
    – bwDraco
    Dec 31, 2014 at 3:08

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .