Questions tagged [privacy]
Questions about protecting your privacy on your computer. Questions about privacy in web applications belong in WebApps.
704
questions
222
votes
3answers
32k views
How can this website reidentify me even after deleting all of my browser's history and using a VPN?
The website dropmail.me is able to successfully reidentify me (and offer my last used temp mail addresses via. "Restore access") despite doing the following:
Delete all my browsers history which ...
144
votes
2answers
44k views
How to avoid exposing my MAC address when using IPv6?
On my Macs, each IPv6 address includes the MAC address of a specific computer (not of my router). Sites such as ipv6-test.com not only show it, but even tell me it belongs to an Apple computer.
This ...
91
votes
7answers
274k views
How can I hide the most visited sites on Chrome?
Since the last update it has been impossible to hide the most visited sites. I don't know if it's some temporary sick joke by the chrome team but I need to remove it.
I have tried changing my home to ...
72
votes
15answers
9k views
What are the benefits of using a proxy? [closed]
I know students and employees use them to get by web filters. But what else? I hear about "privacy and security" but I can never find anything really explaining it.
I did see one link that said it ...
64
votes
9answers
188k views
Use VPN connection only for selected applications
I have access to a VPN and want to use it only for some applications, not all.
For example:
If I connect to a VPN I want only the applications Opera and Newsbin to use that VPN connection. All other ...
51
votes
3answers
9k views
Does a Chromecast device contain any private information?
So I have a Google Chromecast that I'm gonna sell tomorrow because I don't use it enough. My question is: Do I need to do anything before selling it? Is there any personal data stored on it? Do I need ...
50
votes
1answer
10k views
If a Chrome Extension is installed but turned off, can it still spy on me?
Say a Chrome extension is turned off and has the permissions: "Read and change all your data on the websites you visit" and "Read your browsing history", or other similar tracking permissions.
Can ...
49
votes
10answers
23k views
How to disable permission to read 'System Fonts' and 'Browser Plugin Details' in Chrome and Firefox
Going to http://panopticlick.eff.org/ I can see that that Firefox and Chrome expose more about 'System Fonts' and 'Browser Plugin Details' than I prefer.
How can the permission of a web page to ...
48
votes
19answers
31k views
Destroy a hard drive without proper equipment
I need to make two hard drives unreadable. Unfortunately, I have some constraints which make this harder than usual (in particular, they rule out the answers to other questions):
I don’t have a ...
46
votes
1answer
34k views
How to delete an URL from Chrome's Omnibox suggestions? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How do I delete previously entered items from Google Chrome Omnibox?
Chrome: remove URL from autocomplete which doesn't show up in history?
How can I delete an URL from ...
45
votes
3answers
436k views
How to disable “Download scanning protection” of new Chrome-17?
In recent update of Google Chrome internet browser (in stable channel), there is a new security/privacy option:
http://chrome.blogspot.com/2012/02/faster-browsing-safer-downloading.html
In ...
38
votes
3answers
14k views
Can a site detect if I use AdBlock in Firefox?
I recently visited (an official) website in search for an episode of a TV-show. The site popped an information dialog stating that I had to disable AdBlock to see the content. Is this at all possible ...
36
votes
3answers
15k views
I'm using Chrome and Chrome Sync; does Google have access to my passwords?
I've been using Chrome (and Chrome Sync) for many years now. Does that mean Google, the owner of Chrome, knows all my passwords?
I ask because I realized that Google owns Chrome, and also, it is a ...
32
votes
8answers
23k views
Can my ISP monitor me?
I'm an atheist visiting a islamic republic where the punishmnent for apostacy may be high.
Is it possible for an ISP to see the websites I might browse or what kind of blasphemous conversations I ...
32
votes
3answers
1k views
Can the URL be read by third parties when browsing via HTTPS?
We all know that HTTPS encrypts the connection between the computer and the server so that it cannot be viewed by a third party. However, can the ISP or a third party see the exact link of the page ...
27
votes
3answers
22k views
What is the AQS parameter in Google search query?
When I search Google from Chrome's omnibox, there is an aqs parameter embedded in the query, like &aqs=chrome..69i57.42x1j.
What is the purpose of it?
What does it contain?
Does it (uniquely) ...
25
votes
5answers
38k views
How much information can my ISP see?
Is it possible for my ISP to see the passwords that I enter on websites and in chat programs? And what about SSL websites that start with https, do they encrypt my username and password before ...
24
votes
4answers
5k views
Can my ISP see SSIDs on my router/modem provided by the ISP?
I rent a cable modem from my ISP that has its own Wi-Fi capability. Does my ISP have the ability to track various settings on their modem, such as wireless network SSIDs, etc?
Also, if I were to add ...
23
votes
10answers
6k views
Is it safe to keep semi-sensitive information in Dropbox?
I wouldn't trust Dropbox with my bank details and such (because there are lots of people looking for that kind of information), but is it safe to keep things which might be valuable to a small number ...
21
votes
14answers
4k views
Surfing the web anonymously [closed]
What is the best, fastest, safest way to surf the web anonymously, and how much anonymity can you really achieve?
21
votes
1answer
11k views
Unable to disable Compatibility Telemetry in Windows 10
Methods Failed to disable Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry:
Method 1: Use O&O ShutUp10 Used latest version released on 7-Mar-'17
Method 2 (CMD commands) mentioned here :
sc delete DiagTrack
sc ...
19
votes
9answers
52k views
View Cookies in Mozilla Firefox
If you use Mozilla Firefox in the "never remember history" setting, how can one see which cookies are currently saved (and possibly delete specific ones)? The answer I've heard is to look in ...
19
votes
8answers
21k views
How can I block all Facebook elements/content
I have no Facebook account. How to block all Facebook elements (not only like-button, but everything Facebook) on the rest of the Internet. I worry being tracked by Facebook. I am using Firefox on Mac ...
18
votes
7answers
168k views
How to hide (remove) 'Owner' and 'Computer' information on PDF file?
I would like to share a PDF file on a forum anonymously. When I right click on file and go to 'Details' tab, it shows my computer name and owner name. How do I remove (hide) this information?
17
votes
5answers
5k views
How to disable loading email images by default in Google Inbox?
Google Inbox seems to load images in emails by default, despite my gmail settings being to never load images unless I specifically request it. It's extremely common for marketing emails to embed ...
16
votes
12answers
4k views
Keeping websites from knowing where I live
This questions is related to issues and practicality, not security.
I live in Brazil and, apparently, every single website I visit knows about it. Usually that's okay. But there are quite a few ...
16
votes
3answers
34k views
How to disable Google Chrome from sending data to safebrowsing-cache.google.com and safebrowsing.clients.google.com?
Unchecking Enable phishing and malware protection in Chrome's browser settings page does not prevent Chrome from communicating with safebrowsing.clients.google.com and safebrowsing-cache.google.com (...
16
votes
3answers
18k views
Blocking facebook's Like button in firefox [closed]
Many sites today use widgets from facebook such as the Like button, list of friends who are fans of that site and so on. While it may be a nice feature, I perceive it to be a serious privacy intrusion,...
16
votes
1answer
6k views
How to create a seperate profile in Chrome with same email?
I would like to sign into Chrome at work. The computers don't save information and it's really helpful to have book marks, history and tabs saved. I'm wondering what's the safest way to do this, as to ...
16
votes
4answers
10k views
How to hide Browser Plugin Details in firefox for more privacy?
I'm trying to trick the results in this page to have more privacy/anonymity: https://panopticlick.eff.org/index.php?action=log&js=yes
So far the best I could do is change the user agent, with the ...
15
votes
2answers
2k views
How can WhatsApp share information with Facebook if the messages are encrypted end-to-end? [closed]
WhatsApp is enforcing a new controversy privacy policy that, as far as I understand, shares data from your chat messages with Facebook to provide you with "tailored ads" on Facebook.
How can ...
15
votes
3answers
5k views
How to setup a work -> home -> internet http tunneling service
I want to know which program is recommended in order to setup such as scenario, i.e. accessing the Internet from work or other places where traffic is monitored by installing a HTTP tunneling service ...
15
votes
1answer
2k views
Chrome lock profile on exit
As described here, with the new Chrome,
you can lock your profile by simply clicking on the lock icon.
Do you think it is possible to automatically lock the profile on exit?
14
votes
3answers
56k views
What is a MAC address, and what does it reveal about me?
Does my MAC address list my name, ect? How do I find out exactly what the MAC address tells me? I know it's the "physical address" of my laptop, but what exactly does that mean? This is what my MAC ...
14
votes
2answers
80k views
How to get the real IP address of someone using a proxy?
I was researching digital goods and security when I stumbled upon this company. One of the services they provide is "Real IP". They claim to be able to get the real IP address of users even when ...
14
votes
2answers
9k views
Skype IM Privacy Settings
I have my skype privacy settings defined to only allow IMs from people in my contact list. I also have this set for calls/video, etc. And yet, almost every morning when I boot up I have a ...
13
votes
15answers
12k views
Removing all Facebook evidence from a PC
My wife currently accesses her Facebook account from two computers, her PC and my laptop. During the course of her Facebook activities she has gradually accumulated a number of 'link-ins' from various ...
13
votes
4answers
3k views
How to encrypt an USB stick?
When storing personal data on a USB stick, data needs to be encrypted to ensure privacy. Regrettably, this is far from easy to do without introducing a lot of overhead; ideally, the whole encryption ...
13
votes
5answers
57k views
How do you stop the “Google Privacy Reminder” message from constantly appearing?
The Google privacy message is incredibly annoying - when I edit all options and set them all to Off (although I doubt this makes any difference!) and accept the review, the same message comes back the ...
13
votes
3answers
817 views
What are the differences between Google Chrome and Chromium (especially with respect to privacy)?
What are the differences between Google Chrome and Chromium (especially with respect to privacy)?
The Google Chrome Privacy Notice lists the information Google receives when you use Google Chrome. ...
12
votes
1answer
12k views
Can I use TOR browser without using TOR network?
The TOR browser is a nice browser even without TOR. Using full on TOR seems a bit extreme to me and is beyond my patience, on the other hand, using a normal Firefox feels like yelling my canvas ...
12
votes
2answers
594 views
Firefox is not clearing HSTS “cookies” when closed after a private session
Based on some information on the internet (e.g. here), Firefox deletes HSTS information after a private browsing session.
My understanding is that this would mean that the "SiteSecurityServiceState....
11
votes
3answers
60k views
How do we configure another browser to use Tor? [closed]
How do we configure Google Chrome (or another web browser) to use Tor Browser?
By that I mean that we are using Chrome, but the traffic is routed through Tor (and thus anonymous).
11
votes
3answers
1k views
How are User files in Windows 7 protected?
I noticed that I cannot access user files from one account across another. However, if someone took my HDD, hooked it up to another computer, would they be able to see the files? Is there a way to ...
11
votes
1answer
34k views
Windows 10: What is the Microsoft “App Connector” and why would it want/need access to my camera?
I just got one of my laptops installed with Windows 10 and noticed that some applications like "App Connector", "Microsoft Edge", and "OneNote" were set to use the laptop camera.
The text in the ...
11
votes
2answers
13k views
What is being send to/received from “safebrowsing.google.com” when I open Firefox?
When I first open Firefox, I always get this notification from my firewall within about 30 seconds-ish. It does not matter if I'm yet browsing the web, I could just have a blank page up, or I could be ...
11
votes
3answers
53k views
How to clear all HTML5 local storage from Safari?
It seems stackauth.com has used some local storage which my Safari does not show me, and hence cannot be deleted. So, in general: how to ensure all local storage is deleted from Safari?
Some ...
10
votes
7answers
2k views
Browser for paranoid people? [closed]
Is there a web browser out there that is more suited for paranoid people? Why would you choose it/ What feature would your ideal paranoia browser have? For instance i would want one which Sends NO ...
10
votes
5answers
4k views
Can websites see my Firefox Addons? [duplicate]
I know when you visit a website, they can actually see a lot of your personal information, like browser type, but can they also see which addons I've installed?
What about something like Mozilla ...
10
votes
2answers
6k views
How does Chrome know what language a page is in?
I just opened a web page in Google Chrome, and it says "This page is in Japanese, would you like to translate it?".
Asking for a translation would presumably send the contents to Google, but how is ...
