5 ways to keep your online searches private in the digital age – KTAR.com

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Google processes over 40,000 searches every single second, according to InternetLiveStats.com. Did you know that there are some things you should never search for? Tap or click for seven Google searches that can land you in serious trouble.

For your more embarrassing or private queries, you may think youre protecting yourself entirely with incognito mode, but that only goes so far. Tap or click here to see what incognito mode is really good for and what it cant do.

Lets take a closer look at the privacy options available to you. This post should be required reading for anyone in todays digital age. So, be sure to share it out on your social media accounts.

1. Know what private windows do

In most browsers, select File > New Private Window or hit the three-dot menu near the search bar to open a new incognito or private window. Heres where a lot of people fall for this privacy myth.

Dont make a mistake and think this privacy feature blocks what you search or sites you visit from your internet provider, work or school, or even a search engine. A private window only wipes out local data like your search history, cookies, and anything you entered into a form.

2. Stop searching using Google

If you dont want to be tracked, use an alternative to Google.

StartPage calls itself the worlds most private search engine. The Netherlands-based company pays Google for the use of its search algorithm but strips out the tracking and advertising that usually comes along with it. You get a Google-like experience, along with the promise that your data will never be stored, tracked, or sold.

Test it out at startpage.com. You can also set StartPage as your browsers default search engine.

DuckDuckGo is another option that doesnt track you the way Google does. It doesnt allow targeted advertising, results are not based on your search history, and youll see fewer ads based on your search.

Its easy to use and install, too, with an extension that plugs in with all the major browsers. You can also search at duckduckgo.com.

Want more? Tap or click for more search alternatives to Google that respect your privacy.

3. Wipe your browsing history

Aside from being tracked by companies and your ISP, there are other reasons you dont want people to see your browser history. Perhaps you need to look up something private (and embarrassing) or not want to spoil a surprise. Clearing things out takes a few clicks in your browser of choice.

There are steps to follow for each browser and even your social media accounts. Tap or click here for all the steps you need for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and more.

4. Hide yourself with a VPN

A virtual private network, or VPN, is a layer of protection between your devices and the internet. It hides your IP address and your location, and its the most effective way of keeping yourself private online.

Think about everything you have to protect. The products you look up, medical conditions you search for, people you Google its all compiled into the dossier about you.

A VPN sends your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel, effectively blocking your identity. Without one, youre handing over a ton of information to the sites you browse and apps you use, along with your ISP, your mobile carrier, and anyone else who goes snooping.

A word of caution: Some VPNs track you or, worse, collect and sell your data just like all the companies youre trying to avoid. Many cheap or free VPNs make money by selling your data to ad companies, so do your research. I use and recommend ExpressVPN, a sponsor of my national radio show.

5. Use a privacy-focused browser

You can go a step further and download the Tor Browser. You may know Tor as the browser used to access the Dark Web. That doesnt mean its nefarious by nature.

Wondering whats on the Dark Web? Tap or click here for steps on how to access it as well as what youll find.

With Tor, your browser history and cookies are cleared after every browsing session. It also unblocks restricted websites and encrypts every website three times before you visit it. You can download or learn more about Tor here if youre interested.

If it feels like your privacy is tough to hold onto, well, youre right. But you can take steps to secure yourself. With a bit of effort, you can keep Big Tech and advertisers out of your business.

What digital lifestyle questions do you have? Call Kims national radio show and tap or click here to find it on your local radio station. You can listen to or watch The Kim Komando Show on your phone, tablet, television or computer. Or tap or click here for Kims free podcasts.

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5 ways to keep your online searches private in the digital age - KTAR.com