If you haven't already been using the service, Google now provide an SSL encrypted version of their popular search engine. The site can be accessed simply by visiting https://www.google.com and is currently in Beta. Unfortunately, the site is currently only available under its generic top-level domain '.com' and will default search results to US sites. When using the encrypted site, links to results for image search and maps will not be included as these features are not supported at the present time. In their blog, Google assure users that the data sent as part of the query remain unchanged and the only alteration is that it's SSL encrypted. One thing that I'm enjoying is the lack of sponsored links and advertising on search results, which obviously won't last – but it's a refreshing change not to be bombarded. The site also works in conjunction with GoogleSharing meaning a completely encrypted and anonymous experience in Google!
Showing posts with label google sharing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label google sharing. Show all posts
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Can I Un-Google My Online Habits and Identity? Yes.
As any IT Geek, Nerd or Professional will tell you, Google knows all (at least when it comes to Internet browsing trends). Even if you’re not logged into one of their accounts, Google knows everything you've ever searched for, the search results you’ve clicked, the news and current affairs sites you frequent and every location you have searched for on Google Maps. Additionally, if you have a Gmail account, they have access to every email you’ve ever sent or received even if it’s been deleted. Cross-referencing this information intelligently is what Google is best at, be afraid!
Given the promiscuity of Google’s information gathering and analysis, it’s quite worrying what information they can profile about any Internet user based on this data references against an IP address. Is there anything that you can do if you feel ‘stalked’?
Enter ‘GoogleSharing’. GoogleSharing is, in essence, a proxying process that obfuscates user information that is sent to Google by mixing multiple users’ requests and metadata together and adding in false requests for good measure. This process ONLY filters out any data being sent to Google and does not affect other traffic passing through the proxy. The solution is open source and consists of a proxy server (already running in the cloud) and a Firefox add-in. As the ‘icing on the cake’ feature, all traffic sent to the GoogleSharing proxy server is encrypted using HTTPS.
For more information visit: http://www.googlesharing.net
I’m currently in the process of testing the GoogleSharing proxy and comparing HTTP responses from filtered and unfiltered traffic. Further information regarding my findings will follow.
Given the promiscuity of Google’s information gathering and analysis, it’s quite worrying what information they can profile about any Internet user based on this data references against an IP address. Is there anything that you can do if you feel ‘stalked’?
Enter ‘GoogleSharing’. GoogleSharing is, in essence, a proxying process that obfuscates user information that is sent to Google by mixing multiple users’ requests and metadata together and adding in false requests for good measure. This process ONLY filters out any data being sent to Google and does not affect other traffic passing through the proxy. The solution is open source and consists of a proxy server (already running in the cloud) and a Firefox add-in. As the ‘icing on the cake’ feature, all traffic sent to the GoogleSharing proxy server is encrypted using HTTPS.
For more information visit: http://www.googlesharing.net
I’m currently in the process of testing the GoogleSharing proxy and comparing HTTP responses from filtered and unfiltered traffic. Further information regarding my findings will follow.
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