I can see this happening

[Jan Hurst-Nicholson]

I did read somewhere about a writer being investigated re a security breach   

[Matthew]

I mean, the government is scary. Here in the US we have the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which can essentially be abused to spy on everyone without a warrant. It seems the wording is so vague that if you so much as send an email to or browse a website outside of the country, it may be grounds for being monitored.

I wonder when they have an actual person take a look at some flagged communications. I've definitely asked someone online how I should "kill a kid" but made sure to include "in my book."

To the FBI agent scrolling through my history, you deserve it.

[spin52]

As it happens, I just e-mailed my beta reader saying I hoped no one checked my browsing history to learn I was looking for a plant-based poison that would kill quickly, and what symptoms to look for.

[Shoe]

When my research leans into darker topics like poisons or murder or other dark alley stuff, I use incognito mode so it won't affect my Google algorithms, which of course are pristine. (I once mentioned this to someone who told me I was kidding myself. Google knows all.)

[Post-Crisis D]

It's 2024.  People are still using Google?  2004 is calling and wants its search engine back.

Anyway, if you regard Wikipedia as a useful source, you can download Wikipedia and set it up on your own local server.  Then no one will know what you look up on there.

[Jeff Tanyard]

It's 2024.  People are still using Google?  2004 is calling and wants its search engine back.

I want the old Altavista back.  Best search engine ever.

[Post-Crisis D]

It's 2024.  People are still using Google?  2004 is calling and wants its search engine back.

I want the old Altavista back.  Best search engine ever.

I also remember DogPile and AskJeeves.  Then Google was good until it wasn't.

[Vijaya]

I want the old Altavista back.  Best search engine ever.

I remember those days

[R. C.]

I want to say one word to you — just one word.

Yes, sir.

Are you listening?

Yes, I am.

Incogneto.

Precisely, what do you mean?

There's a future with incognito mode.

[Post-Crisis D]

Incognito mode just keeps your web browsing history from being stored on your computer.  The sites you connect to, and possibly your ISP as well, still know your computer accessed those sites.

[R. C.]

Incognito mode just keeps your web browsing history from being stored on your computer.  The sites you connect to, and possibly your ISP as well, still know your computer accessed those sites.

True, egress is always known... Random IPs, a VPN, and TOR help.

[Bill Hiatt]

A VPN in conjunction with incognito mode or similar is a much more secure approach from a privacy standpoint. However, it may slow down your internet somewhat.

[R. C.]

A VPN in conjunction with incognito mode or similar is a much more secure approach from a privacy standpoint. However, it may slow down your internet somewhat.

I use Nord and it is fast enough.  I'm lucky. I've got 1Gb up and down with 400-600Mb when the VPN is on.

[Lynn]

Those of us stuck in rural America are not so lucky. Slow down my 15 Mb down and 1 Mb up with a VPN just to do Google searches? My internet can't even keep up with my kid's game downloads... Come on, please.

I'd rather have everyone know what I'm searching for than put up with anything slower than the maxed out package I've got where I live (and it's costing me $79.99 a month plus tax for the pleasure).

I should move.

[R. C.]

Also something else to consider are browser Add-Ins that can help stop ADs and to block identity.

In Chrome I use AdBlock, Ghostery, uBlock Origin, among others.  I leave Firefox and Edge without Add-Ins for testing of sites that Chrome doesn't render correctly.

[Jan Hurst-Nicholson]

I don't worry about anyone knowing what I'm Googling. I Google loads of things, often to settle arguments, or 'how to' problems . If it's something medical or personal I can always claim I'm researching for a book