Has Google Captured My Computer?

[HiBeam]

I have a gmail acct. that I use. In the past, when I have used Google Search, I would see those items on my gmail page.
I've stopped using Google Search for the past 3 months and use only DuckDuck.com for searches.
A week ago I searched via DuckDuck.com for an item for my dog (a Coolaroo bed). Ever since then when I go on other web sites, I see pictures, prices, & links for Coolaroos on the side of the pages. I'm suspecting that Google is monitoring my computer and doing its thing. Am I correct?
A tech guy told me that I need to reboot my system & it may help, but that Google is now everywhere on the internet and it will snag my computer.
I have 2 identical computers...should I reboot one of them & stay away from Google when I use it & use the other computer for gmail & Google searches, etc?
Or is Google everywhere like a cancer & I'll never escape it?
Can I avoid Google's reach?
What does the Pelican group think?

[masraum]

I think you need to put down the coffee and relax a little. Google doesn't have your computer, but the do see what you do online. Rebooting won't help.

You can turn off google search tracking you in your settings when you log in.

You can use an anonymous proxy. Of course then the people that run the proxy can track you even more.

Your best bet is to just stop using the Internet.

[red-beard]

All your base a belong to us...

[genrex]

I think no matter what you do, Google's reach is so pervasive that they know which websites you visit and the webpages you look at... and that happens very quickly, and more deeply than you thought possible.

Last week I did a Google search on my first and last name. Obviously the results of that search are available to everyone who knows my name, and it's a free search. Family, friends, work associates, everyone can see the results...

It showed every city I've lived in for the last 30+ years, as well as the names of family members, my ex-wife, my current girlfriend, and a girlfriend from two years ago (even though I never lived with that girlfriend; and it also showed that she had been raped by a previous boyfriend, even though by law that information was sealed by the court). It even showed the headline I used on my online dating profile, when I met my current girlfriend!

I know all of that information was gained by Google's extensive reach on the internet. Combined with zabasearch and court records, people can find out almost everything about us for free -- and for a small fee, they can find out much more.

It's too late to re-boot. What Steve and James said...

_

[HiBeam]

Originally Posted by masraum

You can turn off google search tracking you in your settings when you log in.

How do I do that in XP Pro?

Thanks all for your comments.

[masraum]

You have to log into google.com and then it's a setting somewhere in your acct.

[john70t]

(ooh just wait 'till the NSA data center gets finished in Utah).

Wait, this is the real john70t. I didn't say that, really. Someone must a hacked this computer. Please let me on the flight I paid for and stop grabbing my nuts for the fifth time(true story). I'm getting a reverse woody here and it's not comfortable, dude. I love my secret government and would probably gum up the FEMA camp oven when burned.

[masraum]

Yeah, once you log into google, there's a place where you can delete all of the data that they've been saving for you and even pause the act of them saving it.

Do a google search for

pause google search history

And you'll see the instructions.

[myamoto1]

Originally Posted by masraum

Yeah, once you log into google, there's a place where you can delete all of the data that they've been saving for you and even pause the act of them saving it.

Do a google search for

pause google search history

And you'll see the instructions.

Yes, but then Google will track that you're turning off tracking and just stop sharing what they've been tracking with you...

[masraum]

Hahahaha

[onewhippedpuppy]

Does a tin foil hat protect you when on your computer? It's been keeping me safe from the black helicopters.

[wdfifteen]

Toss your cookies? I don't know if that helps or not.

[wdfifteen]

Googling yourself can be funny. I found out I'm a real estate agent.

[RedBaron]

Run CCleaner on startup to purge your internet history/cache/cookies and also install a LSO/supercookie removal tool. I use a few extensions such as betterprivacy and disconnect for firefox and they both work well.

[sammyg2]

The "search engine that shall not be named" is pure evil.
Sell your soul or run away, it's your choice.

hint: you are the produce, not the customer.

[KFC911]

I'm currently seeing IP connections that don't resolve, so I can't say for sure, but I suspect they aren't resolved by "design". What I'm talking about is this (and I know for sure this used to occur some time back): when you connect to Pelican (haven't seen it with other web sites), several IP connections are also established to Google servers. Maybe Wayne will see this thread and shed some light. Yes indeedy...

All your base are belong to us

ps: Steve, I know this is right up your alley...what do you see?

[john70t]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Googling yourself can be funny. I found out I'm a real estate agent.

Actually that's the the guy who did a 100% HELOC with reverse mortgage on your house.
Different person.


(edit/comment: sorry for my bad sense of humor)

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

Toss your cookies? I don't know if that helps or not.

That is the solution if you are troubled by seeing ads for things you might be interested in instead of random cr@p.

I find it's an age/generation thing. People under 45 are generally happier being "recognized" by sites and served appropriate ads and those over 45 are more likely to think it's like big brother.

Everything you do on the Internet leaves a trail. The government has all your emails and all your phone calls, and the content is combed for trigger words (like trigger).

If you want a tiny glimpse of what the government knows, take a look at what commerce knows (or more accurately is willing to show you it knows): https://www.rapleaf.com/register_see_your_info

[john70t]

Originally Posted by techweenie

Everything you do on the Internet leaves a trail. The government has all your emails and all your phone calls, and the content is combed for trigger words (like trigger).

So there are three million Muslims in the USA.
Maybe thousands, or even tens of thousands, in possession of guns.
And, over the last decade, there have zero(0) mass killings....with guns, cold steel katanas, fine german kitchen cutlery, 7,000 lb vehicles, pencils and other stabbing weapons, or by any other means.

[john70t]

Hey kids, let's play a word game:
Yesterday's word was "disproportionate"
Today's word is "unconstitutional".
Tomorrows word will be be "criminal"