Google Privacy Series: Good To Know Part 4 (last part)

Google has released a new web campaign specifically to help businesses and consumers so they can have a better understanding of Privacy and the Internet. It is called the Good to Know series. This is the final post of the short blog series posted at Menlo Technical’s blog.
So much misinformation has been put on the Internet, confusing the public (both on purpose to manipulate public opinion and at times manipulate stock prices) that Google went out of their way to actually present helpful and accurate information. Many thanks and kudos to Google for putting this together.

Good to Know Part 4 – Manage Your Data

… and what you share with websites and Google

We believe it’s important for you to have the controls you need to manage your data online. There are many different settings and tools out there, so to make it a bit simpler, here is an overview of some of the ways that you can manage what you share online, with Google and with others. We offer a collection of privacy tools, the most popular of which are described in this section.

For more detailed information on how Google collects your information and ways to alter this collection please click on the area of interest below:

• How to manage cookies
• Google Dashboard
• Ads Preferences Manager
• Google Takeout from the Data Liberation Front
• Search personalization
• Google Talk
• Me on the Web
• Incognito mode in Chrome
• Google+ and the +1 button
• Google Docs
• Latitude

Google Privacy Series: Good To Know Part 3

Google has released a new web campaign specifically to help businesses and consumers so they can have a better understanding of Privacy and the Internet. It is called the Good to Know series and we will be posting elements of it here as a short series of blog posts throughout the course of the week. So much misinformation has been put on the Internet, confusing the public (both on purpose to manipulate public opinion and at times manipulate stock prices) that Google went out of their way to actually present helpful and accurate information. Many thanks and kudos to Google for putting this together.

Good to Know Part 3 – Your Data On Google

… and how it makes Google services more useful

Knowing a little bit about you can help make Google products better, both for you and for others. By understanding your preferences we can ensure that we give you the search results that you’re looking for, and by analyzing the search logs of millions of users in aggregate, we can continually improve our search algorithm, develop new features, keep our systems secure and even predict the next flu outbreak.

When it comes to the way that we look after your data on Google, our approach is based on transparency, control and security.

We have five privacy principles that describe how we approach privacy and user information across all of our products:

1. Use information to provide our users with valuable products and services.
2. Develop products that reflect strong privacy standards and practices.
3. Make the collection of personal information transparent.
4. Give users meaningful choices to protect their privacy.
5. Be a responsible steward of the information we hold.

A quick video of the features for privacy settings and options within Google services:

Here are direct links to more on the details of how Google uses, stores and protects your privacy:

• Search logs
• Advertising
• Google Accounts & Web History
• Location
• Other Google products & privacy
• Making search more relevant
• Making our services more secure
• Making search faster
• Helping society

Google Privacy Series: Good To Know Part 2

Google has released a new web campaign specifically to help businesses and consumers get a better understanding of Privacy and the Internet. It is called the Good to Know series and we will be posting elements of it here as a short series of blog posts throughout the course of the week. So much misinformation has been put on the Internet about personal privacy, confusing the public (both on purpose to manipulate public opinion and at times manipulate stock prices) that Google went out of their way to actually present helpful and accurate information. Many thanks and kudos to Google for putting this together.
Good to Know Part 2 – Your Data on the Web

… and how it makes websites more useful

Say you go to the same coffee shop every morning for a latte and the same barista makes it for you every day. Chances are he’ll know your order before you even walk through the door. Websites, including Google, have learned a lot from this relationship. We’ve learned that we can serve you better if we get to know you better.

When the web first started, it was a set of static pages that looked the same for everybody. Nowadays, the web has become even more useful because websites can know something about you that helps them guess what you would like to view. For example, they can remember whether you want them in English or French, can suggest books or movies you might enjoy based on what you’ve viewed in the past, and can store your delivery address ready for your next purchase.

There are many clues that websites can use to guess your preferences, including cookies, IP addresses, and signing in with an account.

This blog had previously mentioned means of protecting client computers by clearing cookies and browser cache. This is another great write up on the topic.
Click on the links below to get more details on  Google Good to Know Your Data On The Web site to see the other topics and descriptions in this category:

• Cookies
• IP addresses
• Accounts

Google Privacy Series: Good To Know Part 1

Google's fantastic overview for online defensive thinking and living

Google has released a new web campaign specifically to help businesses and consumers so they can have a better understanding of Privacy and the Internet. It is called the Good to Know series and we will be posting elements of it here as a short series of blog posts throughout the course of the week. So much misinformation has been put on the Internet, confusing the public (both on purpose to manipulate public opinion and at times manipulate stock prices) that Google went out of their way to actually present helpful and accurate information. Many thanks and kudos to Google for putting this together.

Good to Know Part 1 – Stay Safe On Line

… tips and advice for staying more secure on the web

There are so many fascinating things to do and explore online, but there are also times when the Internet can be a little bit scary. Just like in the offline world, it’s important to keep yourself safe and secure. Whether you’re a new Internet user or an old hand, it’s good to stay updated on the best practices when it comes to sharing your data online and browsing safely. Here we give you advice for staying more secure on the web and an overview of some of the security tools that Google offers.

The video below discusses 5 easy steps to help stay safe online.
1) Use strong passwords – read our previous posts here and here
2) Enable 2 Step Verification for email / Google Gmail
3) Always update your software like Flash, Java and
4) Consider ignoring ALL links within email that is from a friend without knowing what it is, or warns you of a fine, personal arrest, prize or dangerous situation that requires a click on a link or a reply.
5) Regularly scan your computer – Enterprise clients already have this installed, and can manually run these. Personal laptops, tablets and computers will require a prudent purchase on the part of the owner. (Note: Install only ONE trusted and reputable anti-virus software. Install only ONE trusted and reputable anti-Malware software specifically for real-time Malware or Spyware protection, along side the anti-virus software. Some anti-virus software include anti-malware and anti-spyware protection.)

Watch the short video on this topic for illustrated details …

Click below to get more details on  Google Good to Know Stay Safe Online site to see the other topics in this category:

• Phishing
• Malware
• Secure sites
• Safe networks
• Mobile security
• Check your Gmail account
• Family safety
• Shopping safety
• Locking your screen
• Passwords
• Google’s security tools

Microsoft Windows Fake Security Software Series (Part 3)

In summary, the modern types of infection are so diverse, tricky and dangerous to personal privacy and corporate intellectual privacy that it is important to know what Malware is, the kinds of names it uses, and how it looks. Consider keeping your machine and tablets up to date with antivirus software and purchasing a program like Malwarebytes to properly protect against these bugs.

Other ways to protect computers include limiting web surfing through the network, limiting the Microsoft account user controls for kids and compulsive gamblers, as well as understanding that the Internet is now a place similar to a dangerous back ally in a dangerous city, and not a pretty manicured garden villa.

Menlo Technical Consulting recommends a complete backing up and reinstall of a Windows Operating System (Windows 7, Windows XP) to rid it completely of any infections.  While this seems like a lot of work, the time it takes for a computer owner to keep a PC running is much more complicated and time consuming than performing a re-installation. If households are interested in avoiding the concerns of 99% of Malware, and infections, we have written how to move to Linux, which is designed differently than Microsoft and comes with all the software most homes and K-12 students need. It is free, and it is easier to use than Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8 for may clients. Read our prior posts here and here on how Linux could be the free solution to making daily computer use easy and much more secure, without scanning or cleaning anything.
If the machine is dedicated to surfing the Internet, checking mail and building basic documents, another fantastic option is the Google Chromebook Option, which is highly rated by consumers who do not need to play complex video games or run a photography business day to day from their machine.
If your time is too limited or you are interested in a total personal privacy protection plan, contact Menlo Technical Consulting today for an evaluation of your home office or personal work environment.