In an article published on the website Privacy Online News, Rick Falkvinge, founder of the first Pirate Party, makes the claim that Google is stealthily downloading audio listeners onto every computer that runs Chrome. The software is able to transmit audio data back to Google, meaning that Google can eavesdrop on conversations in your bedroom when your computer is running Chrome. According to Falkvinge, Google is doing this without user consent.

The Inquistir- June 2015

Chrome Bugs - Jan. 2014

The story was reported last year, Jan 2014. Its now June 2015 and Google hasn't fixed this"bug"; Google says they've developed a patch, but they've yet to implement it. You could stop using Chrome or you could plug-up the microphones on thecomputer... using those little rubber buttons used to cover screws mounts on notebook monitors. I'd opt for the former....

What's baffling to me is how few people object to cyber intrusions. It's like we are willing to pay a steep price as long as we can have our toys.

I was alarmed last year when Google confessed to ""perusing"" the emails of Gmail users.

Firefox Extensions

Adblock Plus

BetterPrivacy

Click and Clean

Disconnect

DuckDuckgo Plus

Facebook Disconnect

Ghostery

Google Disconnect

No Google Analytics

NoScript - YouTube

Self-Destructing Cookies

SLL Version Control 0.4.7.1 -signed

Twitter Disconnect

WOT

Sandboxie - YouTube

I'd recommend disabling Java, how to here.

If you've noticed I've provided links insead of YouTube post... this is the price I pay to prevent Google from tracking my every move: Google Disconnect.

I'd stay away from IE. I know folks are claiming its more secure than ever, but in my humble opinion Windows / IE malware / virures issues are on a run away train. Sooner than later you going to get bit in the ass in a BIG way. I don't serf the web on my Windows PC, its not worth the risk.

Sandboxie, buy it.


====================================

[Edited 6/22/15 5:57am]

TD3 said:

Firefox Extensions

Adblock Plus

BetterPrivacy

Click and Clean

Disconnect

DuckDuckgo Plus

Facebook Disconnect

Ghostery

Google Disconnect

No Google Analytics

NoScript - YouTube

Self-Destructing Cookies

SLL Version Control 0.4.7.1 -signed

Twitter Disconnect

WOT

Sandboxie - YouTube

I'd recommend disabling Java, how to here.

If you've noticed I've provided links insead of YouTube post... this is the price I pay to prevent Google from tracking my every move: Google Disconnect.

I'd stay away from IE. I know folks are claiming its more secure than ever, but in my humble opinion Windows / IE malware / virures issues are on a run away train. Sooner than later you going to get bit in the ass in a BIG way. I don't serf the web on my Windows PC, its not worth the risk.

Sandboxie, buy it.


====================================

[Edited 6/22/15 5:57am]

What about this tor thingy I keep hearing about? Is that good to have or will they put me on some watch list just for having it?

babynoz said:

TD3 said:

Firefox Extensions

Adblock Plus

BetterPrivacy

Click and Clean

Disconnect

DuckDuckgo Plus

Facebook Disconnect

Ghostery

Google Disconnect

No Google Analytics

NoScript - YouTube

Self-Destructing Cookies

SLL Version Control 0.4.7.1 -signed

Twitter Disconnect

WOT

Sandboxie - YouTube

I'd recommend disabling Java, how to here.

If you've noticed I've provided links insead of YouTube post... this is the price I pay to prevent Google from tracking my every move: Google Disconnect.

I'd stay away from IE. I know folks are claiming its more secure than ever, but in my humble opinion Windows / IE malware / virures issues are on a run away train. Sooner than later you going to get bit in the ass in a BIG way. I don't serf the web on my Windows PC, its not worth the risk.

Sandboxie, buy it.


====================================

What about this tor thingy I keep hearing about? Is that good to have or will they put me on some watch list just for having it?

You're probably speaking of TOR or Tails flashdrive.

Tails takes some knowlege and understanding of how to write code in a computer terminal, but Tails can be purchased on eBay. If you read Linux Journal online or sub to it.. its my understaning you are put on a" list". Its been reported if you search for anything to do with blocking or encryption you are flagged. Well damn, I'm on a lot of list then.

=========================================

[Edited 6/22/15 13:37pm]

TD3 said:

babynoz said:

What about this tor thingy I keep hearing about? Is that good to have or will they put me on some watch list just for having it?

You're probably speaking of TOR or Tails flashdrive.

Tails takes some knowlege and understanding of how to write code in a computer terminal, but Tails can be purchased on eBay. If you read Linux Journal online or sub to it.. its my understaning you are put on a" list". Its been reported if you search for anything to do with blocking or encryption you are flagged. Well damn, I'm on a lot of list then.

=========================================

[Edited 6/22/15 13:37pm]

Daaaamn.

I thought that tor was a super private browser thingy.

babynoz said:

TD3 said:

You're probably speaking of TOR or Tails flashdrive.

Tails takes some knowlege and understanding of how to write code in a computer terminal, but Tails can be purchased on eBay. If you read Linux Journal online or sub to it.. its my understaning you are put on a" list". Its been reported if you search for anything to do with blocking or encryption you are flagged. Well damn, I'm on a lot of list then.

=========================================

[Edited 6/22/15 13:37pm]

Daaaamn.

I thought that tor was a super private browser thingy.

But it can still land you on "the list"....

If anyone caught 60 minutes last night.... the US goverment needs to tighten up their own security.

=======================================

[Edited 6/22/15 18:24pm]

TD3 said:

babynoz said:

Daaaamn.

I thought that tor was a super private browser thingy.

But is can still land you on "the list"....

If anyone caught 60 minutes last night.... the US goverment needs to tighten up their own security.

That is what I was thinking. Just the mere usage of tor will raise some red flags for TPTB.

Google's New Chrome Browser Can Take Over Your Webcam, Should You Be Scared?

(old article, but thought it to be interesting and related.)

The problem is that I really like Chrome and hate the other browsers including Firefox

TD3 said:

Firefox Extensions

Adblock Plus

BetterPrivacy

Click and Clean

Disconnect

DuckDuckgo Plus

Facebook Disconnect

Ghostery

Google Disconnect

No Google Analytics

NoScript - YouTube

Self-Destructing Cookies

SLL Version Control 0.4.7.1 -signed

Twitter Disconnect

WOT

Sandboxie - YouTube

I'd recommend disabling Java, how to here.

If you've noticed I've provided links insead of YouTube post... this is the price I pay to prevent Google from tracking my every move: Google Disconnect.

I'd stay away from IE. I know folks are claiming its more secure than ever, but in my humble opinion Windows / IE malware / virures issues are on a run away train. Sooner than later you going to get bit in the ass in a BIG way. I don't serf the web on my Windows PC, its not worth the risk.

Sandboxie, buy it.


====================================

[Edited 6/22/15 5:57am]

Too many add-ons. On my Firefox/Iceweasel browser, I only need ublock (which use a lot less CPU than Ad-Block Plus & Ad-Block Edge!), NoScript, HTTPS Everywhere, Random Agent Spoofer (the best version is from the R.A.S. website instead of Mozilla), & Cookie Controller.

As an honorable mention, I highly recommend ZenMate, an excellent free VPN, which is an add-on available from the ZenMate website.

databank said:

The problem is that I really like Chrome and hate the other browsers including Firefox

When it comes to HTML5 videos, Chrome/Chromium is better than Firefox/Iceweasel.

Concerning privacy and security, Firefox-based browsers (Firefox, Iceweasel, Palemoon, Tor, Jondofox) are the only true options.

TonyVanDam said:

TD3 said:

Firefox Extensions

Adblock Plus

BetterPrivacy

Click and Clean

Disconnect

DuckDuckgo Plus

Facebook Disconnect

Ghostery

Google Disconnect

No Google Analytics

NoScript - YouTube

Self-Destructing Cookies

SLL Version Control 0.4.7.1 -signed

Twitter Disconnect

WOT

Sandboxie - YouTube

I'd recommend disabling Java, how to here.

If you've noticed I've provided links insead of YouTube post... this is the price I pay to prevent Google from tracking my every move: Google Disconnect.

I'd stay away from IE. I know folks are claiming its more secure than ever, but in my humble opinion Windows / IE malware / virures issues are on a run away train. Sooner than later you going to get bit in the ass in a BIG way. I don't serf the web on my Windows PC, its not worth the risk.

Sandboxie, buy it.


====================================

[Edited 6/22/15 5:57am]

Too many add-ons. On my Firefox/Iceweasel browser, I only need ublock (which use a lot less CPU than Ad-Block Plus & Ad-Block Edge!), NoScript, HTTPS Everywhere, Random Agent Spoofer (the best version is from the R.A.S. website instead of Mozilla), & Cookie Controller.

As an honorable mention, I highly recommend ZenMate, an excellent free VPN, which is an add-on available from the ZenMate website.

Maybe for you but not for my network and specs. Include the tweeks I've made to my firewall, router, and VPN hardware... my system is running securely and smoothly. No hiccups, no slow downs. This setup should last me 36 months, I start tweeking again.

I turned away from Google when they made Youtube users get an account. If most folks bothered to read what you were signing away when you agreed to using their "free" product, everyone should have stepped. I have Google Chrome on a HDD that's popped in an old computer to keep Windows Vista and iTunes up to date. My goal was not to be a conduit for Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, and the other upteem websites and companies.

TD3 said:

TonyVanDam said:

Too many add-ons. On my Firefox/Iceweasel browser, I only need ublock (which use a lot less CPU than Ad-Block Plus & Ad-Block Edge!), NoScript, HTTPS Everywhere, Random Agent Spoofer (the best version is from the R.A.S. website instead of Mozilla), & Cookie Controller.

As an honorable mention, I highly recommend ZenMate, an excellent free VPN, which is an add-on available from the ZenMate website.

Maybe for you but not for my network and specs. Include the tweeks I've made to my firewall, router, and VPN hardware... my system is running securely and smoothly. No hiccups, no slow downs. This setup should last me 36 months, I start tweeking again.

I turned away from Google when they made Youtube users get an account. If most folks bothered to read what you were signing away when you agreed to using their "free" product, everyone should have stepped. I have Google Chrome on a HDD that's popped in an old computer to keep Windows Vista and iTunes up to date. My goal was not to be a conduit for Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, and the other upteem websites and companies.

Fair enough. But still, check out ublock anyway. It blocks a lot more ads than Ad-Block Plus. And the current version of ublock can block the same trackers that Disconnect can block.

Concerning the Google/YouTube situation, are you not aware that you still can watch most videos on YouTube without having a Google account at all?

Absolutely. I regularly work on this transcribing, sorting and validating the audio. It's web searches, voice-to-text, queries about directions, weather, services and whatnot, all presumably without the people knowing their voice commands are being recorded.

TonyVanDam said:

TD3 said:

Firefox Extensions

Adblock Plus

BetterPrivacy

Click and Clean

Disconnect

DuckDuckgo Plus

Facebook Disconnect

Ghostery

Google Disconnect

No Google Analytics

NoScript - YouTube

Self-Destructing Cookies

SLL Version Control 0.4.7.1 -signed

Twitter Disconnect

WOT

Sandboxie - YouTube

I'd recommend disabling Java, how to here.

If you've noticed I've provided links insead of YouTube post... this is the price I pay to prevent Google from tracking my every move: Google Disconnect.

I'd stay away from IE. I know folks are claiming its more secure than ever, but in my humble opinion Windows / IE malware / virures issues are on a run away train. Sooner than later you going to get bit in the ass in a BIG way. I don't serf the web on my Windows PC, its not worth the risk.

Sandboxie, buy it.


====================================

[Edited 6/22/15 5:57am]

Too many add-ons. On my Firefox/Iceweasel browser, I only need ublock (which use a lot less CPU than Ad-Block Plus & Ad-Block Edge!), NoScript, HTTPS Everywhere, Random Agent Spoofer (the best version is from the R.A.S. website instead of Mozilla), & Cookie Controller.

As an honorable mention, I highly recommend ZenMate, an excellent free VPN, which is an add-on available from the ZenMate website.

Tony, whay are u so obsessed about privacy?

principles? fear?

I've read QUITE A FEW TIMES about how Chrome sends every URL that you go to back to Google HQ, never knew whether it was true or not, but knowing Google, decided never to take the risk of it doing that, and haven't till date used it.

I was amazed when all the rest of the world apparently started using it.

This audio thing is new to me though.

databank, what's the problem with Firefox exactly? I use it all day.....

Identity said:

I was alarmed last year when Google confessed to ""perusing"" the emails of Gmail users.

What, you haven't noticed that?? Didn't you see that your ads change according to words in your emails.....?

Awful, awful stuff..... There was an article in the paper about how someone got creeped out after seeing that Google knew she was engaged before she'd told her friends......

GET THE FUCK OFF OF GMAIL!!

Good information. Personally i never really cared much about who could be spying on me while on the net(besides cyberthieves), but in the past year or so, I've rethought that standpoint.

I've come to the conclusion that Google is(pretty much) a fucked up company. I use Gmail, Chrome, Google Maps, and Google search engine, but I'm about to get rid of all of them. Probably the hardest one's for me to get rid of are Google search and Google maps. Even though Google's "new maps" is kinda shit, compared to Google Maps old, i still like using it to view different cities and countries. None of it is worth the risk though. Google(and other companies) need to be held accountable for their intrusion into our lives.

Anyway thanks for the info... And fuck Google !

JoeyC said:

Google is(pretty much) a fucked up company.

They're also IMMENSELY rich and powerful!! (I think they have their own AIRPORT!!!).

I have immense respect for them, from a programming standpoint - the amount of sheer brainpower inside the company, and the things I hear they're doing are Amazing!

But that doesn't mean they won't stoop to any level to make money unfortunately!

I've transcribed child porn searches, threats of violence in SMS messages, drug deals and all sorts in my work. It's pretty disturbing, but I need to get them bahts.

domainator2010 said:

JoeyC said:

Google is(pretty much) a fucked up company.

They're also IMMENSELY rich and powerful!! (I think they have their own AIRPORT!!!).

I have immense respect for them, from a programming standpoint - the amount of sheer brainpower inside the company, and the things I hear they're doing are Amazing!

But that doesn't mean they won't stoop to any level to make money unfortunately!

Yeah, i hear you. I used to live in silicon valley. It was most definitely a trip, seeing all those tech companies(and workers) in one area.