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Showing posts from March, 2018

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Private Search Engines

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a privacy law passed in 2016 in the European Union. Its purpose is to adding more protection to individuals’ living in the EU. This change also affects any business or organization that collects data from anyone living in the European Union. Companies were given two years to Read More The post General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Private Search Engines appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Data Privacy Concerns with Google – Hackernoon

Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has a market cap of $712 billion. Within Google’s range of products, there are seven with at least one billion users. In its privacy policy, the company outlines its broad and far-reaching data collection. The data collection extends to Google’s entire suite of products, meaning the amount of data the company Read More The post Data Privacy Concerns with Google – Hackernoon appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

DuckDuckGo’s Biggest Privacy Flaw

DuckDuckGo is a private search engine. It is adamant about spreading privacy around the internet. However, there is one issue we discovered that raises privacy concerns. Your search terms, while they may be sent over your network in an encrypted form, show up in plain text in browsing history. DDG may work well for Read More The post DuckDuckGo’s Biggest Privacy Flaw appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Twitter Is Most Vulnerable To Data Licensing Regulations

Twitter‘s stock is fell yesterday after Citron Research reported that, “Twitter will generate $400 million THIS YEAR, by just selling user data. Not advertising.” As a result, Citron added, Twitter is the social media company “most vulnerable to privacy regulation.” The news that Twitter is being included, along with Google and Facebook, in a Read More The post Twitter Is Most Vulnerable To Data Licensing Regulations appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Apple’s Latest iPad Release is Big On Privacy For Education

In the wake of the Facebook data privacy scandal, Apple has focused on its longtime commitment to privacy. Today Apple released a new iPad, intended to compete with Google and Microsoft’s tablets that hold the majority of the education market. People are hyper-focused on privacy right now, after Facebook received loads of negative press Read More The post Apple’s Latest iPad Release is Big On Privacy For Education appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Data Security & Privacy Are Vital For Businesses In All Industries

After negative press surrounding Facebook’s data practices broke, its stock price has taken big hits. Since the news of the Cambridge Analytica scandal broke 10 days ago, Facebook’s market value has lost about $90 billion. Facebook isn’t the only company that has seen big losses from privacy breaches. Equifax’s recent data breach cost the Read More The post Data Security & Privacy Are Vital For Businesses In All Industries appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Facebook May Have Consent, But Not Approval

Facebook’s house of cards has taken yet another tumble today after Ars Technica revealed that Facebook tracks call and text message data from Android phones. The report originally claimed that Facebook did so without user consent, however the company released a statement that began with: “You may have seen some recent reports that Facebook has Read More The post Facebook May Have Consent, But Not Approval appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

What are Digital Doppelgängers and How Companies Use Them

Traditionally, a doppelgänger is a person’s look-alike or double. However when applied to data collection and the digital realm, it refers to the descriptive, collected data that companies store about you. Companies create these personas, and there may be hundreds of versions of your digital doppelgänger. They use these to predict your behavior, so Read More The post What are Digital Doppelgängers and How Companies Use Them appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

How to Search the Internet Privately

Searching the web is something most people do everyday, multiple times. Beginning every browsing session with a search is not uncommon So if the search engine you’re using is tracking your behavior, the data profile they have about you is very detailed. Don’t Use an Email Service Provided by Your Search Engine If you are using Read More The post How to Search the Internet Privately appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Why The Internet Needed the Facebook Data Scandal

Recent news about Cambridge Analytica using Facebook user data brought privacy into the spotlight across the web. The widespread outcry from Facebook’s users (over 2 billion people) is exactly what needed to happen to let people see the serious implications of data privacy. Advocates for privacy and data security have been outspoken on the Read More The post Why The Internet Needed the Facebook Data Scandal appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Facebook is Not The Internet’s Only Privacy Villain

Facebook is getting battered for recent news involving Cambridge Analytica’s use of Facebook user data. The company’s stock price (FB) fell around 11-percent as a result, in which the company lost more value than Tesla’s entire market cap! The privacy concerns that have existed on the fringes of the internet forever, finally made their Read More The post Facebook is Not The Internet’s Only Privacy Villain appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Guide to Search Encrypt – The Privacy Based Search Engine

Search Encrypt is a search engine, similar to Google, Yahoo! and Bing. However, it is a private search engine, so it doesn’t use the tracking that major search engines are known for. Search Encrypt doesn’t track any user-identifiable data, so your searches will remain anonymous. Is Search Encrypt Safe? Search Encrypt makes your data more Read More The post Guide to Search Encrypt – The Privacy Based Search Engine appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Complete Beginner’s Guide to Internet Safety & Privacy

Privacy matters. Even if you think you have nothing to hide, it’s in your best interest to make your privacy a priority. Most people don’t discuss privacy on the internet with their friends. “More than three-quarters of adult internet users (78 percent) are concerned about their privacy while using the internet, and more than Read More The post Complete Beginner’s Guide to Internet Safety & Privacy appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

98 Things Facebook Is Tracking About You (and Everyone Else)

Most people are somewhat familiar with the tracking that Facebook does. You’ve likely noticed ads for something that you’ve searched for in the past or talked about with a friend. However, this issue has become more prevalent as news continues to surface surrounding privacy breaches and security concerns for its users. Facebook is quickly Read More The post 98 Things Facebook Is Tracking About You (and Everyone Else) appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Your security shouldn’t have to come at the expense of your privacy. Learn more about digital privacy on our blog. (choosetoencrypt.com)

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Search Encrypt on Crunchbase

The Search Encrypt extension protects your privacy by detecting searches that may be tracked and tied to your personal information. It intercepts those searches and redirects them to Search Encrypt’s privacy-enhanced search engine which will be set to your default search engine. Search Encrypt is supported by sponsored ads featured on our search results Read More The post Search Encrypt on Crunchbase appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Improving and Growing Our Private Search Engine

Our search engine has changed a lot in the past year. We’ve made more improvements recently that will help you find exactly what you’re looking for online. Look for more changes coming in the future to improve our search engine’s privacy and usability. Our latest change is to our video feed. Let us know Read More The post Improving and Growing Our Private Search Engine appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Express VPN’s Best Web Browsers for Privacy

ExpressVPN tested nine web browsers and ranked them based on the privacy and security each one offers. It looked at three key areas to determine which was the best: frequency of updates, the browser’s security features, and it’s privacy tools. The ratings in each category were then added to give a composite score out Read More The post Express VPN’s Best Web Browsers for Privacy appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

How To Use the Search Encrypt Chrome Extension – The Private Search Engine Tool

Install Search Encrypt’s extension: http://ift.tt/1ogtYAD; This video shows how to add and remove Search Encrypt’s private search extension. You can easily install Search Encrypt by going to the Chrome extension store and it will block any searches that track your information. You can quickly remove Search Encrypt by removing the extension from your browser. Read More The post How To Use the Search Encrypt Chrome Extension – The Private Search Engine Tool appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Firefox Quantum Steps Up Private Browsing Mode with No Tracking

Mozilla launched the latest version of its Firefox browser back in late 2017. As part of Mozilla’s Quantum project, it aims to build the “next-generation web engine for Firefox users.” The updates to Firefox’s “Private Browsing Mode” will reduce how much information websites pass on about visitors. This is an attempt to improve the Read More The post Firefox Quantum Steps Up Private Browsing Mode with No Tracking appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Test Finds Popular VPN Services Leaking Identifiable Information

vpnMentor tested three popular VPN services: Zenmate, PureVPN and Hotspot Shield. The test found that all of them leaked some sort of sensitive data, including IP addresses. Because these VPNs claim to be privacy-focused, the fact that they are leaking information is concerning. While the consequences of an IP address leaking may seem relatively Read More The post Test Finds Popular VPN Services Leaking Identifiable Information appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

FBI Continues to Fight Against Encryption

FBI director Christopher Wray said earlier this week, “we’re not looking for a ‘back door'”. Unsure, he  explained that he thinks a back door is a “secret, insecure means of access”. He says this isn’t what the government is looking for. They want to break encryption in a way that also keeps information secure. Read More The post FBI Continues to Fight Against Encryption appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Security Innovation: What is PII and How Can I Protect My Private Information?

Search Encrypt is sharing Security Innovation‘s insight on how to protect your private information online. Security Innovation is a software security company specializing in testing and assessing different platforms, including IoT, for their security. What is PII? According to Security Innovation, “PII stands for Personally Identifiable Information. This can be labeled as any data Read More The post Security Innovation: What is PII and How Can I Protect My Private Information? appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

The Greatest Risk for Consumers & Businesses with IOT is Privacy

The biggest concerns with IoT (the Internet of Things) are different depending on who you ask. From a consumer standpoint, their biggest concern is privacy. Access to consumer data could reveal voice recordings, movements, weight, and even eating habits of the home’s inhabitants. Businesses have similar concerns, however the data involved isn’t about the Read More The post The Greatest Risk for Consumers & Businesses with IOT is Privacy appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Search Encrypt on Wikipedia

Search Encrypt is an Internet search engine that prioritizes maintaining user privacy and avoiding the filter bubble of personalized search results. Search Encrypt differentiates itself from other search engines by using local encryption on searches and delayed history expiration. Search Encrypt emphasizes on steps to anonymize user data, rather than building behavioral retargetingprofiles on users. In November 2017, the site had 22.74 million visitors.[2] Search Read More The post Search Encrypt on Wikipedia appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Three Ways To Communicate Anonymously and Privately Online

There are more ways to communicate online now than ever. It can be overwhelming to choose which service to use. We often find ourselves communicating with one person via multiple channels (e.g. Facebook Messenger, texting, and Snapchat). Because our communication is spread across so many channels, it is vulnerable from many angles. By using Read More The post Three Ways To Communicate Anonymously and Privately Online appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Search Encrypt – Chrome Extension

Keep your searches private by redirecting searches that may be tracked to Search Encrypt, a privacy-focused search engine The Search Encrypt extension protects your privacy by encrypting your search terms and expiring your searches from your browser history. Search Encrypt’s private search engine will be set as your default search engine and other searches Read More The post Search Encrypt – Chrome Extension appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

ACM Releases Statement on Importance of Preserving Personal Privacy

The Association for Computing Machinery’s US Public Policy Council (USACM) released a Statement on the Importance of Preserving Personal Privacy yesterday. USACM is advocating for privacy within emerging technologies, specifically Big Data and the Internet of Things. The organization hopes to “provide a basis for building data privacy into modern technological systems.” The statement focuses on Read More The post ACM Releases Statement on Importance of Preserving Personal Privacy appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

What is Search Encrypt? Why Should You Use A Private Search Engine?

 Search Encrypt is a privacy based search engine. It is built with privacy-by-design, which means it was made to emphasize user privacy. We want our search engine to provide great search results, without compromising our user’s information. Search Encrypt helps you search the web without leaving your personal data behind. What Is a Private Read More The post What is Search Encrypt? Why Should You Use A Private Search Engine? appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

New EU Privacy Law GDPR Conflicts with Blockchain Tech

New EU privacy law, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), set to take affect in May 2018 goes against one of blockchain technologies biggest selling points. Altering data “just doesnt work on a blockchain,” said John Mathews, the chief finance officer at Bitnation. “Blockchains are by their nature immutable,” says Mathews. “The GDPR says you Read More The post New EU Privacy Law GDPR Conflicts with Blockchain Tech appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Decentralized & Neutral Internet Creates Better User Experiences

The internet, in its intended form, is a free and open platform that should allow users voices to be heard equally. However, this isn’t the case. As a few major platforms expand their influence into all the corners of the web, smaller players get pushed aside. Because these huge companies control so much of Read More The post Decentralized & Neutral Internet Creates Better User Experiences appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Facebook’s Onavo Protect VPN Collects Data Even When Turned Off

Facebook recently launched “Onavo”, a VPN service. The app is available in the iOS mobile app store as Onavo Protect. Facebook acquired Onavo in October 2013 The app faced criticism back in February because it shared information with Facebook. VPNs are privacy products, and if this one shares information with Facebook, that completely defeats Read More The post Facebook’s Onavo Protect VPN Collects Data Even When Turned Off appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

How To Install & Remove Our Browser Extension

Search Encrypt is a privacy-focused search tool. It helps protect your search behavior data, and gets rid of tracked searches. The browser extension is the best way to make sure that your information isn’t being tracked. Search Encrypt is also available at searchencrypt.com. Adding our extension to your browser is a quick & simple way Read More The post How To Install & Remove Our Browser Extension appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Create a Digital Fortress With a Private Search Engine and a VPN

If you are trying to use the internet and remain private at the same time, achieving that can be overwhelming. We recommend using: 1) a private search engine, and 2) a high-quality VPN. As a result, your internet searches and browsing will be safe from trackers that follow you around the web, and search Read More The post Create a Digital Fortress With a Private Search Engine and a VPN appeared first on Choose To Encrypt .

Why Should You Use Search Encrypt, The Private Search Engine

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Search Encrypt doesn’t track any user-identifiable information.

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