subject: Using A Vpn To Avoid Search Engine Privacy Issues [print this page] Search engines are one of the most popular tools used online. Until recently, most people didn't realize the amount of information search engines gather about them. Many users still don't realize this. Using a VPN is one of the best ways to minimize a search engine's ability to collect personal information. To understand how a VPN can be used to avoid search engine privacy issues, it is imperative to know exactly what search engines do.
Popular Search Engines
There is no doubt that searching is the most online service. Most people don't realize that search engines archives searches. This includes the search terms that are used as well as what IP address performed those searches. To extend their information gathering powers, search engines have created a variety of free services to go along with the search feature. These extra services require users to log in. This allows the search engine to gather search information as well as additional information about users.
How Do Search Engines Use This Information?
They use this information for two basic purposes. According to them, the primary reason they collect information is to maintain and improve current services as well as develop new ones. It is also used to provide tailored content. This includes relevant advertisements in search results and on websites. This program is designed to pay website owners every time a visitor clicks on one of the advertisements supplied by the search engine.
How to Use a VPN to Protect the Users Privacy
The first step to protecting a user's privacy is by establishing a VPN connection anytime they utilize a search engine or related services, like free e-mail accounts. By using a secure VPN connection, the search engine will only see the IP address of the VPN server, rather than the user's home IP address. This limits the ability of the search engine to develop a comprehensive personal profile based upon the IP address being used.
How to Get the Most Protection from a VPN
Along with using a VPN connection, users must always log out of their search engine profiles when they are done using the specific service. For example, if someone logs into their free e-mail account they should log out before heading to another website. By remaining logged in, search engines have the ability to track the other websites a person visits. Without logging out, a VPN connection is much less helpful. Search engines do not need to rely on the IP address (which would actually be the IP address of the VPN server) to identify people if the they are logged into their personal profile.
A VPN service is a necessary step in using safe online privacy practices. It must also be combined with other actions in order to provide maximum protection.
