As a practical matter who do they get this "browsing history" from? I see a lot of people suggesting folks use a VPN.
But if they're getting the history via companies like Google, they'd link together your records just as easily.
I see VPNs often being touted as anonymity tools, when it's my understand not all VPNS have multiple users sharing one IP.
(Ex: it's my understanding that an Algo VPN might obscure your geographic location, it's an IP unique to you. Not clear on how a commercial service like Tunnelbear works - many services tout no logging but seem to stay mum on if IPs are shared)
If any of the above is incorrect, please feel free to jump in and reply but it looks to me like moving as much browsing over to Tor as possible is the best move if you're worried about anonymity and not simply someone owning the wifi you are connected to.
Pseudo-anonymity is sufficient for those whose life is not in danger (like a journalist or dissenter). Personally identifying yourself to websites is an optional use of the Internet, as is participation in ad networks such as Google and Facebook. You are correct that ad networks have more information than your ISP does. The VPN will protect you from your ISP. Pseudo-anonymity is what protects you from ad networks.
An easy implementation is to provide no personally identifiable information while using the web, and siloing the personally identifiable information when necessary. 1 email for your bank accounts and unemployment registration that uses your real name. A variety of differing emails and logins for all other websites.
>You are correct that ad networks have more information than your ISP does. The VPN will protect you from your ISP.
So to be clear, they'd get the data from the ISP? I'm not surprised DNS queries get saved but whole URLs is another thing.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I am a little bit, that they'd expend the $$$ to store that info longer than necessary for core business functions.
>An easy implementation is to provide no personally identifiable information while using the web, and siloing the personally identifiable information when necessary. 1 email for your bank accounts and unemployment registration that uses your real name. A variety of differing emails and logins for all other websites.
I do this + throw the banking and personal email into Firefox containers.
Guerillamail is really useful for creating stuff like a HN account though it's sadly abused often enough many sites won't let you register using it anymore:
But if they're getting the history via companies like Google, they'd link together your records just as easily.
I see VPNs often being touted as anonymity tools, when it's my understand not all VPNS have multiple users sharing one IP.
(Ex: it's my understanding that an Algo VPN might obscure your geographic location, it's an IP unique to you. Not clear on how a commercial service like Tunnelbear works - many services tout no logging but seem to stay mum on if IPs are shared)
If any of the above is incorrect, please feel free to jump in and reply but it looks to me like moving as much browsing over to Tor as possible is the best move if you're worried about anonymity and not simply someone owning the wifi you are connected to.