Privacy Action Plan

Hi from Glenn!

Today I have a simple question for you? What are you willing to give up for your privacy?

Big Tech will do anything to get your data. One of the best ways they’ve found to do this is to create things that make your life much more convenient. There is the Google Home, Google Nest, Ring, Amazon Alexa and many more devices. 

But here’s what they don’t tell you; they are capturing every ounce of data possible about you, and they are allowing third party companies to capture this data. They don’t disclose this, but rather are deviously sneaky about it. 

The Google Nest, for example, didn’t tell you that it had a microphone on it. It wasn’t mentioned on the box, the website, the instruction manual and even the component diagram of the device itself. It took a security researcher who took a Nest apart and analyzed each component before he learned that it contained a microphone.

This security researcher then raised the alarm bells. What did Google do? They said, “Oh yea, sorry. Didn’t we mention that?”

It turns out that the Nest was listening to everything you say in your home AND they were letting thousands of 3rd party companies listen in too. 

These big tech companies are very devious, and if they ever get caught and then get sued, the penalty they are made to pay is just a fraction of the profit they made from stealing everyone’s data, so they are going to continue to do this.

Most people have no idea that these big companies are this devious and immoral. They have their eyes closed to the terrible risks involved to our individual privacy, and to the control they can exert on our society at large.

But now your eyes are open, so you have a choice to make. How much privacy do you want, and how much of this tech are you willing to give up?

For example, are you willing to get rid of your Google Home or Amazon Alexa device? These devices are designed to sit in your home and listen to you, and they do. They are the most intrusive devices and if you want any privacy, you should get rid of these devices immediately.

The Nest is another very intrusive device. Yes, it’s cool to be able to control the temp in your house with an app on your home, but like I said earlier, it also listens to all of your personal conversations in your home, and they let 3rd party companies listen in.

Are you willing to not download every app that sounds appealing? To keep your apps to a minimum?

Are you willing to have a dumb TV instead of a smart TV, or at least are you willing to minimize the smartness of your TV? This one may be a tough one for you to answer, and if you choose to keep your smart TV, at least you are doing it with your eyes open.

Are you willing to minimize your social media usage, or at least minimize the photos you share, which are all being scanned for facial scanning purposes?

Are you willing to pay for your email instead of using “free” email, such as gmail (like all Google products, gmail is not really free but rather you give up a ton of personal data in exchange of using it).

Many things regarding privacy don’t require a sacrifice. Using Brave instead of Google is no sacrifice at all to me, because I think the results are just as good. 

Having a VPN is not a sacrifice because it runs in the background and I don’t even notice it (but I do have to pay attention to it sometimes). 

But some things do require a sacrifice for some people. I suppose some people like using the Google Home, or Amazon Alexa.

Like I said, now you have your eyes open, so you have a choice to make. How much privacy do you want, and how much of this tech are you willing to give up? There is no right or wrong answer. This is an individual choice. 

There will be compromises that need to be made for most people. Yes, if you want to go completely off grid and be totally invisible to the system it is possible, but it will take a lot of time and study. You have to decide for yourself how far down the rabbit hole you want to go.

For my, I want to be as private and secure as possible without it overtaking my life. I am not fearful of surveillance, but I am aware of it and I try to stay one step ahead of it.

I don’t have anything “smart” in my house, except my smartphone. I always use a VPN, I use secure communications, I use burner credit card numbers and I hardly ever buy from Amazon anymore. 

I don’t post any pictures to Facebook anymore and have removed all of the ones that I previously posted.

I avoid Google in every way, except for YouTube. YouTube is something that is almost impossible to get out of your life because there really is no alternative, but I mostly watch YouTube on my phone and I have never logged into YouTube with my phone so they can’t connect my views with my account. 

I was rewarded the other day when I checked how much Google knows about me, and the report was basically empty. 

If you have a google account and want to check how much Google has on you follow this link, but be aware that it is scary to see. NOTE: Do not make any changes there unless you know what you are doing. https://myactivity.google.com/

This course will teach you to put as much privacy into your life as possible without it taking over your life. I will try to teach you how to think about privacy and how to develop privacy-based habits. 

So the task for today is simply to think about what you do now, and how willing you are to change your habits. If you have some obvious holes in your privacy, such as owning a Nest, maybe it’s time to rethink whether you should be allowing it (and the thousands of companies that could be listening in on your conversations) a place in your home. 

If you want to share, I’d love to hear what changes you made to your privacy set-up because of this letter. Please respond in the discussion area.

Take care!

Glenn Meder

© Copyright 2023. Glenn Meder All Rights Reserved. 

Hi from Glenn!

Today we’re going to take another important step, which is to make sure you have a good, privacy-focused browser. 

In this article, I cover the following…

1. The best browser for your computer.
2. The best browser for your phone or tablet.
3. Points to remember.
4. Advanced browsing techniques.

First of all, I want to explain what a browser is, and how it differs from a search engine. A browser is a software program on your computer, phone or tabet that is your interface with the internet. You are using a browser now to look at this lesson.

There are a lot of different browsers that you can choose from, including Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Safari, FireFox, Yandex, Brave and Iridium. Most of these browsers work on both Macs, Windows, iPhone and Android. As you can guess, some browsers protect your privacy, while others are specifically designed to steal your information.

A search engine is a tool that your browser uses to search for information on the website. Google is the dominant search engine, and again, it is specifically designed to monitor and record your actions. Not only this, but the Google search engine can be manipulated to show you certain things and not others, and in this way they can manipulate you.

But there are other search engines that protect your privacy and are not used to manipulate you. We will talk more about search engines in the next lesson.

This lesson is about your browser.

The worst browser is Chrome, followed closely by Edge and Yandex. Safari, which is only for Mac’s, is Ok, but it’s not great. 

The best browsers are FireFox and Brave. 

FireFox is also excellent IF you make some adjustments to the privacy settings. 

STEP ONE: Install FireFox and/or Brave on your computer. 

I recommend that you install both Brave and Firefox, but if you have to choose one or the other, I recommend Brave. Brave is the most private browser right out of the box, while FireFox is private after you make a few adjustments to the settings.

After you install your new browser, a notice will pop up asking if you want to make it your default browser. Click YES!

To install Brave, go to www.Brave.com

To install FireFox, go to https://www.mozilla.org

If you are installing Firefox, which is my favorite, make sure to adjust the privacy settings after you install it. Here is a video that explains how to properly set up your settings. 

STEP TWO: Move your bookmarks over from your old browser to your new browser. Here’s a simple video instruction on how to do this. 

How to import bookmarks into Brave…

How to import bookmarks into Firefox…

STEP THREE: Delete Chrome or Edge. 

After you install Brave and/or FireFox, I recommend that you delete Chrome. Get it off your computer for good. Of course, some people have situations in which they need to keep Chrome, such as your employer requires you to use Chrome. If this is the case, only use Chrome for business and don’t use it for any other uses.

Edge is harder to uninstall, and may be impossible to uninstall. In this case, simply don’t use it.

NEXT, the best browser for your phone or tablet.

Basically, the same basic rules apply for your mobile browser. I recommend that you uninstall Chrome and Edge from all of your computers, phones and tablets.  

There are two options for good mobile browsers; Brave and FireFox.

Installation of these apps is easy. Just go to the app store and install them. 

THIRD, remember these points…

• I think all browsers offer the ability to store your passwords. I do NOT think you should use your browser to store your passwords. Instead, you should use a separate password manager, which we will cover at a later time.
• If you use the sync option to sync your bookmarks between your computer and your phone, it’s very important that you use a very complex, unique password and you should turn on two-factor authentication. I personally do not sync my browsers.
• If you install a new browser, remember to switch out the search engine to Brave or SwissCows. 
• Many people falsely assume that using “private” or “incognito” mode in a browser actually provides some privacy. This is false. Using “private” browsing mode only stops your browser from storing cookies, history, and passwords. But it doesn’t actually make you any more “private” to the outside world. Even when browsing in “private” or “incognito” mode, you are still exposed.

FOURTH, advanced browsing techniques (Optional).

Facebook, Google and Amazon are VERY sneaky in how they track you. For example, if you remain logged into Amazon, Facebook and Google while you browse the web, their trackers can see where you go online and can record your activity. 

One potential solution to this problem is browser compartmentalization. This is when you use different web browsers for different online activities. For example:

• Browser #1 will only be used for accessing your online accounts that require a password. You can stay logged in with only this browser, and it won’t be used for general browsing.
• Browser #2 will only be used for web browsing, with various privacy configurations and no cookies or history being stored on the browser.
• Browser #3 could be completely locked down for maximum privacy and security.

You can also utilize different browsers, configured exactly the way you want, for various purposes, depending on your needs and threat  model. The key is to keep the compartmentalization strict and not break  the rules/uses for each browser.

So, in other words, you may want to install FireFox, Brave and Iridium and use each browser to compartmentalize your different browser uses.

This is a good video that explains this…

As a final point, some websites allow you to log in to the sites by using your Facebook, Google or Amazon login. Do NOT do this. This is just another way that these companies track your data. 

© Copyright 2023. Glenn Meder All Rights Reserved. 

Hi from Glenn!

In the last lesson, you changed your browser. The single most important thing you need to do to set your browser up properly is to switch your search engine to Brave Search, SwissCows or Presearch.

Please note that I used to recommend DuckDuckGo, but I don’t recommend them anymore because they have decided to start censoring search results, which is counter to the whole idea of individual freedom.

In the USA, 87.6% of all web searches happen on Google. If you use Google as your search engine, they record every search that you’ve ever made. They know where you go, what your interests are and the skeletons in your closet. Yes, it’s possible to go in an adjust your settings to have Google erase your data, but how do you know that Google actually erases it? Google has been caught multiple times deceiving the public.  

But it goes far beyond deception. Google can control your perceptions about an issue by controlling the results you get and even the auto fill options (but you will not be aware that you have been manipulated). Reports show that they can have a significant impact on election results.

WHAT TO DO…

One of the most important things you can do to protect your privacy is simply to stop using Google as your search engine. I don’t recommend Bing or Yahoo either because those big tech companies also take your info.

Instead, I recommend that you use SwissCows.com, Brave Search or Presearch. All three of these search engines are good and private. I personally use Brave Search and I love it. The search results are just as good as Google’s. 

To drop Google and use one of these other search engines, you have to change your default search engine, which is very simple to do.

To Change to “Brave Search” if you have the Firefox Browser… 

In general, it is very easy to change your default search engine to Brave. Watch this video…

Here’s the step by step process…

Step 1: Open up the Firefox Browser and type https://search.brave.com/ into the search bar.

Step 2: When you get to the search.brave.com page, right click in the search bar and then click on the “Add Brave Search”. This will add Brave as one of the search engines you can choose.

Step 3: On the top right of the page, click on the three horizontal lines, then click on “Settings”.

Step 4: Click on “Search” from the list, and then select “Brave”.

To Ensure that your Brave Browser is using Brave Search…

Yes, Brave makes both a browser AND a search engine. You should use both.

If you would rather use the SwissCows.com search engine… 

If you would rather use SwissCows.com, go here: https://swisscows.com/en/install-swisscows

If you would rather use the PreSearch.com search engine…

Here’s a quick video of how to choose Presearch as your default search engine…

Don’t Forget…

• Remember to do this in every browser you use on every device that you use, including your mobile and desktop browsers. 

• Also, remember to remove any links or shortcuts that you have to Google, Bing or Yahoo.
• Safari has a list of search engines you can choose from, but it doesn’t allow you to choose search engines that are not on the list.

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Please see the FAQs below, and ask a question if we have missed anything. Also, see the Community Discussion below. 

© Copyright 2023. Glenn Meder All Rights Reserved. 

Hi from Glenn!

Today’s task is a simple, but important step; turn off WiFi, Bluetooth and NFC on your phone. 

First, what are WiFi, Bluetooth and NFC (Near Field Communication)?

These are three different wireless frequencies that allow your phone to connect to the internet or to different devices. NFC is not something that you can disable on iPhones, but Apple has it more locked down than on Android phones. 

Second, why should I turn these frequencies off?

There are a few different privacy related reasons to keep these frequencies turned off. 

1. First, it is possible that someone can gain access to your phone or snoop on what you are doing via these frequencies. Recently, for example, security researchers wrote about a vulnerability called “BlueBorne” that would allow an attacker to connect to your smartphone through Bluetooth, even if your smartphone was already connected to another device, such as a Bluetooth speaker.
2. Second, devices can be set up to track you based on these different frequencies. 
3. Third, you know how your phone “auto-connects” to your WIFI when you get home? That auto-connect feature can be spoofed, and a bad guy could force your phone to connect to a fake network that will watch everything you do.

Third, should I connect to the WiFi at my house?

It’s always best to have your WiFi off, if possible. If you want to have your home WIFI on though, you can use WIFI if it is properly set up. We will cover in this course soon, then you should be fairly safe to use your WiFi. You should always use a VPN, even when connected to your home WiFi. And remember to turn off your WiFi when you leave the house.

Fourth, should I connect to the WiFi in public locations?

Not if you are concerned about privacy and security. It’s very easy for bad people to watch everything you are doing and steal your data. If you are going to get online via public WiFi, you MUST use a VPN and have it turned to maximum protection settings, including a “kill switch” (we will cover VPNs in the next letter).

Fifth, is there a right way to turn these settings off?

Yes. If you don’t properly turn these settings off, they will automatically turn on again the next day. 

Here is the right way to disconnect your WiFi and Bluetooth on your iPhone… 

Believe it or not, but I couldn’t find a video to show you how to turn off WiFi on an Android phone, so here is a simple article that explains how to do it https://www.howtogeek.com/tips/how-to-disable-wi-fi-on-your-android-device-when-the-screen-is-off/.

Also, here’s a link to show you how to turn off NFC on your Android.

https://www.lifewire.com/turn-off-nfc-to-secure-your-android-smartphone-2532822

© Copyright 2023. Glenn Meder All Rights Reserved. 

Hi from Glenn!

Did you get the last Privacy Action Step done?  

Today we’re going to talk about an absolutely essential component for your privacy plan; a VPN (Virtual Private Network). This is a very important step. 

FIRST, what is a VPN?

A VPN, which stands for “Virtual Private Network”, is software that you load onto your computer and/or phone that creates an encrypted tunnel between your computer and the internet, so no one can see what sites you visit or the passwords you use. This video is a short snippet from one of my Q&A live webinars, and in it I explain what a VPN is…

How does a VPN work?

Your VPN software on your computer encrypts your data before it leaves your computer so your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or the coffee shop WiFi can’t see it. Your data then goes to one of the many VPN servers that your VPN provider owns, and from there it connects to the internet. So when you connect to the internet, it doesn’t seem like you are connecting from your computer, but rather from a place many States away, or even from the other side of the planet.

Why is a VPN necessary?

When you get on the internet without a VPN, your activity is not encrypted. Your Internet Service Provider can see every site that you visit, and now, thanks to our wonderful Congress, it’s legal for your ISP to record your online actions and sell this data. In addition, this data will soon be added to your credit report, so companies and the government can see where you go online. This will soon be incorporated into a Social Credit System, much like the Chinese Social Credit System, which is a terrifying scenario (and yes, it’s coming to America). Beyond this, if you don’t encrypt your online connection, hackers can watch you, steal your passwords and get up to all kinds of nefarious stuff. 

Does a VPN make me fully anonymous online?

No. You still need to take other precautions too, as we will outline in this course. But a VPN is very important piece of the puzzle.

Should I use a VPN connected to my browser?

There are some browsers that are coming out with built-in VPNs, but you shouldn’t count on these because they don’t stop internet traffic that happens outside of your browser. Your computer is connecting to the internet all the time, and you want all of this traffic to go through the VPN. For this reason, you want to have a stand alone VPN, which I will recommend in a few minutes.

Is there anything I need to be careful of?

Yes. The VPN creates an encrypted tunnel that hides what you do and where you go online from the government, your ISP, big tech and hackers, but the VPN itself can see where you go. A recent article talks about how bad VPNs can actually be used to track everything you do online and steal your data. 

The article says, “A serious new warning has been issued for Android users to check for a  “very dangerous” app that has now been installed 100 million times. In the past, the app has been accused of hiding malicious spyware. Now it has been implicated in a data breach that impacts millions of users. If  it’s on your phone, delete it immediately.” 

It goes on to say, “more than 105 million people could have their credit card details stolen, their private photos and videos sold online and their private conversations recorded.” And that the app “allows hackers to intercept communications between the user and the provider, and even redirect users to a hacker’s malicious server.”

For this reason, it’s very important to get a good, highly trusted VPN service. 

By the way, the three VPNs that were tied to the above warnings were SuperVPN, considered as one of the most popular (and dangerous) VPNs on Google Play with 100 million installs, as well as GeckoVPN (10 million installs) and ChatVPN (50,000 installs). If you are using these VPNs, get rid of them ASAP!

The VPN I recommend.

I recommend ProtonVPN. This is by the same company that makes ProtonMail. They are a highly trusted privacy company, they are based in Switzerland, their products are all zero-knowledge, end-to-end encrypted, open source and fully audited. Plus, ProtonVPN is recommended by every internet security guru that I know.

They do have a free version of the VPN, but this has limitations that you won’t like. Primarily, it will slow down your internet. But their paid service is excellent and it won’t slow you down. Remember, if you want high-quality products that really protect you, you’re going to have to pay for them. 

If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate it if you use my affiliate link. But if you don’t want to use my affiliate link, use this link instead. 

Install ProtonVPN on all of your devices.

Here’s a video about ProtonVPN.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Yes. You shouldn’t need to mess with the settings once you install it, but I do recommend that you turn on the “kill switch”. What this means is that sometimes the VPN server can have a hiccup. If you don’t have the Kill Switch turned on, you will remain online if this connection goes down, which means that your data will be exposed until the connection with the VPN server is reestablished. But, if you have the Kill Switch turned on, your internet connection will stop as soon as you lose connection with the VPN Server, so your privacy won’t be compromised. 

Also, remember that using a Private Window, or an Incognito Window in your browser, is NOT the same thing as using a VPN. A Private Window only stops your computer from recording your browser history, and it prevents some cookies, but it does nothing to prevent your ISP or anyone from seeing what you do online. 

Advanced…

There is a more advanced way to do a VPN, if you want to. This involves actually having a VPN router in your home, or when you travel. Most people don’t need to take this step though, so we will cover that at a later time. 

© Copyright 2023. Glenn Meder All Rights Reserved. 

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