What defense against search engines collecting personal info?

I just read Google's new 'privacy' policy, which they nag you to do in a note at the top of their search results pages. It should be called their 'lack of privacy' policy. Perhaps I am naive about all this, but I was chilled. They collect personal information and identifiers such as the model number of your computer, your other devices, phone nos., etc. Is there a holy search engine that doesn't do these things? Can someone recommend software that will prevent this? Can someone explain how they are able to get serial nos. and such off my computer and devices? I don't even know my serial nos.
People should have the right to maintain privacy in regard to personal preferences, information, etc.

Sheena

 

I mostly use DuckduckGo these days, used to Ghostery, it's a good start.

Doing all your browsing from within a Private browser session should also help, DoNotTrack+ is also good - uses one cookie from each of the trackers to block further tracking (I think is how it works) so care has to be taken with disk cleanups or you'll need to redo the setup frequently.

 

Hi Satrow.
Glad you're back. Thanks for the info. Not to be nosy, esp. after the post I just made, but your location intrigues me, am thinking its the show; not asking you, just commenting.
Sheena

 

Thanks Sheena and well spotted .

The location info supplied is indeed that of the TV show that you allude to: "The best little place in the world". It's a somewhat self-derogatory p*ss take on so many levels; interesting that a thread on privacy concerns is where it should be commented on first, eh?

Well, you need to be aware that Ghostery can block useful things like comments from Disqus, it's just a matter of removing the block tick in the Ghostery options for it. Once you've used it a while, it becomes second nature to check Ghostery if you suspect there might be something 'missing' from a page. Learn the privacy addons carefully, using too many, too soon, can be quite confusing, sometimes buggy too.

The harm? Less revenue for sites where advertising and suchlike are relied on to fund the upkeep of sites is the biggest one - if it's a site that you value highly, it's probably better to allow a little more activity on that site, maybe click a safe advertising link there once in a while as a form of appreciation. And plug that site occasionally for others too