Safer Internet: Browsing: Search Privately

Quotes | Summary | Search Providers | Search Suggestions | Local Search |
References: General | AI | Apple | Bing | DuckDuckGo | Google | iOS | macOS


Quotes

Summary

[1] Change Search Provider

  • Most 'free' search providers (aka 'engines'), e.g., Google, Bing, store identifiable search history remotely on server
  • Change search provider to one that does not collect your search data, e.g., DuckDuckGo
  • macOS: Safari > Preferences > Search
  • macOS: Firefox > Preferences > Search
  • macOS: Firefox > Preferences > Privacy > History > Location Bar
  • macOS: Chrome: duckduckgo.com; click button: 'Add DuckDuckGo to Chrome'; help
  • macOS: Chrome > Preferences > Search > Manage Search Engines > Make Default
  • note: if using an ad blocker, you might consider allowing DuckDuckGo
    to show a few ads; section: Browsing : Block Ads
  • iOS: Settings > Safari > Search Engine
  • If you relied on Home page or new window to access search site, e.g., google.com, be sure to change there also
  • macOS: Safari > Prefs > General > New Window Opens With & Homepage [screenshot]
  • If you find that you don't like the new search results (format, number, etc.),
    you can easily switch to a different search engine -- just be sure to read the privacy policy
  • If you'd still prefer Google searches for some results, use startpage.com, which is more private
  • Other private search sites/engines: search.brave.com; ecosia.org; peekier.com; qwant.com
  • Deleting Search History or using Private Browsing -- see earlier section Browsing : Managing Data
  • FrogFind (powered by DuckDuckGo) is optimized for vintage computers and browsers,
    including the Newton, by converting the search result pages to extremely basic HTML.
  • [2] Some search engines support "right to be forgotten" (content about you) -- submit a form on Bing or Google site

[2] Turn Off Search Suggestions

  • If you're not using Private Browsing, do you want to share your searches or see others' phrases?
  • Maybe speed things up, reduce crashes
  • macOS: Safari > Preferences > Search > Include Safari Suggestions
  • iOS: Settings > Safari > Search Engine Suggestions
  • If you're using a smart home device, e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Home, check search engine settings;
    also settings for search history & suggestions

[2] Check Local Search Settings

  • Allow internet searches in 'local' search results; settings only in older versions < macOS 10.12, < iOS 10?
  • macOS: System Preferences > Spotlight > [list] Spotlight Suggestions [off]
  • macOS: System Preferences > Spotlight >
    [checkbox] Allow Spotlight Suggestions in Look up [off]
  • iOS: Settings > Siri & Search > Suggestions in Search [?],
    Suggestions in Lookup [?]
    specify by app
  • iOS: access Spotlight search:
    1) while on the Home screen, pull down from anywhere between the status bar and Dock;
    2) from the Lock screen or first page of the Home screen, swipe right to enter the Widgets screen,
    which features a Spotlight search box
  • It's unclear if Spotlight still uses Bing rather than your preferred search engine
  • Allow Siri request logging?
  • iOS: Settings > General > Siri > About Siri and Privacy (read)

References

AI

Apple (generally)

Bing

DuckDuckGo

Google

iOS

macOS