Forum Discussion

GabeU's avatar
GabeU
Distinguished Professor IV
7 years ago

A question for those "in the know" regarding my identity when browsing with Chrome....

Last year I set up an account at Pinterest.  Being that I ended up realizing I had no use for it, I closed the account shortly thereafter.  I hadn't been back to Pinterest since then.  As well, in be...
  • BirdDog's avatar
    BirdDog
    7 years ago

    Think it could be the way Google+ is tied into Chrome these days. If you're logged into Google+ then it automatically keeps track of things like sites visited depending on the setting defaults and what you have allowed. YouTube is now part of the Google empire also so it is tied into your Google account.

     

    This link basically is the key to the kingdom and what you choose to allow: https://myaccount.google.com/security?pli=1

     

    Are you familiar with these Google settings: https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols  ?

     

    EDIT: That's wild, you have to highlight the above link and go to it, won't work as a direct hyperlink.

MarkJFine's avatar
MarkJFine
Professor

Quite possible that you had a Pinterest cookie in your Google cloud (or whatever they call it for Chrome) that showed you had an account that was no longer active. In fact that seems like the only viable reason.

 

I've been tempted to set up a similar account for Firefox that allows you to use browsers on your phone and laptop seamlessly, and this is precisely the reason why I don't.

GabeU's avatar
GabeU
Distinguished Professor IV
7 years ago
MarkJFine wrote:

Quite possible that you had a Pinterest cookie in your Google cloud (or whatever they call it for Chrome) that showed you had an account that was no longer active. In fact that seems like the only viable reason.

Eek!  The thought of Google giving my info from the cloud is even worse, even if it's only basic info.  I think it may very well be time for me to give serious thought to switching to Firefox.  I've read a few articles, and a slew of posts over time, that indicate that Firefox is better for privacy.

 

I have dabbled with it over time, and I always have it installed as a secondary browser for when I need to compare something or other, but I could never set it exactly the way I liked because I couldn't find certain extensions.  I now have them.  I like it having a new tab open as a new, separate window, and on a web page I specify.  I could never get that to work before.  I'm not a tab person.   

 

I do like the idea of being able to use a browser in which I can be signed into Youtube, but don't have to be signed into the browser itself, as I don't care for the latter.  

  • BirdDog's avatar
    BirdDog
    Assistant Professor
    7 years ago

    Think it could be the way Google+ is tied into Chrome these days. If you're logged into Google+ then it automatically keeps track of things like sites visited depending on the setting defaults and what you have allowed. YouTube is now part of the Google empire also so it is tied into your Google account.

     

    This link basically is the key to the kingdom and what you choose to allow: https://myaccount.google.com/security?pli=1

     

    Are you familiar with these Google settings: https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols  ?

     

    EDIT: That's wild, you have to highlight the above link and go to it, won't work as a direct hyperlink.

    • GabeU's avatar
      GabeU
      Distinguished Professor IV
      7 years ago

      BirdDog

       

      Google and Youtube being connected is one of the things pushing me toward tyring to get used to Firefox.  

       

      I did check Google +, and I guess by being signed into Google I'm signed into Google + automatically, but with Google + I was able to switch to my "brand" account, which was a separate account that I set up to use for Youtube, as I didn't want my real name being on any comments I may make.  Not because I'm trying to hide, but just because I don't want my name everywhere (even though it really, electronically, already is).  

       

      And....  BINGO!!!!!  BirdDog, you get the gold star of the day!   

       

       

      This is why, and it will now be rectified!  

       

       

      Thank you! 

       

      I must have signed into Pinterest last year using my Google info, and I just don't remember doing so.  I'm still probably going to give Firefox a spin, as this whole thing has bugged me a bit, but at least the mystery concerning Pinterest is now solved.  :) 

    • GabeU's avatar
      GabeU
      Distinguished Professor IV
      7 years ago
      BirdDog wrote: 

      Are you familiar with these Google settings: https://myaccount.google.com/activitycontrols  ?

       

      EDIT: That's wild, you have to highlight the above link and go to it, won't work as a direct hyperlink.

      There's an extra space at the end of the address.  See how the underscore continues one space past the s?  I've done that before when pasting addresses.  

       

      Edit:  I do have the things turned off on that page that I should.  :)  

      • BirdDog's avatar
        BirdDog
        Assistant Professor
        7 years ago

        GabeU, glad it worked. Can cross you off my Christmas list now. :smileywink:

         

        And yep, Google is collecting a lot but I'm getting too old to worry about it much. Can't imagine the info they'll have on the younger generations if it keeps up. Big Brother is no longer science fiction. Just private companies are as guilty, maybe more, than the government.