Beware of Using the Chrome Browser

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   Writer Foxposted 9 years ago

   I know that HP often recommends using Chrome to better display the HP website.
   
   This tops today's headlines:
   "Google is listening to you, Israeli tech-blogger reveals"
   
   "Internet giant takes heat after secretly installing software capable of picking up conversation from a computer via Chrome browser"
   
   http://www.timesofisrael.com/google-is- … r-reveals/
   
   Is that scary or what?!?!?!?!

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      tsmogposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I have not experience with facilitating voice devices on my PC. Would that be like using Skype for instance? Would that mean if using the video portion of Skype or others it is picked up as well? If that is so that indeed it is scary! I will read the article next. (P.S. I just read the article and see it just may do so).

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      agvulpesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That seems to be the ultimate 'invasion of privacy' ?  Oh no they could probably turn on the Camera in your Laptop !
      And to think all of this information 'may' be stored somewhere?
      Thanks for the tip-off !  I have Chrome but don't use it so I will be 'uninstalling' it from all of my Computers ASAP !

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      Hendrikaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I have to say that I think we will be scared if we knew what Google knows about all of us. I really do believe they "listen" to us all the time. I have to say, though that I also notice it a lot with my other devices where I do not use Google

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      colorfuloneposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Here is what they are talking about I think.
      https://www.google.com/
      See the microphone in the search bar?
      Click it and speak.

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      colorfuloneposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      What people should really be worried about is Jade Helm 15 which officially kicks off on July 15th, but some are saying it already has.

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         EsJamposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         AAWhat is Jade Helm 15?

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            agvulpesposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Just looked it up on Wikepedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jade_Helm … y_theories
            Interesting conspiracy theory ???

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            Sgt Prepperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

            Operation Jade Helm-15 is the advent of martial-law in America.  Their motto is "To Master the Human Domain".  That is the real reason our Army has been training so heavily in MOUT which stands for Military Operations in Urban Terraine.
            The initial 5-states TX, AZ, UT, NM & CA begin July 15th with a tentative completion scheduled for Sept 15th.  At least seven other states including IL will provide NG troops as well.  Every branch of the military is also involved. This reminds me of when EVERY National Guardsmen was already on Active Duty when there was a " surprise" attack on Pearl Harbor.

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      TIMETRAVELER2posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, it is...and it makes me happy that I have old equipment that does not have a camera or skype or. as far as I know, a microphone. 
      
      Nonetheless, somebody needs to look into this.  It seems Google may be going the way of FB...what in the world makes these people think they have the right to do these things!  A better question is, why aren't our governments stepping in to put a stop to it!

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      SheilaMilneposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I can't currently check because I'm away from home with limited internet access but I've been reading about this for several days. I understood that it's mostly scaremongering. This article http://9to5google.com/2015/06/22/chrome … confusion/ suggests it's "more misunderstanding than cause for concern".

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   Rana Pecarskiposted 9 years ago

   Interesting and explains a lot...many times I have ads or something pop up on my computer that is directly related to conversations I was having at home and nothing I had searched for,etc. Just random topics.We talked about what a weird coincidence it was.Recent example, we were watching Godfather II on TV and within 15 minutes, I was getting Godfather II related stuff on my computer. One of many incidents. Scary.

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      Writer Foxposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      That is truly frightening.  I hope they get criminally investigated for this!

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         Patty Inglish, MSposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         I agree with you - total inappropriate invasion of privacy. Thanks for telling us about this. I deleted Chrome browser months ago when it blocked me from the internet altogether. I know how to fix that now, because other Hubbers gave A+ advice, but I won't fix it.  Thank you again.

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      Quilligrapherposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hello Ms. Pecarski. I hope you do not mind if I add my two cents.
      
      IMHO, your experiences may not be scary at all if you were watching Godfather II via a cable, satellite, or internet connection. Nor would it be logical to think conversations were being recorded if advertisers were expecting the film to have a large viewing audience in your region. It would be interesting to know how many people that were not watching the program also saw Godfather II related stuff on their computers.
      
      It is generally considered illogical to think, "Since event Y followed event X, event Y must have been caused by event X." {1}
      
      Sorry to butt in . Just my observations from another perspective.
      
      I hope you have a great night.
      
      {1} http://skepdic.com/posthoc.html

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         wildernessposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Or even watching the movie over the air on a local channel.  That information is readily available (local programming), and something advertisers could take advantage of - putting ads on computer screens from the local isp's.

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   DrMark1961posted 9 years ago

   Since you mentioned this, I wanted to bring up another point about using Google software to write your hubs. Most of you who use the online Google software to write your hubs have probably not read the extensive TOS, but you should be aware that if you do write in that platform your work belongs to Google.
   I read another hubber complaining about how Google search can now direct you to articles put out by Google, not another website. The authors who are giving Google the rights to their work have no one to blame but themselves.
   And yes, agvulpes, your camera can be turned on remotely. Sticking a post-it note over the camera when you are not using it is the best way to avoid it being used without your authorization.

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      moonlakeposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I always put a post it note over my camera. I like to leave my computer on but I don't want the camera looking into my house. Turn it off someone else could turn it on.

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   Mark Ewbieposted 9 years ago

   Well at least someone is listening to me.

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   janderson99posted 9 years ago

   

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   galleryofgraceposted 9 years ago

   I have noticed all the same things each of you mention. For some time I have been covering the mike and camera with tape. I am not paranoid, there are just too many coincidences!

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   Marie Flintposted 9 years ago

   I just started using Google Chrome once again because my Internet Explorer is slow. Mainly, the Google is just for games and movies. I've never used Skype.

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   FatFreddysCatposted 9 years ago

   The only device I own that has Google Chrome on it is my little cheap-O tablet that I use mainly for playing "The Simpsons: Tapped Out" and not much else. I very rarely use the Chrome browser on it for much of anything beyond skimming the day's news headlines... So if the CIA or NSA or whoever is trying to use it to spy on me, they're probably pretty disappointed. ("This guy is boring as hell. Let's watch someone else instead.")

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      EsJamposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I use Chrome all the time!! I had no idea......what browser do you recommend?

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      EsJamposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I'm also a bit confused.....Chrome is Google's browser and Google is the search engine? Is that correct? So it's better to use maybe Firefox?

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   LongTimeMotherposted 9 years ago

   Ah, another advantage to living off the grid where no electrical appliances are left plugged in or turned on when not being actively used ... and with satellite internet that makes me struggle for a connection even when I want one.
   
   I think I'm safe! 

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      Writer Foxposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      "We [at Google] don't need you to type at all. We know where you are. We know where you've been. We can more or less know what you're thinking about."
      – Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google, Mountain View, CA, U.S.
      
      

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         Venkatachari Mposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         Good post. Making people aware about all these probable dangers to their privacy, you are doing great help. 
         I do not use camera or skype or any voice search. So, I feel, I may not have any problem using chrome.

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         Sgt Prepperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

         An in-law bought a Samsung Smart-TV and in the owners manual are the words "Do not discuss personal matters in front of your television!"

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    Snakesmumposted 9 years ago

    It's even worse than George Orwell's book "1984"!

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       Sgt Prepperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       I hate Big Brother Obama the Antichrist. So I guess it is off to Room 101 for me and a rat-cage to the face?  Thank God for The Rapture!

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    Phyllis Doyleposted 9 years ago

    This is just not good. There are several articles about Google's listening device. I just read one at
    
    http://www.whiteoutpress.com/articles/2 … ng-device/
    
    Scary world we are entering!

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       Writer Foxposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       "But Chrome can do something the other two can’t - secretly listen to and transcribe the conversations occurring in your home without your knowledge."  That article was published in February, 2014!
       I can't believe I just found out about it right now.  Google can listen in on every conversation you are having in the room where you are using your computer. 
       
       Can you really secretly record people's conversations without a court order in the U.S.?
       
       The fact that Google was using private conversations to determine which ads to display to certain individuals is just disgusting.
       
       Anyone up for a class action lawsuit?

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          DrMark1961posted 9 years agoin reply to this

          SMART phones do the same thing, (record audio and video remotely) and a lot of people carry their phones around everywhere, in every room they go. It does not matter how boring you think your life is--do you really think it is okay for them to come into your house and look around to see what you are doing? I do not.
          If you want to read more about this, there is a good book by Marc Goodman called "Future Crimes".
          Or, you can read it on the internet, and the social media sites and the US NSA will keep track of what you are doing!
          Good luck on that class action lawsuit. The NSA will probably have it thrown out of court for national security reasons.

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             Venkatachari Mposted 9 years agoin reply to this

             Why worry about all these things. Google will not try to harass you or does have any criminal intentions. So, I don't think any danger to our security.

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                DrMark1961posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                It is about privacy, not just security. You have a right to privacy. Do you let people in off of the street to look through your refrigirator and cabinets, watch you while you sleep, go into the bathroom when you are using it, or sit in your bedroom and go through your clothes? Probably not. It does not matter how honest those people might be, they are strangers and have no right to infringe on your privacy.
                Oh, and as far as security goes, you seem to think that Google execs would do you no wrong. Do you really think that Google execs are the only ones who have access to that information they pick up from your house?

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                   starme77posted 9 years agoin reply to this

                   Use Computer - have no privacy - People who do not engage in the computer - They have privacy. I have many retired military in my family who are not allowed to use the computer at all and they are retired - that tells me a whole lot bout the computer security stuffs

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             starme77posted 9 years agoin reply to this

             They would get bored peaking into my house anyway - haha

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    melbelposted 9 years ago

    This is a security issue computer wide and not just with Chrome. I know how to hack into a web cam and get an audio feed. I would never do it, but I know how. Chrome not required.
    
    Anything you can do on your computer can be done remotely by a hacker if you don't keep your stuff secure.

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       tsmogposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Wow! Suggestion for 'good' security melbel? Thank you for sharing that info!

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       TIMETRAVELER2posted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Would love to see a hub about this from you. I think it would help a lot of people because so many take their security for granted.
       
       I use MalwareBytes and Kazpersky and seem to have very few problems, but I am never certain that this is enough...and yes, I scan and defrag regularly.

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          SouradipSinhaposted 9 years agoin reply to this

          De-fragment and scanning is really necessary. Stay safe everyone..

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             Sgt Prepperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

             I have a close relative who is a highly-paid computer guru and was told everything you do on your PC or Tablet is recorded on a server.  So even if you erase your History and Cookies Big Brother still has a record and your IP address. What say you?

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    starme77posted 9 years ago

    Well Honestly, I think that stuff has been going on for a long time but at least it is finally getting some attention. I alwasy take my battery our of my phone when I am not using it. And actually, my comptuer too. Google is getting a bit big for its britches, kind of wanting to take over everything it seems. I don't have the same accounts for my phone as I have for my Computer. The "One account - All of Google" crap scared me a long time ago.

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       Sgt Prepperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Even 'Smart Meters' from utility companies invade our privacy.  The Amish are right.

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          starme77posted 9 years agoin reply to this

          haha exactly!

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       Sgt Prepperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       The only reason I'm voting for Birther Trump is because Sheriff Arpaio is too old and Edward Snowden is too young.

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