De-Googlify
Below are steps you can take to De-Googlify your life and increase privacy and security. The steps below are easy enough that anyone can start implementing. There are more advanced privacy options outside the scope of this document, however, this is a great starting point for those interested in taking back control of their privacy.
E-Mail
Switching email providers can be a long process but a worthwhile one. It’s important that you don’t immediately delete your Gmail account after switching in case there are old accounts in which you remember in the future that require password resets or credential verifications that take place via e-mail.
- Alternative e-mail services:
- Move important privacy information such as banking, credential recovery, credit cards, travel, etc. to your privacy e-mail account on Tutanota or Protonmail. Keep spam in Gmail.
Browsers
Switching Browsers is easy. Using Google Chrome or any Chrome based browser with Google credentials installed is a privacy issue you can circumvent by using one of the alternatives:
Password Manager
Many people utilize their browsers as their password managers. Instead of using your browser utilize a cross-platform tool that can auto-generate complex passwords.
- Alternative password managers:
Search Engine
Switching search engines is easy. You can go into the settings of Mozilla Firefox and set to one of the alternatives below.
- Alternative search engines:
Switch DNS Servers
Switching DNS Servers is not complicated but more difficult than some of the other options here depending on your technical expertise. Many routers default to Google DNS servers which creates a privacy issue. Log into your home router and head to the settings section titled DNS (check manufacturer instructions for your router). You will likely see two options like Primary DNS and Secondary DNS or two DNS fields.
- Alternative DNS Servers:
- Cloudflare - 1.1.1.1 & 1.0.0.1
- OpenDNS - 208.67.222.123 & 208.67.220.123
- Quad9 - 9.9.9.9 & 149.112.112.112
- Create your own DNS Server is also an option.
Other Privacy Options:
- Use a strong trusted VPN provider like PIA.
- Stop giving information to retailers such as e-mail, phone numbers, etc. when making purchases.
- Enable 2FA (Two Factor Authentication) on every site that contains privacy information.
- Use as few Browser Plug-ins, Add-ons as possible. Browser apps have been known to siphon user data or create unnecessary security risks.
De-Googlify
Below are steps you can take to De-Googlify your life and increase privacy and security. The steps below are easy enough that anyone can start implementing. There are more advanced privacy options outside the scope of this document, however, this is a great starting point for those interested in taking back control of their privacy.
E-Mail
Switching email providers can be a long process but a worthwhile one. It’s important that you don’t immediately delete your Gmail account after switching in case there are old accounts in which you remember in the future that require password resets or credential verifications that take place via e-mail.
Browsers
Switching Browsers is easy. Using Google Chrome or any Chrome based browser with Google credentials installed is a privacy issue you can circumvent by using one of the alternatives:
Password Manager
Many people utilize their browsers as their password managers. Instead of using your browser utilize a cross-platform tool that can auto-generate complex passwords.
Search Engine
Switching search engines is easy. You can go into the settings of Mozilla Firefox and set to one of the alternatives below.
Switch DNS Servers
Switching DNS Servers is not complicated but more difficult than some of the other options here depending on your technical expertise. Many routers default to Google DNS servers which creates a privacy issue. Log into your home router and head to the settings section titled DNS (check manufacturer instructions for your router). You will likely see two options like Primary DNS and Secondary DNS or two DNS fields.
Other Privacy Options: