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Many people use Google daily. Personally, I use it many times a day. It’s very convenient, and everyone is using it.

Image via Wikipedia

You probably don’t think twice when you search on Google, but you might want to start. Google uses a special cookie that expires in 2038. They created this a while ago, and they were the first to do so. The cookie creates an ID number on your hard disk, and every time you visit Google, you get one if you don’t already have one. For every single search, they see your ID number, your unique IP (Internet Protocol)  address, and the time of the search. With your IP, Google, or anyone, if they have it, can do major things to invade your privacy and even damage your computer. Also, Google retains your IP, and your ID and all the other information they collect from you, but will not comment on why they need this data.

Even the Google toolbar is an invasion of your privacy. Their privacy policy says that the toolbar can monitor every page you go to, even if it is not Google. Also, the toolbar upgrades discreetly, without asking you if you would like to update it. Being able to update their software at will gives them complete control over your hard drive.

Google has many searches a day, over 200 million. Every single search takes down an IP, time, your cookie ID, and maybe even more. With all of those searches, Google is building up a massive database of searches, who searched them, and with their toolbar, who went to what webpages. With that kind of database, it is a privacy timebomb waiting to happen. Next time, think before you search.