Technology
How to stay virtually invisible online and be anonymous
“Ghosting” isn’t just a popular term thrown around for those in the modern dating world. People are now wondering how to “go ghost” online altogether.
With virtually all your information being tracked online by some entity, it is nearly impossible to stay truly anonymous. Whether you want to keep your sensitive information safe or just want others to stay out of your business, you will need to make multiple changes to keep your identity hidden.
With social media giants like Facebook tracking your online activities across different websites (while you’re not even logged into Facebook) to every online retailer asking for your email address, it’s no wonder that people are looking for ways to stop the spread of their digital information.
Below are some tips and tricks to stay as untraceable as possible.
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Person trying to stay anonymous online (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
How trackers collect and share your data across the web
Trackers are pieces of code that websites use to collect data about your online behavior, preferences, and identity. Some trackers aim to provide you with a more personalized experience by remembering your choices and information, but others have more intrusive and harmful purposes.
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These trackers can follow your actions across different websites and even after you close your browser, depending on how long they are stored on your device. This means that a lot of user data can be shared not only with the websites you visit, but also with other parties that can use it for various purposes, such as targeting ads, selling products, or profiling users.
How ‘fingerprinting’ tracks you across the web
Advertisers are getting sneakier as consumers get wiser, and now employ a tactic called fingerprinting. The browser fingerprint is a collection of information from your phone, laptop, or computer, every time you use it. All the data that is collected about you from your language setting, time zone, and browser settings are collected and create a unique “fingerprint.”
Advertisers can then identify you even if you’re not inputting personally identifiable information such as an email address from one website to another. This sneaky tactic is done by advertisers and tech companies who embed a code into websites.
Sadly, sometimes the website owners don’t even know that these codes, usually embedded as scripts, are on their websites either. Fingerprinting is nearly invisible and nearly impossible to prevent. While fingerprinting is a tricky method that is hard to be aware of and protect yourself from, below are a few actions you can take to make yourself more secure online.
Fingerprints on a piece of paper (EFF)
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7 ways to enhance your online privacy and security
1) Go to the Cover Your Tracks Tool to get a real-time assessment of your system. The tool was developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit organization that defends digital rights. The tool gives you a summary of your overall tracking protection and an overview of how visible you are to trackers, with an index (and glossary) of all the metrics they measure.
Cover Your Tracks tool (EFF)
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2. Download a better browser. While popular browsers such as Microsoft Edge and Safari are easy to use as it is often part of the base level operating system for Windows and Apple, respectively, there are better browser options with your anonymity in mind. Firefox, Brave, and Mullvad include more protective measures against trackers and allow you to set options to customize your preferences and security even more.
Tor, an even more secure browser, actually encrypts your data by passing it through several servers. It is actually resistant to fingerprinting by making all of its users ‘look’ the same, making it difficult to generate a ‘profile’ unique to you. The only caveat to an extra secure browser such as Tor is that it is slower than some of the less secure browsers.
3) Add browser extensions. If you’re married to using your current browser, you can add browser extensions to help block trackers, such EFF’s Privacy Badger. Not all browser extensions, however, are created equal. Privacy Badger only blocks ads that are tracking you, so you still get ads that aren’t tracking you.
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4. Start searching more safely. Choose search engines that are privacy-focused, such as Brave Search. Read more about the characteristics of a secure browser and see our other top picks here.
5. Upgrade your email service. Some email providers use encrypted email servers, which are safer for sending and receiving messages. Check out our top three recommendations for the best private and secure email providers here.
6. Use a VPN: (virtual private network) to encrypt your internet traffic and hide your online activity from being viewed by your providers and others. A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet, preventing snoopers and hackers from intercepting or modifying your data. See my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.
7. Change settings on your mobile devices. As you spend more time on your phone, advertisers are concocting ways to embed trackers into apps that are more commonly used. While some amount of data will likely be logged, you can limit the type and amount by making some key setting changes on your mobile device.
For details on how to change the privacy settings on your Android, here.
For details on how to change privacy settings on your iPhone, here.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Scrubbing your complete whereabouts and activities online is nearly impossible, but there are effective ways to limit them. Even taking these steps can make you less and less traceable online. Who knows, you might eventually be able to ghost these advertisers, tech firms, and hackers.
Are you concerned about your information and actions all being tracked online? What steps have you already taken to limit being tracked? What extra steps are you willing to take to be more anonymous? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
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Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Microsoft’s Edge Copilot update uses AI to pull information from across your tabs
Microsoft Edge is adding a new feature that will allow its Copilot AI chatbot to gather information from all of your open tabs. When you start a conversation with Copilot, you can ask the chatbot questions about what’s in your tabs, compare the products you’re looking at, summarize your open articles, and more.
In its announcement, Microsoft says you can “select which experiences you want or leave off the ones you don’t.” The company is retiring Copilot Mode as well, which could similarly draw information from your tabs but offered some agentic features, like the ability to book a reservation on your behalf. Microsoft has since folded these agentic capabilities into its “Browse with Copilot” tool.
Several other AI features are coming to Edge, including an AI-powered “Study and Learn” mode that can turn the article you’re looking at into a study session or interactive quiz. There’s a new tool that turns your tabs into AI-powered podcasts as well, similar to what you’d find on NotebookLM, and an AI writing assistant that will pop up when you start entering text on a webpage.
You can also give Copilot permission to access your browsing history to provide more “relevant, high-quality answers,” according to Microsoft. Copilot in Edge on desktop and mobile will come with “long-term memory” as well, which can tailor its responses based on your previous conversations. And, when you open up a new tab, you’ll see a redesigned page that combines chat, search, and web navigation, along with the Journeys feature, which uses AI to organize your browsing history into categories that you can revisit.
Meanwhile, an update to Edge’s mobile app will allow you to share your screen with Copilot and talk through the questions about what you’re seeing. Microsoft says you’ll see “clear visual cues” when Copilot is active, “so you know when it’s taking an action, helping, listening, or viewing.”
Technology
Apple’s $250M Siri settlement: Are you owed cash?
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If you bought a newer iPhone because Apple made Siri sound like it was about to become your personal artificial intelligence sidekick, you may want to pay attention.
Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over claims that it misled customers about new Apple Intelligence and Siri features. The case centers on the iPhone 16 launch and certain iPhone 15 models that were marketed as ready for Apple’s next wave of AI. The settlement still needs court approval, and Apple denies wrongdoing.
The lawsuit argues that Apple promoted a smarter, more personal Siri before those features were actually available. For some buyers, that was a big deal. A new iPhone can cost hundreds of dollars, and many people upgrade only when they think they are getting something meaningfully new.
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WHY IPHONE USERS ARE THE NEW PRIME SCAM TARGETS
U.S. buyers of certain iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro models may qualify for payments if a judge approves Apple’s proposed settlement. (Getty Images)
What Apple is accused of promising
Apple introduced Apple Intelligence in June 2024 and promoted it as a major step forward for iPhone, iPad and Mac. A key part of that pitch was a more personalized Siri that could understand context, work across apps and help with everyday tasks in a more useful way.
The lawsuit claims Apple’s marketing made consumers believe those advanced Siri features would arrive with the iPhone 16 or soon after. Instead, buyers received phones that had some Apple Intelligence tools, but not the full Siri overhaul that many expected.
That gap is the heart of the case. Plaintiffs say customers bought or upgraded devices based on AI features that were not ready. Apple says it has rolled out many Apple Intelligence features and settled the case, so it can stay focused on its products.
How much money could iPhone owners get?
The proposed settlement creates a $250 million fund. Eligible customers who file approved claims are expected to receive at least $25 per eligible device. That amount could rise to as much as $95 per device, depending on how many people file claims and other settlement factors.
That means this will not be a huge payday for most people. Still, if you bought one of the covered phones, it may be worth watching for a claim notice. A few minutes of paperwork could put some money back in your pocket.
Which iPhones may qualify?
The proposed settlement covers U.S. buyers who purchased any iPhone 16 model, iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025.
Covered iPhone 16 models include the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16e. The settlement also includes the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but not every iPhone 15 model.
The key details are the device model, the purchase date and whether the phone was bought in the United States.
HOW YOU CAN GET A SLICE OF APPLE’S $250M IPHONE SETTLEMENT
Apple has agreed to pay $250 million to settle claims it misled customers about Apple Intelligence and Siri features on newer iPhones. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg)
How will you file a claim?
You do not need to do anything immediately. The settlement still needs a judge’s approval. Once the claims process opens, eligible customers are expected to receive a notice by email or mail with instructions on how to file through a settlement website.
That notice matters because scammers love moments like this. A real settlement notice should not ask for your Apple ID password, bank login or payment to claim your money. If you receive a message about this settlement, do not click blindly. Go slowly, check the sender and look for the official settlement administrator details once they are available.
Why this case matters beyond one Siri feature
This case hits a bigger nerve. Tech companies are racing to sell AI as the next must-have feature. That creates a problem for shoppers. You are often asked to buy now based on what a company says will arrive later.
That can be frustrating when the feature is the reason you upgraded. A smarter Siri sounds useful. A phone that can understand your personal context, search across apps and help with daily tasks could save time. But if those tools are delayed, limited or missing, the value of the upgrade changes.
This settlement also sends a message about AI marketing. Companies can talk about future features, but consumers need clear timing and plain explanations. “Coming soon” can mean very different things when you are spending $800, $1,000 or more.
We reached out to Apple for comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.
FIRST 15 THINGS TO DO OR TRY FIRST WHEN YOU GET A NEW IPHONE
Apple denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle claims tied to its marketing of Apple Intelligence and Siri features. (Qilai Shen/Bloomberg)
What this means to you
If you bought a covered iPhone during the settlement period, keep an eye on your email and regular mail. You may qualify for a payment if the court approves the deal.
You should also keep your receipt or proof of purchase if you have it. Your Apple purchase history, carrier account or retailer receipt may help if the claim process asks for details.
More broadly, this is a reminder to treat AI features like any other big tech promise. Before you upgrade, ask one simple question: Can the feature do what is being advertised today, or is the company asking me to wait?
That question can save you from buying a device for a future feature that may arrive much later than expected.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Apple has built its brand on making technology feel polished, personal and easy to use. That is why this Siri settlement hits a nerve. People were buying phones they use every day for texts, photos, directions, reminders and everything in between. Many expected AI to make those everyday tasks easier, which is why the delay felt frustrating. The proposed payout may be modest, but the bigger issue is trust. When a company sells AI as a reason to upgrade, customers deserve to know what actually works now and what is still coming later.
Would you still buy a new phone for promised AI features, or would you wait until they actually show up? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Technology
Instagram hits the copy button again with new disappearing Instants photos
Instagram is once again cribbing from competitors like Snapchat and BeReal with a new photo-sharing format it calls “Instants,” which are ephemeral photos that you can’t edit and that you can only share with your close friends or followers that follow you back. Instants are available globally beginning on Wednesday as a feature in the inbox in the Instagram app and as a separate app that’s now in testing in select countries.
To access Instants from the Instagram app, go to your DM inbox and look in the bottom-right corner for an icon or a stack of photos. After you post a photo, your friends can emoji react to it and send a reply to your DMs, but after they see it, the photo disappears for them. Instants also disappear after 24 hours, and they can’t be captured in screenshots or screen recordings.
However, your Instants will remain in an archive for you for up to a year, and you can reshare them as a recap to your Instagram Stories if you’d like. You can also undo sending an Instant right after you post it or delete it from your archive.
The Instants mobile app, which popped up in Italy and Spain in April, gives you “immediate access to the camera” and only requires an Instagram account, Instagram says. “Instants you share on the separate app will show up for friends on Instagram and vice versa. We’re trying this separate app out to see how our community uses it, and we’ll continue to evolve it as we learn more.”
Instagram, in its testing, has seen that people “tend to use Instants to share much more casual, much more authentic moments about their day,” according to Instagram boss Adam Mosseri. “And we know that this type of sharing of personal moments with friends is a core part of what makes Instagram Instagram, but we also know that a lot of people don’t really share a lot to their profile grids anymore.”
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