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1/11/201409:06 AM

Kristin BurnhamNews

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5 Google Opt-Out Settings To CheckGoogle signs you up for more than you think. Are you up to date on these

ve settings?Google caused a stir this week when it announced a controversial change that lets those

with Gmail and Google+ accounts email anyone who also has both accounts -- even ifthe sender doesn't know the recipient's email address. Unless you opt out, this means

you can start receiving messages from strangers who follow you on Google+.Though Google's bold move has surprised many, it's not the rst setting -- or the onlyone -- for which Google signs you up automatically. Here's how to opt out of Google's

latest change, plus four more settings to check.1. Opt out of Google+ email changes

If you don't want Google+ users contacting you, opt out by by visiting your Gmailsettings page and click the General tab.

Find the setting "Email via Google+" and click the dropdown menu. You can choose toreceive email from anyone on Google+ (the automatic setting), extended circles, circles,

or no one. Select your preference and click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.This feature is rolling out over the next few days to everyone who uses Gmail and

Google+, the company said.[How Google savvy are you? Read 10 Great Google Apps Tips.]

2. Opt out of web history trackingUnless you consistently delete it, Google tracks and logs all your web history, includingyour image, news, map, and video searches. You can remove all or some of your search

history, or opt out of Google tracking you entirely.

To remove parts of your Web history, navigate to your Web History page. Choose "AllHistory" from the menu on the left and click the checkbox next to "Remove items" todelete the items on the screen. You can also use the menu to browse categories and

remove searches individually.To opt out of Google tracking your Web history, click the gear icon on the upper rightcorner of a search results page and go to search history. Click the gear icon again onthe upper corner of the Web History page and go to Settings. Then, click the Turn o

button next to "Web History is on."3. Opt out of Google+

When you sign up for Gmail, Google automatically gives you a Google+ account. Ifyou're no longer using the social network, or if you just don't want it, you can delete it.

Start by navigating to your Google+ settings page.At the very bottom is the option "Disable Google+." Google will show you a list of datathat will be removed if you delete your Google+ account. This includes your posts and

comments, your +1s, and your public Google prole. If you consent to what informationremains and what is deleted, check the box at the bottom and click "Remove selected

services."4. Opt out of shared endorsements

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In November, Google announced a Terms of Service update that lets the companydisplay your prole name and photo next to advertisements and reviews. The SharedEndorsements feature will let you share your recommendations -- by way of a +1 on

Google Play or a restaurant rating on Google Maps -- with your connections.

To opt out, visit the Shared Endorsements page in your settings and scroll to thebottom. Uncheck the box that reads, "Based upon my activity, Google may show my

name and prole photo in shared endorsements that appear in ads." Then click Save.5. Opt out of YouTube messages and video sharing

YouTube automatically makes the videos and playlists you've liked (and yoursubscriptions) private by default. But if you don't want strangers sending you messages

and sharing videos with you, there's a setting you need to change.To start, navigate to your YouTube account settings page and click the Privacy tab fromthe menu on the left. Under the second option, "Search and contacts," click the box nextto "Allow only my contacts to send me messages and share videos." Then click Save on

the top right of the page.Senior editor Kristin Burnham covers social media, social business, and IT leadershipand careers for InformationWeek.com. Contact her at Kristin.Burnham@ubm.com orfollow her on Twitter: @kmburnham.Can the trendy tech strategy of DevOps really bring peace between developers and IToperations -- and deliver faster, more reliable app creation and delivery? Also in theDevOps Challenge issue of InformationWeek: Execs charting digital business strategiescan't aord to take Internet connectivity for granted.

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[Infrastructure Insights] The Frictionless EnterpriseMore Reports

Comments

Kristin Burnham,User Rank: Author

1/15/2014 | 9:30:27 PM

Re: It's not paranoia when they really are watching you!Some may say underhanded, others may say expected from some services. It's

another reminder to know as much about a service as possible before you sign up.Reply | Post Message | Messages List | Start a Board

Thomas Claburn,User Rank: Author

1/13/2014 | 7:58:32 PM

Re: Must use PCHere's another useful Google opt-out: targeted ads.

http://www.google.com/ads/preferences/html/opt-out.html

Reply | Post Message | Messages List | Start a Boardstevew928,

User Rank: Ninja1/13/2014 | 7:01:09 PM

Re: Google Moral compass is Not pointing true NorthYep, they've certainly outgrown their start, and seemingly their motto as well. They

have bought into the idea that 'business is business' and that you have to doeverything possible to make a prot, moral or otherwise, and just try not to get

caught if it happes to be illegal. (It's sad, but I was on a more business oriented site

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not long ago, and someone actually said it is the legal responsiblity of a CEO to doso... everything they can legally get away to maxamize prot is the CEO's legal

responsibility... I was kind of oored.)What is especially troubling to me, is that I'm using a LOT of their stu. When

Microsoft pulled this kind of baloney years ago, I wasn't so tied to theirinfrastructure, and actually gave myself a competitive advantage by using

alternatives. I'm not sure I can so easily do that this time around. :(Reply | Post Message | Messages List | Start a Board

stevew928,User Rank: Ninja

1/13/2014 | 6:54:42 PM

Re: Steps I take to protect myself online...Yes, I think either is a problem in some ways. People are going to have to learn to bemore secure in general. First, NEVER use the same password at two dierent sites.But Second, never log-in via an e-mail link or not directly into the site you're trying

to log into.And, that second one is my big beef with stu like Facebook Connect or similar

services. It's training users to just put in their info when a dialog pops up from oneof these services, even though they are on some 3rd party site. Do you know how

easy that would be to phish people and snag their Facebook, etc. login? It's a terriblehabbit to get people into.

Bottom line, if you want to be more secure, get a passoword manager and use itproperly.

Reply | Post Message | Messages List | Start a Boardmb55177,

User Rank: Apprentice1/13/2014 | 2:42:12 PM

Re: Steps I take to protect myself online...the big problem of having a seperate account for every website is the fact the thereare more places for hackers to nd a password and having so many accounts there

are bound to be at least a few that use the same password and if for example they allhave the same password then if one account gets hacked they all are hacked

(although if you are using one account for everything anyway then if that getshacked everything gets hacked) but still it is much easier to have one account for

everything as you don't have to go thru the process of having so many accounts on

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everything that you forget that you had accounts on certain websites an thinking youaccounts on other websites when you never did in the rstplace

Reply | Post Message | Messages List | Start a Boardstevew928,

User Rank: Ninja1/13/2014 | 1:27:56 PM

Re: Steps I take to protect myself online...Your point #3 is a big one... and unfortunately it has become quite popular. These

companies are literally training people to be phished. You're at some 3rd party site,and are being asked to sign-in with your Facebook or Google credentials (or

Wordpress, etc.). At least witih something like Disqus, you can use that ONLY forcommenting on posts, but I really prefer a site just have an account creation and

log-in of its own.Reply | Post Message | Messages List | Start a Board

anon5788414938,User Rank: Apprentice

1/13/2014 | 10:21:56 AM

Re: Must use PCThanks for clarifying

Reply | Post Message | Messages List | Start a BoardAriella,

User Rank: Author1/13/2014 | 8:54:37 AM

Re: Must use PC@Kristen, thanks for the tips. I've already done 1 and 4. I may consider some of the

others, though I do intend to stay on Google+. Reply | Post Message | Messages List | Start a Board

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Social is a Business ImperativeThe use of social media for a host of business purposes is rising. Indeed, social is

quickly moving from cutting edge to business basic. Organizations that have so far

Kristin Burnham,User Rank: Author

1/13/2014 | 8:38:41 AM

Re: Must use PCEach of these does work on a mobile device, but rst you need to be signed into youraccount from a browser (not via an app) and in some instances, visit the original, full

site (not the mobile-optimized page). Certainly not easy or intuitive, but can bedone!

Reply | Post Message | Messages List | Start a Boardanon5788414938,

User Rank: Apprentice1/13/2014 | 2:31:16 AM

Must use PCShould be noted that you can't make these changes using a mobile device or tablet...

Reply | Post Message | Messages List | Start a Board

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