TrackMeNot
TrackMeNot is a browser extension that helps protect web privacy and anonymity by sending randomized search queries to search engines in the background while users browse the web normally. It aims to hide users' real searches in a cloud of fake queries.
privacy
anonymity
search-privacy
browser-extension
TrackMeNot: Browser Extension for Private Searching
TrackMeNot is a browser extension that helps protect web privacy and anonymity by sending randomized search queries to search engines in the background while users browse the web normally. It aims to hide users' real searches in a cloud of fake queries.
What is TrackMeNot?
TrackMeNot is a free, open-source browser extension available for Firefox and Chrome that helps protect users' search privacy. It works by sending randomized search queries to popular search engines like Google, Bing, and Yahoo in the background when the browser is open.
The main goal of TrackMeNot is to obscure and hide users' actual search queries in a cloud of fake, randomly-generated searches. This makes it more difficult for search engines to build an accurate profile on the user's interests and search habits. Some key features and benefits of TrackMeNot include:
- Sends about 10 fake queries per minute to search engines in order to mask users' real searches
- Queries are context-appropriate and look similar to real searches
- Easy to install browser extension with simple on/off toggle
- Customizable options - users can blacklist certain sites and set various usage options
- Open source tool regularly updated by developers
- Helps protect privacy by preventing tracking of sensitive searches
Overall, TrackMeNot is an easy-to-use and set-up tool that runs quietly in the background while users browse the web. By adding noise and confusion around a user's true search interests, it makes it more difficult for search engines, marketers, and other third parties to profile the user's personal details or search history.
TrackMeNot Features
Features
- Sends randomized search queries to search engines in the background
- Aims to hide users' real searches in a cloud of fake queries
- Supports major web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari
- Configurable settings to control the frequency and intensity of fake queries
Pricing
- Open Source
Pros
Helps protect web privacy and anonymity
Obscures users' real search patterns
Easy to install and use
Actively maintained and updated
Cons
May slow down the browsing experience due to increased network activity
Some search engines may detect and block the fake queries
Effectiveness in hiding real searches may be limited
Official Links
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