Microsoft Edge

For those of you using old Edge. It's going to be wound down starting in the latter half of March and deleted in April, so you will need to install the later version. I've been using it for some while now and have no problems with it.

 

The new Edge should be downloaded automatically by windows.

All the reviews are very complemetary of it, which make a change !

 

Not keen on Edge myself, used the new edition at work the other day on a computer I didn't normally use. Used Edge to view a website for something and Bing promptly had Edge open a window for the software company that produces our Information Management System, that I was using in the background.

 

I have to use edge at work. It is a decent browser with a high Speed but I wouldn't wanna use it at home.

On my private PC I prefer Mozilla Firefox because it lets you customise almost everything and gives you a good range of adblockers. I am always weary when using browsers affiliated with giant companies. Note sure what they are going to do with all my data

 

Probably exactly the same as the small ones.

 

I can't understand why anyone would still use Microsoft products of any flavour, when you can get FREE stuff that is open source and does the same job.

I'm a linux convert and use DuckDuckGo as my search engine. There was too much of my data being harvested by Google.

Like you Black Dog - I use Mozilla Firefox as my browser.

 

Serious question, how do you know they are using your data, in what way does using a different browser alter what happens.
And what "data" are you hoping to stop them getting hold of?

I'm just never sure what people are worried about giving away.

 

Google collect data such as the web sites you've visited - the key words you've used for searches - they use your data for marketing - they know the details of your computer set-up - they never delete the data they collect about you - they build up an 'on line' profile about you. They probably sell your data to other organisations as well.

If you use DuckDuckGo for searches - no data is collected at all - and each web page displays a risk level. So, GC is risk level B+ - it uses encryption and 4 trackers - goodle ads - google analytics - facebook and twitter. Firefox will block these trackers if you want it to.

Just to be clear - I'm am not up to no good on the internet - I just don't want Google harvesting data about me and using it for whatever purposes.

I do use Google Mail and that it rated at 'D' - Lord knows how much date they glean from my e-mails - but it's too much of a pain to change e-mail addresses.

 

I use Edge purely because my cantankerous lap top doesn't function at all well with anything else. I wouldn't use Google even if I had the choice.

I've been using Gmail for the last couple of years and although it functions well I'm getting fed up with Google trying more and more ways to invade my privacy. As it stands at the moment I gather they can read our emails and gain any information they want, so it won't be long before I change again.

 

Cannot answer your question directly or with any authority, but with the likes of Google they openly admit they scan your Gmails and track your Googles/ Chrome use for advertising purposes.

Expect Microsoft with Edge, Bing and Windows do the same, though some like Firefox,
DuckDuckGo say they protect our privacy.

Whats not said publicly is what data and info they hold that we do not know about and what details the sell or provide to other parties.

Even after all that, you then have to account for the staff of those companies who can take advantage of things, after all with so much informtion to hand who is likely to know they have copied it to a usb key; all these scammers , bank frausters must get their info from somewhere.

Not like its anything new, many years ago used to work in the computer center of a big institution and knew that folk would look for neighbours and friends personal info, more for being nosy, but only a small step to something more serious.

The real problem is that with so much of your info around, particularly the younger folk using all the social media sites , plus the data breaches from the companies you have dealt with, the fraudsters can build up a profile of us and then clone our identities to commit fraud.

So don't think we can afford to be complacent imho.

 

Hi @Sheal ,

As with the other Gmail thread, have now moved all of our private email contacts to the new provider and its working well.
We are not using the heavy encrypton thats available as those institutions do not use it, but its still a quiet private and secure service for just a modest monthy sum.

Certainly worth looking around and finding one that you like the look of, but as your son uses one then that might be good one for you as well as he can guide you through things if you have any problems.
This site give a decent review of the most popular ones -
Secure Email - Most Secure Providers and Services in 2021 | CyberNews

 

I'm glad to hear you're happy with your new email provider @ricky101 .

Thanks for the informative link. I'll probably move to Protonmail which my son uses. Looking at it's set up on the link, it's layout is very much like the one I used to use when I lived on the Isle of Man - Manxnet. It was a little antiquated in set up but functioned very well and being Mann based was pretty secure.

 

I suggest everyone of you make a little test at home.

Open up Edge, install adblockers of choice and try to watch a random YouTube video. Them count the number of adds you see into you reached the end.
After that try the very same with Chrome and Firefox.

My personal winner was Firefox with "NoScript" and "uBlock". It just plain kills every add and gives you just what you want.

Just the opposite on my phone. With Android there is little choice and I have to use Chrome because it's the only one running smoothly. My father once sent me a link to show me what kind of railing he bought for his new staircase. For months I was getting banner-adds trying to sell mit that exact railing.

 

I do know that most banks, insurance companies etc. Tell you not to put any sensitive info. In emails.

So I'm guessing email in general is considered insecure.