cross-posted from: https://sh.itjust.works/post/65506805

(this is my first post im new) ive noticed something no one seems to have a problem with. do you have this problem to? am i just doing something wrong?

i use a privacy friendly browser plus a privacy friendly os and use fingerprint spoofer/blocker. i watch videos on invidious. i noticed that the “popular” tab shows videos related to videos i watched before. even if i clear my cookies, or change my idenity in (offiscial) tor browser i still get recommended related videos meaning no matter what i do google knows what i watch. whats worse, if i go on invidious on a totally different device with a normal broswer normal os, i get the same videos. meaning websites know what videos i watch across multiple sessions but also multiple devices. im sick of this. it feels like i’ve tried everything, sacrificed so much connivence but no results.

(this isn’t a question spefecifically about youtube google or invindious just how to get webisites to stop knowing everything i do across multiple identities and every device i use)

Things I tried

*Proton vpn+librewolf(max security according to settings)+nosircpt+Ublock(with the filters it comes with)+ officisal recommended invidious instances+Quad9 via settings

*Tails+Tor browser(max security settings apprentaly)+default bridge+no javascirpt+fingerprint spoofing estendsion+bluetooth disabled by tails+all the previous mentioned (exculding vpn i heard its risky)+invidious again (Tails doesn’t work well for me the police are not after me and it takes so long to start and presisent stoarage is annoying)

*Qubes+Whonix vm+Tor browser(max again)+no javascript (I love and hate qubes from my first impression it meets my security needs and you can run any os in a vm on it but i wish it just worked. theres a steep learning curve and my hardware isn’t the best for it)

No results on any of these just slower internet and some websites are broken. Its just like using a normal browser that tracks you but slow as a privacy one. im getting tired of this. i use all this super deep level paranoid overkill stufff and nothing happens. like im burning my house to get rid of a spider but the spider is still there

possible causes -google wireless access point (does qubes/whonix/tor NOT protect against this at all??) (also my family HATES any changes or mild inconveniences) -i logged in to google without a vpn ONCE does this automatically doom you forever even if you change os and browser and device? -hardware is framework laptop

for clairtiy I am not -a criminal -a journalist -a gooner -willing to go off grid in the woods I am -creeped out -tired -about to give up My privacy goals -be able to actually cut ties with my shadow profile and have websites not know everything ive done in my life -control what data brokers and compaines knsw -not have any website at all know every device i use -be able to use any network safely

I feel like giving up on privacy because nothing seems to work. the only results I get is slower more broken internet

  • randombullet@programming.devEnglish
    2·
    15 hours ago

    It’s not all or nothing.

    Like the saying goes. If bacon is the only thing preventing you from being vegetarian, then be a vegetarian who eats bacon.

    Add one thing at a time. When you feel ready, then move tot he next project.

    The ultimate privacy is to never connect to the Internet, but that’s not very feasible.

      • randombullet@programming.devEnglish
        1·
        12 hours ago

        So what actually do you see you keeping with for the next few months.

        Do you no longer use Google, Bing, Yahoo search? That’s a win! Can you stick with that for the next few months? Then that’s another win!

        Using a private DNS over your ISPs? That’s a win. Still keeping up with it for the next few months? Another win.

        Small changes for long term usage is better than changing everything at once and only keeping it for a few days weeks.

  • B0NK3RS@lemmy.worldEnglish
    4·
    2 days ago

    I feel like giving up on privacy because nothing seems to work. the only results I get is slower more broken internet

    I haven’t read your whole post but noticed this bit. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

    • lemmingsareawesome@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      11·
      1 day ago

      thanks for the advice but it feels like im doing everything and getting nothing. i want just at least something.

      thansk for comment

      • bugbear@lemmy.sdf.orgEnglish
        2·
        22 hours ago

        In all fairness, overdoing it is also telling. Like the reason why Tor browser has everything standardised is because you hide in a crowd.

        But not reporting anything is making you stand out as well, if you report uniquely little information about yourself with some statistics and guesswork you can be fingerprinted as well.

        Sometimes people try to hide everything about themselves not realising that makes them unique and easier to identify.

  • frongt@lemmy.zipEnglish
    3·
    2 days ago

    Are you sure they’re not just showing up because they’re popular, and your only connection you them is that you also watched other popular videos?

    • lemmingsareawesome@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      11·
      1 day ago

      idk its weird that i watched very niche videos and the second i check back in theyre there. i dont think everyones watching the same thing as me at the exact same time.

      thanks for the comment

  • bigmclargehuge@lemmy.zipEnglish
    2·
    2 days ago

    Privacy is about reducing your footprint, not erasing it. We’re not spooks. If you use the internet in any kind of capacity, for content, or shopping…there will be some kind of record of you. You just want to reduce it.

    Get rid of noscript. 99% of the internet needs javascript to work. Stick with Librewolf or some kind of Firefox based browser using UBlock Origin. If your super strict Librewolf settings are breaking certain sites, ease up on them until you find it tenable. You don’t need Tor. Tor has always been slow.

    Get an extension called Privacy Badger.

    Two things you should do that wasn’t mentioned in your OP:

    1. Manage your own DNS. I use Technitium, but AdGuard and PiHole are 2 other options that do the same thing. Managing your own DNS is a big privacy win especially when you’re not on a VPN.
    2. Buy a domain to manage your email. Using the same email address on different accounts is a big privacy issue. Companies hash emails and pass them around. So if you use your email address for an account on Company X site, and also on Company Y. Y can send X a hash of your email, and they can see that you have accounts on sites X & Y. And then boom, serve you ads related to them.

    If you have an domain associated with an email, you can create addresses at will when you make accounts. So in this scenario, you’d have companyX@mydomain.com, and companyY@mydomain.com. The hashes wouldn’t match. And if you only use that email for that one site, you’ll never be cross-referenced.

    • HarneyToker@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      21 hours ago

      Alternatively, many email services offer a “hide my email” function that you can use to have a different address for each site you use, and it is convenient that it all goes to the same inbox.

    • lemmingsareawesome@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      11·
      1 day ago

      another quesieton

      can you be anonymous without relying on how safe your network is? what if you go to friends house and need wifi but its unsafe but you want to be safe?

      (sorry to forget that i use privacy badger thanks for the comment)

            • lemmingsareawesome@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
              11·
              1 day ago

              i tried proton vpn but it didnt work (I cant get a paid vpn and i dont know if it would even work)

              thanks for the comments its helps others see this

              • Midnight Wolf@lemmy.worldEnglish
                1·
                1 day ago

                I bought a couple (travel routers) from GL.iNet. They are small, similar to the unifi model linked above. They fit in a pocket in a pinch, though it’s not the most comfortable experience

                • lemmingsareawesome@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
                  21·
                  1 day ago

                  i have doubts that they work since ive used “super overkill” things like qubes and whonix and tor that everyone says works but it doesnt for me. the routers might work for you since tech hates me thanks for the recommendation though friend )

    • lemmingsareawesome@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      11·
      1 day ago

      thanks for the help

      with fingerprinting i think i want to spoof it to look like everybody else and be able to change it to reset my idenity. im tried of everything following me

      but im not sure how having my own email would help since i dont log in to invidious or youtube or google.

      thanks anyway