Looking at 2015 and beyond: What’s at stake for online privacy
With so much of work and personal life tied in with the Internet in some way, it can be a struggle to maintain privacy and security online. Every time a user logs on to the Internet, important data and information is collected by the user’s ISP, one or more third-party organizations, and by the search engine system. In most cases, this information is used to enhance the web experience for the user and to facilitate processes such as searches and repeated site visits. When the data and information is used for the purpose for which it was intended, the procedure is generally harmless and results in no adverse consequences to the user.
Users without SearchLock have a lot to worry about.
The problem is when unauthorized parties–and even unscrupulous organizations–misuse the data collected from users. Even search terms can be used for questionable purposes, exposing the user to the risk of data theft and unwelcome intrusion. It is therefore essential for web users to ensure that their sensitive search information is kept protected at all times.
SearchLock presents an elegant solution that eliminates the risk of search data falling into the wrong hands. Designed as a plug-in or extension that works with all major web browsers, it is so transparent and seamless in operation that it is virtually unnoticeable. Nevertheless, it constantly monitors web activity in the background, particularly with regard to how search information is collected and used.
When a search term is typed into the Internet, it is typically tracked by the search engine system, associated with the user, and stored on the search engine server. The browser extension prevents this from happening by detecting tracking attempts from the moment they occur. The software then quickly reroutes the search information to a private and secure results page, which is then presented to the user. The process is entirely seamless and takes place in the same amount of time as a typical search.
The browser goes even further by preventing search activity from being associated with the user’s online accounts and preventing keystrokes from being logged. By doing so, the software provides a much more secure and more private browsing experience than that which a standard browser could provide on its own.
Developed by BeeStripe, SearchLock has garnered numerous positive reviews since it was introduced. The official site is included in a recent Alexa list of the top 500 most visited websites in the United States. For company CEO Aaron Lovelace, this indicated a growing recognition of the need to keep sensitive search information protected from unauthorized access.
More recently, SearchLock was also awarded Trusted Download Program certification by the TRUSTe organization. The foremost data privacy management firm in the world, TRUSTe tests and reviews security and privacy software and certifies those that meet their standards. With its innovative approach to preventing unauthorized search information access, the browser extension has been proven to be one of the most important security and privacy tools available today. With the achievement of both these milestones, Aaron Lovelace is understandably optimistic of the company’s continued dominance of the market.
