Ixquick and Internet Search Engine Privacy

Ixquick.com - a metasearch engine - not only allows users to maximize Internet searches by accessing multiple search engines simultaneously, but lets them do it anonymously. Reportedly the first search engine to delete private details of its users within 48 hours of a search, Ixquick further enhanced user privacy, as it ceased recording user IP addresses altogether as of January 2009 (with the stated exception of "abusive" queriers - see Ixquick's Privacy Policy).

Not all Internet users devote serious thought to the subject of search engine privacy, but the work of data privacy expert and consumer advocate, Dr. Katherine Albrecht, is raising the general public's awareness of the issue. Given her strong opposition to RFID chips in consumer products - and the consumer threats she argues this kind of electronic surveillance technology poses - Albrecht's relatively new association with Ixquick may be considered a strong product endorsement by those familiar with her mission.

Ixquick highlights CNET's 2006 report on AOL's accidental public release of their users' search data, which alerted readers to the privacy risks search engines can present. Scrutiny focused on search security since then has increased and Ixquick.com provides consumers with insights into why a secure search product is worth considering (see "Ixquick Protects Your Privacy").

Ixquick has twice earned European Privacy Seal (EuroPriSe) certification. A 2008 press release states EuroPriSe awards its certification to IT products and IT-based services they deem compliant with European regulations on privacy and data security. EuroPriSe also claims use of a two-step audit procedure, which consists of independent expert product / service evaluations, followed by evaluation report cross-checks performed by an accredited certification body.

Given these industry nods of approval, the ultimate test is checking Ixquick's performance yourself. After a few months of use, I still like it, even only just discovering its advanced search level capabilities. Online reviews naturally reveal a range of opinions - some users found Ixquick slow or unremarkable in the early 2000s, but others later reported high levels of satisfaction, a few even expressing loyal exclusivity to their new search tool. Personally, I have never stalled out or experienced long waits using Ixquick - my searches are quick and always yield results I can use.

I decided to try Ixquick after learning of it through Dr. Albrecht on Coast to Coast AM and I've had no regrets since I switched. Because I'm neither an IT expert, nor a fan of trying out new programs simply for the experience, all I ever want is something trustworthy that works well and gives me no hassles. Because Internet Explorer is my chosen browser, I needed to follow Ixquick's plug-in download instructions and take a few minutes to set Ixquick as my default search engine - I accomplished this with minimal stress. An Ixquick toolbar is also available, but since that was already more than I wanted, I cannot comment on it (although I'm sure others can and should).

Go to Ixquick.com and compare it with your favorite search engine. It's possible Ixquick may not be perfect for everyone's uses, but I believe it's met my own research and privacy needs very well so far.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ixquick

http://www.ixquick.com/eng/privacy-policy.html

http://www.spychips.com/

http://blog.wired.com/sterling/2009/01/katherine-albre.html

http://news.cnet.com/AOL-apologizes-for-release-of-user-search-data/2100-1030_3-6102793.html

http://us2.ixquick.com/eng/protect_privacy.html

https://www.european-privacy-seal.eu/about-europrise

https://www.european-privacy-seal.eu/awarded-seals/de-080001p/

https://www.european-privacy-seal.eu/press-room/press-releases/20080714-europrise-press-release-en.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1108061/top_free_radio_shows_for_those_reluctant.html?cat=7