For years, privacy advocates have warned that we are becoming an Orwellian society. We are being monitored and tracked more than ever.

Thankfully, our society is very different from George Orwell’s 1984. However, we do face daily threats to our privacy.

Case in point: Google has launched an interest-based advertising program. Basically, your browsing history is tracked. You are then shown ads based on your interests.

Certain sensitive interests won’t be tracked, according to Google. But you will want to take steps to protect your privacy.

Google’s collection of information on its users must be vast. This makes me uncomfortable. In the wrong hands, it could be downright dangerous.

Fortunately, you can opt out of Google’s interest-based advertising program.

Google has released tools to help you opt out permanently. If you use IE or Firefox, you need only install a plug-in.

If you use a different browser, you must change its settings. You’ll find instructions alongside the plug-ins for Firefox and IE. Don’t delay!

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