How To Disable Google's New Default Spamming Of Your Email

[onehandle]

(If you have not activated Google+, this may not apply to you)

Google changed your Google+/Gmail profile to make it easier for their spammer clients and stalkers to send you uninvited Email.

This has been changed against your will, because no Google service is truly free.

Here is how to defend yourself:

1. Open Gmail.
2. Click the gear in the top right.
3. Select Settings.
4. Scroll down to the Email via Google+ section (stay in the "General" tab).
5. Click the drop-down menu and choose one of these four: Anyone on Google+, Extended circles, Circles or No one.
6. Click Save Changes at the bottom of the page.

Unless your social universe lives in Google+ (almost nobody's does) it is important to choose 'No one' or else spammers/stalkers will find a way to reach you.

[Vinnie From Indy]

1. #5 is a bit confusing.

[DetlefK]

2. He meant:

Choose one of those options: "Anyone on Google+", "Extended circles", "Circles" or "No one".

[onehandle]

3. It's a pop up menu with four choices.

'Anyone on Google+' is the default

Choose: Extended circles, Circles or No one, instead.

I would choose No one or spammers/stalkers will find a way to reach you.

[Triana]

4. I don't see any such setting on my General tab

but I'm not on Google+ either.

[cleanhippie]

7. Why would you even look for it if you're not on Google +?

[Shampoobra]

10. Allow me

Some of us are constantly vigilant against Gmail and other services that have the potential to threaten our privacy and/or expose us to external online threats.

Therefore, we would never think to join something called Google+, whatever the hell that is.

But the OP's subject line didn't announce to Goggle+ users, but to all Google email users ("Google's New Default Spamming Of Your Email&quot , and the body included the warning: "This has been changed against your will . . ."

To the Gmail user who wants to avoid Google+ (whatever the hell that is), this OP seems to be saying: "Here's how to avoid being tricked into becoming part of it."

In other words, this OP will attract many people (like myself) who don't know what Google+ is, but want to avoid it. So the first thing I did was try to follow the list of instructions, which are meaningless to me because my display doesn't include an "Email via Google+" section.

[Aldo Leopold]

19. +1

And well said!

[cleanhippie]

21. It seemed apparent to me that the OP was about Google +.

I can see how some would not find it so apparent.

[Autumn]

5. I can't seem to find Email via Google+ section

This is all I have under General


Language:
Gmail display language:
Phone numbers:
Maximum page size:
Images:
Browser connection:
Default reply behavior:
Default text style:
Conversation View:
Stars:
Desktop Notifications:
Keyboard shortcuts:
Button labels:
My picture:
People Widget:
Create contacts for auto-complete:
Importance signals for ads:
Signature:
Snippets:
Vacation responder:
Outgoing message encoding:


Save Changes Cancel

[PasadenaTrudy]

9. Same here

I went and looked 3 times. Looked under other tabs too. No Comprende....

[UTUSN]

13. Me, too, but oh well, R#20 & K until I get cleared up. n/t

[Common Sense Party]

6. Does this only matter if you use Google +?

Something I read yesterday seemed to indicate that.

[jsr]

8. Also, tell Google to delete your Google+ profile:

https://support.google.com/plus/answer/1044503?hl=en

[Shampoobra]

11. Thank you (nt)

[jsr]

12. YW. It's the best way. Just kill it dead.

[onehandle]

14. Nice. I like the 'Learn how to delete your Google Account' link on that page too.

Starve the Borg:

https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/32046

[jsr]

17. You can also use Google without giving them any traceable info:

Use
https://startpage.com/eng/

[SheilaT]

15. Not using gmail as your email

can be helpful also.

I use something called Spam Arrest as my primary email. I pay something for it. I honestly forget how much because it auto renews every few years, something some people do not like. I'm fine with it, and I simply never get spam in my inbox.

[SDjack]

16. I found a better way -- leaving Gmail for a company that charges an annual fee,

screens out the crap, and doesn't nag me endlessly to make and use "circles".

[Le Taz Hot]

18. I didn't have the option in #4

but I think it's because I've never signed up for Google+ so I'm thinking, if you haven't signed up, there's no reason to give you that option. Just a guess.

[cheyanne]

20. Help: question about amazon

Maybe someone here can help me. As my internet access was booting up (chrome), I noticed that it was waiting for amazon to load among the other things.

Since I'm not a member of Amazon, have never bought anything from them, this seems strange . . .

does anyone know what this is?

thanks . ..

[greiner3]

22. Hadn't known about this one; Thank you!!!!!!!!!!

Also, running Firefox, as the only browser, there is the addon;

'No Script'.

" The NoScript Firefox extension provides extra protection for Firefox, Seamonkey and other mozilla-based browsers: this free, open source add-on allows JavaScript, Java, Flash and other plugins to be executed only by trusted web sites of your choice (e.g. your online bank).

NoScript also provides the most powerful anti-XSS and anti-Clickjacking protection ever available in a browser.

NoScript's unique whitelist based pre-emptive script blocking approach prevents exploitation of security vulnerabilities (known and even not known yet!) with no loss of functionality...

You can enable JavaScript, Java and plugin execution for sites you trust with a simple left-click on the NoScript status bar icon (look at the picture), or using the contextual menu, for easier operation in popup statusbar-less windows."

http://noscript.net/

BTW, there is NO guarantee Google, the company that 'Does No Evil' will keep this info anyway.

It blocks a LOT of sites from this option and MAY be a bit of a chore for you to master (I'm still a 'grasshopper') but is worth it as most sites use Google stuff;

Google analytics
Google add services
A whole lot of add cookies not blocked by another Firefox extension;

'Add Blocker'

https://adblockplus.org/en/firefox

"
Adblock Plus
Surf the web without annoying ads!

Blocks banners, pop-ups and video ads - even on Facebook and YouTube
Protects your online privacy
Two-click installation
It's free!"

TAKE CONTROL of your privacy while on the nets.

Oh, one more Firefox add on;

'Donottrackme'

" DoNotTrackMe: Online Privacy Protection 3.1.1038
by Abine, Inc., the online privacy company

Protect your privacy. Stop companies and advertisers from tracking your browsing and sending you spam email."

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/donottrackplus/

Happy, and safe, surfing!

Which blocks almost every ad.

[jsr]

24. Adblock Edge is faster and blocks ALL ads

https://addons.mozilla.org/En-us/firefox/addon/adblock-edge/

[Th1onein]

23. knr

[ManiacJoe]

25. Got an email from Google with the same instructions.

[lostincalifornia]

26. so glad I never signed up for Google+