Help Anyone help an OCD privacy freak please?!

[scaryandroid]

Hi there, I hope you guys might be able to help me. I just got a new Galaxy S3 after a break from using Android and going back to a regular basic cellphone for a while.

I did this because I'm kind of paranoid about privacy and I hate "cloud computing" and having personal stuff stored on the web.

I used to own a Google Nexus One and I lost it. The battery was dead when I lost it and tracking software never showed an updated location, so I don't know what happened with it.

Anyway I was kind of naive and when I logged into my Gmail account I clicked on Google Dashboard and was shocked to see my contacts and credit card details all stored there! I had no idea Google did any of this and didn't even know what Dashboard was!

Of course I changed my password, but I was concerned to think anyone who found my found could have looked at my e-mail straight from the e-mail app - fortunately I never used it for anything so it only had e-mail updates from YouTube - and there was no evidence of anyone using it - nothing in the inbox or outbox.

I don't think anyone could have accessed my Dashboard on my Nexus One because you'd have to log in via the browser and that would need a password unlike the e-mail app, but it kind of creeped me out.

I'm planning to close that account completely down.

So anyway I now have my GS3. I haven't set up a new Gmail account yet and I don't really want one, or to use Gmail - but of course I have to if I want to use the Google Play store.

I set up a Samsung account so I could locate my phone if I lost it, but I didn't choose the option for it to back up anything so it should be OK.

I don't think I'll be buying any paid-for apps so not Google Wallet (another thing I had no idea existed!) shouldn't be a problem.

I won't be using Google+ but I do need a Gmail account I guess.

Is there a way I can maximise my privacy settings? I don't want Google to back up my contacts, messages or phone settings or record what websites I visit etc.

I don't want any backups at all - just maximum privacy.

Can anyone explain how I can do this please?

Any help appreciated!

By the way - I really do suffer with OCD so I'm not making fun and it really is why I get paranoid about silly stuff like this - I'm a natural worrier.

I almost didn't get another smartphone for this reason but I liked the look of the GS3 so much I decided to take the plunge.

Anyone who can help with this - and offer any reassurance about my old Gmail account and lost Nexus One - I'd really, really appreciate.

 

[Heisenberg123]

youll be fine you dont need to use google to back up contacts, sms, call logs,

save all that to the phone memory, de-activate google + to make sure its not being used, dont add the gmail as an email account etc etc

 

[davidmanvell]

Big brother is watching you...

Couple of things:

Every Android phone is linked to a Gmail email address which is fine. First off you don't have to use a real name and other info for your Gmail address; It can be something like RedskinsfanIAM@gmail.com just as easy as david.manvell@gmail.com. Don't let the government find out your real name!

Turn off all syncing to Gmail and other type accounts. This will stop THEM from gaining access to your messages and contacts!

Don't enter a credit card to buy anything out of the Google Play Store. They DO have gift cards you can buy with cash (From a real store) and use those to buy stuff with in the Google Play Store. Just remember to not buy the Google Play Store gift cards at any store with a security camera as they have face tracking technology to find you!

You can use Google+ but just don't put any real info in it. I hereby claim you to be henceforth known as Alexandrish Gregory Spitsmistenburger! Just create a Google+ account under that name and you should be good to go. Unless that name is taken already...

Oh yes, turn on phone encryption (Encrypt device and encrypt sd card if present) and also remember to add multiple high security locks to access you phone to begin with. You can also set up a sim card lock. If someone steals your phone they will hack you and steal your credit if you don't immediately wipe it and lock it down!

Also look at an app called Where's my Droid. It allows you do remotely locate your phone, remotely wipe your phone, remotely change your phones password etc. All via text messaging from another phone. Does so securely. Just don't do this from anyone's phone you don't trust, they could record your text message then hack your phone later!

Remember to not leave any wifi, bluetooth, dlna or anything like that on. Hackers can get to you as well through those methods, don't believe what Google says. Nothing is safe!

Remember, your porn collection on your phone is not safe! Take precautions!

 

[scaryandroid]

Thanks for the replies! David you made me laugh - I know I sound paranoid and silly and I probably am being silly but having OCD I do struggle with it and I'd rather just set my mind at rest. Not quite as paranoid as you suggest but I know you're just teasing.

I don't really mind having a Gmail account as I won't use it and I'll keep the password secure, I was mainly just worried in case I lost my new phone.

I understand I have to set up a Gmail account before I can use the Google Play store to get apps, I really just wanted some advice on how, from the beginning, when I set up my Gmail account I can set it up to specifically tell it not to backup anything from my phone or track my website usage etc.

My issue with my Nexus One is that I knew I had a Gmail account but didn't realise that this was linked to a wider Dashboard and that Google had backed up my contacts and saved my credit card details without me realising.

So I'm happy to have a Gmail/Google account but wanted some advice on the right way to set it up from the beginning and if it was possible to prevent it from backing anything up from my phone or tracking my web use.

I am kinda rusty with Android and I'm still a little unclear on how to do the above.

So thanks for the replies so far, but if anyone could explain how I can set up my new Gmail/Google account so it doesn't back anything up or track me, I'd be very grateful...

 

[Heisenberg123]

Thanks for the replies! David you made me laugh - I know I sound paranoid and silly and I probably am being silly but having OCD I do struggle with it and I'd rather just set my mind at rest. Not quite as paranoid as you suggest but I know you're just teasing.

I don't really mind having a Gmail account as I won't use it and I'll keep the password secure, I was mainly just worried in case I lost my new phone.

I understand I have to set up a Gmail account before I can use the Google Play store to get apps, I really just wanted some advice on how, from the beginning, when I set up my Gmail account I can set it up to specifically tell it not to backup anything from my phone or track my website usage etc.

My issue with my Nexus One is that I knew I had a Gmail account but didn't realise that this was linked to a wider Dashboard and that Google had backed up my contacts and saved my credit card details without me realising.

So I'm happy to have a Gmail/Google account but wanted some advice on the right way to set it up from the beginning and if it was possible to prevent it from backing anything up from my phone or tracking my web use.

I am kinda rusty with Android and I'm still a little unclear on how to do the above.

So thanks for the replies so far, but if anyone could explain how I can set up my new Gmail/Google account so it doesn't back anything up or track me, I'd be very grateful...

the items will be listed for what to sync with google account

contacts
calanader
mail

just click them all to NO

 

[SUroot]

Set up 2 factor authentication on your old account. No one will get into it. Always have a device password. Then you're good.

 

[scaryandroid]

Thanks for your help. I feel kinda strange about my old account so I think I'll shut that one down and start a fresh one for my new device.

I'll do my best with the settings and maybe if I have any trouble I can ask again on this thread.

Many thanks to all who replied.

 

[SUroot]

Ok set up 2 factor authentication on the new account

 

[scaryandroid]

Ok set up 2 factor authentication on the new account

lol will do, thanks!

 

[davidmanvell]

I attached two screenshots from the phone. When you set up a gmail account you will have to go through several screens. You are also asked about a bunch of other security type questions. These are some of the options you can turn on or off. These by the way are on ice cream sandwich. I don't have jelly bean yet which adds additional items. (By end of year we should all have jelly bean).

 

[scaryandroid]

I attached two screenshots from the phone. When you set up a gmail account you will have to go through several screens. You are also asked about a bunch of other security type questions. These are some of the options you can turn on or off. These by the way are on ice cream sandwich. I don't have jelly bean yet which adds additional items. (By end of year we should all have jelly bean).

Wow thanks that's really helpful! I've opened a new account and disabled all the features I don't want and not joined Google+

So I feel much better now, much appreciated.