There's no doubting the speed of Google's Chrome browser, but it's a chatty tool. When left on its standard settings, it routinely sends data back to Google, reports German computer magazine c't. That might speed up surfing, but users should still know what kind of information Chrome is sharing and how one can put an end to it.
Most of the pertinent options can be found under the additional settings option in the main settings menu. But things can get really interesting after clicking on the data security option.
Here you can stop Chrome from sending back to Google the addresses typed into the browser window. Remove the tick from the box "Use a web service to help resolve navigation errors."
If you don't want Chrome to share search queries entered into the browser window, also be sure to untick the point "Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URLs typed in the address."
Another option - Use DNS pre-fetching to improve page load performance - tries to let Chrome guess which link will next be clicked by the user so that the necessary material is ready to load immediately. But this can be a problem if that leads to pages with illegal content.
Users should be aware that using the option "Use a web service to help resolve spelling errors" means all entries into text boxes on websites go back to Google.
Another candidate for shutting off is "Automatically send usage statistics and crash reports to Google." If the browser crashes, Chrome doesn't just send data about itself, but also about files, applications and services.
But the experts do advise that users leave selected the option "Enable phishing and malware protection," which has the browser regularly review a list of dangerous pages. Bear in mind, the list has to be regularly updated, which means Google will routinely compare visited sites with its lists. Also make use of the "Send a 'Do Not Track' request with your browsing traffic" option. Doing so signals to companies and advertising networks that the user does not wish a surfing profile to be created.
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