Next Time You Use Google...

That's right, keep using Google for searches, maps, price comparisons. But when you do, just keep this in the back of your mind.

Rinf.com has a very eye-opening post about what info Google gives you and what they get in return.

I've highlighted a couple startling items.

Google was the first search engine to use a cookie that expires in 2038

This Google cookie places a unique ID number on your hard disk. Anytime you land on a Google page, you get a Google cookie if you don't already have one. If you have one, they read and record your unique ID number.

For all searches they record the cookie ID, your Internet IP address, the time and date, your search terms, and your browser configuration.

Have Google's tool bar installed?

Google's free toolbar for Explorer phones home with every page you surf, and yes, it reads your cookie too.

Google essentially has complete access to your hard disk every time you connect to Google (which is many times a day).

Just something to think about.