Computer Support Blog

Privacy is becoming a more and more frequently discussed topic these days.  This is likely because online services like Facebook and Google continue to collect large amounts of data on their users.  Some users do not seem to mind trading a bit of their privacy for free online services. Others have been less than enthusiastic about the way users seem to be paying these companies with their personal data instead of cash for their services.  Brian Kennish, cofounder of Disconnect, is most certainly in the latter camp.

Brian Kennish formerly worked at Google as a software developer.  However, in 2010, Kennish left Google due to increasing dissatisfaction with their mass data collection and the secrecy around how that data is used.  That is part of the reason Kennish developed Disconnect, a browser extension that blocks third-party sites from tracking you when you use the web.  Disconnect is available to download for four different browsers—Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and Safari.  If you have trouble installing Disconnect, you can always ask computer support for assistance. 

Kennish developed software that was the precursor to Disconnect while still working at Google.  Concerned with how Facebook was tracking users on more and more websites through the company’s “Facebook Connect” service, Kennish programmed a Chrome extension that blocked Facebook from tracking you.  He named this original software “Facebook Disconnect” as a play on the name of Facebook’s own program.  After Kennish left Google, he expanded upon the idea of his original extension and opened Disconnect as a company to promote awareness about privacy and tracking.  The current Disconnect software blocks many more websites from tracking you, including heavyweights Google and Twitter.

Kennish’s company recently rose 3.5 million dollars in Series A funding to continue its work.  Disconnect also raises money through a donation model as opposed to a set retail price for Kennish’s software.  Users can pay what they like for Disconnect on the company’s website and even dedicate a specific amount of their donations to other charities. Disconnect has proven to be very popular so far, with over a million weekly users. Brian Kennish is clearly a cool person whose work on Disconnect certainly shows his passion and dedication to user privacy and Internet security.

About RESCUECOM:

RESCUECOM provides computer repair and computer support, 24/7: Meeting every tech support need including data recovery, virus removal, networking, wireless services, and computer support for all brands of hardware and software. For computer support or information on products, services, or computer repair, visit https://www.rescuecom.com or call 1-800-RESCUE-PC.

For More Information, Contact:

David Milman
CEO
david@rescuecom.com
1-315-882-1100

Filed under: facebook, Google, Internet Security