For most of you who have been following the computer and technology industries, you are probably well-aware of Google's efforts to slowly, but surely, take over the world.  Google has revolutionized the way that we use our computers, utilize the Internet, do business, communicate with others, and it has simply changed the way that we live our lives.  With all of the Google apps, products, and services out there, it's quite easy to get caught up in the Google craze that seems to never end as the company continues to release innovative technologies.  In this article, you will learn about a number of Google settings that you can use to take full control of your Google use.

Turn off Google's search history logging

Google keeps a log of your search history, tracking what phrases you have entered into the search bar, the web pages that you have visited, and some of your other activity on Google.  Basically, the web history feature is meant to make users' search experience more personal and customized.  If you want to turn this feature off, for privacy purposes or otherwise, all you have to do is sign in to Google and visit Google.com/history.  From this site you can access the settings on your search history, and you can clear your web history, pause the tracking of your history, or permanently turn the service off.

Take control of Google Buzz

Google Buzz is a relatively new technology that helps to integrate your social networking, email, and chat features.  Through Buzz, you can share videos, pictures, updates, and conversations, right from your Gmail account.  The main difference between Buzz and other similar services is that Buzz gives you control to be more private or public about your sharing.  One feature that you may want to monitor and set up properly is the follower/followed settings.  Make sure to check your profile to ensure that Buzz isn't sharing private information, such as private email messages, private email addresses, and your public profile.

Turn off the auto-display feature for images sent from Gmail contacts

Now, as many of you may already know, spammers and malware often make use of tracking tactics through attachments and embedded data, such as embedded pictures.  For privacy and security, Gmail blocks images sent from unknown contacts.  For convenience, Gmail auto-displays images from contacts that you have sent email to in the past.  This can be quite frustrating and harmful to your privacy, especially if you have friends or relatives who are always sending you forwarded emails, chain mails, and spam disguised as humor or some supposedly life-changing email.  If you want to disable all auto-displayed pictures, whether from unknown sources or other Gmail contacts, then you can do so by heading to the "external content" setting in your Gmail settings page.