5 ways to be completely anonymous online
Anonymity on the Internet is difficult to achieve, but not impossible. Much of what you read, buy, bookmark, or share online is tracked. Hackers are always looking for ways to access your personal information, while big data firms want to sell your data online. Also, many people believe that the government may be listening to their online activities. Therefore, it is important to take steps to ensure that your online activities remain completely anonymous.
one. VPN connection
Your standard Internet connection can expose your identity, location, and surfing behavior. Hackers and data mining companies may use tracking cookies to collect your personal information. A VPN connection does not store data in tracking cookies and helps maintain the privacy or anonymity of users’ online activities. The connection is like a tunnel that connects your Internet connection directly to a VPN provider. The provider then encrypts all the information stored or transmitted over the network. VPN connections also allow Internet users to access content that would not otherwise be accessible at their locations.
VPN connections help users hide their IP addresses. There are many VPN service providers available on the market. However, it is important to consider several factors before choosing a VPN service. First, find out the actual location of the VPN service provider. Second, check if the software used by the VPN service provider is compatible with your computer or network software. Avoid using VPN services that keep activity logs, which are vulnerable to privacy breaches. Consider subscribing to VPN services that you can also use on your portable devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
2. Operating system
Your computer’s operating system may be the first loophole that could compromise your privacy. Your operating system settings may allow you to automatically send your usage data and statistics to developers, making you prone to viruses and malware. Consider using operating systems that do not have such features and are not easy to compromise. However, it is important to know that these operating systems may not be easy to use and may require knowledge of using program commands.
3. Tor connection
Tor connections are considered one of the best ways to remain completely anonymous online. Data traveling over a Tor connection goes through multiple servers, making it difficult to track. Although Tor comes with its own browser configured, you can use it with VPN to make your connection completely anonymous. The more people are offered as servers for the Tor connection, the more efficient and faster Tor will be due to the higher bandwidth. Despite being one of the most effective ways to protect your anonymity, it is advisable to use a Tor connection with caution due to the risk of incriminating yourself should sensitive data pass through your computer acting as a server.
Tor connections are often slow because many people are not comfortable letting their computers serve as servers for the network. Tor connections can also act as gateways to the deep web, which is a hub for criminal activity. Additionally, people in countries that lack laws on Internet privacy and data sharing can use Tor connections to violate user privacy.
4. Change browser
Your browser may be exposing your data to theft or misuse. Therefore, consider switching to a browser that offers advanced privacy features. Avoid using browsers that are owned by major companies and search engines because they often collect information and data from users. Consider using browsers that allow you to control the number of cookies that access your site and the information that software developers can collect. Many websites load content from a wide range of servers, which is almost like going to the store, buying food in unlabeled containers, and hoping for the best. The browser you use and the data it collects create a fingerprint that identifies you.
5. Use anonymous connections
It is important to use anonymous connections even when you have VPN connections. This will help to further improve your privacy online. Consider using internet-enabled devices designed to improve online anonymity. Such devices allow you to access the Internet from anywhere in the world without exposing your IP address or location. They work by fracturing your online traffic through a reverse GSM bridge that ends up returning to the Internet and going out through a different wireless network.