7 Steps to Be Anonymously Surf the Web

The default online security is a wall of sand in between our data and the prying eyes. The state of the internet and its privacy is a travesty, but you can turn the tables around if you work hard and strive for data protection. The next best thing that you can experience is internet anonymity.

Although many tools are explicitly designed to guarantee the users online privacy, there is no real default privacy on the internet yet. Our personal information is used by nearly every company we visit on the internet, and it is sold internationally. Weak governmental protection, leaky products, and hacked records are aiding this cause, and the internet society, in general, is becoming a jungle with no law implementation.

So if you have to fight your own way then so be it;

Here are the 7 ways using which you can anonymously surf the internet and protect your data from prying eyes.

1. Find a Country that values Privacy

It is good to be in a country which respects its citizen’s privacy and data. It is even better to live in a country which at least talks about protecting the individual’s privacy and limits the commercial use of it. The European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is raising the level, and privacy activists are more than happy. The GDPR laws impact any company in the European Union and to every company that is doing business with the citizen in the EU.

Of course, we cannot simply opt out to simply move to another country to embrace privacy; at least most of us cannot afford to do so. So what recommended is to contribute to organizations that are fighting for your privacy and are creating awareness about this dire crime. Electronic Privacy Information Centre (EPIC) and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) are the leading organizations which you can support as they have a clean and fair track record. 

2. Use a Virtual Private Network 

The first thing that is associated with anonymity is a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The best possible way to approach would be to jump around many open wireless networks and rarely repeat the same connection point. There are literally thousands if not millions of VPN providers which are carefully crafted to make your internet connection safe and difficult to track.

The VPN software does it by replacing your original IP address with a fake one given by the VPN server. On top of that, many VPN providers claim they do not retain logs which give you the added liberty over the internet.

The no-logging feature enables the VPN Company to stay clear if any legal search warrant gets issued by a law enforcer. The company will be empty-handed, which can never assist in identifying you.

3. Consider Using TOR

Whatever the internet connection you use, make sure to opt for an anonymous browser like Tor’s Onion browser. Tor is a system which encompasses tools APIs and Browsers. They help you to connect anonymously and surf with full anonymity.

Once you enter a tor’s network, then your online traffic flows to and from multiple tor nodes. Since Tor’s anonymity is foolproof and cannot be defeated, thus it remains as one of the best ways to stay anonymous online.

4. Make an Undeniable Bond with HTTPS

Whenever you connect to the internet, try using websites that start with “HTTPS.” If used to be harder but now almost all popular websites are using HTTPS by default. Those who aren’t using it can be countered by using an encrypted wall from a VPN. When working with HTTPS, only select handpicked and trusted authorities that don’t feel like using a fake identity certificate.

5. Avoid the Usual Applications

Avoid installing or using normal productivity softwares like word or spreadsheet etc. Since they are super popular, they’d probably won’t care about revealing who you really are. Many also dial home when they are started and leak information. If it is free of cost and doesn’t feel like protecting privacy, then don’t bother expecting a good response.

From the book named Data and Goliath: The hidden battles to collect data by Bruce Schneier come to these wise words;

“If something is free, you are not the customer; you are the product.”

6. Set up burner Accounts

You will need a different answer to the password question you are asked for each website after you are said to create a login account. The paranoids amongst you will opt for different email addresses for different websites. These emails are called as burner emails which are harder to leave a trace to the real you. You can use email services that advertise themselves as anonymous. Always connect them with your burner accounts even while contacting the people you know on the internet.

7. Avoid using Bowser Plug-ins

Many of today’s browser plug-ins are configured to harness data. Particularly the most popular ones might reveal your identity or leave clues about your location, which may end up in you being traced. Avoid using them if you want to preserve anonymity throughout the surfing on the internet.