Being anonymous online (as well as we can)

**Malkavia** · 08-27-2010, 05:22 PM

This question is probably asked a lot but what simple steps (or programs) make it possible for people who surf the internet to stay more anonymous?

Its not so much that I'm hiding from anyone but I'm interested. I understand it is almost impossible if the right person is looking for you, but some advice would be nice nonetheless.

**JohnDoe** · 08-27-2010, 06:22 PM

Clear cookies on exit.

**Silverity** · 08-27-2010, 06:40 PM

Don't use your real name or postal/zip code when filling in forms. Avoid giving out age and sex.

**Rationality** · 08-27-2010, 06:46 PM

Use Tor or a proxy server.

**ModernLit** · 08-27-2010, 06:52 PM

don't keep gmail signed in while you surf. google logs everything you search for and what you click on. they're always watching. they know everything about you if you own a droid, too.

**InfiniteLoop** · 08-27-2010, 07:30 PM

DO NOT FUCK WITH ANONYMOUS. Seriously, they're real assholes. They WILL find your name, and they WILL try to find your other personal info, especially if they have pictures. The way you don't fuck with Anonymous is by not being stupid on the internet. Trust me, I was a victim of theirs a long time ago, but so far they don't know my address/phone number (I'm not THAT stupid, and this happened when I was like thirteen or fourteen anyway).

Clear your cookies, also search weekly through your files for anything that ends in .SOL - these are Flash Cookies. Most scanners don't pick these up, and internet cookie folders in browsers don't show them because they don't read from the same file as the flash cookies. If you run Firefox there's an excellent homebrew App called BetterPrivacy that removes Flash Cookies (you can even set it to do so upon exiting your browser); Google/Bing it and you should find it.

**lurk** · 08-27-2010, 09:40 PM

I use Firefox and have several privacy add-ons:

Better Privacy - remove Flash cookies
Cookie Culler - automatically deletes cookies at end of session, can mark important cookies to save
NoScript - blocks Java scripts except from specifically allowed sites, fairly easy to manage which sites are blocked
Scroogle - Google cover that defeats tracking

**noctilux** · 08-28-2010, 03:41 AM

	Originally Posted by Rationality To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Use Tor or a proxy server.

This is best, if you can live with the slow speed. Try visiting one of those sites which tell you all kinds of information about you from your IP-address when using Tor. It's fun.
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**runrabbitrun** · 08-28-2010, 01:40 PM

An encrypted VPN service would probably be the next best thing to Tor, but anonymity probably can't be guaranteed - for instance, if law enforcement requests logs, they may be required to provide them.

I wouldn't use an anonymous proxy, unless you know exactly who set it up, and why. (otherwise it could be a great way for the service provider to intercept passwords & other sensitive data).

**Malkavia** · 08-29-2010, 08:10 AM

	Originally Posted by Silverity To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Don't use your real name or postal/zip code when filling in forms. Avoid giving out age and sex.

Sex and age are easy not to give out. What if I order things online? Giving a fake name is easy, but what about postal/zip code?

A VPN or Tor doesnt seem to be that hard to set up. I'll see how much it slows down my connection.

---------- Post added 08-29-2010 at 10:12 AM ----------

	Originally Posted by ModernLit To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	don't keep gmail signed in while you surf. google logs everything you search for and what you click on. they're always watching. they know everything about you if you own a droid, too.

I use the "Mail" program on my mac so I am never connected to the gmail site. Is this still a problem?

Originally Posted by InfiniteLoop
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DO NOT FUCK WITH ANONYMOUS. Seriously, they're real assholes. They WILL find your name, and they WILL try to find your other personal info, especially if they have pictures. The way you don't fuck with Anonymous is by not being stupid on the internet. Trust me, I was a victim of theirs a long time ago, but so far they don't know my address/phone number (I'm not THAT stupid, and this happened when I was like thirteen or fourteen anyway).

Clear your cookies, also search weekly through your files for anything that ends in .SOL - these are Flash Cookies. Most scanners don't pick these up, and internet cookie folders in browsers don't show them because they don't read from the same file as the flash cookies. If you run Firefox there's an excellent homebrew App called BetterPrivacy that removes Flash Cookies (you can even set it to do so upon exiting your browser); Google/Bing it and you should find it.

I no longer find myself in those dark recesses of the internet so hopefully I will never come across them.
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	Originally Posted by lurk To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I use Firefox and have several privacy add-ons: Better Privacy - remove Flash cookies Cookie Culler - automatically deletes cookies at end of session, can mark important cookies to save NoScript - blocks Java scripts except from specifically allowed sites, fairly easy to manage which sites are blocked Scroogle - Google cover that defeats tracking

Firefox is nice, but there seems to be a MAJOR problem with starting it up. I've waited over a minute before for it to load up the program.

**MrDoom** · 08-30-2010, 09:17 PM

I've yet to tinker with it, but
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is another alternative.

I recommend the
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profile if you use Firefox.

**9142010** · 08-31-2010, 06:06 AM

	Originally Posted by Rationality To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Use Tor or a proxy server.

Anyone using Tor in Firefox? I've seen many reviewers noting issues...

	Originally Posted by InfiniteLoop To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	...If you run Firefox there's an excellent homebrew App called BetterPrivacy that removes Flash Cookies...

Yeah, Flash cookies hang around after clearing your cache. I think Adobe (Flash) also want to become a marketing powerhouse like Google. Much of their newer software incorporates Omniture code too.

About Better Privacy - I found it actually gave worse privacy - because it adds 'better privacy' to your browser's user agent string. Have a look at this
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... That site highlights how cookies are only one way you can be identified by your browser - with Javascript broadly enabled and some unusual settings you can easily be tracked by websites coded to do so.

Adding a list of advertising/tracking sites to your
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is another way to clean up your internet experience and make it faster too...

**runrabbitrun** · 08-31-2010, 05:11 PM

	Originally Posted by 9142010 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Anyone using Tor in Firefox? I've seen many reviewers noting issues...

I did briefly just to test it out, but the Tor networks were too slow (maybe 2 years ago) for it to be any use for me. There was a really nice plug-in/extension that sat at the bottom of the FF window, which could be used to start & stop Tor as needed. Can't remember the name, but it was very convenient.

I would suggest anyone who uses Tor, and can spare the bandwidth, to set up a Tor server, as well. I'm not sure if it would speed it up for you, but with a network like that every node helps
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**Mogura** · 08-31-2010, 05:28 PM

Just bear in mind that just because you've deleted something on the client (e.g., mail) doesn't mean that the deletion is replicated on the server. A lot of non-IT-savvy businesspeople have gotten seriously burned on this one (well, they got burned by their own ignorance, in addition to their own unethical actions)...

**think** · 09-06-2010, 08:47 AM

Hello Everyone! I just read a thread by Castalia on her concerns about Technology's intrusion on our privacy. I agree with her. I thought I would pose the question: How to protect yourself on the Internet? or moreover, How do you protect yourself on the Internet?

I think y'all's thoughts and tips would be helpful to all of us, imo. Thank you ahead of time.

**Delarge** · 09-08-2010, 07:00 AM

Connect to an open network and employ a proxy server.

**floramacivor** · 09-08-2010, 07:38 AM

Use Startpage for searches instead of Google.

**sircockburn** · 09-12-2010, 07:11 PM

	Originally Posted by Silverity To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Don't use your real name or postal/zip code when filling in forms. Avoid giving out sex.

Agreed. Those viruses spread faster than I thought, and Trojans certainly don't protect.

**Samoan Corleone** · 09-18-2010, 06:32 AM

	Originally Posted by Malkavia To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	What if I order things online? Giving a fake name is easy, but what about postal/zip code?

Get ordered items sent to a PO Box if possible?

**Phamink** · 09-23-2010, 01:03 AM

You can try Tor as others suggested, but any servers usually logs your IP address for certain number of days.

If someone wants to find you through the IP address, its not impossible.

**Nisan Ace Two** · 09-23-2010, 03:43 AM

	Originally Posted by 9142010 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Anyone using Tor in Firefox? I've seen many reviewers noting issues...

I do on some occasions. There are no real problems, just drawbacks. E.g. if i understand correctly, it is advised to have Javascript disabled during Tor usage and some other things that may break a few features on sites. Those are not really problems but necessary to stay protected. About speed, it is okay-ish in my eyes. The reason I don't always use it however is that basically everything you send can be read by the nodes you are sending it through. So I use it for read-only sessions when I feel like it. About that mentioned plugin, I think you mean Torbutton that adds this one-click button to disable and enable it easily.

**SilentRequiem** · 09-23-2010, 05:59 AM

As people suggested Tor (*wonders what would one rotten onion compromise though*), clear cookies etc..

Most importantly look-up the sites you use, check their privacy concerns see if they care or not, privacy is also a mentality but it's a compromise to some and will loosen features.

Be aware of what you use, and where you go

You can make it harder but never really anonymous.

Try finding a VPS server, SSH to it using encrypted connection and tunnel over it.. might help with protection from ISP or people watching your traffic

But server-side you always have an IP that can be traced I am afraid...

**zibber** · 09-23-2010, 06:24 AM

If you have some extra bucks to spend..

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**Thinker** · 09-26-2010, 09:45 PM

	Originally Posted by Mogura To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Just bear in mind that just because you've deleted something on the client (e.g., mail) doesn't mean that the deletion is replicated on the server. A lot of non-IT-savvy businesspeople have gotten seriously burned on this one (well, they got burned by their own ignorance, in addition to their own unethical actions)...

I saw this and thought I should make a point (about ignorance).
The assumption that you should intimately understand everything that you use is a fallacy.
People don't have the time available especially if it is not a core interest.

I have learned a number of things from reading this thread.

However, the thought occurs to me that sometimes the idea that we are being watched seems a little paranoid.

So...what information is being collected, and how can it be used to damage me?(financial/physical/reputational)

I am genuinely interested in the level of effort someone needs to single me out to damage me?
The idea that if someone wants to track me down isn't a problem to me, but the idea that someone wants to cause damage to me is an issue.

Identity theft and use of credit card details are obvious, but how else can someone cause me damage in my personal life?

Am I naive? Loss of anonymity is only an issue if information is disaggregated and I am singled out personally for an attack on my financial, or personal life.

**farang** · 09-28-2010, 10:05 PM

Great Firefox plugin - Ghostery, it blocks random javascript ad networks

---------- Post added 09-29-2010 at 12:06 AM ----------

Also, look into deleting your Flash 'Super Cookies'

08-27-2010, 05:22 PM	#1
Malkavia Core Member [235%] MBTI: ENXP Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 9,427	This question is probably asked a lot but what simple steps (or programs) make it possible for people who surf the internet to stay more anonymous? Its not so much that I'm hiding from anyone but I'm interested. I understand it is almost impossible if the right person is looking for you, but some advice would be nice nonetheless.
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08-27-2010, 06:22 PM	#2
JohnDoe Core Member [130%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 5,203	Clear cookies on exit.
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08-27-2010, 06:40 PM	#3
Silverity Core Member [274%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 10,995	Don't use your real name or postal/zip code when filling in forms. Avoid giving out age and sex.
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08-27-2010, 06:46 PM	#4
Rationality Member [30%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,238	Use Tor or a proxy server.
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08-27-2010, 06:52 PM	#5
ModernLit Core Member [181%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 7,278	don't keep gmail signed in while you surf. google logs everything you search for and what you click on. they're always watching. they know everything about you if you own a droid, too.
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08-27-2010, 07:30 PM	#6
InfiniteLoop Member [15%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 614	DO NOT FUCK WITH ANONYMOUS. Seriously, they're real assholes. They WILL find your name, and they WILL try to find your other personal info, especially if they have pictures. The way you don't fuck with Anonymous is by not being stupid on the internet. Trust me, I was a victim of theirs a long time ago, but so far they don't know my address/phone number (I'm not THAT stupid, and this happened when I was like thirteen or fourteen anyway). Clear your cookies, also search weekly through your files for anything that ends in .SOL - these are Flash Cookies. Most scanners don't pick these up, and internet cookie folders in browsers don't show them because they don't read from the same file as the flash cookies. If you run Firefox there's an excellent homebrew App called BetterPrivacy that removes Flash Cookies (you can even set it to do so upon exiting your browser); Google/Bing it and you should find it.
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08-27-2010, 09:40 PM	#7
lurk Member [13%] MBTI: InTP Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 556	I use Firefox and have several privacy add-ons: Better Privacy - remove Flash cookies Cookie Culler - automatically deletes cookies at end of session, can mark important cookies to save NoScript - blocks Java scripts except from specifically allowed sites, fairly easy to manage which sites are blocked Scroogle - Google cover that defeats tracking
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08-28-2010, 01:40 PM	#9
runrabbitrun Member [02%] MBTI: INTj Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 86	An encrypted VPN service would probably be the next best thing to Tor, but anonymity probably can't be guaranteed - for instance, if law enforcement requests logs, they may be required to provide them. I wouldn't use an anonymous proxy, unless you know exactly who set it up, and why. (otherwise it could be a great way for the service provider to intercept passwords & other sensitive data).
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08-30-2010, 09:17 PM	#11
MrDoom Member [18%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 743	I've yet to tinker with it, but To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. is another alternative. I recommend the To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. profile if you use Firefox.
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08-31-2010, 05:28 PM	#14
Mogura Core Member [175%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 7,031	Just bear in mind that just because you've deleted something on the client (e.g., mail) doesn't mean that the deletion is replicated on the server. A lot of non-IT-savvy businesspeople have gotten seriously burned on this one (well, they got burned by their own ignorance, in addition to their own unethical actions)...
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09-06-2010, 08:47 AM	#15
think Member [29%] MBTI: xxxx Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,167	Hello Everyone! I just read a thread by Castalia on her concerns about Technology's intrusion on our privacy. I agree with her. I thought I would pose the question: How to protect yourself on the Internet? or moreover, How do you protect yourself on the Internet? I think y'all's thoughts and tips would be helpful to all of us, imo. Thank you ahead of time.
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09-08-2010, 07:00 AM	#16
Delarge Member [09%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 380	Connect to an open network and employ a proxy server.
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09-08-2010, 07:38 AM	#17
floramacivor Member [42%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,713	Use Startpage for searches instead of Google.
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09-23-2010, 01:03 AM	#20
Phamink New Member [01%] MBTI: INXJ Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 27	You can try Tor as others suggested, but any servers usually logs your IP address for certain number of days. If someone wants to find you through the IP address, its not impossible.
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09-23-2010, 05:59 AM	#22
SilentRequiem Member [14%] MBTI: INTx Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 581	As people suggested Tor (wonders what would one rotten onion compromise though), clear cookies etc.. Most importantly look-up the sites you use, check their privacy concerns see if they care or not, privacy is also a mentality but it's a compromise to some and will loosen features. Be aware of what you use, and where you go You can make it harder but never really anonymous. Try finding a VPS server, SSH to it using encrypted connection and tunnel over it.. might help with protection from ISP or people watching your traffic But server-side you always have an IP that can be traced I am afraid...
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09-23-2010, 06:24 AM	#23
zibber Core Member [407%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 16,291	If you have some extra bucks to spend.. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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09-28-2010, 10:05 PM	#25
farang New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 3	Great Firefox plugin - Ghostery, it blocks random javascript ad networks ---------- Post added 09-29-2010 at 12:06 AM ---------- Also, look into deleting your Flash 'Super Cookies'
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