Understanding IP Address and Anonymous Web Surfing - Part 2

In the previous part we discussed about few of online tools to browse as anonymous for free. There was a good hand guide to start with a personal proxy server, but it's not the end. I promised to be more practical with reviews of commercial and free tools. So, someone's IP address will always be “detectable”, however, there are a number of commercial programs, and free “techniques” that you can use to anonymize your internet connection. We'll directly start with various tools that can be used for hinding your IP address.

The basic method of “hiding” the IP address is by using something known as a Proxy. Depending on how good the service is (or, how complete it is), it may or may not also block advertising tracking cookies. In addition to using a proxy to surf with, I would also highly recommend you use a program like Ad-Aware (free version available) that will remove spyware, adware and malware from your computer. Some spyware, adware and malware can defeat your attempts at being truly anonymous. You can obtain Ad-Aware from:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

You'll notice that the VPN type anonymizers offer the best/widest protection, but, they are more expensive vs. the typical web proxy. Depending on what you want to do, you may not need to spend the extra money on the VPN connections--rather, stick with something like
'Anonymous Surfing' instead. I’ll start with a few commercial/shareware applications that provide the functionality you need to surf privately.

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Anonymous Surfing (formerly Anonymizer): http://www.anonymizer.com/consumer/products/anonymous_surfing/

“How Does It Work?”

“Each Internet user broadcasts an IP address, or "Internet Address" and can be used to trace your location and personal information.”

“Unscrupulous marketers and spammers who know your IP address can send you unwanted targeted ads and SPAM. Even worse, malicious hackers and snoops can track your surfing habits and make you a victim of identity theft!”

“With Anonymous Surfing, your IP address is hidden and your surfing is encrypted with Surfing Security™, preventing online marketers and snoops from tracking you.”

“What Is Surfing Security™?”

“The power behind Anonymizer's Surfing Security™, always-on SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption. SSL is a method in which all information sent between you and a web site is encrypted. This means that only your computer can view any data being sent to or from it, thus preventing outside eyes from seeing your personal information.”

“Anonymizer uses 128-bit SSL technology, the most secure form of SSL available, to ensure the highest level of protection and anonymity.”

Essentially, Anonymizer will allow you to surf anonymously – even from a location that already uses a Proxy server to “watch” where you surf. It is $29.99 for a 1 year subscription to the service.

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FindNot.com: http://www.findnot.com/

FindNot.com is another service which is similar to Anonymizer. However, findnot.com uses a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to ‘privatize’ your surfing. VPN’s are often used by businesses who wish to have their employees access network resources from outside the network (like, at an airport). VPN’s create the equivalent of a dial-up connection via. the Internet into another private area. Using a VPN based anonymizer will allow all your connections to be private. All connections including P2P, IRC, games, web, etc. will go through the VPN and hence become ‘anonymous’.

Findnot.com also states that they do not keep any log files whatsoever.


I hope this has given you the information you basically need to do a start and starting surfing anonymously.

Part 3 will be up very soon! Don't miss to read more anonymizer software reviews and techniques to hide your IP address.

Searches used (Google):

Free proxy
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