https://ask.slashdot.org/story/16/11...eb-anonymously
Quote:
An anonymous reader asks:
In an age of evercookies, zombie cookies, and always expanding efforts to track browsers, devices, and people -- is there any way to browse totally anonymous to the sites you are visiting?
With so many technologies quietly monitoring your activity, "How can a user today browse with confidence that they can't be tracked or identified, avoiding even being identified anonymously as a returning user or device?" Leave your best answers in the comments. What's the best way to browse the web anonymously?
Since this isnt Slashdot, I'll change it to "Ask Ron Paul Forums Users..." what you do to browse the web anonymously?
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These are things that I do:
#1 - Use a HOSTS file
http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm
HOSTS file works like DNS, where the IP address of websites is given a corresponding name. Such as www.ronpaulforums.com has a Public IP of 67.225.158.173 but since no one will ever remember those numbers, DNS and HOSTS files are used to change that impossible to remember number into a name we can remember, like ronpaulforums.com
HOSTS files basically override DNS. When your computer does a Name Lookup, it takes more time to get that name from a DNS server than it does to look it up locally. Thus, HOSTS files are checked first. It also allows you to use names that arent registered with ICANN for things that dont need to be public, such as computers on a small network.
What is important about a HOSTS file is that it allows you to use it to BLOCK many many different websites, especially those that are known to be malicious or those that track you. So lets say there is a known website like Double Click, which both tracks you, and has served malware to people many many times. You can prevent almost every program on your computer from ever even connecting with Double Click by putting in a HOSTS file entry. It is MUCH EASIER than it sounds. You can edit your HOSTS file with any TEXT EDITOR, such as Notepad, which is a default part of Windows. To block Double Click, you would put a line in your HOSTS file that reads:
0.0.0.0 ad.doubleclick.net
That will effectively block your computer from ever going to Double Click (google owned for serving ads) which speeds up browsing the internet, even on very fast connections. A lot of ads now use animations and javascript so having too many ads makes your machine run slower, especially if you have more than one browser window open. Basically, less CPU cycles.
#2 - Don't Use Your ISP's DNS Servers, or Googles
DNS stands for "Domain Name System" and as mentioned above, changes 67.225.158.173 to www.ronpaulforums.com so you dont have to remember the numbers. Trouble is that your ISP can track the IP they give you so they can know what websites you browse to, and that is a vector for invading your privacy. You can change your DNS servers on pretty much every device, including most smart phones, to a non default DNS server. Your ISP gives you a default DNS server, but most people dont use anything but the default.
I suggest using an Ad Blocking DNS server, or something maybe a bit better known like Open DNS:
https://www.opendns.com/
#3 - Don't Use Your ISP to Search The Web
Its supposed to be a convenience thing, but it has again turned into a vector by which to invade your privacy. Why do they do this? Because you are the thing that is for sale. AT&T just go busted for this. FCC also had a rare victory for privacy where they said that people can not be forced to agree to be tracked and the only way to not be tracked was to "Opt Out", thusly changed to "Opt In". It in and of itself is still no guarantee you won't be tracked.
#4 - Dont' Use A Search Engine That You Log Into
If you use Yahoo services, such as Email, then don't use Yahoo as your main search engine. Also, block all cookies from whoever you use as your Search Engine. Lets say you use Google services, like Gmail or whatever. If you do, then don't use Google to search the web, use Yahoo, or some other search engine and block all cookies from Yahoo or whoever you want as your search engine.
Suggested Alternative Search Engines:
https://startpage.com
https://duckduckgo.com
#5 - Don't Use The Default Browser
On any Windows computer, your default browser will try to set itself to Internet Explorer. Switch to Firefox or Epic or another privacy oriented browser.
Epic Privacy Browser Is Epic - Ron Paul Forums
http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthr...rowser-Is-Epic
#6 - DO Use A Virtual Private Network (VPN) or Proxy
The Epic Browser comes with a built in Proxy, but it is not that fast. Safari also has a Proxy, but it has been getting so much traffic that they now want you to pay for it. Proxies help a bit with privacy, but at the price of browsing speeds being slower. Proxies also only apply to whatever browser you use that is configured to use it, and browsing requires more than just your browser, which means Proxies are not perfect for protecting your privacy. Your computer or phone will have to do DNS lookups, which dont use your Browser, thus, using a Proxy does not protect you from being tracked by your DNS lookups.
VPNs are a bit different. VPNs try to route all connections to the internet through their services. There are free ones out there, which are usually slow, and also have the same issues as you being tracked by your ISP as they effectively become your new ISP. Although you will be mostly untrackable by your actual ISP (ISP stand for Internet Service Provider), you can be tracked the same way by your VPN so pick a good one.
Suggested Virtual Private Network Providers (VPNs):
Private Internet Access
https://www.privateinternetaccess.com
#7 - DO Use a Good Firewall
The Windows Firewall sucks in all its forms. So do most Firewalls today made available by big corporations such as Norton. The trouble with Firewalls is that a good one will be very very naggy, and people dont understand what it the messages mean.
Alert: Microsoft Solitaire wants to connect to the internet.
Do you want to allow Microsoft Solitaire to connect to the internet?
Allow Deny
Most people figure out that if they hit Deny, then they are unable to browse the web, so they start to default to allow everything. They also complain to the companies who set their defaults to also allow everything, making everything you do on your computer completely trackable, such as how often you use a program that has no business connecting to the internet such as Solitaire. They now have access to literally every action you make while using that program.
Ive addressed this more times that I can even count. And its not that in and of itself Solitaire is "dangerous", nor what you do with it. It isnt about just Solitaire tracking what you do in Solitaire, it is Psychological Conditioning to have literally every single action you make in EVERY aspect of your life monitored and recorded. This causes people to experience an emotional response to being tracked as neutral or identify that as a non-threat. Once people do not resist being tracked everywhere and it becomes unavoidable due to a lack of resistance, then things will become dangerous. Two possible outcomes to the total elimination of privacy: A: Death / Genocide, B: Death by a Thousand Cuts. There is nothing illegal or immoral about being Jewish, yet, that bit of information cost the lives of millions. The next large group of people that will find their lives in jeopardy will most likey be any organized groups that oppose the Status Quo in any of its forms. The smaller but far more destructive version of the application of Invasion of Privacy will be the Cumulative Incrementalization of fines and fees that are forced upon people. "We see that you spend more time playing Solitaire when you should be exercising, thus, we need to increase your Obamacare Insurance Premiums." The small increase in costs to an individual wont break them, but combined with everything else that a person "does wrong" will ruin them financially as they spend more on the fines and fees than they can afford and end up being suppressed into poverty, which, as Gandhi put it, is the most ruinous form of violence. Poverty is a form of violence, and that is exactly what will happen when corporations have a financial incentive to "find something wrong" in your behavior, even if it is not illegal or immoral. Also, apply for a new job that pays better and get fired from your current job, even if you dont get the new job.
Anyway, the current major firewalls are pretty much useless as they let everything connect and track everything you do. You will NEED a "naggy firewall" in order to properly configure it to protect your privacy. And no, Solitaire should not be allowed to connect to the internet.
Privacy Oriented Firewalls:
Private Firewall
https://www.privacyware.com
#8 - DO Teach Others How To Protect Their Privacy
I cant say enough about this one. By teaching others, they become fully aware of the consequences of elimination of privacy. They may very well have something to share with you also. Perhaps a Plugin for Firefox or Epic, or another browser all together. Perhaps they tell you about a Black Phone, which is an Android based privacy based phone so Google cant track every aspect of your life.
By communicating with others in a private manner and discussing technical means to protect your privacy, you can only become better at it, as you help others to become better too. Same thing with Freedom. People are now taught to fear Freedom, but what they are really being taught to be afraid of is the Responsibility that comes along with being truly Free. Too many want "someone" to take care of them, and we all know how Ron Paul feels about Entitlements. The only real Entitlement that one has is an Entitlement to themselves, and Privacy and Freedom are two aspects of the Entitlement that one has unto themselves, as well as the personal responsibility for both and many other qualities of a free and prosperous society.
<END OF LIST - TO BE EDITED AND UPDATED>
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This is by no means a comprehensive list that will absolutely allow you anonymitiy on the web. Hell, I didnt even talk about Cookies, Flash Cookies, DOM Storage, or many other ways of tracking. What I hope is that anyone else that posts in this thread will share what tools they use and help others to understand how they can better protect themselves so that they are not killed by their own government or bled dry by the financial incentives that corporations will have to fine you to death.
So, whats the best way that you use to browse the web anonymously?