Hide That Address- Anonymous IP Surfing

There is a perception about anonymous surfing online, it is that all you need to do is hide your IP address and you have protected your anonymity. I’m afraid this is very far from the truth, there are I’m afraid many different facets to protecting your surfing and masking your IP is just a part.

Of course, it is relatively straight forward to hide your IP address from some people, for instance the web sites you are visiting. All you need to use is a proxy server which acts as a buffer between you and the web site. As long as the proxy is secure and configured correctly then you should be hidden from that site itself. However, there are a few points to consider about the proxy server you use.

Table of Contents

Anonymous Surfing Online – a Proxy Checklist

Is the proxy configured correctly? There are many different types of proxies, many of them offer no protection whatsoever and pass all your information on in their headers.
Who runs the proxy? The normal configuration of a proxy server will mean that you are sending and trusting all your data to the proxy owner.
How is the proxy server run – what about logs? The proxy network I use delete it’s logs instantly – do you know what happens to your logs?
How is the proxy funded? An important question, if it’s a free proxy – why is it being run? Who is paying the bills and why?
Is your data safe? Beware many proxies are run by identity thieves, who realise if you control a proxy server you control all the data that flows through it.

Video of IP Anonymous Surfing

Here’s a video demonstration of some software that can safely encrypt your connection.

It’s also available on YouTube entitled Hide IP Software, if you’d like to watch it there. These questions are important, proxies are used by employers to monitor and track internet usage of their employees. If you are using one on your home connection, make sure it’s secure. If you aren’t sure, then simply don’t use that proxy.

How does a VPN hide your address ?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) hides your IP address by routing your internet traffic through a server located in a different geographic location. When you connect to a VPN server, it acts as an intermediary between your device and the websites or services you access online.

Here’s how a VPN hides your address:

Encryption: When you connect to a VPN, your data is encrypted, meaning it is converted into an unreadable format. This encryption ensures that your internet traffic is secure and cannot be intercepted or deciphered by anyone trying to monitor your online activities.
IP Address Masking: Your original IP address, which is assigned to you by your Internet Service Provider (ISP), is hidden. Instead, the VPN assigns you a new IP address associated with the server you choose to connect to. This new IP address is the one visible to websites or services you visit, masking your actual location and identity.
Server Location: By connecting to a VPN server located in a different country or region, you appear to be accessing the internet from that specific location. For example, if you are physically in the United States but connect to a VPN server in the United Kingdom, websites would see your IP address as originating from the UK, hiding your true location.
Anonymity: As your IP address is hidden, it becomes difficult for websites, online services, or individuals to track your online activities back to you. This anonymity provides an additional layer of privacy and security, making it harder for anyone to identify or trace your online behavior.

Overall, a VPN helps protect your privacy by hiding your IP address, encrypting your data, and providing you with a secure and anonymous browsing experience.

Anonymous Proxies

Anonymous proxies can offer increased security, they can offer some anonymity on the internet – but only if chosen correctly. There are many, many programs both free and paid for that merely mask your IP address by scanning and pointing your data through free anonymous proxies on the internet. This is incredibly foolhardy, a proportion of those free proxies are run by hackers, identity thieves and even governments. They are left open merely because it is the easiest way to steal someone’s data by having them send it to you through an anonymous proxy!! So, play safe and you can enjoy anonymous surfing online, look for a professional product and make sure that they also encrypt your data through a VPN or SSH tunnel.