Every day, millions of users are online and use different tools to work with the Internet. One of these tools is the Browser. With the help of it, we open many pages on the web, read articles, watch videos and search information. However, can the Browser provide us with the desired level of anonymity? Spoiler – no!
Knowing how to browse incognito is a key principle, whether you’re looking for information on a sensitive topic or just want to keep your online presence private.
This post will cover the basics of anonymous surfing and show you how to stay safe while surfing the web. Keep reading our article and get only up-to-date, working-in-practice and convenient life hacks for anonymity on the web.
Tips for Anonymous Surfing
There are many ways to browse the web anonymously, and each has its benefits and drawbacks.
When you use the web incognito, your personal information is not exposed to the websites you visit. This can be beneficial for some reasons:
- You can avoid being tracked by advertising companies.
- Your ISP or government does not record your browsing history.
- You can access websites anonymously that are blocked in your country.
- You can browse the web more securely, as your IP address is not exposed.
Anonymous browsing, therefore, provides a higher level of privacy and security than traditional web browsing.
The next drawbacks of anonymous browsing can be mentioned:
- It could be used to engage in illegal or unethical activities online without being traced.
- Additionally, anonymous browsing could make it more difficult for law enforcement and other authorities to track criminals and investigate online crimes. What will eventually lead to the fact that the platforms that were intended for the flourishing of freedom of speech and action, become a place where criminals “spawn.”
- Finally, anonymous surfing can enable someone to view sensitive or inappropriate content without being detected.
Now let’s look closer at practical tips on how to browse the web anonymously.
Use a Web Proxy
Use a web proxy: A web proxy is a middleman that routes your traffic through another server, making it appear as if your IP address is from the proxy server rather than your actual location.
This can be a simple way to anonymize your browsing, but remember that not all proxies are created equal – some may keep logs of your activity, defeating the purpose of being incognito. So, be attentive to the details when choosing a proxy server.
Use a VPN
Use a VPN for private browsing: A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts all of your traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel, making it much more difficult for anyone to track your activity. This is a safer option than a web proxy, but it can be more expensive and may slow down your browsing speed. But if you don’t want to stream or download huge files, you can use an online VPN for browsing without lags or freezes.
Use Tor
Use Tor: Tor is free, open-source software that routes your traffic through a series of volunteer nodes, making it very difficult to track your activity. However, because your traffic is passing through multiple nodes, it can be slower than other methods of anonymous browsing. For this reason, Tor is unsuitable for streaming and downloading large files but good for regular browsing.
Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi Networks
Whenever possible, avoid using public Wi-Fi networks when surfing. These networks are often unsecured and accessible to hackers, which means they can see everything you’re doing online. If you must use public Wi-Fi, use a VPN to encrypt your traffic and protect your privacy.
Using a Secure Search Engine
If you’re concerned about your privacy, using a secure anonymous search engine that doesn’t track your searches is essential. StartPage and DuckDuckGo are good options that don’t save your search history or sell your data to advertisers. Whatever you search stays with you.
Manage Your Privacy Settings.
Cookies are small pieces of data that websites save on your computer. They can be used for various purposes, including remembering your login information and preferences. However, they can also be used to track your online activity. If you’re concerned about cookies tracking your activity, you can clear them from your browser regularly. Most browsers have an option to do this automatically every time you close the browser.
But if you trust a website and don’t want to use it anonymously, you can allow cookies and be safe and sound.
Why Use VPNs to Browse the Web Anonymously?
You should use the VPN because of the following factors.
| Full encryption of your data | A VPN allows you to surf the internet anonymously but doesn’t provide a multi-step way to encode your data as Tor Browser does. But even in this case, you get everything you need so that your data remains only on your device and no one can access it. |
| Confidentiality | VPN allows you to hide your actual IP address, and you can use any web service without fear of being caught. |
| Open access to all blocked content | With the help of VPN technologies, you can visit any blocked site, listen to music, watch movies, or play games despite local restrictions. |
| Connection speed | Because Tor Browser allows you to encrypt data in multiple steps, your internet connection may be unstable and slow. VPN, in turn, allows you to enjoy a fast connection using different servers in different countries. And as a result, you can download large torrent files at high speed and watch streams without delays. |
| Protection | If you choose to connect to an open Wi-Fi hotspot, you may be risking your data. After all, attackers often steal personal data with the help of open points. To avoid this, you need to use a VPN for protection. It will provide a reliable and secure connection. |
| Kill Switch function | Using a VPN, you can get a new level of protection with this feature. If the device starts having problems with the VPN during use, it will automatically turn off the Internet connection. Thus, it will not even give attackers a chance to steal your data. |
| Service price | VPNs are available as both paid and free services. This has both positive and negative sides. On the one hand, free services allow you to test VPNs without restrictions and become familiar with privacy technology. Free apps, on the other hand, can be dangerous and spread malware. As a result, it is preferable to find a trustworthy VPN with a good reputation and use a monthly subscription. |
FAQ
What is anonymous web browsing?
Anonymous browsing means browsing the web while concealing your personally identifiable information so advertisers, websites, your ISP, the government, or hackers cannot track you.
What are the features of an anonymous browser?
The best browser for anonymous use will contain flexible privacy settings and can hide your data and IP address and all your online activities.
Can the Wi-Fi owner see what sites I visited Incognito?
When you use incognito mode, neither your device nor your browser records the websites you visit. However, the Wi-Fi router can still log that information, and the network administrator can retrieve it later.
Can someone track my browsing history?
Most ordinary computer users are unable to track their private browsing activity. Because your private browsing session is isolated, you can be logged into multiple accounts simultaneously, such as your email and social networking accounts.
