Staying anonymous while browsing is quite a challenge these days. But there are clear reasons why you want to do it, like not having the ISP or other people know what sites you browse, not give access to crucial data on your device and so on. Learning some anonymous browsing tips and tricks is a great idea, and it can help you more than you might expect.
Use privacy-focused browsers
The thing you have to realize here is that a browser that’s privacy focused is going to work very well and it will keep you anonymous for the most part. These browsers tend to block trackers, they limit fingerprinting, block third party cookies, upgrade connections to HTTPS where possible and they reduce the unnecessary telemetry. Basically, TOR and Brave are great example, but there are a lot of other options to consider. All you have to do is to make the right choice based on your needs.
Virtual private network
Using a VPN is also helpful, because it encrypts the traffic between your device and the VPN server. What that means is you are hiding the public IP address from websites and you can reduce IP visibility in the browsing destinations. The VPN provider can still see the traffic which goes through the server. So if you are using a VPN, you do want to go for one which can be relied upon. Working with a reputable service provider is certainly crucial here, so you have to keep that in mind.
Using a proxy server
The role of a proxy server is important, because it routes the web requests via another server. It makes sense to opt for the best proxy because it will protect you quite a bit. Sure, it doesn’t encrypt the traffic, but it offers great protection and that’s why many use it. That’s especially true for businesses. And you have residential, data center, ISP or mobile proxies. So there are definitely lots of different options to consider based on your needs and requirements.
Secure the browser settings
The way you configure your browser also matters here. A lot of people just use the regular browser settings, and that is going to cause some issues. You want to block third party cookies where possible, disable unnecessary extensions, clear cookies often, limit site permissions, review all your saved passwords and enable the HTTPS only mode where you can.
You always want to keep your browser up to date as well. Browser updates bring more than new features, they solve various vulnerabilities. So it always helps to try and upgrade the browser often, just to be on the safe side. It might not seem like a lot, but handle it appropriately and the experience will be a whole lot better in the end. Just make sure that you are approaching it professionally.
Use strong authentication
Authentication matters, and implementing strong authentication can help you with staying anonymous. The idea here is that you want to use unique passwords, use a password manager, monitor any login alerts and use multi-factor authentication where possible. These things will not keep you anonymous, but they will protect your accounts and identity. It will be much harder for someone to access all of your content and documents, which is crucial. So yes, improving the security systems on your device is a very good idea.
Use browser extensions sparingly
The problem with browser extensions is that many of them tend to collect your browsing data. That’s why, before you use any extension, you want to verify the developer, review the requested permissions, read some of the recent reviews and remove the extensions you don’t use often or at all. The fewer extensions you have, the better it is when it comes to staying anonymous. Plus, you are keeping the security risks at a lower setting, which is something to consider here.
The same thing is valid when it comes to browsing the internet on public Wi-Fi. In those places, it can be very easy for hackers to access your info and sell it to the highest bidder. It makes sense to use a proxy, VPN and a firewall as the means to protect yourself. Disable the automatic Wi-Fi connection here, because it will help you quite a bit to stay safe. And on top of that, you do want to turn off file sharing as well, as it’s also a challenge to deal with.
Reduce the digital footprint
A good rule of thumb is to use separate email addresses for different purposes, and limit the public profile information. Remove any unused online accounts, don’t let them dormant as they can still get hacked. Review the privacy settings of the services that you use and stop using stuff as well as delete your accounts if they are making privacy changes you don’t like.
Even so, anonymous browsing has its fair share of limits. You can’t always stay fully anonymous, at some point you are very much forced to share some of your data. But it’s always doable, and that’s why you want to tackle things appropriately and figure out what to do next. One thing is certain, you always want to focus more on security. Not reusing passwords, installing only the browser extensions you need, and simple stuff like that can help you stay safe. Otherwise, you can end up with a lot of data leaks and naturally, no anonymity.
Conclusion
We believe that it’s possible to stay anonymous for the most part if you start using these tips. They are helpful if you want to focus more on staying safe online and maintaining a high level of privacy. It’s never an easy thing, but if you know how to manage it and how to do it wisely, the outcome will be exceptional. Make sure that you always think twice about who might be able to access your data, and don’t rush. Instead, protect yourself with the right security and privacy tools, and don’t hesitate to use a proxy service!