According to research, cyberattacks will cause more than $10 trillion in yearly damages by 2025.
You can greatly reduce the risk of being targeted by a cybercriminal if you remain anonymous while browsing the web.
That said, understanding the concept of anonymous browsing can already be complex, let alone achieving fully anonymous status online.
Here are four easy methods to browse the internet without being tracked.
1. Incognito Mode
All main-stream browsers already offer incognito mode, which can help improve privacy and contribute to a more anonymous browsing experience.
Now, incognito mode helps improve privacy from a browser perspective. When the incognito mode is on then, Chrome, Firefox, or whatever browser you use will not track your information.
This is a great alternative if you’re looking for surprise gifts or planning trips for your family but don’t want to leave any clues.
2. Proxy Connections
Proxy connections work as intermediaries between your browser and the website you want to access.
On your end, the process is the same — you access a website, and your browser takes you to that page.
However, before establishing the initial interaction, your connection passes through the proxy, making it look like you’re connected from another location.
So, if you use this type of connection, the website you’re accessing will collect the proxy’s IP address and other trackable information.
3. Turning Off Cookies
Although they have other functional applications, cookies have become a synonym for online tracking, and for good reason.
In regions like the European Union, websites have to inform you and collect your approval in order to continue using cookies on their sites.
The good news is that most websites let you choose whether you can approve or deny their tracking cookies. This doesn’t impact other tracking technologies, but it does address the most common one used across the board.
4. Virtual Private Networks
There are 1.6 billion virtual private network (VPN) users worldwide and this number is projected to continue growing for the next few years.
Ask yourself why VPNs are so popular? It’s because they’re the easiest way to stay incognito and establish a fully private connection.
VPNs create a secure connection between your device and the servers on the other end. In theory, even if a hacker can identify your connection, the VPN ensures that the information can’t be deciphered or accessed whatsoever.
Bonus: Turn Off JavaScript
This tip is only recommended for hardcore privacy enthusiasts and even then, it may not be suitable for every situation.
There are many other tracking technologies and methods used, but almost all of them rely on JavaScript for part or all of their functioning. If you disable JavaScript, you’ll greatly improve your anonymity levels.
Now, JavaScript is used for a wide range of elements on most sites, so you will also be presented with a bare-bones version of the site that only has text.
What is Anonymous Browsing? Is It the Same As Private Browsing?
Anonymous browsing is the practice of surfing the web in a way that your actions, history, and personal information can’t be tracked or unveiled.
The idea is to hide identifiable information that can be linked to your person, like your phone or computer IP address.
While often compared, browsing anonymously is not the same thing as browsing privately.
Browsing privately refers to visiting different websites and platforms in a fashion where your web browser doesn’t track your activity.
This can protect your information from companies like Google, but it still allows website owners and other online entities to track your actions.
Why Should You Protect Your Private Information?
By protecting your private information, you can:
- Protect Personal Information: Stop your data from falling into the wrong hands and prevent issues like ID theft.
- Avoid Targeted Ads: Targeted ads are more effective and can induce bad decisions at the wrong time, but you can help avoid this by using an anonymous connection.
- Access Restricted Content: Whether you encounter geo-locked or time-restricted content, anonymous browsing tools can help you access these materials. For instance, if you want to see the Monaco Grand Prix from a country it’s not available in, a Formula 1 VPN may be the answer.
Wrapping Up
Maintaining full anonymity may just be the most difficult thing to achieve as an everyday user.
With that said, there are a few easy alternatives that can help you establish a fully private connection, including using incognito mode in your browsers, using a proxy, turning off cookies, and of course, connecting through a VPN.
Not only this, but depending on your online activity, it may be enough to put your browser incognito.
However, if you want to avoid advanced tracking methods like device fingerprinting, you may need to opt for a more powerful alternative that ensures full privacy.
