Using a Proxy Server for Anonymous Browsing

Since the passage of the Patriot Act, many people are concerned and somewhat squeamish about the idea of the government knowing where they go online, what they read, and what they search for. Others may have more direct privacy concerns, being afraid that their boss, rather than the government, will find out just what they are doing online. Others still may want to get around their school's internet restrictions. Regardless, here is a guide that will get you on the internet anonymously in no time.

First, a word about the technology we will be using. Proxy servers are essentially remote computers through which you can route your internet connection. That way, rather than connecting directly with a website's server, and in so doing revealing your IP, or internet address, (which can be traced to you, if anyone should care to do so) you will only reveal your IP to the proxy. Using a proxy server is a simple but effective way to be anonymous online.

You will need a proxy server. There are a number of free proxies available, but due to the fact that they are free, they tend to move at a snail's pace. Search online for "free anonymous proxy". Be aware that there are thousands of them and that they come and go all the time. If you want something a bit faster, you will have to pay for your proxy. Services like Anonymizer will offer you fast, anonymous browsing for a modest subscription fee, often around fifteen dollars annually. Search for these too. There are many of them.

Once you find a proxy, find its IP address and port. If you are using Mozilla Firefox, open the tools menu, and select "Options". Click on the "advanced" tab, and then the "network" tab. Where it says "choose how Firefox connects to the internet", click the "settings" button. On the window that pops up, choose "manual proxy configuration" and enter the IP address (four numbers separated by periods) and the port (four digits). Click OK, and see if it works. If you are using a free proxy server, it probably won't. Try another. Sooner or later you'll find one that works, at least at some speed. Again, if speed and reliability matter to you, you'll have to pay.

Another option is to use the TOR or I2P networks. Both networks provide strong security through a chain of onion routers. Essentially what this means is that instead of connecting to one server somewhere, you are connecting to somebody's home computer somewhere, which is in turn connected to another one, which is connected to another and so on, for up to 20 steps. That way, all but one of the computers can be compromised and your identify will be safe. Unless you are selling nuclear secrets, this is totally unnecessary. (If you are selling nuclear secrets, I would advise you to reconsider:)

Remember that there is no such thing as complete anonymity online. Don't do anything dumb now that you're protected. And also don't be paranoid. Googling "Islam" won't get you on the no-fly list (at least hopefully). Remember the amount of online traffic makes it impossible for whoever it is whose monitoring the internet to keep close enough tabs on everyone to suspect something a terrorist if you're not.