What Do You Know About Anonymous Web Surfing

In order for anyone to go online, you must have several things. You must have a computer obviously, an Internet connection, which includes an IP (Internet Protocol) address, an ISP (Internet Service Provider), a modem or wireless card (in which case there must be an unsecured Internet connection in range of your computer). Your IP address is a unique identifier of your location by city, state, general latitude and longitude and even the name and address of the owner. An IP address is assigned to your computer when you go online; it is used to communicate with other computers using the same protocol.

You may ask why I would want to surf anonymously. Let us say you are at work and you decide to go on the Internet for non-work related reasons. Maybe you are looking for another job. Many companies have installed a program called Boss Everywhere so they can trace your Internet surfing while at work. The network administrator can trace the sites you visit, how long you spend at each site and what you do while on that site. Many people have lost their job for this reason. There are sites that allow you to go through them so your surfing cannot be traced back to you. You simply type in their URL before you surf the Internet and they cover your tracks so nobody knows where you went or what you did on the Internet.

Hackers, identity thieves and cyber stalkers are out to steal your information. They have knowledge and programs that help them get the information you type into the web sites that you visit. They can crack your passwords and gain access to your accounts. The spam you get in your email box is from some of the sites you visit. Web sites use the ruse that they are trying to make your surfing more satisfying to you by giving your information, based on where you have gone, to third parties that have your interest in mind while these companies place many viruses, spyware and malware on your computer. If you have cookies enabled, they track everywhere you go on the Internet. So if you are not surfing anonymously, make sure you read the terms and conditions, and privacy policies on the sites you visit.

If you do not want other people or companies to have access to your information, location, personal preferences and information, you need to either go to one of the free sites offering anonymous web surfing through them or you need to buy software that will keep your information private.

You can log before surfing the web onto several good sites. Be careful and do your research because they are not all good. Go to http://www.auditmypc.com/anonymous-surfing.asp to see just how much information you are giving away when you log onto the Internet. Logging onto a proxy server will keep your surfing and your information private. Some specify what they will keep private for you, such as email, web tracker and so on.