proxy and anonymity question

[JC00]

is there a way to use the internet anonymously? i've heard of using foreign proxy servers. do you recommend this?

[nightfishing]

Well, yes and no.

You have a few options to help preserve some degree of anonymity on the web.

You can go to a number of web sites that provide a portal to the web (basically an address box from which you can enter url's and browse the web.)

These sites are effective at keeping your IP from the sites you are going to, but they come with two major drawbacks:

(1) they are horribly inconvenient, not practical for much more than very specific usage.

(2) you have to "trust" the anonymizing site; they will know who "you" are, do you know who "they" are?





Another option is using software to connect thru remote proxies (Multiproxy, A4Proxy, Proxomitron etc).

What these programs do is connect you to a remote proxy (an IP not on your network or specifically your ISP) and then connect you to whatever address you are trying to access.

They can be configured to use specific proxies based on speed and/or anonymity and can be used to rotate proxies to extend the effectiveness of the procedure.

they too have drawbacks:

(1) while they are MUCH simpler (no real changes need to be made to your surfing habits, unlike the online anonymizers), they do slow down surfing a bit - especially for dialup users.

(2) they are not 100% effective - if someone wants to track down where the connections are coming from, they will be able to find your IP.

That being said, using a program like Proxomitron to surf thru remote proxies will keep you anonymous unless someone specifically decides to find out who you are.

Proxomitron can also be used to protect your identity in several other ways:

Faking IP clients, x-forwarded and referrer information - this is actually more effective for general purposes. In most cases, sites are more concerned where you "came from" than where you originated from. Faking referrers keep your surfing habits pretty well cloaked. I, personally use a filter that sends "/u" to every site I visit; this send those sites their own IP as a referrer. Very nice feature.

Using long strings for IP clients and x-forwarded also will foil many automated tracking systems from finding your real IP - again this helps only and up 'til someone REALLY wants to find out who you are.



In general, if you are looking for ways to become "less obvious" on the web, using a program like Proxomitron with or without a remote proxy can help you.

If you want to access a page or two with a greater deal of anonymity, then the online anonymizers can help.

If you want to be completely cloaked, where rubber gloves and go to a local library.