Surfing the Web Anonymously

Surfing the Web Anonymously – Questions to Ask

When you surf the web it is possible to learn information about you
even when you don’t want to advertise who you are. This is true even
if your system contains no virus or malware software. Specifically
information that is easily available online includes your IP address,
your country (and often more location information based on IP
address), what computer system you are on, what browser you use, your
browser history, and other information. It gets worse. People can
get your computer’s name and even find out your name if your machine
supports programs like finger or identd. Also, cookies can track your
habits as you move from machine to machine.

How do people get this basic information about you?

When you visit another web site, information about you can be
retrieved. Basically, information is intercepted and used by others
to track your Internet activities.

How do you stop this from happening?

First of all, it is possible to surf the web anonymously and thereby
stop leaving a trail for others to find. Note that this is not fool-
proof, but it makes it much harder for people to know who you are.
There are products called anonymous proxy servers that help protect
you. The anonymous proxy server replaces your Internet address for
its own. This has the effect of hiding your IP address and making it
much harder for people to track you.

How do I get an anonymous proxy server?

There are many vendors who sell anonymous proxy servers. There are
also free proxy servers available to you. Two such products are
ShadowSurf and Guardster. Guardster (http://www.guardster.com/)
offers various services for anonymous and secure access to the web,
some paid as well as a free service. ShadowSurf
(http://www.shadowsurf.com/) ShadowSurf provides anonymous surfing at
their site for free. Go to it and you will find a box to enter a URL
that you want no one to track. There are many others, but here are
two that are frequently used.

Another interesting product, given the recent news about the Google
search engine filtering its findings for the Chinese government, is
Anonymizer (http://www.anonymizer.com). This company, among others,
recently (Feb 1st, 2006) pressed that it “is developing a new anti-
censorship solution that will enable Chinese citizens to safely
access the entire Internet filter free”
(http://www.anonymyzer.com/consumer/media/press_releases/02012006.html
).

Does an anonymous proxy server make you 100% safe?

No. Still, you are much better off if you use such technology.

What other things should I be concerned about when trying to keep my
private information private?

Three other items come to mind when trying to keep your information
private. First, you can use an encrypted connection to hide your
surfing. This article does not go into detail on this, but search the
web and you will find a lot of information on this. Secondly, delete
cookies after each session. Third, you can configure your browser to
remove JavaScript, Java, and active content. This actually leads to
limitations, so you need to think about the cost/benefit of this
course of action.

Anything else?

Wishing you happy and safe surfing!

Phishing For Your Identity

Who hasn't received an email directing them to visit a
familiar website where they are being asked to update their
personal information? The website needs you to verify or
update your passwords, credit card numbers, social security
number, or even your bank account number. You recognize
the business name as one that you've conducted business
with in the past. So, you click on the convenient "take me
there" link and proceed to provide all the information they
have requested. Unfortunately, you find out much later
that the website is bogus. It was created with the sole
intent to steal your personal information. You, my friend,
have just been "phished".

Phishing (pronounced as "fishing") is defined as the act
of sending an email to a recipient falsely claiming to have
an established, legitimate business. The intent of the
phisher is to scam the recipient into surrendering their
private information, and ultimately steal your identity.

It is not at easy as you think to spot an email phishing
for information. At first glance, the email may look like
it is from a legitimate company. The "From" field of the e-
mail may have the .com address of the company mentioned in
the e-mail. The clickable link even appears to take you to
the company's website, when in fact, it is a fake website
built to replicate the legitimate site.

Many of these people are professional criminals. They
have spent a lot of time in creating emails that look
authentic. Users need to review all emails requesting
personal information carefully. When reviewing your email
remember that the "From Field" can be easily changed by the
sender. While it may look like it is coming from a .com
you do business with, looks can be deceiving. Also keep in
mind that the phisher will go all out in trying to make
their email look as legitimate as possible. They will even
copy logos or images from the official site to use in their
emails. Finally, they like to include a clickable link
that the recipient can follow to conveniently update their
information.
A great way to check the legitimacy of the link is to
point at the link with your mouse. Then, look in the bottom
left hand screen of your computer. The actual website
address to which you are being directed will show up for
you to view. It is a very quick and easy way to check if
you are being directed to a legitimate site.

Finally, follow the golden rule. Never, ever, click the
links within the text of the e-mail, and always delete the
e-mail immediately. Once you have deleted the e-mail, empty
the trash box in your e-mail accounts as well. If you are
truly concerned that you are missing an important notice
regarding one of your accounts, then type the full URL
address of the website into your browser. At least then
you can be confident that you are, in fact, being directed
to the true and legitimate website.