Privacy Mode & IP Addresses: Staying Anonymous Online

TL;DR

Privacy mode (Incognito/Private Browsing) hides your browsing history from your computer, but not your activity from websites or your internet service provider. Changing your IP address helps, but isn’t foolproof. For strong anonymity, use a different computer and a Virtual Private Network (VPN). A VPN is the most effective method.

Understanding the Problem

Let’s break down how websites track you and what each approach does:

• Privacy Mode: Clears cookies, browsing history, and temporary files locally on your device. It doesn’t hide your IP address or prevent websites from identifying you through other means.
• IP Address: A unique number assigned to your internet connection. Websites use it to roughly determine your location and can track repeat visits.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Privacy Mode – What It Does & Doesn’t Do:
   • Does: Prevents local storage of browsing data (cookies, history). Useful for multiple logins on a shared computer.
   • Doesn’t: Hide your IP address from websites or your ISP. Websites can still see you as a new visitor each session if they use other tracking methods.
2. Changing Your IP Address:
   • How: You can change your public IP address by:
     • Restarting your router (may give you a new IP).
     • Connecting to a different Wi-Fi network.
     • Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) – recommended.
     • Using a proxy server (less secure than a VPN).
   • Effectiveness: Changing your IP address makes it harder to track you across sessions, but websites can still use other methods.

     # Example command to check your current IP address (Linux/macOS)
     curl ifconfig.me

3. Using a Virtual Private Network (VPN):
   • How it works: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a location of your choice, masking your real IP address.
   • Benefits:
     • Hides your IP address.
     • Encrypts your data for increased security.
     • Allows you to access geo-restricted content.
   • Choosing a VPN: Research reputable providers with strong privacy policies (no logging of activity). Paid services are generally more reliable than free ones.
4. Using a Different Computer:
   • Effectiveness: Using a completely separate computer with its own IP address and no prior browsing history is the most effective way to avoid tracking.
   • Considerations: This isn’t practical for everyday use.

     # Example command to check your current IP address (Windows Command Prompt)
     nslookup myip.opendns.com resolver1.opendns.com

5. Other Tracking Methods & Mitigation:
   • Cookies: Websites use cookies to identify you. Privacy mode helps, but third-party cookies can still track you across sites. Use browser extensions like Privacy Badger or uBlock Origin to block trackers.
   • Browser Fingerprinting: Websites collect information about your browser and system configuration (fonts, plugins, etc.) to create a unique “fingerprint.” Using a privacy-focused browser like Brave or Tor Browser can help mitigate this.

Summary

For basic anonymity, use Privacy Mode with a VPN and consider blocking trackers with browser extensions. For the highest level of security and privacy, use a different computer connected through a VPN.