Stay Anonymous Online

TL;DR

Being completely anonymous online is very hard, but you can significantly improve your privacy by using a combination of tools and good habits. This guide covers VPNs, Tor, email, search engines, social media, browsers, and operating systems.

1. Understand Your Threats

Before starting, think about why you want to be anonymous. Are you avoiding tracking by advertisers? Protecting yourself from government surveillance? Hiding your identity for illegal activities (which we don’t support)? The level of effort needed depends on the threat.

2. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

1. What they do: A VPN encrypts your internet connection and hides your IP address, making it look like you’re browsing from a different location.
2. Choosing a VPN: Look for reputable providers with a no-logs policy (they don’t record your activity). Paid services are generally more trustworthy than free ones.
3. Using a VPN: Most VPNs have easy-to-use apps for computers and phones. Connect to a server before browsing.

Example connection using OpenVPN:

openvpn --config /path/to/your/vpn.conf

3. The Tor Network

1. What it is: Tor routes your internet traffic through a series of volunteer-operated servers, making it very difficult to trace back to you.
2. Using Tor: Download the Tor Browser Bundle from the Tor Project website. It’s pre-configured for anonymity.
3. Limitations: Tor is slower than a regular connection and isn’t suitable for all activities (e.g., streaming). Some websites block Tor users.

4. Email

1. Avoid using your personal email address: This is the easiest way to link your online activity back to you.
2. ProtonMail or Tutanota: These are end-to-end encrypted email providers based in privacy-focused countries (Switzerland).
3. Disposable Email Addresses: For temporary use, consider services like Guerrilla Mail.

5. Search Engines

1. DuckDuckGo: Doesn’t track your searches or personalize results.
2. Startpage: Uses Google’s search results but removes all tracking information.

6. Social Media

1. Limit personal information: Don’t share details that could identify you (e.g., full name, location, workplace).
2. Use a pseudonym: Create a fake profile with minimal identifying information.
3. Privacy settings: Review and adjust your privacy settings on each platform to limit who can see your posts and information.

7. Browsers

1. Brave Browser: Blocks trackers and ads by default, with built-in Tor integration (optional).
2. Firefox Focus: A privacy-focused mobile browser that automatically blocks trackers.
3. Browser extensions: Use extensions like Privacy Badger or uBlock Origin to block tracking scripts.

8. Operating Systems

1. Tails OS: A live operating system designed for anonymity and privacy. It runs from a USB stick and leaves no trace on your computer.
2. Qubes OS: A security-focused operating system that uses virtualization to isolate applications. More complex to set up than Tails.

9. Additional Tips

• Use strong passwords and a password manager.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible.
• Be careful about what you click on: Avoid phishing links and malicious websites.
• Keep your software up to date: Security updates patch vulnerabilities that could compromise your privacy.